Another Possible Delay

Since getting back from our visit trip to see our baby, I have volunteered to set up some activities for the kids in our apartment complex and today was in the process of trying to set up a 5 Day Club with the area director of Child Evangelism Fellowship when our agency called and informed us that when all the documents came back from the translator my birth certificate was missing. My birth certificate has now got to be replaced, also. We got home and overnighted another copy of my birth certificate to Carol and she sent it on to Guatemalan Consulate in Atlanta and then to Guatemala. Based on the timeline we received it is possible that my birth certificate won't delay us any more. The frustration is immense right now. Lord Willing, no more delays for awhile.

More Details on Delay

Yesterday, I called to get more information on delay. It took us a few days to get to that point as we were really hit with alot of things at once. Today we got the email with our attorney explaining everything. The timeline for the delay is given here and was glad to see what we were looking at as when DNA would be able to take place. So here it is:

"The child was born in Guatemala city and the bmother has been livivng in Guatemala city for lot of years but she was born in Honduras, her documents were expired so first we hired someone in honduras to take the papers out again but this person did not do their job. I now have someone in Guatemala who went three days ago to honduras and asked for 2 originals of her birth certificate, 2 original of the literal of the birth certificate and 2 originals of an statement that she is single, this usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to get out and he will have it today, then it will get inside the relaciones exteriores office of Honduras and it takes there 3 days, so next wednesday it will get out from there and then it has to get inside the guatemalan embassy in honduras for four days, after that it will come to Guatemala and get inside the relaciones exteriores office of Guatemala city for 3 more days and after that it will get to the translator office for two days and then it will get inside the embassy so thats why it takes so long."

Hoping for DNA around my birthday now that we received this time line. August 17th is our goal for DNA to be authorized.

Delay #1 to DNA Authorization

Yesterday was not a good day. My cousin died. It got better though when we got our updated medical and pictures. Our son is now 15lbs 12ox and 27.6 inches long. He was so sad in his pictures, though. He got his second set of shots, too, so I figure that is probably why. Well, our group had some bad news also with a kick out from PGN for a stupid reason and that really set my sister off. Let's just say she really said some unkind things and really just upset me. It taught me once again she is not one you can really talk to. Even though, her daughter came home from Guatemala also she did not have to go through the wait for FC or DNA Authorization and testing or Pre-Approval or even a long stint in PGN due to a quick sign out for special reasons. This had already been done for another couple that decided at the end they didnt want her and it was all transferred to their information and two months after referral came home. She will never understand the long wait and delays that are normal for this process. Her child does have medical issues that can be corrected here and will but I do have an ethical, upstanding agency that puts the children and laws of the land first and I can trust them all. Then, Today. I had decided to stay and attend the funeral tomorrow, but tonight at dinner Carol called. Oh the joy as I saw her name pop up on caller ID. She had said earlier that DNA authorization would be coming soon and to expect the call for payment and well as the title goes it wasnt to be. The Birthmother's Birth Certificate has to be replaced and being born in Honduras it will take about two to three weeks to obtain cause the person supposed to be doing this didn't do it and now our attorney has to send someone. The pain of delay. I just want to bring him home and every time there is a delay it is that much longer away. Beverly's attitude and of all people she should have known, mom and dad dont even consider this child their grandchild anything but that a child right now and it is just ok dont think about it. Matt is the only support I have right now other than my message board group and friend online that is going through this, too. I dont care, I can't be there for support when I have none to give, NO one can be here to give me support except Matt who understands and I am going home with him tomorrow. I can't stay I am not that strong. I am not strong enough to handle it all. I gotta have time for all this to sink in.
Every step of the way is another delay. First with INS and now DNA authorization. I know God is going to work it out but right, now. I am doing good to hold everything together. Our rollercoaster keeps breaking in really tight spots and it takes quite awhile to get it fixed so the ride can continue. At least we are in the valley instead of hanging upside down somewhere.

Our Visit Trip Pictures

Since I could only choose ten I chose my favorites. Hope you enjoy my slideshow. I have plenty more pics. I took hundreds so this isn't even 10% of what I have. We love our son and can't wait till the day comes to bring him home.

We are Home

We are now home. It was a long flight and an emotional one. We got home late and today spent the time getting pictures, a very few, developed and showing them off. Now to find something to keep me busy. I may have too. The kids in our apartment complex need some activities for them and I volunteered to do it. I have some ideas and plan on starting this weekend to see what I can come up with and see if we can start implementing it this coming week. It will keep me busy and I need that. Tangela, our property manager, was surprised to know that was something that kept crossing my mind. It is like God knew I needed to stay major busy between visit trips and bring home so here I go. God has something great planned. Please be praying my ideas and plans work. I will need some help so please pray parents or someone will help. I will need it. In the meantime, I will keep things updated.

In Between Days and Our Last Day

Between arrival of our precious, adorable son and him going back to his foster parents we spent every minute with him. We went to bed early and got up with him and took care of him. Held him watched, watched him, took pictures of him, and just basically loved him and spoiled him. During the mid morning time when Clay finally did nap the next day, Matt let me take some short time for me. The first time, a shower and clean the bottles used earlier. We spent breakfast in the cafe and lunch/dinner at the pool. Wednesday, the last day with our child we got breakfast and lunch at the cafe. We spent the rest of the time in our room getting some final pictures and just enjoying him while I am trying so hard not to think of what was coming. See Monday night, Tuesday morning between 3am and 7am Clay for the first time I can tell rolled from his back to his tummy instead of just his side. Then that morning he started laughing for Matt, and I swear he said mama. I was so thrilled. We heard it, saw it first. The last few hours we had with him were spent watching him sleep and playing with him the few minutes he was awake. At 7pm I changed him and when they called we took him down the elevator to where they waited. I couldnt do it. I couldnt let him go. He wanted them and smiled but it hurt so bad. We couldnt understand each other till this lady came by and offered to translate cause someone from the lobby was busy and was taking awhile. I finally got the nerve up and handed him the baby since him FM's hands were full with what I gave her and OH MY GOD!!!! I couldnt say much. I know they will take care of him and love him but it was me I couldnt stand it but I had to. I stayed calm until Matt helped them get everything I gave them to the taxi and they drove away with my baby. I know he is ours but he is mine too. They walked away and I broke down. We got to the room and I walked in, it still smelled so much like him, and the crib and stuff but I cried in the pillow awhile Matt holding me and then I got up and had to go about living. He is ok. They love him, are taking care of him and I will see him again in September for a little while and I will hurt again. But I need to see him. We went to the family room and talked to a couple about a week ahead of us in the process and then went to get dinner. First time all week. We got online. Checked in. And got ready for the trip home. Our baby was happy with us and he was happy going back to them. This way we are not strangers when the day comes and we bring him home, his forever family, a family God has put together. In His Time, I know, but it sure doesn't diminish the pain or the tears. So hurry up DNA and PA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our First Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got one hour sleep and picked Matt up at work. We were the first in line to check our baggage in at the Continental Counter, second in line to put checked luggage at luggage drop and second in line for the security line. Then our flight was delayed due to maintenance but no worry we still made it to Houston in time to walk through a very confusing airport. This part of our flight was normal. We slept from Houston to Guatemala City until time to eat bfast and do customs and immigration forms. Once we got to Guatemala City everything changed. We made it through Immigration. It wasnt bad we waited in line to walk to a counter and they took our immigration form, scanned our passport and stamped it. We then collected bags and a porter took it. As we went outside it was overwhelming the crowds of people as we got outside. Then instead of getting on the shuttle some guy took the bags put them in his van and wouldnt give them back or take no for an answer so ended up paying $20 for what should have been a free ride. We walked into a really fancy place. Checked into our room and went upstairs to rest. We got in the room and had to call down for a crib. We were about to lay down and the phone rang. I thought it was Carol cause she realized we were there, but it wasnt. It was the front desk saying our baby was there. I put my shoes on and didnt even think to brush my hair. Went down and as we stepped off of the elevator I saw him. Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!! He looked just like his pictures, perfect. I got to hold him and he was a little cranky just waken up and we with the family and interpreter went to our room. I forgot everything but my baby. The foster mom gave me the night schedule, how to fix the bottle, about the gas drops and med in case ran a fever or something. Carol called and she came up and got some video and I dont remember much. Matt took the foster mom to the family room to heat up a bottle and the interpreter and dad stayed with me and Clay. I got to playing with him and he started smiling and everything seemed to just fall in place. After the family left we went down to the pool and Carol ordered lunch and we met Barb and Jade, Maria and her family and Barb's sister. After that we went to our room and started spending time with our son. I guess the scariest thing that night was that he got gas and I went to give him his gas drops and too much came out. Scared me to death. He was ok though got rid of the gas and he was back to being a very happy, content baby. And thus started our time together.

Our dream for homecoming!!

Our ultimate dream would be for a miracle to occur and us bring our son home by Christmas. Just a dream, though. In reality, his first birthday is a possibility and so I have included a countdown to Clay's first birthday. Only God knows when we will bring him home, though, and His timing is perfect.