Quick Updates!!

I am so sorry it has been this long since I updated my blog. I had every intention of posting some pictures and giving updates, but life took over and I am just trying to get something in here so no one thinks I forgot about them.

April 6-9th we went to see family. Beginning Sunday April 13th I got really sick and have been since then. In fact, REALLY sick with bronchitis and this is the first time felt like doing anything on here.

March 31st, Joanna found out here baby is perfectly fine and nothing is wrong. Praise God!!!!
In the last couple of weeks Annette has her Visa appt in the morning, Jennie has her Visa appt Monday morning and Alex got word Tuesday that her Visa appt is Wed morning. All three will be home next week with their babies.

Please be praying Mary receives word soon that she is out of Family Court and is resubmitted to PGN. I dont know where Sonia and Cory are in process other than in PGN last I heard and please be praying out soon. Kim is back in PGN since the 7th or so of April and please be praying that Zack comes home soon!!!!! Thank you all for your continued prayer support for my friends.

NOTE: Please be praying for Clay, Matt and I. Clay is scheduled for surgery to correct his eyes on Monday and just please pray for him to stay well and for everything to go great!!!! For Matt and I for strength for during and after this. Thank you all for your prayers!!

We are almost ready!!

The last week has been major tough. Yesterday was Clay's first birthday and thinking I wasn't there with him was really hard. It was also Valentine's Day and Matt's first day after starting back to work for the week and has to sleep during the day so nothing special. I handled the day the best I could by planning the party we are having from him once we get home and rearranging. We took the computer out of the living room and put in our room so printer and computer buttons and lights didnt get pushed alot. (((SMILE))) We figure he is possibly walking or will be soon and definitely crawling and curious about everything. In the computers place is going the swing my Mom and Dad got for him for our baby shower and Matt's Moms rocker. Left in the living room is to hang pictures not yet hung, bind the rug and hang in Clay's room. Place outlet covers in plugs not being used. Buying and placing cord tighteners on cords. Cleaning off bar area and vacuuming.
In our bedroom I have to vacuum, change bedding on our room and making sure everything is in place.
Catch up on laundry again so can pack for our trip on Monday.
In Clay's room, hang the rug, lower the bed, wash sheets and find a place for everything in the bed at this time. Vacuum.
The goal: To be finished with above by Monday along with scrubbing the kitchen, bath and fridge.
Monday for packing and last minute stuff only.
Tuesday fly to Atlanta and Wednesday to Guatemala. We will be back in Atlanta on the 26th and celebrate first birthday on 28th and home forever on the 29th.
For his birthday, I am doing a stand up mini bear cake and a big stand up bear cake(holding balloons) Teddy Bear pull pinata, Teddy bear favors and cups to keep. I am hoping it goes as planned cause I want it to be special!!!

It is so close and I can't wait!!!! We have our tickets and hotel. Becky is picking us up from the airport Tuesday and taking us back on Wed morning before she goes to work. I have alot to do still and only two days to do it in but it will be done.

We went and bought a car seat today!!! We have to clean the car out and get it installed, too.

Please be praying that everything needed gets accomplished and for our journey in Guatemala to bringing our son home.

Praise God that my friends Angela, Alex and Kim have gotten back into PGN!!!!!

Please be praying for Kristi cause her 2nd DNA has to be redone (they put wrong Date of birth on test), Annette, Annie, Cory, and Jennie to get back into PGN and for Mary that Family Court and PA will be completed soon and re-entered into PGN and out without any Kick Outs(we really want to see her come home with her baby in record time). Finally, I have a friend her name is Melanie that received word tonight that as they are waiting on Pink slip for one child they for some reason are not able to complete their adoption for another son. She needs all the prayers she can for her and her family right now!!!! Their hearts are breaking!!

Their are a few big items we still lack for Clay's nursery and they are going to have be waited on as time is running out. Please be praying that everything is in place for our first post placement visit on the 7th of March here at our house and that the Pediatrician visit on the 5th and opthalmologist visit on the 6th goes well.

Thank you all for your prayers!!!!!!!!!

I am sooo losing it!!!!

Our DNA sample got to Labcorp on Wednesday the 30th (my mom and dad's 38th anniversary) and I was really excited and forgot their anniversary. Sorry, Mom and Dad. Since then and until the DNA got to Labcorp I have been watching my email like it is going out of style. I just want it there. He is legally our son and I just want him home with me and the US Embassy hasn't even issued any pink slips since Monday and this one day a week emails is so not good. I have been so politically polite and now I am just upset. I want my son home. We started this whole process almost one year ago and it seems like every time we get anywhere and step is over OUR governement slows us down. They have now viewed our file so many times and even now after having 2 dna tests they still do more. What is this? Issuing these once a week so far isnt right. Some people end up waiting a whole week to get an appointment and others get it in 48 hours. I just want my baby home!!!!! Oh yeah, I know there are some out there that will tell me dont do that, you shouldnt feel that way. No reason, too. To those: Have you gone through this? Do you know what it feels like to be in my shoes? If the answer is no then don't tell me that. Yes, God is in control and Clay will come home at the right time. I know that. I believe that, but right now I just want OUR Baby home!!!! He is mine and I should be able to go get him sooner than in a few weeks or two months. OK, I am finished venting!!



We have a praise for one of our prayers, Joanna is OUT of PGN and already has her Birth Certificate and Passport.



Angela has been sitting on Barrios' desk for a week or so now and is really wanting to know what it is for since Barrios has to sign off on everything. Kristi has been in PGN a little over 7 weeks now and doesn't know where she is in the waiting list but is wondering if she is getting out or not!!! Kim is still worrying somewhat as her agency has told her nothing!! Please be praying for all these women and their families as this weekend and next week goes through. Also, please be praying for Annette as she really needs the strength to get thru getting back in PGN and out after her third Kick Out. Please be praying for all my friends listed here and for Mary as she is waiting out the process for their child. This second time is SO Hard on both her and her husband and need all the prayers they can get. Anna needs prayers to as Pablo is now realizing this is a permanent change and nights aren't easy. Pablo needs prayers as it is hard on him also. Thank you for your prayers.



Last night we got alot of snow and when Matt got home from work he took a few pictures that I will be posting here. This type weather really makes us want to go home. It is way to cold for us Southerners, here.

Everyone Ready......

Needless to say we have had a great, excellent, amazing couple of days as you can see from yesterday's post. Now, I am going to do some updating, explaining and adding something we have been waiting for.

Update: This is for anyone that hasn't been able to guess what the hidden message in my blog post from yesterday is. We are OUT of PGN!!!!!!!! The good kind. Clay is now officially, legally and in every which way ours!!!! I keep repeating to myself he is coming home next month and I do it over and over and still riding high on Cloud 1 Million!!! Also, yesterday, Anna received her pink slip her appt is January 22nd. Praise God for both answered Prayers!!!!!! What a day for miracles, yesterday!! Today, Elizabeth, another friend got her pink slip and her appt is for the same day as Anna's!!!

Explanation: Explanation of what? Explanation of what comes next. After exiting PGN, our attorney will call the birth mother and get the fourth and final signature. I am guessing this has been done since we are waiting on birth certificate. After the last signature, out attorney goes to the Civil Registrars office of the city our son was born in and pays for and waits for our new Birth Certificate that will have us listed as Clay's parents (will be in birth name till after name change done here). Once we have our Birth Certificate she will get his Guatemalan Passport which he will come home to the United States on. Finally, she will take the necessary documents to the US Embassy who will give us an orange slip authorizing the 2nd DNA to be done and the Embassy Dr appt for Clay. The DNA once taken is sent to Labcorp in North Carolina and once that has been done the results will be overnighted to the US Embassy in Guatemala. Usually within 24 hours of receiving the 2nd DNA a pink slip (used to be pink and mailed , but is now an email) will be emailed to US with our appt date and time on it. Which is on average 1-2 weeks from date of email. That date is the day we go with Clay to the US Embassy for a interview with the person responsible for issuing Visas and then the next afternoon will go back to the Embassy and pick up Clay's passport and sealed paperwork that will be handed to Customs Officer upon going through customs here in the US making Clay a US Citizen. This time frame from out of PGN to Visa Appt is usually 4-6 weeks which is in February!!!! Y'all we are on the homeward stretch of this rollercoaster ride.

NOTE: I was told by a friend today that they couldn't leave a comment and wanted to so I went in and fixed the problem. You no longer have to register for a google account to leave a comment. So, if you were a friend that wanted to post please do!!!

Additional Info: We received an updated medical report this afternoon. He is a doll and grown so much!! He is still 19.5 pounds, but has gotten taller. He is now 30.70 inches tall!!! He is such a cutie if I say so myself and I am now posting those pictures!!That is my additional info.

Excellent News: There is now a Central Authority and an address. Please be praying there has been no info on the registering process or when will resume so everyone can continue there adoption that was begun before Dec 31, 2007!!!!! PRAISE the LORD!!!!!!!!

Prayer Request: I have a two friends that have been waiting on word from PGN for getting out and I would ask that you be praying for them that they receive the news soon!! Cheryl was resubmitted 11/13 or 14 and Annie 11/6. All of your prayers for us are being answered please let it continue.