Visit Trip #2 - Begins Tomorrow!!!!!!

Today was a good day. We got to the airport around 10:00 and it took awhile to check in luggage and get tickets to get through security. We ate lunch and then was a short time before boarding. We were on US Airways Express so our priority was higher than even US Airways and that was good. We had plenty of seats, though. The monkey and I were assigned 9D and Matt had 8C. The monkey and I waited and waited for someone to come and sit with us and when noone came I buckled monkey in and prepared him for flight. He was really cute sitting there too. Well, as soon as that was done, he realized his seat was taken and he had to share my seat. Poor Monkey!! He wasnt too disappointed, the lady sitting with us was nice and he just wanted to see Clay. Well, We are in Charlotte. We have been here for a couple hours now and we are about to go to bed to get some rest. We have a big day, tomorrow. We are flying to Guatemala and will be seeing Clay. I can't wait but know I need my rest in order to enjoy our time with Clay. Well, y'all, the way things look we are on!!!!!!!!!! 31 seats available and 7 flying non rev. We will be in Guatemala with Clay this time tomorrow night!!!!!!!!!!! Yippeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Visit Trip #2 *Not Long Now*

Today started out with just a little to pack, but I remembered three items needed at Babies R Us and well my three turned into 5 and one of them is posted here. I love to look and I found a costume so can get early Halloween Pics and then I found the stuffed animals and I remember Mom always telling me that I had a favorite monkey for my first Christmas and figured when I saw it my son had to have a monkey so I bought it. That is all good and dandy, but it wont fit in a suitcase so one of our carry-ons is now his monkey. Other than that we are now packed except for printing a few things out. Now, here is the plan. I am going to post a picture of the monkey. Why?? Cause I was thinking that maybe I could dress Clay like the monkey and switch them using a monkey costume, but the monkey's arms and legs are too long and someone would notice so VERY SAD to say I have to wait for Mr. Barrios to let me out of PGN to come home. Now the monkey and Clay are going to have their pic taken on this trip together then I am going to post my pic with my first monkey and him with his. What do you think? Well ok enough talking. Posting the pic. Then to printing out record locator for flights and getting some sleep so I can start the journey to see my son tomorrow for a little while. Here ya Go!!!!!!

4 Days to Visit Trip #2

Time seems to be going so slow. I know it isnt and will be here before long. Tonight, I am going to pack our bag and the last few things that I am taking for Clay. The flight is looking good. It could change and Matt and I will make up our minds if we are going to try and switch to a confirmed ticket or continue on flying standby. We are trying to find out if we have a definite date for signing the refi paperwork for our house. If we get that and know it is happening without doubt we will switch to confirmed so make it to see our son for sure. Please, continue praying about everything. In the last few months, I have been working on Clay's lifebook. I still have alot to scrapbook about Guatemala and other information. I have finished the first 5 months of medical updates and taken pictures of my favorites. I thought I would post some of them here. Well, I am going to post those and then on to finishing up packing for our trip and other stuff so that when Clay comes home the house and his room is ready for him!!!

5 Days to Visit Trip #2

Saturday, Matt and I are flying to Charlotte NC to make our flight on Sunday morning to Guatemala City to spend four great days with our son. I have been getting everything for him ready since Friday after finding out we were in PGN and tonight I have finished packing his bag. Well, all of it is packed except for some baby food to last until we can get to the store and get some things and the toys we are taking for him. At that point I just have to pack for Matt and I. Our flight is looking good so far. Please continue to pray that the seats remain open so we can get there!!! I am so excited!! Can't you tell by these pictures. There is one of half the clothes I have bought for him since the last visit and the last ones are those of his suitcase open and closed. Enjoy!!!!!!!!

We Are IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is right, everyone, we are in PGN!!! We have been in PGN since Friday, October 5, 2007.
We had received word that we were going to be going into PGN that Monday and for the first time since this whole process started we were getting impatient. I think we ended up calling Carol everyday to see if we were in and Friday when she called me back and said we were in it was great!!!!! I guess the part that made it so hard to wait is the fact that about the same time we needed to get into PGN the Ortega Law was passed stating that in process cases would not be "grandfathered" in. BUT LISTEN, Your prayers and support with the petitions and letters is paying off we are making a difference. As of this weekend, there has been an amendment added and passed two of three steps to being included and passed into law. In addition to that UNICEF has changed it's wording and our actions are being heard!!!!! This whole new update can be read under the www.jcics.org site and go to most recent news links for Guatemala 5000. Thank you all so much for helping us in this journey to bringing our son home. I will be updating the call to action with more information in a few days as the fight for these children isnt over yet.

Please, continue praying for this whole process. We are in PGN and noone knows whether they will get a kick out for any reason and we will not know it until it happens. With no kick outs we will be out of PGN within 8-10 weeks. Eight weeks will be Nov. 30th!!!!!! It could take that long also to know that we had a kick out. We are praying for no Kickouts, but trying to prepare in case we get kicked out. It is possible to be home by Christmas. Is it likely? NO. It would be a miracle to be home for Christmas!!!! After PGN, the birthmother signs over and terminates rights to this child for the 4th and final time, an amended birth certificate is issued with us listed as parents, Passport is obtained and the file goes to the US Embassy in Guatemala where they issue the second DNA authorization, DNA is taken and sent to Labcorp where it will be processed and overnighted to the US Embassy in Guatemala, and then the pink slip (Visa appt) will be sent to us. We will then book our planes and once we get there foster mother will bring us OUR son. The next day or whenever the appt is the three of us (unless my parents come with us for pick up) then the five of us would go for the appt and the next day pick up Clay's visa. Depending on the flight and airline we could be flying back home that night or the next day. This last and final step is taking about a month at this time. The end is in sight.