Christmas and Other

This Christmas was good. We actually got to go home this year and really enjoyed it, but at the same time it was really hard. I had a lot of dreams about this Christmas when we started this process and they are all dashed. When I realized that Clay wouldn't be home for Christmas I started planning a Christmas party when he came home, but now knowing that he won't even be home for his First Birthday that just let me know that no one knows when he will be home. So the plan now on the basis we get out of PGN this time for good is we will come home and celebrate his First Birthday at home, too. If not out of PGN by first of February we will somehow find a way to go visit. If we are out of PGN then we will have to wait till pick up. We are required by our attorney to stay at one certain hotel for visit trips and in order to do that it requires a lot of money as it is a 5 star place that costs more than I have ever paid per night for a place to sleep. At the start of this process we planned on using our flight benefits to fly back and forth to Guatemala City but flying standby isnt working as there are no flights coming back and one way tickets are more expensive than roundtrip confirmed. So, we are working hard to save for another visit trip. The hardest part is leaving without Clay. So far, I have been able to pull myself together and is taking longer each time, but I just don't know if I can handle that again. It is like pulling the heart out stomping on it and then stuffing it back in with no pain killers or anything. It hurts REALLY bad. It takes a lot of tears, alot of praying, alot of everything to handle an international adoption. Right now, we are hanging on by a thread. We are still creeping to the top of this mountain. I mean major creeping the kind you get when you have the pedal to the metal and the transmission is staying into first gear and the hill is almost to the point of needing four a wheeler and the engine is grinding and creaking with like it is trying to pull a loaded semi that is way over weight up Donners Pass. We are sitting in this car hanging on to the security bar with all our might and white knuckled listening to the creak and grunts of the engine and transmission pulling with all its might to reach the top. Please be praying that is all you can do for us!!!!!!!! Please, do, we need it!!!!!!!

My friend Anna has had her DNA at the US Embassy since the 19th and still she has not received her Pink Slip. She really dont know what to do as most times you have it within a week after DNA is received at the Embassy and now that they send that through email they say not to contact them. This is so messed up. She is worried they have her email wrong and they are going to pass her by and she so wants her son home soon. Please, be praying it comes soon!!!!! He is legally her son and is waiting on the US Only!!!!!! They need to get her son home to her!! Please be praying!!!!!!!

Other than all this, life is continuing and we are trying to enjoy each others time as we know that soon we will be three, but it is really hard when all WE want is Clay home!!

REALLY busy week!

I am not sure where to start but will start with the beginning I guess and hit all the highlights. Thursday, December 13, I flew to Alabama to spend time with Mom and Dad and meet a friend that is also using our agency to adopt her daughter. Well, anyways, I got to Atlanta airport to find out from Matt that we had gotten new pictures and except for Dad letting me lock up wouldn't have got to see them. He is now 19.5 lbs and 30.30 inches long and standing up some. He is growing so fast. Please, God, let him come home soon!!!! Friday, December 14, I met Elizabeth from our group in Douglasville and we had a blast talking and getting to know each other. I really enjoyed it!!! I got back to Mom and Dad's to find out that Anna's DNA had reached Labcorp in NC. YIPPEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Saturday, December 15, we had my baby shower and I got a lot of really cool stuff. A baby swing for Clay, the Diaper Genie II I wanted with a filter, some outfits, books, baby gate, babyproofing stuff, bath toys and tons of other things. It was a small gathering of my friends and family. My best friend, Becky, and my youngest sister, Deborah, hosted it. I had so much fun and is something I will never forget. After the shower we celebrated, my youngest nephew, Jacob's 5th birthday whose birthday was on the 13th. Sunday, Matt flew into Atlanta and Monday morning we went home to Georgia for a night. We had stuff to take care of there and then back to Mom and Dad's, after a flat tire adventure, in time to celebrate my Grandma Key's 90th birthday. I saw family for the first time in years and we had a good night and my grandmother seemed to, also, and in good spirits for the first time in a few days. Today we got back to St Louis after an uneventful flight, though, I can't say the same for getting to our gate in time. I arrived in St Louis, I am thinking with a cold but will be here until Sunday. Then home for Christmas and back sometime Wednesday because we have to drive as no way get on standby flight this time of year.


For those I told that PGN was being called I will give an update later as waiting for a verification on information. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! be praying the information is correct!!!!!!!!!! Kristi got into PGN on December 13th and just found out today. I am so happy for her. Oh yeah, before I forget, Anna verified that DNA results arrived at US Embassy in Guatemala, today. Praying for a very fast pink slip as that is what the US Embassy does with these results. That slip is the appt date for her Visa appt and pick up trip!!! Congratulations Kristi and Anna and Elizabeth as 2nd DNA was done today and being sent to Labcorp in NC!! I am now caught up on all the news I have to offer and please be praying!!!! All I want for Christmas is to be out of PGN and Clay legally our son!!!!! I am also posting new pictures.

A True Story

The other night, Matt and I were able to meet with another adoptive parent from our agency and a friend of hers. They were staying in town overnight to be at the airport the next morning to leave for a visit trip. We had a really good time. We went out to eat and just spent the time talking and getting to know each other. All went really well, that is until we got ready to leave. I got up and I have this really bad habit of having a glass of tea or something wherever I am and as we left I was drinking my Dr Pepper when we were leaving. Everything was going great and I went to get into the car when I realized I still had my drink. How embarassing. I had to go return it. I have started to do that before, but Matt always seemed to realize it before we left the restaurant, until now that is. Oh well. We had fun even laughing about that.

Fast forward to today and Anna has had the 2nd DNA test done. The test should be to Labcorp on Monday and Results ready and overnighted to the Embassy on Thursday or so and the Pink Slip 24 hours later if all goes smoothly.

Kristi is in Guatemala visiting with her daughter and is waiting on Pre-Approval from the US Embassy please be praying she receives it soon so she can enter PGN as she has been out of Family Court for awhile now.

For those following our journey and praying for us come Tuesday, December 11, is the vote for the new law. I do know it includes a grandfather clause, but we don't have any clue what that grandfather clause will mean to the over 4000 cases in progress. There are alot rumors running rampant over what that means and at this time we have no clue if any are true. I am not posting anything I have read until I know facts because rumors just cause distress and I dont want that I just want to know what we are all facing. PLEASE continue praying as the rumors are scary for a lot of people. Please be praying that our case and any one else in PGN gets out and that the people waiting for PA receives there's soon. REALLY soon. Mostly just please be praying for us adoptive parents, the Guatemalan Government and ours that oversees this process that decisions will be made for the good of us, them and the kids this effects. Thank you for your continual prayers. Now, if you look after this you will see a picture from the other night. It is Matt and I and Kristi. Left to Right.

She Got It!!!!!!!!!!

Anna got her baby's passport today!!!!!!!! Now to get 2nd DNA Authorization tomorrow!!!!!!!
I am excited for her. By the way, our friend, Jaimee also got her baby's passport today and will be submitted for 2nd DNA Authorization, tomorrow. Congratulations, you two.