The Zoo and A model in one week???

We have had a busy week. Matt's three days off began Sunday morning (May 4th) and we went to church. We haven't gotten to the point of leaving Clay with anyone besides my parents for a little while and so we took Clay into church with us. He was great until the sermon began then Matt took him out as he was getting too loud. It felt good for a change for Matt to get off in a reasonable time and be able to go!!

Monday, Matt took Clay to meet his co-workers as alot have been wondering when this little guy was going to get home. Then to McDonald's. Can you believe it Clay ate all the pancakes? I was shocked he usually dont eat a lot at breakfast and today he did, maybe a growing spurt? Then to the zoo. We saw the turtles and snakes, the monkeys and lemurs, sea otter, bears, penguins and puffins then the rest of the time on the train and in the childrens zoo. Clay didnt quite understand the reason for Mommy and Daddy pointing so much until we went into the monkey's building and he saw the monkey playing. Then he realized in a hurry something was up in everything. He enjoyed the train alot and I have a few pics of just his face on the train as I couldnt get a good shot but he loved the choo choo sounds as it came into each station!! He also like the penguins and puffins but the puffins best as he was in front of the display case when a puffin comes right out of the water in front of him and splashed him and he just watched amazed!! After 5 hours we still hadnt seen it all and will be going back when the carousel is running. After the zoo we were all tuckered out and went home. Clay to bed and a couple hours later Mommy and Daddy.







Tuesday, Clay has started taking his glasses off constantly. He has not done this since getting them and I have yet to figure it out. I know he does it when he dont get his way, when they are dirty and Mommy needs to clean them, when he is sleepy and then all the other times I have no clue why. I am so glad he is good about bringing them to me instead of just leaving them somewhere or something. Plus, Clay started walking everywhere and only occasionally crawling now. He is growing up so fast!!!!


Wednesday we went to the mall and while there I found a really cute outfit for Clay that I got an amazing deal on. We left the store and was walking past Kiddie Kandids when the lady told me if I would let him be a model for her she would give us a free 8X10. Needless to say I couldnt turn that down at all!!!! He was so cute in his new outfit and smiled galore. We will be ordering more as soon as we can but have to get the ones that already ordered before surgery first. So I am posting pics from the zoo and from the photo shoot.










Please be praying for all those still in PGN and waiting on their children. PGN is now interviewing birth mothers and then the word is cases will be signed out!! We have yet to see that but hoping and praying is so!!!! Please continue to pray for Kim and Steve and Zack!!! They need your prayers!!!



Thanks for your continued prayers and support!!



Mostly have a Happy Mother's Day!! Being a mother is loving and caring for a child unconditionally and not the way they come into your life SO, ALL you Mom's out there Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, please, be praying for our children's birthmothers as they are Mom's too and so are the foster mothers that cared for our children that are at home and those that are now caring for these children when their parents can't be there.

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.

What will tomorrow bring???

Yesterday, was an awesome day. Matt once again had to work late and we didn't get to church, but we did go out on a date for the first time in a long time. We went to Applebees and then to Babies R Us to do some shopping off the clearance racks for next winter and I bought on outfit for this summer. After shopping, we went to see National Treasure:Book of Secrets and really liked it. Finally, before heading home, we stopped at Steak N Shake near the mall for something to drink and got really good service for the first time at a Steak N Shake since coming to St Louis. We had a great time shopping for Clay and spending time just the two of us and dreaming and planning all the things we want to do with Clay when he comes home.
Today, Anna tried calling the USE (U.S. Embassy) back and seeing about her pink appt. Well, all we know is her second 2nd DNA test was delivered to the USE and hopefully and prayerfully, will get her Visa appt for pick up tomorrow.
Anna, during all that was nice enough to call PGN for us. We found out we are out. BUT we don't know if that is for a Kick Out our third or out for good. Carol called later and said that Maria will check with PGN tomorrow and see what is up. Considering we have only been back in 2 weeks this is more than likely a kick out. At the same time God is still in the business of making miracle and we could really be signed out for good. Well, as you can imagine I am really on edge of my seat. I want to be out and believe Laura SOOOOOOOOO badly that we are but scared to death she has made a mistake and we are kicked out and it will be a long time before re-entered. Please, God, let this be our OUT!!!!!!!
Well, y'all we will know tomorrow and until then my mind and body and soul are going haywire and waiting is not easy!!!! Please let this roller coaster be nearing it's home base and be over. Well, that is all for tonight. Please be praying for us all.

Please be praying for all adoptive parents we need it!!!

So much is going on. I am working to rearrange our apartment and getting everything ready for the nursery and bringing our baby home. Our baby is going to be crawling and pulling up on everything. He may even be walking and I am trying to make sure the apartment is baby-proofed. Tomorrow, I gotta go get some ink for the printer to print photos and thank you cards.
We are really struggling here but we are positive.

Anna found out today that the US Embassy has lost her 2nd DNA and they told her until it is resent they cannot issue a pink slip. After some phone calls her DNA test is on its way back to the US Embassy, again. It should be there Tuesday. Please be praying that the US Embassy finds the first test results and Pink is issued. Waiting a month for Pink is ridiculuos. She is hurting so bad. Please praying for her and her family as her son should be coming home this week instead of everything going wrong and coming at a later day. She needs your prayers!!!! Please do so.

Matt and I met another couple on our first visit trip that are adopting their second child from Guatemala and received word today they are out of PGN. Their birth certificate is coming from Mixco and alot of families are experiencing difficulties getting the amended certificate. Please be praying theirs comes sooner than later.

I read a lot of message boards and today things went crazy. The new laws took effect January 1st and no one knows what is going on. Then as cases started to be re-submitted and files going into PGN for the first time attornies were turned away saying that until the cases are registered with the Central Authority they can't accept them. At this time, there is no central authority and there is only thirty days to register cases. Please be praying that everything works out cause all in process cases have to be registered in order to be in process. Our case is in PGN and has been since December 21st and I am so thankful becuase for those cases in PGN they will be processed like always right now. Please pray that we get out this time and for everyone having to wait on the Guatemalan government to get the Central Authority up and running. Everyone needs our prayers along with the country and their children.

I am hoping I will have an update on our case soon and as soon as I do I will be posting here. Please stay tuned for further details.

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.

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.

PGN Wait

We have been continuously waiting for word about what is happening with adoptions in Guatemala come January 1st and today we hear from Guatemala Congress that adoptions will not be discussed until next session. I have heard that could be next Tuesday and Wednesday and I am glad it is sooner than later. It is a VERY hard wait. Having seen our child, held our child, spent days alone with our child and falling in love with him even more after our second visit this wait is hard anticipating the day we are out of PGN and he is legally ours not just the child in our hearts. I have had since this process started being very supportive and then as soon as the Hague was passed and the question of in process cases continue or not had someone tell me that it is my fault along with everyone else cause of our views on immigration issues. I have been told that I am continuously complaining and yet I have not said a word about how long it is taking. Yes my adoption is taking the normal length of time and going through all of the normal wait times and my sister had a two month process from referral to home but that is nothing to do with mine. I love my neice and I am glad she is home and my sister didnt have to go through all this, but each journey is different and I have no complaints. I have a great agency, a great attorney working for us and doing things the way they should be done and quickly. I have a VERY great God who will bring our son home when it is the right time. Things get hard and my emotions follow a roller coaster but it happens to all women whether they are pregnant or going through adoption. I have never been pregnant but I know my sisters and friends when they are pregnant and the emotions and mood swings they have and I know mine. I experience them more since our journey began than ever. When these emotions hit and I want to cry or just talk it is not me complaining it is me talking. It is me and my husband wanting for the hole in our hearts to come home for good, not being left in Guatemala needing a forever family. I have learned that friends come and go in this process and some that maybe not there all the time are stronger friends than ones you see often. Am I mad at the person who blamed me for being the one to cause the new changes and uncertainty? No. Was I? Yes. Why not mad now? I guess the main thing is cause for the first time I stood up and let the person know it hurt me. I am learning that I can wait even if it is hard and their are days I just want Clay home, but I can get up and go on and do what I have to even if I am sad. I am not falling apart, totally. Do I fall apart on these days? Yes. Today, I am trying to patiently wait for the updated opthalmologist report and medical update and new pictures. I am sad today. I wanted to know what is going to happen come the first of the year when our case will still be in PGN and wondering since that is the case if we will be home before middle of next year or what? I miss the way Clay feels in my arms cuddled up against me, I miss hearing him looking for Matt when he leaves the room and saying "da da", I miss him only wanting me when time to bed cause he knows that Daddy is the one he wants when time to play. We learned that one quick. It was the last night we had with Clay on the last visit and I was exhausted and he was sleepy but didn't want to be put to bed. He would go to sleep and I would try to lay him down and he would wake right up screaming. So after two hours Matt tried. Well as soon as I handed him to Matt and Matt wouldn't play with him he started screaming again. He expected Matt to play with him. So back to me he came. I finally after about another 2-3 hours was able to lay him down in the crib for awhile. I guess I got about an hours sleep when he was crying again. I was too tired at that point so he just went in the bed with us. He slept till 8am at that point and since I couldnt pack his stuff the night before had to feed him, dress him, let Matt play with him while I packed his stuff and then a few photos before the call from downstairs came saying his Foster Mother was there to pick him up. That was the hardest thing I ever did and I can't do that again. This is the wait. A normal wait day. We have been back in PGN a little over a week and have 7 or more to go give or take one or two weeks.

Today is ok, though. I am waiting for pictures and update and planning his first Christmas and the care package for the actual Christmas day. He will have two Christmas Days but that is ok. One with his foster family and then one with us when he comes home. If he isnt home till after his First Birthday we will have two of those too. It is ok to do that!!!!! It gives us something to plan and look forward to and to keep us busy during the Holidays when we will be apart. Please continue to pray for Guatemala, for our adoption journey and the other families waiting, too. We need it.