Elizabeth is with her Mommy!

Yeah! I just got off the phone with a very happy Mommy - Chrissie arrived in Guatemala City a few hours ago and now has Elizabeth all to herself! She has checked into her hotel and is waiting for them to deliver the crib... Elizabeth is wearing the cute outfit in the latest picture (one that Chrissie sent down) and of course is ADORABLE! :) Chrissie showed Elizabeth all sorts of toys and the one she is interested in is Chrissie's book! how fun. We didn't talk long because after a few minutes Elizabeth started to get fussy - it's past her nap time and she's tired - so Chrissie had to get a bottle ready for her... but at least we know Chrissie made it safely to Guatemala and that she's connecting with her daughter - starting a lifetime journey together.... how precious!

Busy Preparations

It has been a busy 2 weeks getting ready for Elizabeth's homecoming. While her room has been ready for some time, there always seems to be more that is needed! Tonight I am working on several forms needed for the Embassy and gathering the necessary documentation. In between, I squeeze additional items into my overflowing suitcase, or jot a note down for someone at work... all these details! But I am enjoying this time of preparation and anticipation.
Grammy and Tia Sarita (aka Aunt Sarah) are eagerly awaiting their first meeting. Sarah has had a rough couple of weeks tending to the stunned and broken hearts in Virgina Tech, so this will be a welcome change for her. And Grammy is still walking on cloud 9!

Coming Home!

Hallelujah! The day of Elizabeth's homecoming has been scheduled! The Embassy appointment is Friday May 4. We are allowed to leave Guatemala on Tuesday May 8. I am very excited as is the rest of the family. I will travel down a few days early and them Grammy and Aunt Sarah will join us for the Embassy appointment and the flights home. Elizabeth will officially become a US citizen when we land from our connecting flight May 8!

As you can imagine, this is a HUGE answer to prayer and I want to thank you all for your continued support. I heard from the agency last night that I was very "lucky" because the other appointment they got yesterday was for May 14. I also think that Congressman Castle's office had something to do with it as well and I am going to give them a call this afternoon.

YAHOO, Elizabeth is coming home!!

Into the Embassy

More progress... My case entered the US Embassy in Guatemala on April 11. They review the case file and then schedule the visa interview. I should hear by the 19th when my interview will be. Once the visa interview is complete, Elizabeth comes home for good!

Progress

Good news, we have progress towards Elizabeth's homecoming. The adoption decree is complete, and her birth certificate has been updated with my last name. Apparently it was quite a trip to get the updated birth certificate as it needed to be hand collected from the remote mountainous town where she was born. Instead of being a 1-2 day thing it ended up being more like 5. So, I am happy that is complete!
Next step is for the attorneys to collect all the appropriate documents and submit to the US Embassy for their final approval and visa appointment. We expect to hear when the visa appointment will be the week of April 16. Unfortunately with the delays at the Embassy the appointment will be a few weeks from that date. It used to be a 7-14 day turnaround, so this delay is frustrating. After all, Elizabeth is now mine! I just am not able to bring her back into the US until that visa interview.
Thanks for your continued support, prayer, and interest! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Delays at US Embassy

Say it ain't so... there is a back up at the US Embassy in Guatemala. I have heard from the agency that because of the recent fraud cases, and the upcoming Easter break, the US Embassy has a back up in approving cases and scheduling the visa interviews. What a bummer! I don't have too many details at this point, other then it may be a few more weeks. I can't believe it! I have waited all this time for the Guatemalan side to approve, and now the US Embassy is slow.

March Pics!

What a week, PGN approval and new pictures from the pediatrician! His report says she has 6 teeth, sits by herself, and healthy. She is 19 pounds and 28 inches long.

By the way, this is the outfit I sent down recently! I can't wait to see her soon!!

APPROVED!!!!

Praise God!! The PGN approved my case today!! I got word less than an hour ago that the PGN approved my case! My agency told me there were two other cases that were not approved, so thank goodness mine was approved!

I do not have the details worked out yet, but I will probably travel down to pick up Elizabeth after Easter. It takes a few weeks to finalize all the documents, the adoption decree, her passport, etc.

Yahoo!!! More details later!!!

State Department News

Many of you have probably seen the recent news that the US State Department is no longer recommending Americans adopt from Guatemala. They cite many issues with corruption in the process. Below is a link to an article that explains the US State Department's point of view.

I do not know what this means for my case and others in process, other then the bit of information in the article about things taking longer. Thankfully, the State Department has not put a ban on cases in progress. I am in the final stages, I just have the one big hurdle to get the approval from Guatemala. Once that happens, Elizabeth is mine in the eyes of Guatemala. I hope to hear this week that the approval on my case has been signed.

Please continue to pray for my case and for others in Guatemala. It is a sad situation with no easy answers.

Article link: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ADOPTIONS_GUATEMALA?SITE=KHOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

The Big Question

And the answer is...I am still waiting to hear if the PGN approves my case. It looks like most approvals are taking 7 weeks. My case re-entered on February 2, so 7 weeks from that date is March 23. That is the new target date to hear from the PGN.

If the approval comes on or close the the 23rd, I'll probably head down to Guatemala after Easter.
So exciting!!