Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Erik at 3 1/2 months!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Embassy pre-approval
This is good! We're moving along. Next step is that our case gets out of family court and into PGN, the Guatemalan attorney general's office.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Paper Ready!
I know, after the fact, but we've got all our ducks in a row now. Isn't that a funny expression: imagine trying to get ducks to all sit in a row!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
More pictures of Erik!
What a sweetie you are, Erik! After receiving our referral so quickly, we hadn't been paper ready, so we had to jump in gear right away. We signed the new power of attorney for the attorney in Guatemala, Paco, to act on our behalf. We also had to start up with the home study again. It was almost a continuation of the first, but our social worker was able to complete it all a couple days ago. I was so grateful that everyone was willing to work so fast and so hard for us to get you home as soon as possible.
Friday, June 09, 2006
To my precious Erik
Hello, my pumpkin! When Daddy and I first learned about Mario, we started a journal like this, and now we are doing so for you so you can hear all the details of how you joined the family and how much you were loved.
Children of the World, our adoption agency, has various get-togethers for their families, and last month we were at a Mother's Day picnic at Shaw Park with Rudy, Maria, and several families, enjoying hot dogs, cole slaw, and playing on the playground. Daddy was chatting with Uncle Rudy and mentioned that at some point, eventually, we were going to come knocking on this door to start the adoption process again. Rudy was happy to hear that and recommended that if we were serious, to start the process soon, since there were lots of rumors that adoptions in Guatemala would be halted, potentially this year. We were a bit surprised and talked about it all the way home, throughout the day, and for a couple days. We knew we wanted to adopt again. We knew that as soon as we brought Mario home, in fact even before that, that we wanted another child in the family. We just weren't thinking about this kind of timetable. We prayed a lot about it, and by the end of May had signed the contract again with COTW.
Then earlier today, I was at home with Mario when the phone rang. It was Kati from COTW. We chatted for a little bit, Mario was doing well, yes we were excited to begin the process again, that sort of thing. Then Kati tells me that when we filled out the I-600A with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for Mario's adoption, we had said two children. That was the process really, in case our referral had been for twins or something like that. Well, Kati tells me, because it was so recent that we had filled out the I-600A, that it had not expired yet, so there was the possibility of proceeding now if we wanted to.
It took a few seconds and a lot of stammering on my part to understand what she was saying. "We could proceed now? You mean there's a baby now? You mean, that there is a baby now? Now? Right now? That there is a baby for us now? You mean now? Right now?"
Kati laughed and said yes, there was a baby available for us now if we wanted!
I shouted "YES! Oh wait, let me call my husband!"
So I called Daddy right away at work and explained the situation as best I could. I was so excited that I could barely talk. Daddy paused a couple seconds, and then said yes. We hadn't thought it was our timing, but he believed that it was God's timing. God had brought Mario to us, and he believed that God was saying to us right now, this new baby, this is your son.
Oh my goodness gracious! As much as I loved Daddy before that moment, I loved him even more at those beautiful words. Your Daddy is such a wonderful faith-filled man.
So I happily called Kati right back and said "Yes!!" again. She said great, and that she would send pictures right away!
What a handsome little man! At four weeks, you were 8 pounds, 52 cm in length (20.47") with head circumference of 36 cm (14.17"). And very healthy!
Children of the World, our adoption agency, has various get-togethers for their families, and last month we were at a Mother's Day picnic at Shaw Park with Rudy, Maria, and several families, enjoying hot dogs, cole slaw, and playing on the playground. Daddy was chatting with Uncle Rudy and mentioned that at some point, eventually, we were going to come knocking on this door to start the adoption process again. Rudy was happy to hear that and recommended that if we were serious, to start the process soon, since there were lots of rumors that adoptions in Guatemala would be halted, potentially this year. We were a bit surprised and talked about it all the way home, throughout the day, and for a couple days. We knew we wanted to adopt again. We knew that as soon as we brought Mario home, in fact even before that, that we wanted another child in the family. We just weren't thinking about this kind of timetable. We prayed a lot about it, and by the end of May had signed the contract again with COTW.
Then earlier today, I was at home with Mario when the phone rang. It was Kati from COTW. We chatted for a little bit, Mario was doing well, yes we were excited to begin the process again, that sort of thing. Then Kati tells me that when we filled out the I-600A with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for Mario's adoption, we had said two children. That was the process really, in case our referral had been for twins or something like that. Well, Kati tells me, because it was so recent that we had filled out the I-600A, that it had not expired yet, so there was the possibility of proceeding now if we wanted to.
It took a few seconds and a lot of stammering on my part to understand what she was saying. "We could proceed now? You mean there's a baby now? You mean, that there is a baby now? Now? Right now? That there is a baby for us now? You mean now? Right now?"
Kati laughed and said yes, there was a baby available for us now if we wanted!
I shouted "YES! Oh wait, let me call my husband!"
So I called Daddy right away at work and explained the situation as best I could. I was so excited that I could barely talk. Daddy paused a couple seconds, and then said yes. We hadn't thought it was our timing, but he believed that it was God's timing. God had brought Mario to us, and he believed that God was saying to us right now, this new baby, this is your son.
Oh my goodness gracious! As much as I loved Daddy before that moment, I loved him even more at those beautiful words. Your Daddy is such a wonderful faith-filled man.
So I happily called Kati right back and said "Yes!!" again. She said great, and that she would send pictures right away!
Friday, December 02, 2005
Mario at home
Our little guy is just thriving! He is such a happy boy and just so sweet. He has been adjusting to the new family and new home very well. Sleep at first was a little touch and go, but he seems to have settled into it just fine now. His pediatrician says he is very healthy just needs to work out more! Nothing too major, just needs to work his muscles and grow in strength. All day long we play play play. He is doing so well.
I can hardly believe what an amazing gift he is. It took a long time to get him but he is so worth every little bit of every struggle, every form we had to fill out, every notarization, every authentication, every day of waiting, everything.
We love you precious boy!
I can hardly believe what an amazing gift he is. It took a long time to get him but he is so worth every little bit of every struggle, every form we had to fill out, every notarization, every authentication, every day of waiting, everything.
We love you precious boy!
Every day cuter and cuter!
"I'm a big boy . . .see . . .I can already stand up . . . sort of . . ."
"I'm getting teeth in now, and have the drool to prove it!"
Mario loves looking at and touching this poster, made by our friends the Dietzlers and Burzinskis to celebrate Mario's homecoming. I think he must love the bright colors and shapes.
Our little snuggle bug
Another friend sent this jumper. We thought we didn't have a place for it, but found the perfect spot between our bedroom and the office. Mario loves it! Too bad they don't make them for adults!!
What are you thinking about sweetie pie?
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