Lots of Crying, Sobbing, and then a little Christmas Therapy

The past 48 hours have been something. Honestly, I am pretty exhausted. But I am glad to say that this morning I woke and my face was no longer swollen from tears. I still feel pretty worn out, but I think Ray and I have gripped the realization the boys are not almost home, and that there is much more waiting ahead than we antipicated.

We have been talking about the implications of not having them here at Christmas, or near Christmas, and we're talking about doing another visit trip. We have a lot to discuss and look into, but we are checking it out. Last night, we did some very heavy Christmas shopping for the boys, as we've decided to step up sending things to them in the mail, and then possibly taking some things to the boys personally. Anyway, the shopping and the hopefulness of still being able to see them soon was good for me.

I cannot express to you how difficult it is that our agency doesn't send updated pictures, or medical checkup news, or any sign that the boys are even being checked on. We have requested that the boys do get a medical check-up, but we're not sure if our agency will do it or not. Anyway, we'll keep you posted. Below are some of the things we got for the boys last night.

These are Luke 2 bears from Lifeway. I just couldn't resist. I mean, it's CHRISTMAS. :)
See how cute the little scarf is? And the bears are so incredibly soft. :)

And then, of course were the books. All boys HAVE to have a Trucks Book. I think it's a given.

And this book called TAILS, has all these soft and fuzzy tails that move and you can touch. Very fun.

Then I got some Veggie Tales books that were in SPANISH. Way to go Lifeway!! This book says "God Loves you so much."
Look how much the Target bag, looks like Santa's red bag right off the sleigh! :) Did I tell you we did a LOT of shopping?

As a sneak peek, here something we picked up that has entirely magnetic toys for 3 year olds. And you can make little gadgets or funny people or whatever. I think they'll just like the way they stick together, and pull back apart. :)

And who could resist Hungry Hungry Hippos, that happens to NOT require batteries!! Perfect for perfect little boys who may not have any access to batteries. :)

Anyway, it helped last night to feel like I was doing something. So much of this dreadful, heartwrenching process is that we are left to the mercy of so many other people and we just rely on God that His will is done. Please keep our boys in your prayers, as we don't know if anyone tells Maria Elena what's going on, and if she is just waiting like us.

I do just want to say that I am so thankful for my friends and family that have wrapped their arms around us. We appreciate your support and concern. It's good -- and healing -- to have such close people around us.

Another TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, No Good, Very Bad Day

So I woke with a swollen face this morning, after last night's tears upon finding out the US Embassy is out for an entire month for Christmas. I got ready to brave the day, and got a phone call all of 30 seconds before our first attempt in trying to call PGN. Our agency was letting us know that we've been kicked out of PGN for a clerical error on one of the boy's birth certificates. We will have to start the Guatemalan process over again. The best case scenario at this point is that things could finish up in March. There are still lots of unknowns right now as Guatemalan Congressional members still need to vote on whether or not Jan. 1 will stop adoptions for the country or not. We are at the mercy of so many people.

Anyway, lots of tears.
Ray says we might start looking into a second visit trip. We'll keep you posted. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. They are much needed and appreciated.

A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I'm having a HARD day. It wasn't enough that school was rough today, but here's the Guatemalan news:

1. Found out today that the Guatemalan Congress had their second reading of the new law and ammendments yesterday, despite it not being posted on the Order of the Day page on the Congressional website. They have revised the laws to incorporate some of the earlier ammendments, and it looks like grandfathering is going to be part of it, but it looks like now there are long-term issues they need to worry about. The third and final reading won't be for two weeks.

2. I found out the US Embassy pretty much shuts down from Dec. 20 - Jan. 20. I'm a bit of a mess right now.

Thanks to Emily N. for the Guatemalan Coffee. It really was the sweetest treat right now.

Still Waiting

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25

WILD: The name of the week

Dear adoption supporters, friends & family, and readers alike,

I am exhausted. In two and half short days, we have run the gamut and I have to tell you: Turkey day never seemed so welcoming!! Here's the run-through. If you sit close enough to the computer, you can feel the whirlwind.

1). Ray and I and some other teachers set up a Walk for Africa for our students to raise money for AIDS victims. We haven't done the final total, but I think we hit $4,000. AMAZING. We had around ~200 students participate and made t-shirts to wear the day of. Incredible.

Our motto: One Life to Make a Difference 200 kids were incredible to see on the SHS track with the Blue Ridge behind them. Many kids could not participate as they had to miss the day for Thanksgiving Day travels. The turnout was inspiring. We were so proud of them.

Here's my handsome husband taking roll outside. I'd never seen him in tie-dye before, but he manages to be handsome in everything he wears!
And did I tell you that the weather was PERFECT! It wasn't too cold or too hot. No precipitation, and we could even wear our t-shirts without the coats after a few laps!!

2). Ray and I were in a car accident and God with his mighty angels completely saved our lives. We were met on Rt. 8 coming from Riner by a black pick-up with no plates, who veered into our lane and did not correct. We were run off the road and (as Ray puts it) did a Dukes of Hazard crash-and-bounce up the side of a hill. The car is facing thousands of dollars in repairs, I am sore, but we are here! If Ray hadn't decided to go off the road, if he'd turned a little less to the left, or a little more to the right, we would absolutely not be here today. We crashed and bounced right between a pole and stand of trees, and a parked hearse. The fact that we didn't hit anything, but the hillside is absolutely an act of God.

3). We found out today that because the Guatemalan Congress wants to take extra time to review some of their new adoption law and look over all the posing amendments slowly, there may be NO GRANDFATHERING of the in-process cases and Jan. 1 will stop adoptions. The good news is that we only have to be out of PGN for this not to affect us. But we're midway through week 8, and still no news on PGN. This is an entirely selfish point-of-view, so please continue to pray for the families who WILL be affected as we know many of them and there are a possible 4000 families it would affect. !!!


Did you feel the wind? Did your computer desk rumble a little as you read? Yeah. . .wild is definitely the word for the week.

Listen, keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we only have four weeks before Christmas if we hear something from PGN this week. That would be the right amount of time for God to work in a miracle, should he choose to. :) I'm still hoping.

Love, love,
Kelli and Ray

Our Surprise Neighbor and the First Snow of the Season

In the midst of our first flurries, Mocha, our home defender, went nuts outside. I listened closely and heard a few squeaks and purring. I grabbed the flashlight and spied two raccoons braving the cold winds in our oak tree. Here's my snapshot. Not too bad with a flashlight in one hand and camera in the other, eh?
Also -- in adoption-related news, we found out that our notice for when to get the boys (which is still a ways off) is going to be emailed directly to us, instead of being sent by snailmail as an effort to expedite the process. Yay!

Enough Good News for Some SERIOUS Relief!!!

No super big news, except Ray and I found out today all we have to do is be through PGN for our boys to be COMPLETELY ours, and for the Jan. 1 deadline to disappear. Who-hoooo!! I know some of the fellow adopting folks out there already had a handle on this knowledge; it's amazing what all Ray and I still do not know -- even after being in this process for so long. Meanwhile, I'm just utterly thankful for this information.

We're still hoping for some news about us being out of PGN, but now the pressure of getting through quickly isn't as necessary -- AND -- we're still just coming up on week 8, which is when most people start getting through!

And you thought YOU were anxious for some news. . .

I was emailing a dear friend yesterday that this process is getting harder and harder right now for a couple of reasons. Ray and I are trying to remain level, but internally, for me, it's taking its toll. Here are some of the concerns, and very real situations, that we're dealing with.

Our deepest wish
** To have our boys home with us immediately, before Christmas, and that the end of this long journey go smoothly. (It'll have been 10 months on Dec. 6).

Heart-breaking scenarios
1. We're so close, but if anything happens, then this seemingly near-end will jump farther from us and would break our hearts. We miss those boys so much, and we're just desperate to know how they're doing, if they're well, and having no news is hard to handle.

2. If anything happens, there's no way we'll have the boys by Christmas, which is what I'd hoped for way back when we started the process in March. Somehow the idea of having Christmas without them makes me want to not have Christmas. I don't how to explain the feeling, but I have just had it in my head and heart for so long that they'd be here by now.

3. If anything happens, we'll definitely hit that Jan. 1 wall that is still in existence unless the Guatemalan Congress has the foresight and determination to do what's right for the children of Guatemala in the face of the US Government. The unknown of what could happen if our adoption was placed on-hold indefinitely scares me for the boys and for me.

4. Something may still yet happen that would mean we were unable to bring our boys home. Ever. PGN could deny us. The birthmother could decide not to sign the final authorization. These things are unlikely at this point, but not impossible. I read online where a family has a "prayer daughter" because they nearly adopted her and the birthmother changed her mind.


I know it sounds like we're being irrationally worried, but these are all possible situations. I read online yesterday about a woman who was kicked out of PGN (the stage we're in right now) because someone in Guatemala marked through something on a paper. They kicked out the form because of the cross-through and it now has to be redone, and resubmitted to start the entire PGN process over from scratch. One upset like that throws us into any one of those scenarios above.

Anyway, the reason that I'm writing is to share what I heard on the radio this morning. Thank you, Spirit FM. As Christians, it is God who gives our trials meaning. They are not pointless or heartless, but set us on a path towards Him, and towards being more like Him. That realization helps considerably. What I'm going through now (and it's a lot!) is not meaningless. God has a plan, and now is not the time for me to lose heart and hope.

Anyway, I'm writing this more for me, than for you, but keep us in your thoughts, and we'll let you know as soon as we know anything ourselves.

Amor,
Kelli

In Preparation for Our Sweet Sweet Boys

who we hope will be with us soon, we have been stocking up on clothes, and toys, and protective devices, etc. And with Christmas approaching, we're also planning how we'll do that and which things will be Christmas presents and what will just be things they have when they come home. It's been very fun, (very expensive), and slowly we're feeling like we're getting a handle. Still there's a LONG way to go. The list is really long with two little boys!

Anyway, we just wanted to share a fun find we put together last night. Say hello to the giraffe tent! The bears from Sams's are waiting in the tent for our boys to join them! Here are the pictures! Isn't it fun? (only $30!)

Wrapping Up Week FIVE in PGN

Well, five whole weeks down (as of tomorrow). It's been pretty wild from my end, especially with no real news from anyone on how we're doing. I've been googling people's websites who are adopting from Guatemala and those coming out of PGN seem to have no uniform time length. The Department of State says it ought to take 4 - 8 weeks. There are people online, though, who have gotten out after 2 weeks, or 19 days. . . and others who have gotten out after 4 months or so. It's a pretty wild swing from the shortest to the longest.

We do have cause to hope, as it appears that MOST people are in for two months, and we are already well over a month in now, and our agency says we haven't been kicked out. (PGN has a way of kicking people out over messed up signatures, or ruffled papers -- they are a little picky).

Anyway, that's really ALL I know at this point. Keep us in your thoughts, because more and more I'm going CRAZY waiting for the boys' arrival. I had a small spell last night with all the trick-or-treaters, and it's so hard feeling like they're missing so many things already as this holiday season is getting under way. Anyway, thanks for listening. :) Maybe good news soon.

Love,
Kelli