Day 1:Guatemala Trip 4 (Our Reunion)

Guys, can I just tell you how great it is to be with the boys again?  Oh how I have missed them!!!!  It's like when we're together, we fall back into place -- like 'family' has just been on pause this whole time. 

I'm not even sure where to begin, except that I suppose I should tell you it's 8:30 and the boys have already crashed for the evening.  They were utterly exhausted from the great fun we shared.  

Good news?  They were longing for a bath!  They LOVE to play in the water.

The bad news?  They trashed around in the water so much that I got a bath and didn't want one!!!  

Still, I think the excitement of new toys, us, and the bath had them ready for sleep this evening.  It didn't take much -- one yawn and they were out.

I LOVE this picture to the right.  Both Mateo and Daniel are dealing with this process of seeing us in and out of their lives, knowing we're supposed to be family and not getting to ever be with us for real -- well, they just deal with it very differently.  But I love this picture because Daniel is super-loving, but the moments don't last super-long as he's an independent fella.  Anyway, it was fun to catch these bursts of love. 

Mateo is super-affectionate and he would easily appear the leader, obedient and loving, but in the first moments of us hugging after three months absence, it's apparent that in his joy, he's heartbroken that he just doesn't understand, that this whole thing is super super hard on him.  Each time we visit, it takes nearly an hour before he'll start talking because he's just overcome with too much emotion to say much.

I should also say that Mateo is sometimes (not always) really patient with his brother.  Daniel will take something or get in the way of Mateo being able to see something and somehow, in (to me) a very un-childlike way, just savors watching Daniel get the joy out of things.

These photos crack me up as father and son enjoy looking at pictures on the computer.  Look closely and you can see me in the background, snapping the shot.  Meanwhile, Daniel is looking for soap in the bathroom.  He LOVES soap!   Isn't that hilariously goofy!!??  He really does.  It was the first thing he went for when he arrived in the hotel room.  I had a bit of a hope he'd forgotten his passion for soap since the last time we visited.  He gets all the boxes  in the hotel room (plus shampoos and lotions) and carries them around.  He wants them in the bath and he wants me to hold his wet soap while he walks down the hall.  Then he wants the wet soap on his toys.  I know it's ironic that I say this about soap, but ICK!

We got the boys some shoes that light up when you walk and Mateo SQUEEZED his foot into them -- despite them being too small and even wore them to dinner!!  He loves them, and they hurt his feet after thirty minutes of crunchtime in them!  Poor guy.  Meanwhile, Daniel is super-serious about his stickers, but you couldn't tell that from this photo, could you?

Here we are at dinner.  And Daniel is LOVING his sippie cup.  Mateo and Daniel call them bottles, but I promise, NO SPILLS tonight!  It's a freakin' miracle!!  YAY for sippies!!

Okay -- now for the real news: we're supposed to meet with the Guatemala lawyers tomorrow to talk about what they foresee happening with this mess between PGN and the municipality for Mateo.  We're supposed to see the PGN approval, and Daniel's birth certificate and passport tomorrow -- so we have one ready to go and the other stuck!  We're hoping for good news tomorrow.  We should meet up with them around 2:00 (4:00 VA time).  We'll let you know how it goes. 

Meanwhile, the Florida bar complaint should have reached its destination today!  Maybe we'll have some good news on that front when we get back to the States.

Love you all.

ALSO -- good news to those who've been praying for my friend, Art.  He's finally been stitched up and their going to take him off the respirator.  He's been opened and closed numerous times now, but this time he has stitches, so I think it's cause for celebration.  If you've been praying, please continue to do so as he'll be in ICU at Johns Hopkins for ten more days, I think.  Also, please remember his wife, Neita, who has been a saint to me this last year -- as she deals with this grief and fear miles and miles from her church family and friends.  May God wrap his arms around both of them this night.

God bless.

Kelli and Ray

Arrival

We're here.  We're safe.  The flight was super-smooth and easy, and we have two hours until we see the boys.  We're going to take a walk around the hotel and will post tons of pictures later after giving oodles of smooches and hugs!!!!!

Ready to fly

I am soooooo excited.  We're heading out tomorrow and we have the bads packed, both weighing in plenty under the fifty-pound limit.  Yay!  We'll be with the boys by tomorrow afternoon; it's so exciting.

You should just check out all the stuff we laid out to take to the boys!  That's one whole suitcase just for itself!

Books, and puzzles, and bubbles, and stuffed animals, and clothes, and toothbrushes . . . we're going to have a really great time.  We're super-excited and hopeful for time in the pool and we got inflatable tubes and inflatable beach balls for the time ahead.

Meanwhile, can I just tell you we got this frog for Mocha that looks completely realistic.  She loves it!  Mom, the last photos are for you!!

Poor girl, she's already at the kennel, and will be happy to see this little guy when she gets back (as we'll be happy to see her!)

Stay close for pictures of the boys!!  Coming tomorrow!!!!!!!

Prayer Request for Art

Art, who reminds me so much of my sweet papa, is in Johns Hopkins today and has just finished surgery to remove his pancreas and spleen.

Please keep him in your prayers for his recovery and his wife, Neita (who was my wonderful Stephen's Minister through all my health troubles this year), and children Kelly and Bonnie, as they struggle through the unknown.

Art gives and gives, working on the church property, repairing and building items at the church camp, working at Habitat for Humanity, etc. God has used his handyman skills to further his kingdom in wonderful ways.  

We love you, Art and Neita!

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Ugly:

Ugh.  Ray and I are both not doing well.  Anxiety and everything being super-complicated has really been doing a number on us physically.  We're utterly yucky and teary and in desperate need of some sort of short mental vacation.  

The Bad:

Arg. . . so all those great deals that I posted about earlier were all gone as of today.  They ended at midnight yesterday, and we had held off purchasing them until we could confirm that the dates would work for the folks in Guatemala.  So we spent the day checking out flights (super-tedious with multiple airport choices, date choices, airlines and search engines. . .)

The SUPER SUPER GOOD:

MY SWEET BROTHER AND SISTER-IN-LAW 

SAVED THE DAY 

AND GAVE US TWO PLANE VOUCHERS 

to help cover the costs of the flight!!!!!!!!!!  

Thank you, Cory and Brittiny!!  

You are both complete life-savers!!

So we are heading out on Monday and will be back Thursday.  We're going to do our standard routine of showing oodles of pictures and videos so check out this location often next week!!!  And if I don't come back for a month, then just know mana has fallen from heaven and I'm staying in Guatemala until we can bring the boys home.  It's not likely, but I'm completely hoping for a financial miracle of some sorts from God in Heaven.  Don't mention this hope to Ray as it will add an ulcer to his poor stomach.

Costs and a Shout Out

First, I want to give a shout out to little Kate born to Wes and Lori!!  

Whooooo hooooooo!!!  Congratulations to a beautiful and HEALTHY little girl!!

Meanwhile it looks like we may be going to Guatemala on Monday.  We haven't purchased anything, but it looks like I can get airfare for $350 a person and hotel rooms for $90 (of course we still have to have two rooms each nights because of the goofy rule that no more than 3 occupants can be in one room together).  If we go, we're thinking we'd be back on Thursday.  It would give us a chance to see the boys and pour some love on them, and get some answers about where we are in the process.  Ray is going to try again today to call Guatemala -- we haven't been super-successful in getting through because we keep calling while folks are in meetings and things.  We're really hopeful for some good news.

We're trying to take each day as it is, and God knows all the blessings he continues to pour over us with our love for each other, our home, friends, family, sweet Mocha. . . but it's hard wishing the boys to be home for a season and seeing it pass without them.  We had thought they would be home at Christmas, and then we thought at least for winter to see the snow.  Then we thought spring, and now we're desperate they get home before the end of summer.  I am CERTAIN that God has a plan.  I am CERTAIN that one day we will be a family.  I just, in my impatient self, want everything now.  

Talk about impatient and super-selfish, if I had a million dollars, I would probably go down to Guatemala and just stay until the boys could come home.  It's going to break my heart to say goodbye again.

Hope

Patsy Clairmont ~

"My philosophy on hope is this:  if there's any sign of life, there's hope for this life.  If there's no sign of life, there's hope for the next life.  Either way we win.  Christ made sure of that."

News

Ray and I talked with our guy in Guatemala and here's the scoop we were told.

We have one birth certificate and one passport.  Apparently the local municipality believes PGN should have issued TWO approvals instead of one for both boys.  PGN has kept our case together because the boys are biological brothers and the municipality has been hard-headed about accepting this.  PGN wrote a letter explaining such and yesterday this letter was delivered to the municipality.  We do not know yet if the municipality has accepted this letter or not.  The answer will make a significant difference in whether or not we make another visit trip to see the boys.  If the municipality continues to argue, we'll go ahead and visit the boys next week.  If the municipality agrees and processes the birth certificate and passport, then we'll probably wait a little longer before making our decision.

God is good and we are still learning what it means to really lean on Him and let Him carry the weight of our troubles.  But we have the hope and assurance that God has always provided for us and will continue to do so.  Thank you for your love and support.

Possible Guatemala Trip

I am missing the boys like CRAZY.  (I need to write that in bold, with underlines and italics and large fonts and everything!!)  I called Guatemala and we've been given permission to come visit the boys again.  We can't decide if we're going to go yet because we HOPE like crazy that we can bring the boys home in a few weeks, but we just don't know how long it will be.  I should say that we were really encouraged that we've been given permission to go visit again. I hope it means that things are moving smoothly and maybe we'll have good news soon.  Anyway, we still don't have any news about where we are in the process.  

Anyway, we still don't have any news about where we are in the process.  Our agency has been increasingly difficult to work with, though I've been emailing them daily hoping to be the squeaky wheel that will one day get oiled.  :)  We still haven't gotten our $21,000 returned yet. I think we're playing a tug-of-war game and I just can't get tired and let go.  Meanwhile, these guys are super skilled in wearing down the opponent, so I think it's going to be a good fight.

Happy Father's Day, Sweetheart!!!

You are the best father, husband, friend, life partner 

that I could ever have been given by God.  

I love you, my darling.  

I hope you have a perfect Father's Day.

~Kelli

Rockstar Phil Live in Concert

Whooo hooooo!!  Phil's performance was fantastic.  Last night, on stage with one long-time buddy, Will Farmer, and two fellow songwriters, Phil dazzled the roadies (where I got to sit!) and the crowd at The Blue's BBQ Co. (which incidentally has great food!)

Below are the four songwriters as they take turns around the group to share their music.  With wonderfully gravelly voices and foot-tappin' music, each brought his own unique, but fantastic sound to the room.

Here's Rockstar Phil himself (though typically he has nice normal looking eyes) singing out to his sweet wife (my friend, Emily N.). It was super-romantic.

Here's Will and Phil (yes, it was funny when everyone caught on that their names rhymed) singing together.  They have fantastic harmony!  It was very impressive, but you just have to take my word for it.

All in all, Ray and I had a GREAT time and enjoyed a much-needed evening out together.  It was a fantastic date-night with good food, great friends, and smashing music.  Thanks for the wonderful evening out, guys!

SOME GOOD NEWS

Not about the boys, though.  We still haven't been able to get in contact with anyone to find out what's new in Guatemala re: the boys,

BUT Ray found out today that the folks who made a contingent offer on his step-mother's house, now have an offer on THEIR house!  So this means that Ray is about ready to have one thing knocked off his to-do list (in addition to school winding down through Tuesday)!  YAY for God!  

Meanwhile, we're celebrating with our friends the Normans tonight as Phil is going to rock us with some great music at the Blues BBQ Co. in Roanoke tonight!  Ray and I are taking it as a date night, and I'm bringing the camera so I can brag that I know Rockstar Phil!  Who hooo!!  Pics tomorrow!

Exam Schedule & Summer Soon

Well, there's no real news yet.  Ray's on exam schedule (which means the end of the school year is almost here! Yay, baby!) and so he's been trying to make some calls in the early afternoons.  Unfortunately, we've not been able to make too much headway.

1.  I'm going to have my bar complaint finished tonight to mail in to Florida tomorrow.  There's been some things going on in that direction and I'll let you know what we find out.

2.  I've written a firm, but professional, email to the agency requesting immediate action on the $21,000 they owe us and have  requested a phone conference with the lawyer to expedite the process.  I'm going to stay on them relentlessly until they mail us a viable check.

3.  I'm not sure right now where our case is re: the adoption.  Last we heard, they were working on getting the boys' passports.  I don't know if they have gotten to the DNA testing part yet or not.  Hopefully we'll get in touch with Guatemala tomorrow and have some news.

Meanwhile, I really really miss the boys.  I wish I could fly down there and stay with them until it's time to bring them home.  We've been seeing them every few months and now I have this ache in my heart and bones for them and I only hope it's soon when we can go get them.  Maybe more news tomorrow.

When it Can't Be Fixed -- Comfort for the Hurting

Lately, it seems there are a number of people in my life going through difficult times that can't be averted.  It's been, a strangely-weird and selfish way, comforting to know other people struggling because we've been struggling together.  

My mother is housing my grandmother.  There's no way around it for my mother and it's extremely difficult dealing with dementia and senility on a daily basis.  And despite my personal experience in difficult-impossible to fix situations, it's still been difficult to know what to say and how to be for my mom, to be a comfort to her, without just irritating her with possible solution ideas that she has to explain won't work because. . . 

Likewise, Ray is having struggles being the executor of his step-mother's estate and he has chastised me for trying to solve everything (like a guy!) instead of just listening (which you would think would be a natural trait for a gal!!). 

Anyway, Ray and I have sympathized with folks who clearly love us, but feel an awkward silence in talking with us because they just don't know what to DO.  And we haven't really known what to tell people about how to help us, and conversely (and clearly) I've had my own trouble with being there for other people in my life who have been having a chronic, daily, impossible-to-fix problems.  When I saw this list, it was just like a real lightbulb for me, and honestly, some of the things listed here are things people have been doing for us that have just meant the world.

  So I thought I'd share what I found in case you have some folks you know that are struggling and feel a little empty-handed about how to help.  

This actually comes from Barbara Hope Hulford in a book, "Best Small-Group Ideas."  I'm just going to quote the whole entry.

What do you say to someone who's hurting, with no solution in sight?  What comfort can you offer when no words seem sufficient?  Some problems have no real solutions.  Children are born with serious handicaps.  Businesses fail.  Incurable illnesses strike.  Having had far more experience than I wish, I offer the following suggestions for giving comfort in "impossible" situations.

1.  Be available.  Let your friend know you will be there, whenever needed, for as long as needed.  Knowing that can itself be an enormous comfort.

2.  Listen.  Listen with your ears, your eyes, your whole posture.  The gift you have to offer is more often a listening ear than a practical solution.

3.  Offer specific, practical help.    Can you accompany your friend to a meeting with the doctor, as moral support?  Can you run an errand, mow a lawn, or baby-sit a child long enough to allow your friend a nap or time to cry?  Ask what's needed most.

4.  Organize support.  Volunteer to coordinate people who will babysut, make meals, do laundry, do housework, and so forth.

5.  Inquire about finances.  If this crisis results in lost wages, additional medical bills, and other financial burders, ask tactfully but directly if the family is going to be able to manage.  If not, could the church pay a month's rent?  The phone bill?  Cover car repairs?  Send over several bags of groceries?

6.  Assist with red tape.  The number of doctors, insurance companies, social organizations, and so on that one has to deal with in certain situations can be absolutely overwhelming.  Could someone else call the doctor or insurance company and straighten out the bill?  Offer to be a buffer between your friends and these bureaucracies.

7.  Include your friends in the normal activities of life.  When a problem is long-term, you just can't put your life on hold till it's over.  Invite the children to a birthday party, movie, or dinner at McDonald's.  Have your friends over for a meal or arrange a quiet evening alone for husband and wife.

8. Pray and let your friend know you are praying.  Ask for prayer requests, too.

9.  Keep at it.  Often support is offered in abundance in the first days following a crisis but slows down to a trickle in weeks, months, and years that follow, when discouragement and exhaustion may make support all the more necessary.

Adoption-related.  Our agency was hopeful sounding today (kinda) about possibly getting refunded the extra money we paid, which they have promised to refund (but somehow haven't ever gotten around it).  Anyway, we're going to wait until Wednesday and then ask for a phone conference with one of the lawyers to get some straight answers.  We'll see.

It also looks like our fingerprints expire at the end of July, so we are going to have to begin getting those redone (which take a couple of months) and should get them redone in two weeks, I think.  It takes a couple of weeks to get the appointment (we may have to drive up to Charleston, WV again).  Anyway, we're really really really really hoping we can get our boys home before the end of July.  

Love you all,

Kelli

Things I Miss About Mateo and Daniel

1.  Eskimo kisses with Daniel.

2. Mateo's cartwheels and flips.

3. Spilled drinks at every meal!

4. Milk mustaches.

5. Playing peekaboo from under the hotel beds.

6. The boys crying, "Papas Fritas!!!" (french fries *grins*)

7. Mateo and Daniel harmoniously stacking and breaking the crayons, rather than coloring!

8. Holding their little hands down the hall.

9.  Letting them take turns pushing the elevator buttons!

10. Their hopeful eyes when we tell them we're a family in the hotel mirrors.

11. Being called, "Mommy."

12. Each of them wanting me to look at every little thing all day long.

13. Watching them curl up together when they sleep.

14. Huge messes in the bathtub!

15. The fact that they miss me when I'm in the bathroom getting ready.

16. Watching them clamor for Ray when wanting to throw balls or wrestle.

17. Seeing every little thing as new through their eyes.

18. The early morning when they are so out of it, but love to be tackled with kisses.

19. The longing look in their eyes when we tell them we love them.

20. Us being together.  

Summary

Adoption

We trust God to take care of us.  We hear good news from great liars.  Do we trust that? -- not so much.  But we trust God to take care of all of us.  And I'll just be real honest with you and tell you that every day is a struggle.  When I get hung up on and beat my head against the wall for answers, and I think of our two boys that we've not said hello to in 2.5 months, it's enough to grind away any emotional toughness that we take for granted -- you know the stuff we have that allows us to let things 'bounce off.'  I think Ray and I both lost most of that a few months ago.  *sigh*  Still God is good, and we walk in faith that we'll bring our boys home soon.  We hope it's super super soon.

Mocha's Tail

Meanwhile, this brings me to other news from the last week.  My sweet sweet Mocha loves to tag along -- wherever I go she wants to come too.  Only I can't always take her with me despite how much she wants to come.  Last weekend, she hopped in the car and refused to get out, even though I explained to her that she couldn't come.  I hear what you're thinking, but YES, Mocha completely understands what I'm saying and it was willfulness that she didn't hop out, not a language barrier!  Anyway, I was prying her out and as she was jumping out the car, I shut the door a SMIDGE too early and slammed the very tip of her tail in the car!!!!!!!!  She cried and I screamed!!  Turns out, the very tip of her tail has a hairline break and we got her on some anti-inflammatory meds, and she's doing much better.  

She's such a trooper.  She's just been in great spirits, and will flop her tail against anything when she's happy even though you know that the very tip of her tail has to hurt!  Poor girl.

Yard Sale Showdown

Ray and I threw a yard sale this morning in the 98 degree weather (felt like 101!!).  It was interesting and we got a little grocery money out of it, so we're super happy.  Ooo . . . and let me show you what I want to buy for the boys out of the money.

These are "Buddy Harnesses."  I have been really nervous about having both boys, and luggage, in the airport when we bring them home.  Atlanta is super chaotic with going through baggage claim, customs and immigration, getting to the gate, etc.  This is a little animal bookbag that has a handle for the parents so that if our hands let go, the boys can only get a few feet from us!  Aren't these fun!?  I love the "perro" (dog) and "mono" (monkey).

Love Moore Website is back up!

If you have the inclination, check it out.  Click HERE.

Email and Phone Conversation Snippets

RE: $18,000 additional that we had to pay -- not including the $3,000 they have owed us since last winter.  This is how the conversations go.  You see, their master scheme is to wear us down.  You can see how that might work. . .

Quote #1:  "It is very simple.  If you pay (Guatemala) directly, we will send the money to you instead of (to Guatemala).  If you have not yet sent money to (Guatemala), we will send the money to (Guatemala).  It is your decision."

Yes, send the money to us.

Quote #2:  "Dear Moore: (Guatemala) need to confirm and fax to me the 2 birth certificates,That is the wait right now." (Direct quote; I promise).

Hold up, Buddy.  You said you'd send us a check; that this was "simple."

Quote #3:  "Dear Mrs.Moore:  I will find out . . . about the payment and let you know"

Tick tock tick tock.  Any news today?

Phone conversation:  "Well. . . one lawyer is in Ireland and the other is in court . . . they are very busy, you know."

What about today?

Quote #4:  "6/06/08  Sorry I have not been able to find out this information yet.  Both, (Lawyers) are on VACATION, They will be back next Monday 6/9/08"

From Guatemala

So apparently the passports have not been completed yet because the weather has affected the system (think this must mean the Internet server is down or something), but they are still working on trying to get the passports completed.  I did find out that the DNA portion takes about 5 - 10 days (and will be done after the passports are completed).  Then we should get our appointment to the Embassy.  

So far our agency has been non-responsive about getting our money refunded to us.  I have been email or calling daily, but have been put off.  

That's the update.  

If I have ever gotten you a present and I told you that this present donated ___ cups of food, I purchased it from THE HUNGER SITE, which donates money and food to Second Harvest.  YAY! for making a difference!  

Hunger: Do You Know The Facts?

It is estimated that one billion people in the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition. That's roughly 100 times as many as those who actually die from these causes each year.

About 24,000 people die every day from hunger or hunger-related causes. This is down from 35,000 ten years ago, and 41,000 twenty years ago. Three-fourths of the deaths are children under the age of five.

Famine and wars cause about 10% of hunger deaths, although these tend to be the ones you hear about most often. The majority of hunger deaths are caused by chronic malnutrition. Families facing extreme poverty are simply unable to get enough food to eat.

The Hunger Site began on June 1, 1999. In 1999, a year marked by good economic news, 31 million Americans were food insecure, meaning they were either hungry or unsure of where their next meal would come from. Of these Americans, 12 million were children.

Click here to learn more about hunger.