A Little Story

As we wait for more news and pictures, I thought that I would introduce a every good friend of mine and her adventure, with her permission of course...

I meet Ginger though an adoption forum, she like myself is a single women adopting a beautiful little girl from Guatemala. She is ahead of me in the process. She accepted her referral the first week of December, when the child was only a week or so old. She gladly accepted the referral and now is in the waiting period for Berali Grace... I have seen Berali grow over the past few months, and I watched in love how Ginger has been bonding with Berali. She and her best friend has already gone for a visit and bonding. Ginger has been keeping me up with her adoption, and has been tremendous support, with me through my ups and downs. Along with the rest of my support system. She and I have been communicating since I started my process. She has shown me how to just take the hard balls as they come, and work it out and move on. Anyway back to Little Ms Berali Grace... She is a beautiful little Angel, that will be GRACING us with her present soon. I have told Ginger when we are going to Guatemala, and now she is planning a trip to go see Berali at the same time, on the same plane and in the same hotel! We will finally get to meet each other face to face, and our girls will be able to meet each other, in their own country. This will most definitely be a Kodak moment. Something all of us will treasure for the rest of our lives. Ginger and I have discussed how wonderful it would be to keep in touch and to have reunions with the girls. Even trips back to Guatemala when they get older. I feel that our friend ship will last forever and the girls will always have a connection. I am including some pictures of Berali for you viewing pleasures. To keep myself busy as I waiting on news of Angelena, I created some picture art for Ginger! Enjoy...

PACKING MY BAGS

We are going for a visit in Augest. They wanted me to go in the beginning of July, but mom will be in California. I will not go without her, my dream has to have my mom with me for the first time I meet my duaghter... So with that, mom comes home form CA on 7/31, and we fly out to see Angelena on 8/2. I just can't wait. Cousin Liz will be joining us with the trip. We just purchased our tickets and are set to go.

On another note, I was told that I will be getting a video and more picture in the next week or 2, once I have them, I will post more for your enjoyment!!!

I knew of you before your birth,

I loved you before we ever meet.

I prayed for you day and night,

Thankful your birth mother had chosen life.
The waiting is anxious and hard,

You already hold a place in my heart.

Weeks go by, and sometimes I cried.

Finally one day I will get a call with good news.
Tears of joy will fall on my cheek,

I wait for the first time I will hold you,

Precious Angel, so tiny and sweet.

I'm thankful your birth mother had chosen life.

Rocking and singing sweet lullabies,

You will bring much joy to so many lives.

I'll love you forever, sweet little one.

Memories to treasure, a new life begun...

WE DID IT!

I am approved.... I am approved.... I am apporved for 2 kids. I recieved the I171H form today! Yep, you heard me right, 2 kids. I always wanted 2, but, I am only getting 1 for now. But, everyones knows that all kids needs a brother or sister... Coming from a family with a lot of kids, you always need sibilings. I have up to 18 months to decide if I want to get another. The agency told me today, all I have to do is say the word and they will let me pick another....

With me being a single mom, if I had 2 kids I would have to be a stay at home mom, cause I can't afford a babysitter.... UNLESS someone want to move to TEXAS and babysit her cousins... Do you here me SHANNON? SO what are you waiting for???

We have all the paper work done except for 1 thing.... MY birth certificate. It is currently at the IL Guatemala Consulant getting their approval, and they are sending it out to me tomorrow.

Now, the DNA authorization and testing will begin. So, we wait for 6-8 weeks, then we can go and visit her. Then wait again, for 2-4 months after that and then BRING HER HOME!!!

Just wanted to share this with everyone!

HUGS

WHAT A DAY

We went to Homeland Security Monday Morning! Mom is now certifiable and has passed the Immigration portion of the journey. We should be getting the I171H by Friday, and will be should be completely done with all the paper work, (until we go to Guatemala). But, the worst is behind us.

When I sat and watched the Presidents Address last night, all I could think was look at all the stuff I had to go through to make Angelena a US Citizen, and who his address was solely on Immigration procedures and keep people out the states that don't belong here. Granted he made some good points, or at least whoever wrote his speech... Anyway that is another story.. All I am saying is becoming a US Citizen is one long and hard thing to conquer, but it is so well worth it! The people at Homeland Security, and very nice, and they help and explain everything in detail to you so the process will go quicker...

So with that...OUR DAY was very eventful and OVER!!