Rylan’s Journey Home

Last night on the way home I was anxious to get to our mailbox.  I knew the results of the DNA Test were to come any day!  I knew it was a match already, but I was anxious to see the paperwork.  Since I had a direct contact at Labcorp here in the US where the tests are ran, they had my home address to send me copies direct.

Just as I expected there was an envelope in the mail.  I quickly opened it and found one single Polaroid picture of Rylan with his birth mom.  She just turned 26 years old.  She is very cute!  Short hair at maybe chin length and it kind of curls out.  Beautiful skin, tiny nose, very dark eyes.  I felt so sad for her.  Although she is very pretty, she seriously looks like much older and the huge dark circles all around her eyes show the rough life she has most likely had.  I wouldn’t doubt she has older children at home she is struggling to raise.  I wish I knew more about her.  We should get a copy of the Family Court Interview when the adoption is finalized.  Maybe someday in the future I can try to help her….  The least I could do is to try to let her know that Rylan is loved and wanted.

I will post more news as I hear it.  I am now counting down the 30 day average wait it takes to get pre-approval from the US Embassy in Guatemala.  After 30 days if pre-approval hasn’t come, I will become the Embassy’s worse nightmare!  Email, phone, email, phone, email, phone…..  you get the idea!  Here is a refresher of our timeline in the process so far;  As you can see, we’ve made some progress!

10/26/06 - Signed on with the agency and accepted referral of Rylan, who was 3 1/2 months old

1/18/07 - Received INS approval to adopt abroad (we waited forever for this over the holiday!)

1/24/07 - Dossier to Guatemala with INS Approval - Power of Attorney filed, translations and certifications done

3/20/07 - File submitted to Family Court

3/29/07 - File assigned to a Social Worker

4/19/07 - DNA Authorization

4/20/07 - DNA Paid

5/4/07   - Family Court Interviews with Social Worker/Baby/Birth Mother done

5/16/07 - DNA Test Done!

5/23/07 - DNA Match - 99.99%   

              - Pre-Approval Received (30 - 60 day wait and I’m counting down)

              - Enter PGN (last step 30-90 day average)

              - Exit PGN (new birth certificate and other legal documents done)

              - Pink Slip Issued (pick up Rylan!)

Please continue to keep us in your prayers! 

Rylan, so sweet and innocent….  Just a little angel….  Boy oh boy, I keep thinking to myself “How long will it take to corrupt him!?”  Poor boy doesn’t have a clue what he is in for!

Rylan’s big brother Cameron is just full of it!  While I was gone to Guatemala I called home one night only to hear a very upset little boy in the truck with his dad.  Not about me…. about Grandma!  Seems he was at her house with Makayla, my Godaughter who is 8 yrs old  (my cousin Minday’s daughter).   The two play well together!  Cameron and Makayla proceeded to have a dirt fight.  It was fun and games until Makayla got dirt in her eyes and Cameron just kept on throwing.  Grandma hollored and threatened him to stop.  Cameron didn’t stop.  Grandma went over to put him on a time out and what happens….Grandmas gets continual loads of dirt right in the face!  Now as I’m typing this I am still laughing to myself!  I know, not funny….but the picture of it sure is.  Well when I talked to my mom after I got back she said she was still picking dirt off her scalp!

My dad is very anal about his yard, he always has been.  Way in the back there is a little play house for the two grandkids, Cameron and Eryn (my niece).  Eryn is all girl and doesn’t get dirty much, but Cameron gets back there and the dirt is flying!!!!  There is no grass left and the poor lawn is shot.  Cameron has it all dug up.  He goes back there with shovels, backhoes, rakes, spoons, whatever he can get his hands on.  He uses my mom’s bird bath for water to make mud (she isn’t real impressed with that).  The poor neighbor boy is always leaving looking like he just rolled across the yard a few dozen times!  What cracks me up is each time my dad sees Cameron heading back there he is holloring, “Karla, Cameron’s going in the dirt!”  I’ve given up.  Cameron loves the dirt…and really, who cares?  Boys like to be dirty, mine especially!  My dad really wants to hollor “Cameron, Grandpa doesn’t have any grass left, get out of there!”  But he doesn’t.  He just keeps telling him I owe him a pile of black dirt and sod one day.  I would have to agree.  I say we wait for a few years until Cameron and Rylan are grown and it will make a good Father’s Day Gift : ) 

I have a pistol of a kid, that is for sure.  The things he talks about amaze me.  The night John picked me in Winona when I got back from Guatemala we were riding home.  We passed a flower shop that Cameron and I had stopped at a couple weeks ago.  He says, “oh no mom that flower shop is closed”  I say, “that’s ok it is late and we don’t need flowers tonight.”  He proceeds to ask me if my grandma and grandpas have died.  I say yes, they have.  He said we should take them flowers…  I say yes, that would be nice.  He says mom, you should tell them you love them when you leave the flowers.  I say yes, your right I should.  He goes on to tell me that they are in heaven up in the clouds but there spirit is sitting on my shoulder watching over me!  I about fell over!  I said your right Cameron, they are always watching over me, and all of us.  He goes on to say our dog Sady (that died last summer) is on his shoulder all the time!  What!!!!???  Where does he get this from?  Is this really a newly turned 4yr old I am talking to?  The amazing part about this kid is minutes before this deep conversation when he was getting in John’s truck he bent over and shook his tooshie while grabbing it and shaking it in my face…and started singing “Everybody Dance Now!”….  

Rylan….hold on.  Cameron has got lots to teach you!

Well, we made it back from Guatemala….a little battered, but in one piece!  I was going to post after the babies were picked up on Monday, but I just couldn’t.  It was such an emotional day.  Sunday was even horrible as I kept thinking about it and watching the clock.  I kept getting that ball in my throat and tears in my eyes that were constantly choked back.  I can’t even explain Monday.  Unless you’ve been through it, there are no words.  It was horrible, heart wrenching, painful….I just felt so helpless and NOT in control.  I just keep clinging to the thought that he is so loved by his foster mother.  It was so obvious how much she cares for him and the best part is he LOVES her!  The bag she left with me when she dropped him off was so carefully packed.  And when he saw her face when it was time to give him back, it just lit up!  He was kicking his legs and smiling.  A baby that is neglected would never do that.  The attorney’s assitant who came was crying with me, as was foster mom.  It was very emotional and difficult.  The language barrier between all of us was forgotten….it was all about Rylan and we found a way to communcate.  They were amazing!  You should have seen their faces when I sent a huge piece of luggage home with them!  It was fully of diapers, formula, toys, clothes, and baby supplies!  They laughed at me!!!!

Sonja and I had 1 hr 15 minutes to make a connecting flight from Dallas to Minneapolis!  We’ve never moved so quick in our lives!  We had to get off the plane, go through customs, get our luggage, go through security again, re-check our bags, go back through security, and then find our gate!  We also had a terminal change that was completely on the opposite side of the airport.  We actually made the flight!!!  I think we took a couple people out at the escalators running with luggage….but we made it!

John and Cameron came to get me once I got back in Winona.  He ran to me and gave me several huge hugs!  Although I know before they came to get me he was more concerned with reading train books at Grandma’s…but hey, at least he didn’t sit and cry the entire time.  I would have felt worse.  I know he missed me on occassion, but I’ve also raised a somewhat independent child!  Boy, does that sound familiar or what!?  I was just like that!

Now for the extremely good news!  I was on my home from Minneapolis last night.  My husband called me to say that Labcorp had our DNA in hand!  Yes, Yes, Yes!  That meant it truly had been done!  So I played around this morning with the email and finally got the attachment to open.  I saw a picture of birth mom with Rylan.  She looks so sweet.  I can’t imagine how hard that photo was.  So then I email Labcorp back and said YES, this is our file!  A couple hours later I got an email confirming the DNA is a match!!!!!!  Yippie!!!!!!!  Without this, our adoption would be in serious trouble. 

So, what happens now you wonder….  Well, we wait for (2) Pre-Approvals.  One from the US Embassy on the DNA and from one from the Guatemala Family Court with the interviews that took place.  This should be 30-60 days.  Once we get those we enter PGN….the last step!  PGN is and undetermined amount of time……

I’m hope we don’t run into many delays because of the situation with our agency.  Fingers crossed!  Thanks everyone for the huge show of support during this.  It has meant a lot. 

John, Karla, Cameron, and Rylan

Rylan and I started off our Sunday at 4am today, 5am my clock from home!  He fell asleep early around 7pm, while Kayla continued to party until about 9pm….much to Sonja’s worry!  Therefore he was up early so I brought him to the baby center so he didn’t wake the others!  He is out now so I am going back to the room to lay him down.  Unfortunately I am wide awake!  The best part about this morning is that I got some quality time with him in the baby center rocking him…..and singing where no one can hear.  Anyone who has heard my singing knows that is a good thing.  I had to sing him You Are My Sunshine….that is Cameron’s song and he always loved it.  Poor Rylan just looked at me….then had this huge grin on his face.  At least he didn’t cry!

It is amazing how much he is like Cameron….I just can’t believe it!  He is an early bird, when he is up - he is ready to go, he has long gorgeous eye lashes, his hair is exactly the same as Cameron’s was but darker.  Even his goofy little personality.  We’ve all agreed that he is the wild man!  He eats anything….and he giggles a lot.  He is ticklish on his tummy.  He is definitely smaller than Cameron was.  Guatemalan babies are smaller than American babies.  He is perfect in every way…that is all I care about.  Happy and Healthy!  I love him so much it is ridiculous! 

Yesterday was another fantastic day.  These babies are amazing.  Again I can’t stand to think of tomorrow….the only good thing is that I am closer to seeing Cameron.  It feels like I am torn between two sons.   Sonja has been amazing.  Her husband Sean would be so proud!  She has found just the right way to soothe Kayla when she is crabby (which isn’t often).  We can tell she is held a lot and attended to well by her foster mom.  She has Sonja wrapped right around her finger and on her toes at all times!  She LOVES to be held!  Both of us have agreed that these kids not want for much!  Our bodys ache, we’re tired, we’re full of buggars and baby food….and SO happy!  Libby is quite the little girl for Anna.  She is so quiet and doesn’t demand much.  She is very small which concerned Anna, but she eats a lot and smiles like crazy.  The three are so different.  Both girls just sit back and watch Rylan.  No doubt he is the entertainment!  Kayla just stares at him while he tries to grab that gorgeous curly hair of hers!  Libby has to be kept far enough away, she has no chance to get away from him and those monkey feet!  He just grabs everything he can with them.  It is so funny.

We have lots of pictures and I have added more today.  My time spent here this morning allowed me to figure it out!  We probably won’t get more on…but will post tomorrow.  We have lots of other photos and video to bring home. 

Today we plan breakfast and the pool.  We haven’t gone their yet!  We’ve kept ourselves plenty busy elsewhere.  I do want to get out in the sun today.  Even if we don’t go in the water, we can take the kids down with bankets and toys to play awhile.

We’ve heard a bit more about our agency on the Yahoo forum and the Embassy possibly scrutinizing our adoptions more.  I have hope that this won’t present too many problems.  I will wait forever if I have to.  Expect the worst but hope for the best right!?  It doesn’t pay for me to worry much about it.  Sonja agrees.  We just have to have faith that what is meant to be…will be.  No matter what we will never regret coming. 

I’ll call home later this afternoon…..and post tomorrow.  Don’t worry about any of us, we are all fine.  I know Sonja and Anna’s families are reading this daily too.  We feel completely safe here.  Everyone is so nice and there are American families everywhere!  We haven’t left the hotel and don’t plan to.  Everything we need is right here!!!!

Hey all, my picture worked lastnight!!!!!  I didn’t think it did.  On the blog on the right side there is a photo album link…it might say New Album or something like that.  Click on it and you will see some old pictures I listed.  Well, click the 2nd page and you’ll see one picture of all three from lastnight!

So, now I have to remember how I did it!!!  Ok…more pictures to come!

Hi everyone!  We are doing fantastic.  I am in the baby center now while all the kids are back in the room napping.  We gave them baths this morning and had breakfast.  All are still in great spirits.  It is amazing!  They did fantastic lastnight.  Each was up a couple times but no big deal.  Just a little groaning and they were back out.  They are definitely enjoying all the attention!

I’m sorry we can’t get pictures to work.  I am having issues with the hardware for my camera!  I know you all are dying…so I will keep trying to get it to work.  I plan to go to the business center tonight to try again when I have more time.  I only had 20 minutes or so lastnight before they closed.

I might have posted my mom’s email address wrong.  It is mastinker@charter.net   Now she didn’t get the pictures I tried to send….but I promise to try again later!

We are still having a fantastic time.  The weather is perfect, babies absolutely perfect!  I thought I loved Rylan before….it doesn’t compare to how I feel now.  I can see another trip in the future around his birthday in July.  I am dreading having to return him on Monday but this is an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world!

We will post again soon and I will be calling home shortly!  John, give Cameron and hug for me.  I miss him SO, SO much!

Karla and Rylan

Hi everyone, we have the babies and they are GREAT!  Eveyln came on time with Sonja and Anna’s babies.  Rylan was 1/2 hr late…but it was fine.  Sonja’s foster mom did not come, but she is coming on Monday to pick her up.  Sonja is very, very happy.  Kayla is healthy and so beautiful.  Honestly, she is perfect!

Anna has Libby and she too is great.  Foster mom came with to drop her off.  She very petite and loves to be held all the time.

Rylan is perfect.  He laughs and giggles constantly.  Sonja and I have very vocal babies!!!!  We are so glad we came.  We feel so much better seeing how they have been cared for.  We enjoyed dinner a bit ago here at the hotel and finally figured out the computers!  I attached pictures to my mom in an email.  I will try to post here.  If you want to contact my mom at mastinker@charter.com she can forward them to you! 

Everything has been perfect.  No problems.  We feel extremely safe and the staff is nice.  We still haven’t got our correct room…but we made do with what we have.  It is adjoining rooms and is fine.  The hotel is very nice!  We are impressed!!!!

DNA for me was confirmed.  The test was done Wed.  Now we wait for the match to come back.  Sonja received all the certificates she needs to enter family court and to get the DNA authorization.  Both Sonja and Anna should be seeing more progress in 1-2 weeks!

The visit has been so worth while in many ways.  I miss Cameron horribly already.  I know he is doing fine because I called home this morning.  We will post more tomorrow.

I can tell you that after this visit……WE MAY BE BACK!!!!!!! 

We are here everyone!  It is almost 9am and we are SO excited and nervous!!!!  Our flight out of Dallas was delayed last night.  We got in about 1.5 hrs late.  Everything has gone smooth though.  After we got out of the airport I saw a Marriott shuttle bus pulling away.  I ran across the parking lot with Sonja and Anna in tow and about threw myself in front of it so he stopped!  We got on no problem.  Short ride to the hotel.  They gave our room away for just last night by accident so they are moving us today.  We just had two connecting rooms last night which worked fine.  We just ate breakfast which was great!  We are in the baby center giving an update and going back to our room to grab supplies.  Then off to the lobby to wait.  We will post more later, and hopefully some pictures too!

By the way, the attorney told me late Wed that the DNA Test was done!!!!  I should find out more on that today.  Hopefully Sonja and Anna will find out more information today too.

Adios!!!

Today is the day DNA is supposed to happen.  It is scheduled for 11:00, which for us would be noon.  Please keep birth mom in your thoughts.  Pray that she has the courage to come to the appt and strength to get through seeing her baby for the first time in months.  This will be the most exciting day for us, but the saddest for her.

I’ll let everyone know what I hear.  I SO hope this happens today!

Just got word that the DNA Test is scheduled for Wed, May 16 at 11:00.  No new developments otherwise.  Just trying to get packed and ready to go.  Also working hard to arrange a schedule for Cameron.  Poor kid will be bounced around a bit, but that should keep him busy!  I don’t think he’ll have much time to miss me….

On a lighter note the week went fast and I am looking forward to the weekend!  Work has been horribly crazy with this hot weather.  Cameron had his last day of his 1/2 day a week preschool so that means no more running back and forth.  Next fall he starts 2 full days of preschool! 

Enjoy your weekend everyone, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms…and soon to be moms.  I had many years wondering if I would ever get to celebrate my own Mother’s Day, so I plan to enjoy Sunday….now knowing I have two boys to call me mom!