Rylan's Journey Home

***Update to this posting 3pm - Adrian has our pre-approval in his hand.  I'm waiting for a response as to when we will be submitted to PGN!*** 

Not much has changed, I am still over obsessed with my email.  Always checking to see what is new.  I emailed Adrian this morning to find out if he did get our pre-approval picked up from the US Embassy yesterday.  I'll be anxiously awaiting his response!  I've had a translator trying to get a hold of Corelli for me.  We've been unsuccessful so far.  Long story and I'll post more details on that once I find out what is going on with her phone!

We had a good weekend otherwise.  Saturday night John and I went to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul for a concert.  We got to see the Gin Blossoms, The Pretenders, The Stray Cats, and ZZtop.  It has been John's dream to see ZZtop and I got the tickets way back with the Ebay money I've been earning.  We also stayed overnight at a budget hotel also payed for with Ebay money!  It was close to the arena and it couldn't have worked out any better.  We walked to and from the concert without having to drive and park and we had a great time!  Did I mention that it costed $6.75 for a beer at the concert!?  Wow, you can get one around home for $2.25!  Needless to say we didn't have as many as we planned.  Checkout at the hotel was noon and we took full advantage of it.  I was dreaming of sleeping in!  Cameron is an early riser, usually by 6:30am he is up, so I was really looking forward to sleeping a bit longer since we didn't have him with.  Well, John's cell rang at 7am!  Nice....  We dozed back off for a bit and went down from breakfast buffet (yah, weight watchers not doing good) at 9am.  We came back to the room at watched a "Chucky" movie that was on.  Not my first choice but it felt good to lay around.  Did I also mention that the room had (2) Queen beds?  When we got there we told them we'd take a King room but they were sold out.  Separate beds worked fine too!  We actually each slept in our own and loved every minute of sprawling out ; )  We took our time coming back Sunday stopping in Red Wing, MN for a quick walk around the downtown.  We did miss Cameron though so we were happy after just a night away to come home.  I think our dog Lucy missed us more than him though!!!!

Here is hoping that this week we will enter the "black hole" known as PGN.  I am so anxious to going with this final step.  Details are emerging on yet another step the US Embassy may require our adoptions to complete before we can take our children home.  Once we exit PGN and the child is legally yours under Guatemalan law, the US Embassy will require one more DNA Test!  This is only on the child though, not with the birth mom.  They want to ensure that no baby switching has happened.  Let me tell you someting.  Anyone who has gone through an adoption, whether they have met their child in person or not, is going to know if the child they are picking up is different than the one they've seen in photos for nearly a year or the one they've held in person!!!!!  No one is going to go home with a different child than the one they have spent months loving.  So more cost, a little more time now.  This is possibly to go into effect tomorrow, so we'll see.  I really don't care about it to be honest....as long as they do it while the final documents are being prepared and it doesn't delay us.  I just think that this is getting ridiculous.  I would scream bloody murder if someone tried to send me home with any other child but Rylan.  Another day, another hoop to jump.

Just received an email from Adrian our attorney.  He is a man of very, very few words!  Basically the email said that on  Monday his assistant has to go to the US Embassy and she will pick up our pre-approval slip at that time.  I hoped for this week, but next week is just fine!

The reason for the delay is that once there this is the same line all the other people stand in that have have new cases to present to the US Embassy.  Many are getting DNA Authorization and some picking up Pre-Approvals, etc.  The Embassy only hands out 40 numbers per day so if you get there to late, too bad!  You must come back the next day and the US Embassy is not open on Fridays. 

So his assistant must be there very early to secure a place in line.  I also assume since Adrian and his office handle a high volume of adoptions, there have been other cases before mine needing attention (meaning I wasn't a first priority????).

I wasn't sure what he was telling me was accurate so I verified it with another Guatelaman Attorney.  Adrian was right.  I haven't found he lied to me yet so I don't know why I keep worrying!  Anyway, it seems to me that if all he has to do is get a slip of paper there should be a special window for that!?  They aren't presenting a new case or anything.  Oh well, dare I question OUR US Embassy?  By the way, what's up with not being open on Fridays!?

I got the disosable cameras in the mail this week that I had left with Corelli on my visit trip (thank you Terri)!.  I posted some pics off of them on the far right side under Galleries - "Corelli's Pics of Rylan".  It was interesting to see some of her family and her house....and of course my baby boy!  She was left with a couple new cameras so I hope she fills them up!

I continue to keep all the other families that are in this with me in my daily thoughts and prayers.  The journey has been very long and extremely difficult for all of us.  When we think we can't do it anymore, when we can't take one more minute, we think of our babies.  I believe that we were meant to be with the children we were matched with.  Maybe someone upstairs new the path would long and difficult....therefore he hand choose us to walk it.  Others may have given up, but we will not.  So to the other mommies I have come to know so well (and those of you I've never met), keep going.  Keep fighting.  Keep trying.  We can do this!  Our babies are worth it!

I received a forwarded email from our attorney in Guatemala yesterday with the pre-approval notice, so I know he is aware of us having it.  I emailed him later that day to find out how long it would take before he submitted our file to PGN.  No response yet.  The typical scenerio is for me asking about something and then not getting an email back until after he has done it.  Everything is always "ok" and "don't worry".  Totally the opposite of me!  Like I said, I will give him 1-2 weeks max to get it done or else!!!!

I am hoping we are on the downhill slide now.  My skin has never looked worse.  My hair just feels like it never looks good.  My Weight Watchers isn't going so good (only lost .60 lbs last week) and not off to a good start this week.  To top it all off, I have a cold sore coming, which I never ever get.  Yucky.  Don't get me wrong, we are moving in the right direction here.  I know how lucky we are, but it is still very stressful.  It has now been over 2 years since we decided to adopt again.  People I know have decided to have a child, tied to get pregnant, got pregnant, been pregnant for 9 months, and now have a child that celebrated their 1st Birthday!  Just have to hang in here a little bit longer.  I just miss Rylan SO much.  Could be why that is ALL I dream about!!!!  I have a very active imagination.  I always have.  I can wake up and tell you the dream I had in specific details.  Sunday night it stormed by us and our tv was out so I put in a DVD we rented the day before - The Departed.  Very good, I like those kinds of movies.  Anyway, I had dreams like you wouldn't believe!  Let's just just say me and Alec Baldwin were on quite mission to get Rylan out of Guatemala and the world was against us!  I have no idea where my husband was during all this ;)  It is too funny as I see this in Cameron.  He has an imigination just like mine.  When he thinks you can actually see the wheels turning.  He looks up toward the sky and you can just see it. 

I'm going to list our timeline below to refresh memories.  Anyone adopting is always curious to see these!

6/22/2005 - Revised homestudy to adopt domestically again!

10/20/2006 - Decided to switch from domestic program to international

1/18/2007 - Received USCIS Approvl to adopt abroad I 171-H

1/24/2007 - Dossier (legal paperwork) to Guatemalan Attorney

3/20/2007 - File submitted to Family Court

3/29/2007 - File assigned to a Social Worker

4/19/2007 - DNA Authorization Received

4/20/2007 - DNA Paid

5/4/2007 - Family Court Interviews

5/16/2007 - DNA Test

5/17/2007 - Visit Trip #1 to see Rylan

5/23/2007 - DNA Results Received - 99.99% Match!

5/24/2007 - DNA Results Logged into US Embassy

6/18/2007 - Family Court Pre-Approval

7/21/2007 - US Embassy Pre-Approval

                 - PGN Submission

                 - Exit PGN

                 - New Birth Certificate/Visa (and other minor details)

                 - Pickup Rylan!

 Finally, we got what we have been waiting 59 long days for, PRE-APPROVAL!  This means that once the adoption is completed in PGN (the last step of the adoption in the Guatemalan legal system) the US Embassy will approve a visa for Rylan to come to the United States with us!

PRAISE GOD, THANK YOU LORD!  I was really begining to wonder.  Now I can go on to worry about PGN!  Told you, if it is not one thing, it is another!

Now our attorney will go to the US Embassy next week to pick up the pre-approval slip.  He will make sure Rylan has a current medical checkup and will finalize all the documents that PGN wants from us.  He will take that HUGE file and submit it to to the attorneys at PGN for review.  I am hoping within a week or two he can have all this done.  Let's just say I'm giving him two weeks!  That is more than enough time.

If we are issued no previos or kickouts from the attorney's in PGN, we will be out and Rylan legally ours in 8 weeks.  That is the average time frame.  I can't believe I can actually say that!  I am well aware of families getting caught in PGN for several months, but I pray that we've got the long delays behind us.  I think we've been through them all!

Thank you for your support and prayers.  They worked!!!!!!

**Added later in the day** - Enjoy some new pics on the right labeled "pre-approval days pics" from today at the railroad show with Cameron.  Made a great day even better with our news!

John, Karla, Cameron, and Rylan

That's right, todays post will be me asking for junk!  I decided to have a garage sale, after much swearing that I would never have one again.  They are SO much work that it is exhausting, but well worth the cause in my case!

I have lots of stuff that hasn't sold on Ebay, along with intentions on cleaning out our garage and barn.  So if anyone out there has junk that want to give me to sell, by all means let me know!  I have a couple people that want to do a sale with me so I've told them just to mark their garage sale stickers with their initials so money can be allocted accordingly.  For those of you have just have no interest in a garage sale but are tired of seeing stuff sitting around you no longer want, call me!  I would be happy to swing by and pick it up.  Just toss it in boxes and I'll take it from there.  What doesn't sell I'm going to donate to Grace Place (the store that raises money for pregnant mothers in crisis).  I am thinking of having the sale in September sometime.  I'll confirm a date later.... 

No news yet of pre-approval.  I am handling it the best I can.  I imagine this wait wouldn't be quite as hard if I hadn't had all the bad stuff happen to me with our agency.  Just a deep rooted fear of something going wrong.  We now have 57 days in waiting, with 3 more to go until we reach the average 60 day wait.  It has to be coming soon but until then continue to think of us and pray that we move closer to Rylan's homecoming! 

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time and miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God’s very own hands." ~Anonymous

Here it comes, here comes the whining!!!!!  I've been trying to hold it back.  I've been trying to stay positive.  I know, I know, I AM grateful for everything in my life and I really, really hate whining....BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...BUT COME ON!  I can't stand this anymore! 

I even swore I would not write one more post unless it was about PRE-APPRVOVAL!  Well, that didn't work did it.

I've chatted with about 10 other families who all have been waiting about the same time as me now, 55 days.  One received pre-approval at 54 days, another at 57 days, and the last at 55 days.  It's my turn.  Mine. Me. US. I've waited long enough. 

By the way, I wrote Wisconsin State Senator Herb Kohl's assistant yesterday (the one who was looking into our case).  No response via email or fax yet.  Maybe my problem isn't big enough for them yet.

Can one classify a LOONEY, WHACKY, INSANE, OBSESSED, STRESSSSSSSEDDDDDD mother a priority?  I hope so. 

Well, we got through yesterday.  Let's just hope we don't have to miss anymore birthdays, holidays, Mother's Days, Father's Days, etc!  Realistically Labor Day will be missed, but perhaps I may be visiting a 2nd time? 

Friday night we went out to eat with Sonja and Sean (adopting Kayla).  We had a good time and spent a couple hours hashing everything over!  John and Sean got in a few words but it was a much needed venting session for Sonja and I.  We pulled out the pictures we had developed from our trip to Guatemala in May and shared them with each other.  Sonja and Sean also bought us the most adorable picture frame for Rylan's room.  Very thoughtful!  That night was a much needed break!  Thanks you guys!

Sonja also wants to go back to Guatemala over Labor Day Weekend for another visit!  A wonderful idea I must say....but one that I am still deliberating on.  Financially, we are stretching the almightly dollar day already with the final payment yet to come on this adoption.  I'm still selling on Ebay (see the link on the right side of the blog) and comtemplating a garage sale in Sept.  Both will help a lot.  The trip is yet to be determined...but a possibility!

Saturday night we went to my parents cabin and stayed overnight.  We took a couple walks, had a campfire, and had fun walking around in after dark with my mom and Cameron.  My mom had bought Cameron a new flashlight that needed to be "tested" looking for WHOHA'S (his word for spooky things) in the woods.  John pretended to be a coyote and hid on the path we were walking on but didn't get the best of Cameron.  He laughed the entire time.

Sunday we treated ourselves to Dairy Queen.  Yes I know, not really a good thing to eat on Weight Watchers.  Just means I have to be better this week ; )

Hope to hear news of pre-approval by THIS weekend.  Lordy, if it doesn't come real soon I am going to go bananas!!!

Have a good week everyone, and I will post news when I have it.  Until then, keep counting the days with me.

Happy Birthday Rylan, we love you SO much!  I am missing you so incredibly bad at this moment it actually hurts.  I'm thinking of your birth mother too.  The day she brought you into this world and followed through with a very difficult decision.  One I could never even imagine having to consider.  Thank you Vilma for giving this baby life and for loving him enough to make sure that he was provided with everything he needed!  Someday, somehow.....I will tell you this myself.  Rylan will always know where his life began.

Having only spent 4 days of Rylan's first year with him seems unfair.  Even more unfair is that your daddy and brother, along with the rest of your family have not even met you.  Never in a million years did I think this adoption would take this long. 

BUT, I can't allow myself to feel sad or depressed.  I can't feel sorry for myself.  This is a day to be happy!  The day our baby was born!  I am lucky you see!  I have my health.  I have my family.  I have a good job.  I live in a nice house..... AND I have the most amazing kids in the world.  Mostly I thank God that Rylan is with a family who is loving him just as we would.  That comforts me the most. 

We are a special family formed in a very unique and special way.  This entire adoption of Rylan could have ended up very differently with all that we have been through....and I know that someone was watching over us.  I can only hope that the path will continue to be laid out so that Rylan can come home, and come home quickly.

AND YES!!!  7 Days and counting for pre-approval........

Hey everybody....we're in the single digits now!  Hopefully pre-approval in the next 9 DAYS!?  Not sure what my US Senator is doing to help me (like the letter said I got last weekend), but I just hope he can prevent delays and I get pre-approval on time.  Something done on-time would be great for a change! 

So, we FINALLY got in touch with Corelli last yesterday afternoon!  Just as I suspected, she wanted to say thank you for everything and that she got all the things I said I would send her.  She also requested that I not tell the attorney that we are speaking, which we had mentioned to her actually in a previous conversation.  Sometimes communication between the foster family and adoptive family is highly discouraged or even forbidden.  In our case, we have no clue if it is or isn't, but I'm not chancing it!  Terri again told me that Corelli is quite the talker!  Apparently shei also mentioned that she had my email address (which I gave her in May when I visited) and that she will try sending me something.  This would be fantastic!  A much easier way to communicate!  I hope she does email soon.

One last note, Corelli shared with me that my sweet baby boy has his first tooth :(    I know I should be happy about this, but again just find it soooo sad that I am missing out.  Kind of funny how he is similar to Cameron....  I was wondering when Cameron was that age if he was ever going to get teeth!?  They say the later the teeth come, the stronger they are!  In that case both my boys should have quite a set of chompers!  Cameron was into testing his out at age two and I can tell you they worked perfectly!  Just ask a couple kids at daycare ; )  

I am appreciative of Corelli in so many ways.  I thank God that I have her as my son's foster mom, and that she wants to share all these moments with me.  I think of her often now and how difficult it will be for her to turn Rylan over to me one day.  A pain that I can't imagine, but a joy that I can't wait for.

No news, no news, no news!  I'm starting to get real squirmy today.  Having lots of trouble concentrating.  Feeling a little yucky and starting to really, really miss Rylan.  This long distance relationship is extremely hard!  50 days in waiting for pre-approval.

We we were unable to reach Corelli at all yesterday.  The last time we tried it was 9:15pm our time (8:15pm Guatemala time).  I was disappointed.  I worry about Rylan and his foster family, even though she probably wants nothing...and also I hate being a pain in Terri's Wazoooo!

While writing this in fact Terri just called me from Guatemala!  She was able to get someone who speaks Spanish at the hotel to call Corelli.  They finally got her!  Do you know what Corelli said....call back at 2pm (3pm our time).  Urgh.  So, we will try again later.  I have no idea if she is working or what.  Hopefully nothing is wrong.  I think that I am just being paranoid.  She probably wants to "chat", which under normal...well almost normal...circumstances I would love too!  We've got to get on a calling schedule.  At least I can have some control over that!

I started Weight Watchers last week.  I had previously lost about 18lbs and this past year put it back on.  I have the metabolism of a turtle.  Good news though, I'm down 2.8 lbs (and I'm not telling my starting weight!).  So I'll keep doing my best until I reach my goal of 20lbs, and I hope to do that by the time I pick Rylan up.  I have something to work for...besides, I'm going to need to drop those 20lbs in order to carry another 20lbs around on my hip!  Can't wait to have him here.