Gotta wait until Monday, due to the US Embassy time frames.

Well, our lawyer tried to get our file into the US Embassy today, to get the "orange slip" for the 2nd DNA, but he didn't make it in time. The US Embassy only accepts files for the 2nd DNA Monday to Thursday, from 9-9:20am. Even if there is a line outside, they close exactly at 9:20am.

Edwin said, he'll have it in the US Embassy on Monday, and on Monday the 2nd DNA will be done.

Then we'll have more of a wait, for the DNA results and for the US Embassy to give us our "Pink", which will tell us when our appointment is to finalize the adoption.

Lets keep our fingers crossed and say some prayers, that Monday happens.

thanks.

Got some Good News Today..........

Today Margaret woke up getting an email from Edwin. After reading the email, Margaret decided to call Edwin this evening - to see what was going on and to see if he got Anna's new Birth Certificate. With the help of Soni (thanks again Soni), we called Edwin to find out that we did get Anna's New Birth Certificate. There was a delay in getting Anna's new Birth Certificate, because school started in January in Guatemala and all the students are required to bring their birth certificate with them. So the Civil Registry that does the Birth Certificates, were back logged with getting Birth Certificates done. Tomorrow Edwin is going to pick up Anna's visa, and Carolina and Anna is going to meet him, so that Anna's picture can be taken for the visa. Depending on the time, will depend if our file enters the US Embassy tomorrow. The US Embassy ONLY accepts files for 2nd DNA from 9am-9:20am Monday to Thursday. Otherwise, Edwin will have to wait until Monday to hand in our file. Once Edwin hands in our file, he is given the "orange slip" immediately, at which point Anna and Carolina will go to the Lab, to get the 2nd DNA done. SO LETS KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED AND PRAY THAT THIS IS ALL DONE ON THURSDAY. Once the DNA is done, it is sent to the DNA lab in the US, and they then send the results back to the US Embassy, us and our lawyer. From that point, it only use to take 1-1 1/2 weeks wait for the Pink slip. The pink slip tells you when your appointment is in Guatemala to finalize the adoption. But the US Embassy had changed some things, making the wait for Pink even longer. We have to keep in mind that the Hague treaty is slowly being implemented, so because of that - every different part of the adoption process is being changed - causing more delays. Luckily, we are coming to the end of the road, and Anna will be home very soon.

While on the phone this evening, Margaret told Edwin that he can give her a late Birthday gift and get their file in the US Embassy on Thursday. Edwin said he will try very hard to get to the US Embassy before they close at 9:20am. So our fingers are crossed and our prayers have been said, so lets hope Margaret gets her late Birthday Gift. :)

As for our other friends who are also adopting with us, hopefully tomorrow they will have some good news about being registered with the Central Authorities in Guatemala, so they can be resubmitted back into PGN. Please also say a prayer for them, so their child comes home without any further delays.

Thanks so much for your continued support.

No News yet, still waiting............

Hi all, Just an update. We don't know when the 2nd DNA test will be yet, we haven't heard anything from our lawyer. Hopefully we will know soon.

In the meantime, Margaret called Carolina, Anna's foster mother - to apologize if she (Margaret) offended her in any way, when she asked Carolina to take pictures of her neighborhood, house. etc. to put in Anna's Life book (the other night when they talked). Because, when Margaret was visiting in January she got the memory card of the pics Carolina took, and there was 302 adorable pictures of Anna. So when Margaret called Carolina last week, she asked to take other pictures of where Anna is living to put in Anna's life book. Not realizing, that not everyone is comfortable with that request. But, Carolina wasn't offended at all, and said that it didn't bother her, for Margaret to request pictures for Anna's life book. Carolina also told Margaret, this weekend the family is going on a little day trip and she said she'll be taking a lot of pictures there also. So that was nice to know.

We really do need to count our blessings that Anna will be home very soon. We are very grateful for everyone who was involved in our adoption to get Anna home. Carolina will always be remembered, because she & her family were a very important part of Anna's life for the first 6 months of her life.

This is something that Jacqueline emailed me today, and it is sooo true......thanks for sharing it with us Jacqueline.

Count Your Blessings!
Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;

Love your neighbor as much as yourself.

We called Anna's Foster mother this evening.

Margaret called Carolina with the help of Soni (thanks Soni) to see how Anna was doing. Anna is doing great. Carolina was also very happy that we were finally out of PGN. She said her family is very happy, but very sad because Anna will be leaving them soon. Margaret told Carolina that she will send her pictures of Anna throughout the years. Peter has been home for 2 years, and his foster mom still gets pictures of Peter with notes sent to her.

Margaret asked Carolina how Anna was when she got her ears pierced. Carolina said she cried for a second but was fine.

Margaret told Carolina that she will be calling back in about a week or so, and hopefully will have a travel date by then.

It is so exciting that Anna is finally coming home. I know Carolina and her family will miss Anna, but they are also happy to know that Anna is going home to a wonderful family. I do give a lot of credit to all the foster mothers out there, because I know I wouldn't be able to take care of a baby and then have to say good bye to it. That would be too hard for me to handle. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to do that. I appreciate everything Carolina has done for Anna, along with Edwin and Jacqueline and their family. All of their love and care shows in Anna, becasue she is such a happy baby.

Anna got her Ears Pierced..

Today we got pictures of Anna and she has her ears pierced. She got them done on January 22, 2008 with her Foster mother, Carolina. Thanks Carolina - Anna looks so cute with the earrings.

Anna is 6 months & 5 days old here............

Anna is Officially our Daughter....

Hey all,

Well, Margaret called Edwin and spoke to him about what was going to take place, since we were out of PGN. In the next two days, he is going to get all the documents (new Birth Cert., passport, etc) that is needed to submit to the US Embassy to get the "orange slip" which will allow him to get the 2nd DNA test. The 2nd DNA test is something new, to make sure the baby that started off in the adoption is the same baby at the completion of the adoption. If all goes well, we should have our 2nd DNA done on Tuesday 1/29th. And he said about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks after that we should be traveling to pick up our Daughter! Yippie, we are soo excited, it will be nice to get Anna home. We also found out, that Edwin had Anna's Birth Mom sign the final document this evening (after he called me at 4:02pm -Guat time), so ANNA IS OFFICIALLY OURS!

Wow, I can't believe our Anna is finally coming home. PGN was a long wait, and we are honestly glad it is over! Now we just have to deal with the US Embassy, and I rather deal with them.

Please continue with your good wishes and prayers, so Anna comes home real soon.

thanks so much for all your support.

Today at 9:15am Margaret emailed Edwin our lawyer an email "waiting for the phone to RING!" asking if he heard anything about our folder in PGN. At 9:52 am Edwin emailed Margaret back and informed her "Dear Margaret, 30 Minutes ago I called the PGN, Laura told me your file will be ready today in the afternoon to pick up your file, but I don't know if it was approval or has a previo. This afternoon we will have the news. However I will go now to check if your file is ready or not. Edwin"

Well, Margaret emailed all her friends to let them know the news. During this time, Margaret managed to get all the laundry done. About 2pm Soni called Margaret to see if we heard anything and Margaret said we didn't hear anything. Then Soni said, lets call Edwin now. Margaret just started to laugh, because if anyone should have patience it should be the person not directly involved, like Soni. So we called Edwin and couldn't get through, so we called Jacqueline (Edwin's wife). We got through to Jacqueline and she explained to us (Soni was on the phone too) that Edwin went to PGN this morning but the folder wasn't ready, so he was going back this afternoon to get the folder. Jacqueline felt confident that we were approved, but Edwin needed to get the folder to make sure. So Margaret asked Jacqueline to have Edwin call her on her cell phone because she was going out. Margaret gave Jacqueline her cell number just in case Edwin didn't have it handy.

Margaret left to run some errands. In the meantime, Margaret kept on checking her emails, to make sure Edwin didn't email her, but nothing. As we were heading to dinner at Joe's Pizza, Margaret noted the time being 5:02pm, and said okay it's 4:02 in Guatemala Edwin should be calling me. With that the phone rang and it was Edwin with a big Smile on his face! He said Margaret are you ready for the good news, Margaret said of cause.............Edwin then said we got approval and we are out of PGN. I was soo Happy! we were finally DONE with PGN. Edwin then went on to tell Margaret what was going to happen next, and Margaret had bad reception (so much for verizon - working everywhere) so Margaret asked Edwin if she can call him back at 6pm Guatemala Time when she is home, and he said okay. So we then proceeded to drive to Joe's Pizza. Margaret called Kerry (daddy) to tell him the great news. Peter and his older sister Kim was already in the truck so they knew the great news. We arrived to Joe's Pizza and ordered dinner, but Margaret was so excited she had to call more friends to tell them the great news. Margaret even called Beth the coordinator who helped us adopt Peter. Wow, I can't believe we are out of PGN, what a great feeling.

After dinner, on the way home. Margaret was stopped at a red light and asked Peter if he wanted to say a prayer for Anna, and Peter started saying the "usual prayer and started off by saying Please". Margaret told Peter, This time lets say Thank you. So Mommy started off the prayer and Peter repeated it. After the prayer, Peter said Happy, so Margaret (mommy) asked if he was happy and he said yes. Peter's baby sister is finally coming home. Once home Margaret emailed the friends she emailed earlier, to let them know that the phone rang at 5:02 pm, New York time and told them the great news.

So at 7pm New York time Margaret will be calling Edwin to see what takes place and how long before we travel. How Exciting.

Just had to Share this with you...........

The Chosen Heart

Longing for a child to love,
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
a part of me was meant for you.

I think how happy we will be,
Once I adopt you, and you adopt me.

I dream of all the joy you'll bring,
imagining even the littlest things,
The way it will feel to hold you tight,
and tuck you in every night.

The drawings on the refrigerator door,
and childhood toys across the floor.
The favorite stories read again and again,
and hours of games with make-believe friends.

The day you took my outstretched hand,
a journey ended, but our lives began.
Still mesmerized by your sweet face,
still warmed inside by our first embrace.

I promised to give you a happy home,
and a loving family all your own.
A house you've now made complete,
with laughter, smiles and tiny feet.

A parent is one who guides the way,
know I will be there everyday.
Rest easy as each night you sleep,
a lifetime of love is yours to keep.

Longing for a child to love,
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
a part of me belonged to you.

Teri Harrison

Margaret's Cuz is adopting too!

Today, Margaret's cousin had a baby shower, for her daughter. Marie and Pete are adopting from Russia and they should be traveling in a couple of weeks to bring Alina home. Alina is a cutie pie and she will have tons of playmates when she gets home. The baby shower brought back memories of Margaret's shower for Peter - because it was a surprise shower just two days before Margaret and Kerry was leaving to go pick up Peter. Margaret's sister in-law gave Marie and Pete the above poem in a frame. It was such a nice poem, that Margaret just had to post it here on the blog.

Soon we will have our daughters home, it doesn't matter who gets home first - what matters is that both our daughters come home.

Please keep your fingers crossed that our lawyer calls us this week, to let us know we are approved from PGN. That would be sooo soo great!

We called our Lawyer today....

So Margaret decided to call Edwin and talk to him about our case, and to make sure that we were on Barrios's desk (the final sign off to get out of PGN with an approval). Soni helped with translations, just to make sure we understood. Our lawyer confirms that we are on Barrios's desk, but he said he did not hear anything about previos (kick outs). But he feels confident that we will be signed off/approved this week, about the 23rd. He also said that Barrios signs off on resubmits one date at a time. So for example today Barrios signed off on 11/19th resubmits. We were resubmitted on 11/22, so we should be signed off soon. So we are going to be optimistic that we are going to get approved this week! That would be sooo sooo great! Please keep your fingers crossed and your good wishes/prayers coming, so we are approved this week.

On another good note. Margaret ordered baby earrings from the Jade Factory for Anna to wear when she gets her ears pierced, and they were delivered to the Hotel and Laurie signed for them and gave them to Carolina, Anna's foster mom. (thanks Laurie). I was surprise to hear that Carolina came to the hotel to get the baby earrings. Guess she is really excited about getting Anna's ears pierced. We can't wait to see the pictures. Thanks Carolina.

Today Anna is 6 months old.

Wow, how time flies. At exactly 6 months old, Peter arrived home. Anna just turned 6 months and she is still in PGN. But, the only people we could blame is PGN, because Anna entered PGN on Oct. 1st at only 2 1/2 months old. I don't know of any babies getting into PGN at that young of age. Our lawyer did a great job with our case, and he has no control what PGN does. Hopefully Anna will be home before she turns 7 months old.

Called Delta today, regarding my claims...

Margaret called Delta today, after being on hold for about 25 minutes, the customer service rep finally came back to inform me that yes, they have both claims regarding damage done to the suitcase and damage done to the stroller. He then informed me that it will take 10-14 weeks for a response, and that response I will receive in the mail. I informed him that I will not be flying delta until I know the outcome of this mess. I also informed him that it would be Delta's best interest to get back to me sooner then that, because we planned on traveling within the next couple of weeks, and it would be Delta's lose. He then repeated what he previously said, and said that it will take up to 14 weeks to receive a response in the mail. I said okay, guess I am done flying Delta.

So, I guess in 14 weeks, we'll see what Delta does about this. I'll keep you posted.

Having Faith....

Or as Margaret would say - "Think Positive". Well, this week has been a very busy week of bad news. My new friends - who I just spent a week with in Guatemala visiting our children - were told some bad news over the past few days. My friend Martina who was in the same boat as we - was just told that she was kicked out of PGN for the 3rd time, Barbara from Rochester - was told last Friday Congratulations, you are out of PGN by the receptionist that answers the phones in PGN, only to find out later that day that it was a kick out not an approval by our lawyer. Pam, just found out today that she too got kicked out of PGN. Laurie who wasn't able to travel with us, was kicked out just before the New Year. So, that leaves little ole me still in PGN. Of course I (Margaret) went into panic mode, and was going to call PGN to find out for sure that I was still in PGN - but it was too late for that. So I panicked even more and called my friend Soni (my pal who translates all my calls to Guatemala), and got her voice mail, so I left a message of my game plan. Then I called my friend Pam O. to let her know what was going on, and how I was still thinking positive, but it was hard to do at this moment. Then Soni called me back, and she said Margaret "do you have faith". I was like, what, of course I do, I told her that I pray more than ever. She said well, let faith take care of it. I told my friend Soni that its pretty hard to have faith when the odds are against me and faith can not control the corruption that takes place in PGN. We talked about my game plan, and after talking to my friend Soni, we decided to just wait and see what happens, who knows - tomorrow Edwin will be calling me to let us know that we are approved and out of PGN. That would be sooo sooo great! So, I told my friend Soni, that I'll wait until tomorrow when I call PGN to see what I am told. But, I do have to keep in mind that PGN does give mis-information as you read above, but I'll take that chance - and then just confirm it with our lawyer.

So, now more than ever I am asking my friends, family members, my bloggers/readers to help me with faith and pray that we get approved from PGN, so our Anna can come home. I also request that we pray for my friends, who I just met and who just got kicked out of PGN, that they can get back into PGN real soon. I know right now our Lawyer has to be having a hard time with all this bad news, I hope and pray that he and his family can find the faith and fight to get our children home where they belong.

For those of you who don't know, the Hague Treaty is slowly falling into place in Guatemala (read guatadopt.com for details) and the Central Authority employee's were just sworn in by the new President of Guatemala (he fired the previous hired employees to the CA). My friends who were just kicked out, can not go back into PGN until their folders are registered with the Central Authority and nobody has any idea when they will be open for business, so nobody has any idea when these cases will be able to be resubmitted back into PGN. We can only hope and pray that it is done quickly. Even though we are in the "grandfather clause" we do have to register with the Central Authority if we get kicked out of PGN. Lets just hope and pray, that at least one of us/Anna remains in PGN until she gets an approval to get out.

I read this on another blog, and just had to copy it and place it here................

"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & 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." ~Kristi Larson


Thanks soo much for all your support and prayers!
I can not begin to express how much we appreciate it.

Just an Update on Anna's Measurements and Anna getting her Ears pierced

Today, we got an email from our International Dr. here in New York and he said "Anna's measurements are doing well - her height at 6 months is up to ~25th percentile (previously at the 10th), her weight continues at the 25th percentile, and her head continues at the 10th."
It's nice to see Anna is growing just fine and she is on the chart.

As for Anna and her getting her ears pierced. With the help of Laurie (who is in Guatemala now visiting her son - thanks Laurie) Anna will have baby Jade earrings to wear when she gets her ears pierced. Margaret called the Jade Factory in Antigua today and ordered the baby earrings and requested them to be delivered to the Vista Real Hotel and for them to be given to Laurie. Once Laurie gets these earrings she will give them to Jacqueline, who in turn will bring Anna and Carolina (the foster mother) to the Doctor's for Anna's ears to get pierced. When the ears get pierced, Pics will be taken, so when I receive them - I'll be posting them on the blog. Anna is going to look so cute with this baby jade earrings. Thanks Jacqueline for taking care of this, it is greatly appreciated.

We called the Foster Mom this evening

With the help of Margaret's friend Soni (thanks soni) we finally got a hold of Anna's foster mom and talked to her. She said Anna is doing great. She also told Margaret that her and her family is going to miss Anna very much when she leaves - because they love her so much, but she knows Anna is going to a good family. Margaret asked Carolina (foster mother) her thoughts on baby girls getting their ears pierced. Carolina got very excited and said she would be thrilled to get Anna's ears pierced - that would mean so much to her. She also told us that she got her daughter's ears pierced when she was only 2 days old. Kerry and Margaret discussed this earlier and decided, if it was important for Carolina to do (since it's a cultural thing to do in Guatemala, see below) then we would let her get Anna ears pierced. So Margaret told Carolina, that she would have to bring Anna to the Dr's to get it done, and Carolina said absolutely - only a Dr. can touch those little tiny ears. Margaret then told Carolina that she would inform Jacqueline & Edwin, that we give her permission to bring Anna to the Dr's to get her ears pierced. Carolina informed us that she was bringing Anna to the Dr's this Friday for a check up, so we suggested to her to put it off for a couple of days - this way Margaret would have time to get earrings to her for Anna to wear once her ears are pierced. Margaret also asked for Carolina to take pictures of this event, so it can be put in Anna's life book. So Carolina is going to re-schedule the Dr. appt. for next week, this way the ears can be pierced at the same time.

As for the Cultural thing in baby girls getting their ears pierced. It's to my (Margaret) understanding, that birth moms get their daughter's ears pierced as soon as they are born to show their love for their daughter. The Birth moms would buy the pair of earrings and bring them along to the hospital so as soon as their daughter is born - they can ask the Dr. to pierce the ears. It's also a cultural thing for foster mother's to get their foster daughter's ears pierced to show their love towards them.

Got an Update on Anna's measurements

Hi all,
We received an email from Jacqueline, informing us..."Monday January 14, her doctor said she is healthy, her measurements are weight 15 pounds Length 63 cms and head circumference 41 cms" We sent this info to our Dr. here in New York, so it'll be interesting to see what percentile Anna is at now. I'll keep ya posted.

Our little girl is getting big. But she's a cutie pie just like a big brother Peter.

We are still waiting to get approved, so please keep us in your prayers and keep our fingers crossed that Anna get approved from PGN real quick!

Thanks for your continued support.

Patience...............and Planning ahead.

Okay, so Margaret's patience are definitely being put through the test these days. Every time Margaret's cell phone rings.............her first thought - IT'S EDWIN WITH GREAT NEWS! But it's not. This morning Margaret's cell phone was non stop ringing, and it wasn't Edwin. While in Guatemala visiting, while we were all at Edwin's house - he asked us how we wanted to be notified of being out of PGN. Quite a few of us said Email, BUT Margaret said - No Way, "when we are out of PGN, you best be busting at the seams and just dying to call me with the great news". I then told Edwin that he best be dialing my number while he is walking out of PGN to tell us the GREAT news". Edwin just laughed, Com'on now, with that great news, why would we want to wait to get an email.........when a phone call is just sooo soo quicker! So lets keep our fingers crossed and some really good prays, that the phone will ring this week with some GREAT news of us being out of PGN.

Margaret even has Peter saying his prayers, before he goes to bed - so Anna comes home quicker. It's the cutest thing to see. Last night mommy let him do it himself (without repeating what mommy said) and he was soo soo cute. And he always ends it by giving mommy a kiss and hug. He's such a cutie pie.

Today Margaret called Orchid Labs (yes, this is Margaret planning ahead), and paid for our 2nd DNA test. This is what gets done once out of PGN. The 2nd DNA test confirms that Anna is the same baby that started the adoption in the beginning. I figured I would have it paid for, so when Edwin gets our folder out of PGN he won't have to wait for Margaret to do the payment to get the DNA test done, it's already paid for. The woman at the Labs, that it was a great idea.

So please continue to pray, wish, fingers crossed - whatever works for you these days, that Anna is out of PGN now! so that she can come home real soon.

Thanks for your support!

No News is Good News....

Hey all,

No news yet, still waiting for Barrios to sign off on our folder, so we can get out of PGN. Once out of PGN, our lawyer said we will probably be traveling about 1 1/2 weeks after exiting PGN. We are all very excited about Anna coming home. Hopefully, it'll be real soon.

The pictures that I just posted our from our visit trip. Hope you enjoy them. The group picture is of all of us who traveled, and it was taken at our lawyer's house. Our lawyer's family is also in the group picture.

Please continue to pray, keep your fingers crossed, whatever works for you - so that Anna gets out of PGN real quick and comes home. That'll be the best gift ever!

Thanks for your continued support.

Well, I'll bee.................guess what arrived!

hi all,
Well the luggage finally arrived. And of course one suitcase (the new one, that we just got) has a rip in the front pocket, one wheel isn't working, and the buckle is broken off - that you hook your carry on luggage to. It arrived at 2pm. The gentleman arrived in a mini van, so how does the luggage in a mini van become a 12 hour window for delivery? I have no idea. The man had me sign for the luggage and there was a line there for the time, so I checked my watch and the man went to go take the clipboard from me, but I told him that i wanted to put the time down. He said the time didn't matter, because nobody sees that. I told him that it did matter, and I wanted to put the time and date down, so if Delta request this paperwork - they are aware of the time it actually did arrive. I get the feeling that the man wasn't too happy about it, but TOO BAD!

I called the claims office AGAIN to tell them about the damage, and you'll never believe what they said. They said I would have to bring the luggage to the airport within 24 hours to make a claim. I told the woman that "I already aged 20 years taking Delta to Guatemala and Back, and I didn't want to age another 20 years". She giggled. and I told her that I was serious and had no intentions of taking my toddler with the suitcase to Laguardia airport to make a claim. I then asked if I would be able to take it to Islip Airport, and she checked and said no. I would have to go to a main Delta location. I told her that it was a scam, because most people like myself would probably say screw it - it's not worth the aggravation and its a shame that Delta works that way. She then put me on hold and came back and told me that I can fax my complaint into the Corp. office with proof, etc. So I told her that it would be done this evening. She said to call back in a couple of days to find out the results of the fax.

So I guess in a few days we will see. I am sooo stubborn, but too bad, Delta should treat their customers better then this! I am already checking other airlines about going to Guatemala, so when we go to pick up Anna - I know what airline we are going to travel with.

Thanks for listening! Wish me luck!

We're Home, but Our Luggage Is Not! Go Figure with Delta

hey all,

We made it home last night just before Midnight. Our luggage didn't make it home, but that doesn't surprise me with Delta. I went to the claims office and they said that it will be on my porch before I wake up in the morning. Well, guess what..............it wasn't. So I called the claims dept. and the gentleman said that it was picked up at 7:30am and will be delivered before noon today. Well....................guess what................it wasn't. So again I called at 12:30pm, and the woman started to give me reason number 3, and I told her that I was "DONE WITH DELTA, AND I NEEDED TO TALK TO A SUPERVISOR". Well, it took awhile for the woman to understand that I didn't want to talk to her, I wanted her supervisor. The supervisor finally got on the phone, and she said due to the "high volume" of luggage that has to be delivered, they are giving a 12 hour window for the luggage to be delivered. I told her the whole story of what happened going down to Guatemala, and told her that I was done with Delta, and asked if she had a reason why I shouldn't be. She really didn't, except she apologized for what happened. While I had her on the phone, I asked her if there was anything that can be done about the stroller. I already knew what the answer was going to be, but I wanted to check. She said without any documentation that a claim was made, there is nothing that can be done. I asked her if she has ever been to Guatemala? She said no, I said well it is a 3rd world country and one shouldn't expect the same thing that you might get in the U.S. She then said without the stroller (proof) or documentation, she doubts anything will be done, but she said I can write the corporate office. I told her that I was going to write the Corp. Office and also CC it to Arnold Diaz from "Shame on You' on the channel 2 news. So that is on my list of things to do. I'll keep you posted on what the outcome is.

I have tons more pics to share with you, but of course that cord that I need to download the pics is in the luggage that isn't here yet. So you'll have to wait to see more pics.

To my pal Pam O., I know how much mispelled words bother you, but spellcheck wasn't working in Guatemala, so just for you - I did spell check on my previous posts - just for you!

As for that earthquake I wrote about the other day, well it was a 5.6 and it was only about 50 miles away from Guatemala City. And they had another one on Sunday Jan. 6th about 10:30 in the morning, but we were walking the hotel and I didn't notice it.

The whole trip was nice (minus Delta), Peter was soo great with his baby sister. Throughout the week, he kept on doing snoozles to Anna, and said daddy. Daddy does snoozles to Peter, so Peter had to do it to Anna (snoozles is where you rub both noses together). It was cute to see. Peter was soo happy in the morning, when he got up before Anna, because he enjoyed waking Anna up. It was cute to see. Peter's face would just light up, when Anna woke up and smiled at him. Hopefully, big brother will be just as good to his baby sister when she comes home.

Peter managed to have an allergic reaction on Monday Jan. 7th. He was sooo miserable in the morning, I couldn't figure it out, because it was too early for a nap. Then when I changed his diaper, he had bumps all over his body. I went down to the gift shop to get Benedrayl for the poor little guy, but they didn't have any. So I went to the front desk to order it from the Pharmacy, they had something similar, but it was going to take an hour to get there. So I asked Martina (who was already packed, and waiting to go home) if she had any and luckily she did, so I gave some to Peter. Thanks Martina! After a little nap, he was feeling much better. I am guessing the 1/2 dozen strawberries he ate, did it. He has had strawberries at home, but only like one - in Guatemala he had a lot at breakfast. So I'll have to watch him at home and see if it happens again.

As for the two kiddos. Well, when Peter was adopted - I discovered that each foster mother takes care of the babies in different ways. And the same thing applies now. Peter was always rocked to sleep and told a bedtime story, when he was being taken care of by the foster mother. Peter was well taken care of and loved very much by his foster family. I loved the fact that Peter needed to be rocked, and I didn't mind one bit doing that at home, I enjoyed it tremendously. Even now, when Peter is sick - he likes to be rocked to sleep. With Anna, she is such a happy and lovable baby, I know her family foster is taking great care of her. But, Anna doesn't need to be rocked to sleep. While in Guatemala, at Anna's nap time and bed time - I just put her in the crib and she would fall to sleep after she was done talking to herself. This was great, because that gave me time to spend with Peter, who has been so great during the whole trip. Peter and Anna will definitely be two active kiddos. Whenever Peter was active - walking/running in the halls, Anna's legs would be running too while I held her, as if she was trying to catch up with her brother. We are soo blessed to have two wonderful little children that will be able to grow up together and play together.

So, as for the adoption. We are on Barrios Desk, this is the last person that has to sign off on our folder. Once out of PGN, our lawyer said we will be traveling in about 1 1/2 weeks. It'll be soo nice to get Anna Maria home.

Please continue to Pray, keep your fingers crossed, whatever works for you - so our Anna is out of PGN real quick. That would be the best gift ever!

Thanks for your continued support.

Happy Kings Day and Great News!

Hi all,
Yesterday Jan. 6th, was kings day. We all went to Edwin´s house for dinner. It was very nice. The kiddos had fun at Edwin´s house, with the geese, chickens, and the trampoline. Peter enjoyed playing with the dogs, because he misses ¨¨mac¨so much. You´ll have to wait until we get home for pics, because I don´t have the cord on me now to download them.

We also found out GREAT news! we are on Barrios´s desk! This is the last reviewer to get out of PGN. Depending on this mans mood will depend on just how quick we get out. Lets pray and keep our fingers crossed that we are out quickly! So our Anna Maria can come home.

Well, gotta run. We will be home Tues Nite. Peter seems to understand that Anna has to stay here and we have to go home and get daddy to come back and bring her home with us, I guess tomorrow will tell. It will be sad to give Anna back, but it´ll be happy too, knowing that we will be back soon to take her home with us!

Have a great day!
see ya´ll soon,
Margaret

The weather is finally warming up!

Hi all, okay this is the second time I am typing this, because Peter managed to delete it. Yes, he is such the little helper.

The weather is finally warming up, we are able to take off our sweatshirts during the day.
Yesterday, we gave Anna a birth and she loved it and Peter had fun helping. You can see the pics below.

Last night while we had a tremor and the whole hotel moved. I didn´t even notice it because Peter was jumping on the bed, but Martina and Pam noticed it. Luckily it just happened once. Last night we got the kiddos together to play. Peter had fun playing with Martina´s daughters.

Last night we borrowed a portable heater from the front desk, because it is still quite chilly at night. The warm room, did wonders, Peter and Anna slept the entire Night. I woke up about 5am and jumped out of bed just to make sure Anna was okay, but she was fast to sleep.

Anna won the award for Miss Poop Queen, she couldn't poop anymore if she wanted too. She is even beating her big brother in that Dept. Yes, I know TMI (to much info). LOL

okay, Diego is almost over here in the business lounge, so I have to post the pics and get going. Luckily the TV keeps Peter a little busy to I can keep you guys updated.

Anna and Peter are doing GREAT! Peter thinks Anna is coming home with us, but I have been telling him that we have to go home first and get daddy and then come back to bring her home. Peter seems to be fine with that, but I guess time will tell. Oh ya, I called PGN the other day, and we are still with the 2nd reviewer, but the woman said in a couple of days we should be going to the 3rd reviewer. So Monday I´ll be calling again to see. The woman said with the holiday that slowed things up a bit.

If you go back to August and look at those pics and then these, you can see just how much Anna Maria grew. She is such a sweetie pie! And she is sooo soo happy all the time. No crying, just giggles and smiles.

Have a great day,

Hi from Guatemala

hey all,
We are having fun with Anna. Peter is such a great big brother. And his sister is taking after him, by waiting until she has a dry diaper on, before she does her poops! Yesterday, Martina and Pam arrived, and we had dinner together, it was nice to finally meet them and their kiddos. Today Martina and Pam went to Antigua with Edwin´s family. We promised Daddy that we wouldn´t leave the hotel, so we didn´t go to Antigua. But we will be leaving the hotel for King´s Day, and hopefully on the way to get a new stroller for Peter. I can´t imagine going home with a layover without a stroller.

Today Peter asked Howard for fish food, so we got koi food to feed the fish. We´ll be doing that right after I am done here. Thanks Howard.

I also found out, that this hotel DOES NOT have heat. I asked Howard today how to work the heat, because the room was cold again last night. And he said that they hotel only has Air condition. LOL. Poor Anna was cold this morning. So I guess i´ll turn the thermostat off, since there is no heat. LOL. Guess I better tell Pam and Martina too, that there is no heat.

Well, Anna is ready for another bottle, so let me post the pics. Hope all is well in New York.

Margaret, Peter, and Anna Maria.

We are here in Guatemala and Everything is Grand!

Hi All,
sorry we couldn't write yesterday, but after checking into the hotel Peter wanted to check it all out. And the electric kept on going on and off, due to the high winds. I even had to put the heat on in the room, because it was too chilly for Anna.

As for yesterday, wow - I am done flying Delta. We made it to Atlanta, and when I got off the plane to get the stroller - there was a surprise waiting for us - one wheel was broken off the stroller and it was not repairable. I was sooo Pist! I asked the pilot how Delta expected me to get around the Atlanta airport to catch my connecting flight - with a toddler and two carry on bags. He assisted me by carrying the stroller out to the delta counter. I carried Peter and the diaper bag and the carry on - it was a heavy load. To make a long story short, Atlanta Delta said that I can make a claim to be reimbursed for it, but I wouldn't have time to do it here, because I had to leave soon to get to Guatemala, but they said I can claim it in Guatemala. I was contemplating - just leaving the stroller and cut my lose, but you know me - It's the principle that Delta broke my stroller and just left it there - as if I wouldn't of noticed. It was an ordeal to get the broken stroller to the gate, but it made it there. Once in Guatemala - well - it's Guatemala need I say more. I spoke to the woman about it, and after a long chat they agreed to pay me $60, I said fine. Then about 20 minutes later of waiting they changed their mind, because of an initial on the stroller check tag - they said it was my signature - meanwhile it wasn't even close to my initials. So I just gave them a piece of my mind and told them that I had to get "my luggage and catch my ride that was waiting - and since I spent so much time here I probably missed my ride thanks to Delta". I also told them that "I will take it up with Delta in the U.S. when I get home." I left the airport and didn't see Jacqueline, then the security guy told me that there is another exit upstairs, so I went upstairs. Still no Jacqueline, then I thought I was stuck until the hotel shuttle came, so I went back downstairs to call the hotel, and as the elevator door opened - there walked out Jacqueline, I was soo relieved to see her. So as we are waiting for Jackie to bring the van around, the same woman who I spoke to about the stroller, came and asked me to come upstairs to talk to the supervisor, I told her that "I spent enough time talking about it and I was going to deal with Delta in the U.S., because I had to go and see my daughter." So we packed up the van and headed to the Hotel. All the time looking for Jacqueline, Peter kept on calling for Anna, Anna, but he was soo sooo happy to see her in the Van. She was fast asleep, but Peter's noise didn't wake her up.

We checked into the hotel, the room is absolutely beautiful. We got the Grand Suite this time, because Howard hooked us up on a great deal. Thanks Howard.

As for Barbara from Rochester, my email pal who is also adopting, she cancelled her trip the day before we left, due to family matters. But last nite she called me at the room to let me know she was coming and everything was fine. Yippie! It'll be great to see everyone who we email. Martina and Pam are due to arrive today. Peter will have a playmate, Martina is coming with her Daughter and she is adopting a girl about the same age as Peter. It'll be fun.

As for Anna and Peter, they love each other. Peter gets so happy because Anna smiles at him all the time. Peter is a great big brother. As for Anna, she is soo soo cute, and lovable. She was great sleeping through the nite. She has definitely grown and gained weight since the last visit. Sorry Pam O., but yes, Anna will be a good sleeper just like her big brother. As you can tell by the pics, she isn't that small peanut laying next to Peter or sitting in her seat.

I'll try and post more pics and more about our trip soon. Peter wants to run, run, run. So I gotta run, run, run - with Anna of course.




























Peter already being a big brother on the first day.





























Anna napping, yes that is her thumb in her mouth.













































Peter playing while Anna is napping.









Peter trying to wake up Anna, she has gotten sooo big.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Well, we just got back from upstate, and now we are packing to get ready to go to Guatemala to see our Anna. We will be leaving about 3:30am to go to the Airport, and our flight leaves at 6am. We will be in Guatemala by 12:30pm.

Margaret will be updating the blog while in Guatemala - so be sure to check it for new pics.

As for the Blog, some people have asked why we don't post pics of our friends & family on our blog. Some people don't mind and some people do, so we just figured we would just put us on our own blog.

Have a GREAT 2008.

It's going to be a great 2008, with Anna coming home.

see you soon,