Moving Forward

Time out over.

After much investigation, many phone calls with those in the "know", way too much Internet research, and a whole lot of "looking up", we have landed in Guatemala.... figuratively, of course. We all know that knowledge is power, but when it is all boiled down, all that is left is heart... and our hearts believe that our daughter is in Guatemala... and we need to get a move on things to bring her home.

So, on the well timed 6 hour drive to see family over the Easter weekend, I had some very quiet, very alone time. It was on that drive that I called our agency and said the words out loud that got the next round of endless paperwork rolling.

I feel like I am giving birth to paperwork. File this one with Homeland Security, get this pile sealed at the state house, send these out of state and hope they come back, fingerprints, photocopies.... notarize, sign, stamp, deliver! Each postal carrier, each receptionist, each lawyer and social worker is a sort of nurse to our process. The tap, tap, tapping of my laptop with each new form to fill out is its own fetal monitor. The labor of paperwork involves its own fair share of deep breathing, and I am thankful for the guiding words of our Lamaze coach 5 years ago... breath, breath, breath... you need to breath because you could be at this for awhile.

I feel like I have glimpsed the bottom of the pile and am hopeful to be sending out our dossier in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, Sam continues to plan for being a big brother, and we begin to let the reality of a little girl move in our hearts. Love, love, love.

More to come. Breath, breath, breath.
Much love.

An Update: By Popular Demand

I wish there was more to tell....

Last week we met with our case worker to review the Home Study Report. Keith and I sat side by side on the couch ottoman, each with our own copy of the report, and read the summary of our existence. Talk about surreal. (By the way, we look good on paper! ha ha ha) It was a very bizarre moment in time, and then it was done. We approved the report, then hopped in the car and set off for a week long family vacation.

Now, we are back, happy to see the snow has melted, and are trying to navigate the road ahead. We have decided to spend the next couple of weeks talking to the powers that be to learn more about the various country programs. Though we feel a strong pull toward Guatemala, the looming threats to close/change the adoption program there leave an unsettled feeling, and we believe we owe it to ourselves to explore all options before we commit. That's really all that is going on at the moment. We are on a self-imposed time out. What's a few weeks when you are planning forever?

In the meantime, our friends Bobbi and Joe have come home from Guatemala with the newest addition to their family! Welcome home, Reese!

Much love.