So Many Blessings...

Where do I start?

Well, first Mason was released from the hospital on 08.27.07. The DNA & SWI were completed yesterday...now we wait on results and then start the "PA Wait". Once the DNA results are submitted to the US Embassy, they review and issue preapproval...it sounds like this step is taking approx 60 days or so.

Today I received an update with measurements and new photos! Happy, happy, joy, joy!! I honestly don't think this child could be any cuter....he looks so healthy and happy! He is now weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs 14 oz! His length is 20.5 inches. I can't believe how quickly he is growing.




I met a family from MN. who are adopting a little boy from the children's home as well. They are traveling for their pick up trip this coming weekend. She has kindly offered to take a care package down for me. So, of course this required that I do some shopping....oh, the things I will do for this child ;)! I am really getting good at packing a 1 gallon ziplock baggie full of stuff! Now, if I could only pack like this for myself..ha! I managed to fit 3 sleepers, 5 onsies, 2 pair of pants, 3 pair of socks & 3 caps in the baggie. It only took me five tries...and barely fit!

God is good and has blessed our family! May He bless your family as well! I must go and stare at Mason's pictures (again)!

Great News!

We received word this morning that Mason should be dc from the hospital today. If all went as planned, Mason should have arrived back at the children's home sometime this afternoon. Today marked 4 weeks that Mason was in the hospital.

We still don't understand the entire situation or what caused this delay...we just PRAISE GOD that we finally received some positive news.

More good news...the DNA/SWI is scheduled for tomorrow. PRAISE GOD for some signs of progress in our case! We are looking forward to another update later this week.

Tonight we pray for the following:
*Mason's continued health & safety
*The staff & waiting children at the home
*A safe trip for Mason & children's home staff, as they travel to Guat City for the DNA/SWI
*Continued cooperation of Mason's biomom...as well has her health, safety & peace

Tonight we PRAISE GOD for the following:
*His hand of protection over Mason
*The promising news we received today

7 Weeks Old Today...

Today Mason is 7 weeks old. I do not have any updated info to post. Still waiting to hear how today's events turned out. Please continue your prayers. In the meantime, I will leave you with happy images...another picture of Mason taken on July 25, a gift we received from one of our friends yesterday (thanks again gt) and finally a picture of my adorable nephew "Big D".

Prayers Please....

This has been an interesting week. I will try to keep a very long, complicated story short...

I will start by saying Mason is doing well. He is still in the hospital...he was ready for dc last Friday but there were some snags with that plan. This is where it gets complicated. There is a lot of unrest in Guatemala right now with their upcoming elections and with some of the negative media attention regarding adoptions in Guatemala. There was an incident on Aug 11 (not related to our case, our agency or the children's home) which has caused heightened alert on all adoption cases.

The hospital would not release Mason back to the care of the children's home...although they have all the required and legal paperwork showing his biological mother has released his care to them. The staff presented the paperwork to the hospital, but due to the increased alert on all adoption cases they were not willing to release him.

Our attorney in Guatemala went to court yesterday and was able to speak to the judge today about getting a court order for Mason's release. The plan for tomorrow is for our attorney, a staff member from the children's home and Mason's bio-mom to go to the hospital to get Mason. The hospital will then (hopefully) dc Mason to his bio-mom and she will in turn sign a release to hand him over to the children's home again.

Needless to say, I have been a complete mess for the past few days. I have spent a lot of time in tears and in prayer. At this point, I am genuinely most concerned about the safety of all those involved in tomorrow's events. I of course also hope that his bio-mom remains cooperative and content with her decisions. Despite this unexpected delay and turn of events I am choosing to remain hopeful. I believe that regardless of the outcome of our case down the road, God has brought Mason into our lives for a reason and part of His plan for both Mason and us. God's glory has been present throughout this entire process and for that I give praise.

It also goes without saying that I will be on pins and needles tomorrow. Our agency is still hopeful for a DNA/SWI this Friday or next Monday...but there is no guarantee until we see what tomorrow brings.

On a good note...I had my "annual physical" today (those are always fun...not!) and the doctor did NOT find me certifiably insane!!!

Please pray for tomorrow's events....that all are safe and the dc goes smoothly and without incident.

"Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find it; knock and the door will be opened for you" Matthew 7:7

Lord open doors as we pray for the innocent people of the world. Keep Mason close to you and protect him from evil.

6 weeks old today...

I received another update today...he is still in the hospital, doing well and they are anticipating dc tomorrow. Since they anticipate his dc tomorrow, our attorney in Guatemala was going to present our case to the courts today to get permission to go ahead with the SW interview and DNA next week. It is sounding very hopeful that they will be able to do this on the same day!!

I am feeling encouraged by this news. I anxiously await the day of the DNA and SWI...ready for it to be here and over, but also very nervous about the fact that this will be the first time Mason's bio-mom sees him. I am not sure if I will know ahead of time exactly what day the DNA/SWI are taking place.

I will probably be a wreck next week (ok, who I am kidding...like I am not already a wreck)! I can already imagine the feeling I am going to get each time my phone rings....sheer panic, heart will either race or possibly stop beating all together. So...if it's not an emergency...don't call....my poor little heart can't take much more!! :) Just kidding, I just had to add that in for special effects....more dramatic that way! : )

Keep Mason in your prayers....pray for a continued recovery and safe trip back to the children's home. Also pray for the DNA/SWI to be done in a timely manner without complications. Feel free to throw a couple of "special" prayers in there for my nerves too :).

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

Update on Mason...

Mason is STILL in the hospital. He is reported to be doing "fine" but the Dr's are continuing to monitor him. If I understand correctly, they either have or are considering putting him on a steroid...it's possible that his lungs were not fully developed at birth.

While I appreciate the Dr's care and concern, it's just so hard for me to hear he is still in the hospital. I was hoping to hear today that he was back at the children's home and doing great! I know they want to make sure he is 100% before they dc him....after all it was quite an ordeal to get him to this hospital when he became ill.

I know God is watching over him...and this little guy has already proved to be quite the little fighter and nothing short of a miracle. I do find comfort in God's protection of him. Of course, as long as Mason is in the hospital....our case sits. We are no further along in the process than we were at the beginning. While I already know this, I have to keep telling myself...."God is in control, he has brought Mason into our lives for a reason, His timing is perfect...not mine".

Please continue your prayers for Mason and his recovery...and for me and my sanity :)....and for my hubby, so he can continue to put up with me! :)

In all seriousness....we APPRECIATE all of the thoughts and prayers. We are moved and in awe of the number of people who have offered prayer for our son and family.

When Love Takes You In - Steven Curtis Chapman

Warning...Pity Party Ahead...

Hello! I am having a small pity party today (I am the only one invited)....My last update on Mason was Thursday. I was told he had developed a "cough" over the last couple of days, so the Dr kept him in the hospital a little longer. Last I knew, the plans were for the Dr to see Mason Friday, and he would most likely be dc back to the children's home then.

So as of this afternoon I have no idea if Mason is still in the hospital or if he is safely back at the children's home. For those of you who know me really well, you know just how anxious I am for news. It will also come to no surprise when I tell you that I am having "one of those days" where I become teary eyed at the littlest of things (a song, a card, a TV commercial...you know what I am talking about)!

So to torture myself further, I have been listening to and watching the video of a song called "When Love Takes You In" by Steven Curtis Chapman. For those of you who are not familiar w/ this song or artist.....he is a Christian artist, he and his wife have adopted 3 children from China. The song has been described as Steven's love letter to his adopted children. I feel this song beautifully illustrates the blessing of adoption.

If you haven't played the video above yet...do...it's worth the time. Warning....grab a kleenex or two (oh heck, grab the whole box)!

The Power of Prayer...

A special "Thank You" to all of our prayer warriors! Mason was moved out of ICU yesterday and is now on the pediatric floor. He has been tolerating his bottle feedings since Friday...and continues to improve! I am overwhelmed with joy!

Hopefully he can be discharged and return to the children's home in the next few days. Our agency is hopeful the DNA and SW interview can be done together sometime next week (if he is dc)...this means they could knock out two steps and get the 2nd and 3rd signatures from his bio-mom at one time.

We also found out today the US Embassy announced a rather unexpected change w/ the adoption process....unfortunately another step (which means a little more time and a little more $). They are now requiring a 2nd DNA test....after the case has exited PGN...and before the US Embassy issues "pink".

I can't say thank you enough for all of the thoughts and prayers...we are so blessed....and so is Mason! Please continue to pray for his health and recovery....also for the cooperation of his bio-mom. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult the DNA and SW interview will be for her. She will see Mason at the DNA testing for the first time since leaving the hospital after his birth.

The selfish side of me of course prays that she doesn't change her mind. However I do genuinely care and pray for her health and safety...and a content heart.

In Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. In Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. In Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. In Painful moments, TRUST GOD. In Every moment, THANK GOD. ~Author Unknown

Blessings to you all!

A quick update...

I found out this afternoon that Mason is still in the ICU, but doing fine. They started bottle feedings and want to keep a close eye on him. As long as he tolerates them they will hopefully transfer him to the ped floor tomorrow.

Keep up the prayers...they ARE working. Praise God for his hand of protection over Mason. Thank you all again for your support, thoughts and prayers.

Mason update...4 weeks old today!

I am happy to report that we continue to receive good news! Our last update was at 2pm this afternoon. Mason is off the vent and has been extubated! He is breathing fine on his own...he is still on O2 and in ICU for continued monitoring.

They hope to move him to the pediatric floor later today. They will also try to start bottle feedings soon. While on the pediatric floor a Nanny from the children's home will be with him until he is discharged from the hospital. A tentative DC date is unknown...most likely a few days to a week.

I want everyone to know that we truly appreciate your prayers....this is the greatest gift you could have given Mason! Please continue to pray for a full recovery and that he will be able to tolerate bottle feedings safely.

Several people have asked if we will be able to get him home sooner, since he has been hospitalized....the answer is no. The only true way to expedite a case due to a medical condition is if it is chronic AND the case is in final court (PGN). I am more than willing to wait for him, if it means him staying healthy!!

Another question I have been asked....can they do the DNA test while he is in the hospital? No, the only place DNA testing can be done in Guatemala is at an independent lab in Guatemala City. Right now Mason is in a hospital in Quetzaltenango...which is about an hour drive from Solola (where the EN is) and at least a 5 hour trip to Guatemala City. The DNA test will have to be done once he is out of the hospital and well enough to travel. In addition, his biological mother needs to be present at the same time, for the testing.

This leads to another question....can his bio-mom change her mind? Yes, and this scares us to death. The DNA test will be the first time she has seen him since turning him over to the EN's care. It will be the second time she must sign to consent to the adoption (the first time was at the hospital, 3rd time will be the social work interview, final time will be PGN). Our agency is hoping to do the DNA & SWI at the same time....one trip for the bio-mom and kill two birds with one stone.

I can hardly stand to think about this, so I am trying to not dwell on it. We ask that you pray for Mason's bio-mom's safety, health and cooperation. This is a process that is truly out of our hands...we have given it over to God. We believe that God has brought Mason into our lives for a reason. We pray that he will be able to come home with us soon!

As for a visit trip....oh, you know I can't stay away!!! Especially now, after he has been so ill. I would of loved more than anything to have jumped on a plane Monday night to go be at his side. However, there are a few problems. One, I don't even know how to pronounce the name of the town he is hospitalized at (so I wouldn't have gotten far) and two, we are still waiting on dear hubby's passport! Also, I am pretty sure with the state of mind I was in, the hospital staff (and possibly the Guatemalan govt) would have kindly escorted me right on back home!! : )

Before we can visit we need two things: Completed DNA & passports! Oh, and vacation time and money!!

Please continue to keep Mason, the children's home and Mason's bio-mom in your prayers!