Guess What?

WE ARE PINK!! Now picture us with huge smiles and tears of joy! We are just so grateful for this news. God truly his faithful. He lead us to this journey and will certainly see us through it! Amazingly, I have accomplished quite a bit this afternoon...

Hotel Reservations......CHECK
Flight Reservations.....CHECK
Pediatrician Appt.........CHECK

Yes, I am a complete spaz right now! We just want to say THANK YOU to all the love, support and prayers that have been offered to our family these past several months. We continue to pray for Mason's health and safety & safe travels. We also ask God continue to work on us...all 3 of us...for our family of 2 will soon be 3! God is good!

(I realize I haven't mentioned travel dates...since this is a blog that anybody can view, I don't want to post those for security reasons. I have sent emails to many of you w/ specific dates, so you can pray during our travel. Thx!)

"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." Psalm 118:23

A Pleasant Surprise!

Yesterday we came home to find an unexpected package in the mail. It contained 2 disposable cameras! I had sent the cameras down in care packages several months ago. So, of course, I ran straight to the one-hour photo counter to have them developed...the girl at the counter knows me by name (I am not kidding)!

Quick update: Still praying for PINK. I have officially become COMPLETELY and TOTALLY consumed with waiting for our pink slip. For me, it's no longer "Pretty in Pink" but more like "Psycho in Pink"! We did receive confirmation that the US Embassy has our DNA and all paperwork from the DHS. We should receive the much anticipated, long awaited and faithfully prayed for PINK either Friday or Monday.

If we don't get it tomorrow, and I have to face the weekend without it....say a little prayer for me! Now, enough of my silliness and on to some cuteness...MASON!

Hello Mason! It's your Mommy! (edited to add pics)

Hello! I received a surprise phone call on Saturday...from Mason! Ok, he had a little help calling. There is currently a mission team at the EN from our area. I happened to meet the gentleman heading up the team about a year ago (still amazes me how God works like that!). Anyway, he called me and said he had somebody who wanted to talk to me!

Apparently there were several mamas around him trying to get him to make noise and laugh, they put the phone up to his ear and he was crying (a combo of overstimulation and naptime I am certain). I was lost for words (yes me, lost for words!) and all I could say was "Hello Mason, it's your Mommy. We love you." I didn't even care that he was crying, it was just wonderful to hear him! I am so, so thankful for the time and thoughtfulness that was put forth in making this call.

Now, what you are really here to find out...we are waiting for PINK. We received our 2nd DNA results today (which were fine). The results were sent to the US Embassy on 2/15. The Embassy was closed yesterday, so the results should have been delivered today. Our agency said we should receive PINK this week...by Monday at the latest.

We have been making the most of the time we have left to prepare for Mason's homecoming. The wardrobe and toy chest are in place and full! We just need to hang the valance and pictures. I indulged in a little retail therapy this weekend! I have 3 suitcases packed so far. 1 w/ a care packages and donations for the EN and 2 for Mason. Trust me, I tried to get all his stuff in one but it just wasn't happening! All that little stuff takes up space.

Pray that God continues to prepare Mason and us for the day we finally meet. Pray for the health and safety of Mason, along w/ the other children and staff at the EN (and our health too! lots of crud going around!). Pray we receive PINK soon and without incident. Also, pray for safe travels for the local mission team that is currently at the EN.

Also, EN families wanting to send care packages...leave a comment and try to get the packages to me as soon as you are able. To those who have traveled to Guate in the past...I would love any tips/advice you have to offer. If you stayed at the Holiday Inn, leave a comment and let me know how it was. Thanks! :)

By special request, I have edited this post to add pictures from our baby shower. Enjoy!

Surprise Shower w/ Women's Bible Study Group
Couple's Shower...Modeling his "Daddy Tool Belt"!
Couple's Shower...special little friend who helped w/ gifts! ;)

Couple's Shower...Us...You had to be there.... :)

Couple's Shower...Super Cute AND Super Yummy Cakes!

Couple's Shower...Us and our 2 little helpers!

Couple's Shower...Us & the anxiously awaiting Grandparents!

Couple's Shower...Another shot of us and our helpers.

Hubby, Granny, Papa and Me

Papa, Granny, Auntie D, Me, Hubby, Auntie A & Uncle L

Work Shower...Adorable Cake...Ridiculously Delicious!

Work Shower...Me opening gifts

Things To Do While Waiting For The Adoption To Be Complete...

I came across this "Things To Do" list when we were very early in the adoption process. It still cracks me up, so I thought I would share it with you. What's even funnier is that these are sooooo true. I am guilty of most of them! ;)

Teach yourself to knit…by the time the adoption is complete, you can have an entire wardrobe complete for your child - through age 12 (ok, I didn't take up knitting, but have a closet stocked of 6-24 month clothes...I am NOT kidding)

Stalk other people’s blogs and compare timelines (guilty)

Obsessively check message boards/forums to check up on gossip and compare timelines (guilty...I am a Guatadopt and Adoption.com addict)

Rearrange the furniture in the nursery weekly (once again, guilty! wardrobe and toy chest to be delivered tomorrow...then I can finally make up my mind)

Go to the mall and stalk families with children who look like they might be internationally adopted.

Stock pile diapers, baby wipes, baby lotion, and baby soap. (Yep! Stages 2-5 diapers...all different brands)

Launder the wardrobe you have purchased for your child repeatedly then reorganize the closet and dresser. Again. (I actually held off on removing tags or washing anything until we were out of PGN)

Practice your glare in the mirror for anyone to who dares to ask if you have heard when your child will be coming home. (I haven't done this one)

Learn Spanish. Impress the kid at the Taco Bell drive thru by ordering in Spanish. (NOT guilty)

Practice Car Seat installation drills. Try to get your time down to 45 seconds for correct installation. (Please don't give my husband any ideas...)

Get used to the feel of the Baby Bjorn carrier by carrying the cat around in it. (Ok, I have tried it on, but haven't put the cat in it. Again, please don't give my husband any ideas)

Check email for 37th time for messages from your agency. (This one is soooo true!)

Seek medical attention for the scratches from the cat.

Replace shredded Baby Bjorn.

Call husband and ask him to send test email to ensure email is working. (I have actually sent "test" emails to myself!)

Call husband and ask him to leave you a voice mail to ensure it is working correctly.

Check voicemail for the 24th time in case agency called while you were checking email.

Check voicemail again in case agency tried to call while you were talking to your husband.

Take deep breaths and try not to come unglued when people tell you that you have to keep living your life normally until you get “the call". (Yeah right! Stressed, anxious? Not me!) :)

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable...dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8

Moving Right Along...

Things continue to progress on our case! Mason had is 2nd DNA test completed today. It will take about 7-14 days for the results to arrive to the US Embassy. Once the results are received and reviewed by the USE, we should receive "PINK" just a few days following. Mason turned 7 months old this past Tuesday. We received updated pictures and new stats. He weighs 15# 12oz.
This week has been wonderful...2 baby showers and another one on the way. Earlier this week a group of women from my Bible Study surprised me with a shower...THANKS LADIES! Tonight, work had a shower (I work with a wonderful group of people by the way)...THANKS CO-WORKERS! We have a third shower this Sunday, it's a couple's shower, which is being hosted by 2 dear friends of ours...THANKS JEN & JEFF. I am very excited for this shower, because our parents (among other family members) will be in town to celebrate with us! Plus, we will be among friends!

I have gotten quite a bit done w/ the nursery...clothes and blankets washed, starting to stock up on diapers, wipes and formula, etc. We are having a couple of pieces of furniture made (wardrobe & toy chest) and they should be delivered to our house sometime next week. Once these pieces arrive I will need to arrange the furniture, hang a few things and finish up organizing the room. I have several "to do" and "to pack" lists already started. Which reminds me...any EN families out there that want to send down care packages, leave me a comment and we will connect somehow.

Now, what you really stopped by for....THE PICTURES!

The overalls were a pair of my nephew's (Big D)...so these pictures are extra special!

We continue to pray that these last few steps go smoothly and without incident. We pray God will continue prepare Mason and us for the day we become a forever family!

"Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever" Jeremiah 33:11b

New Birth Certificate....Check!

Yep! It's official, Mason has our last name! His first birthname remains the same, so we will have to legally change his first name once we have him home. Which leads to another question many have..."Have you decided on a middle name yet?" The answer: No, we are still discussing it. I can tell you we will be incorporating his birthname though.

Our attorney plans to get the passport tomorrow and will hopefully submit our final papers to the US Embassy early next week. Then we wait for DNA authorization from the USE! Please pray that Pedro is able to get our passport tomorrow and get all our final paperwork to the US Embassy for the 2nd DNA early next week! Also, continue to pray for Mason's health and safety and that the financial needs of the Eagles Nest are met.

Thanks again for all of your love, prayers and support! I am posting some pictures of the "damage" I have done. I am not even kidding when I say that this isn't everything...there have been a few other purchases since the initial "WE ARE OUT OF PGN" shopping spree. Also, I have been stocking up on diapers, formula, wipes and baby veggies. I was able to find out what size/brand of diapers and what forumla Mason is currently using. He is now eating "veggies" at lunch...HOMEMADE baby veggies that is. He is soooo loved and spoiled! :)

Clothes, Swing, Bumbo seat!

More clothes....various sizes...planning ahead (of course)

PJ's (various sizes)

Care Package #5. I sent this pkg down w/ a family who traveled to Guate last week.

My laundry room is functional again! Looks nice and clean now!
"For with God nothing will be impossible" Luke 1:37

Still Rejoicing!

I am pretty sure I have been running on pure adrenaline for the past week! I hope this adrenaline rush gets me through the next few weeks of waiting! I am still in shock and can't even tell you the number of times each day I thank the Lord for the good news we have received. I have had many people ask about the next steps, so here is my attempt to outline them for you:

1. Final Decree. The Final Decree is issued & signed by the Birth Mother for the 4th and final time. This is the day Mason becomes legally ours. DONE !!!!!!

2. Civil Registry Issues New Birth Certificate. Once the Final Decree is signed, a request for a new birth certificate to the Civil Registry where the child's birth is registered is submitted. The Civil Registry will issue a new Birth Certificate showing the child's birth first name and the adoptive parent's last name. Our agency thought the attorney would get the BC sometime last week. Awaiting confirmation.

3. Passport. Once the new BC arrives, a file is submitted to Immigration in Guatemala to request the child's passport. Our agency thought the attorney would have this by today (1/26), if he was able to get BC this past week.

4. Final Package to Embassy and DNA Authorization. The Final Package (translated versions of the BC, Final Decree, PGN resolution, POA, PA, Passport photocopy, & Home Study) is submitted to the US Embassy. Within 24 hours the Embassy issues authorization (the Orange Slip) for second DNA test and Embassy Medical Exam. The passport and Orange Slip should happen 1-2 days from receipt of BC.

5. DNA Sample and Medical Exam. The child is taken to the Embassy doctor for a medical exam & a second DNA sample (to ensure the child is the same child that got pre-approval when the process began). The DNA sample is sent to a laboratory in the States. The test results are sent to the US Embassy. DNA test results are taking about 2 weeks from the date the sample is taken.

6. Visa Appointment Scheduled (Pink Slip). Once the DNA test results are received by the US Embassy, the visa appointment is scheduled and the adoptive parents notified. The notification is called the Pink Slip. The Pink Slip is emailed within 48 hours of the Embassy receiving DNA confirmation. They say appointment dates are approximately10 days to 2 weeks from scheduling, but I have been seeing 2-2 1/2 weeks as well.

7. Attend Visa Appointment. The child is taken to the US Embassy to be sworn in as a US citizen! The following day the child's US Visa is ready for pick up. After that, the child can enter the United States!

8. Breathe! Yippee...Cheer...Sing Praise...Shout...Dance...Rejoice! We will be home sweet home with our little boy!

I am hoping to receive an update from our agency next week...praying they tell us steps 2 & 3 can be checked off the list! I will keep you updated as we receive new information. Oh, in case you're wondering if I went completely crazy and overboard after receiving the news last Friday....the answer is YES!! I did some serious power shopping, and I cut off all the tags & washed everything! I can't even tell you how good it felt! (I will post pictures later).

"For you make me glad by Your deed, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands" Psalm 92:4