Updates...

Good news!!! Last week I was informed that the Honduran documents we have been waiting for have made it to Guatemala. The agency relayed the message from my lawyer in Guatemala that he hope to get authorization from the US Embassy to do the DNA testing. My paperwork has also FINALLY been submitted to the Guatemalan Family Court. The usual time in this court system is approximately 8-12 weeks. That is just the first of the major Guatemalan legal steps in the process....But at least things are moving forward now, after 3 months of standing still.

Just Look At My Big Girl!!!

I got new pictures today. I can't get over how big she is getting. 3 months old already!!

I Got New Pictures!!!!!!

I got these new pictures today. She is getting so big. Just look at all that hair....... She has such big eyes......& those cheeks!! I just can't wait to kiss them!






See the blue shoes she is wearing.. I sent her those!!!!!! (along with a blanket, 2 outfits, 2 disposable cameras, 5 pairs of socks, a plush rattle & a Boston Red Sox bib.. would have sent more, but had to fit it all in a 1 gallon size zip lock baggie) I am so glad to see that the package made it to her.

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY

Seeing as it is St Patrick's Day.. And I have nothing really to write about.. But I haven't posted anything in almost a month... I decided to post some pictures I took when I was in Ireland (5 years ago.. almost exactly.. I arrived there on 3/26/01) There are more pics posted on my Flickr page (& a few pics from my dad's surprise 60th b-day party as well)

Here is another one...

I think this is my favorite picture of the bunch (so far anyway). Well..She is 6 weeks old today.... I have not heard anything new, So I don't really have much to say

NEW MOLLY PICTURES

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Your Candy Heart Says "First Kiss"

You're a true romantic who brings an innocent hope to each new relationship. You see the good in every person you date, and you relish each step of falling in love. Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a romantic dinner your sweetie cooks for you Your flirting style: friendly and sweet What turns you off: cynics who don't believe in romance Why you're hot: you always keep the romance alive

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

What Color Should Your Blog Be??

Your Blog Should Be Blue

Your blog is a peaceful, calming force in the blogosphere. You tend to avoid conflict - you're more likely to share than rant. From your social causes to cute pet photos, your life is a (mostly) open book.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

The Check is in the Mail.....

Well actually.. It should have been delivered today by 3:00................... I have had a busy few days.. Lots of paperwork. Thursday afternoon I signed my POA letter & had it notarized. Friday morning I was off the the Secretary of the Commonwealth office to have the POA & my homestudy verified.. then off to the post office.. had to send those two documents to NY to the Guatemalan Consulate for authentication (along with a postage paid, pre-addressed express mail envelope for the consulate to then forward the documents to the adoption agency in Oklahoma) Saturday morning I was up bright & early.. off to the bank to get a cashiers check for a big hunk of cash.. then off to have more paperwork notarized, including 3 copies of the "adoption agreement" or contract. Then it was off to the post office again to express mail this packet of paperwork to Oklahoma.. They should have that now & they should have the documents that had to go to NY by the end of the week. It has only been a few days since I got the email.. But already it feels like forever ago.

Today Was a VERY Good Day!!!!!

Today I got the email that I have been waiting 13 weeks for!! A beautiful baby girl has been referred to me! Her name is Linda Azucena R. L. (soon to be Molly Elizabeth Harrold).
She was born on January 13, 2006 at 2:25AM in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces. She was delivered by a midwife.. Her birthmother is 29 years old & was born in Honduras. On January 24th she had a physical exam and at that time she weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces, was 50 centimeters tall with a head circumference of 35.5 centimeters. She tested negative for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis. She was found to be in good health.

Adoptions in Guatemala take anywhere from 4-7 months to complete.. So I do not know when I will be able to bring here home.. I just hope is is closer to the 4 months.

Let the "real" waiting begin!

Moving Up

Last friday I emailed the agency to see if I had moved up on the list. I wasn't going to ask.. But my friend is away on vacation this week.. & she just had to know where I was on the list before she left.. She wasn't going to take no for an answer.. So I did it. Anyway.. The whole point of this post is that when I asked on Friday(1/20) I was in the #2 spot!!!!! YEAH.. getting closer!

Wendy's Blog

A Small Window Into My Mind

Let's see if she actually writes in it... she doesn't even return emails!!!

Song Lyrics

an exerpt from "The Waiting" Written & Recorded by Tom Petty

the waiting is the hardest part
every day you get one more yard
you take it on faith,
you take it to the heart
the waiting is the hardest part

oh don't let it kill you baby, don't let it get to you
don't let it kill you baby, don't let it get to you

The song itself has nothing to do with my situation.. But it has always been a favorite of mine.... And right now, for me.. THE WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART!

WAITING

12 long weeks....
That is how long I have been waiting for the referral of a healthy baby girl from Guatemala. 12 weeks.. Really not a very long time in reality, but it sure feels long at this moment. The waiting is easier than it was last month.. Mostly because the original information I got was that my approximate wait time would be 3-6 weeks from the time the adoption agency received my completed paperwork. (They got it on 10/28) So naturally I was hoping to have a referral by Thanksgiving... Or my birthday at the very latest. This of course had me slowly going insane due the the CONSTANT (like every 5 minutes) checking of my email. Then the week after Christmas I get an email from the adoption agency.. update: the wait time for referrals of infant girls is 3-4 months..UGH! Of course my first & most important question at that point was.. 3-4 months from today (it may have been 12/28.. not sure the exact date..but that is the week) OR 3-4 months from the date they received my paperwork????? As usual.. I got an immediate response from the agency to my question ..PHEW.. 3-4 months from the date they got the paperwork.. So at least I was already 1/2 there. I even went as far as to ask where I was on the list of people waiting for girls.. I was #4. I haven't asked again, so I do not know if I have moved up on the list.. It's probably better that way. I am just hoping I only have the expected 1-5 more weeks of waiting...and that I can keep myself from checking my email every 5 minutes next month.. it can be quite a distraction at work and makes long days even longer. Now consider this a fair warning.. the waiting does not end here.. this is just the beginning of the waiting.. Once I actually accept a referral I have to wait & wait, & wait some more while my case goes through the family court in Guatemala & other legal stuff that not only do I have absolutely NO control over.. But I will also be assigning power of attorney to some lawyer in Guatemala City to act on my behalf.. A complete stranger whom in the end I will be eternally grateful to.

S-

Blogthings.....................

As I am sure you may have noticed by now.... I have discovered the "Blogthings" website. Very cute & funny stuff!!! Hope everyone has a very HAPPY ( & safe) NEW YEAR!!!!!

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would it Be?

The Movie Of Your Life Is An Indie Flick

You do things your own way - and it's made for colorful times. Your life hasn't turned out how anyone expected, thank goodness! Your best movie matches: Clerks, Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Quiz: What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

What Your Sleeping Position Says

You are calm and rational. You are also giving and kind - a great friend. You are easy going and trusting. However, you are too sensible to fall for mind games.

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

WHAT CHRISTMAS TREE ARE YOU?

You Are a Traditional Christmas Tree

For a good Christmas, you don't have to re-invent the wheel. You already have traditions, foods, and special things you bring out every year.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

One Week From Today......

I will officailly be "in my 30's" Now I am just 30.. BUT.. Next week.. I will be 31!!!! (ugh)

That's all I have to say.. Just venting about getting OLD(er). This is nothing.. I was way more upset about 25.. & last year.. 30... I took the day off of work & I was gonna stay in bed all day : ) But ended up going to the spa for a facial, manicure, & pedicure instead.. went with my good friend, Danielle, who had turned 30 herself just a few days before.. This year I have to go to work. I think that is worse than the age (he he he)

The Best Seat in the House

WOW.. Can't believe it has been soooo long since I have posted to my blog! My plan when I started this was to write every day.. As you can tell I am not very good at sticking to the plan : ) As you can see from this picture Jose has made a full recovery from his illness this past summer.... It seems he had gotten into my craft supplies & swallowed quite a large amount of RIBBON. He "passed" the ribbon after a few days & all was well again. He really likes ribbon (as well as any string like items & elastics) He has never chewed any of my shoe laces though..Strange kitty. He does enjoy the sunbeam..This pic was taken on 10/31.. It was a pleasantly warm day for this time of year & I even had some windows open...One would never guess that it was snowing only 2 days earlier. Wendy & Jim had a Halloween party on Sat 10/29.. Well anyone who was at their wedding knows what kind of luck they have with parties & precipitation ( not just the wedding.. the bachelor/bachelorette BBQ bash they threw themselves the week before the wedding was also a very WET WET WET day) It was only appropriate that we had SNOW in October on the day of the Halloween party that they had been planning for months. It was fun none the less. Oh well, that is about all I have for now.