Tagged

Nora from Tycast Team tagged me.

There are 5 rules to being tagged:

1. The rules are to link the person who sent this and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share 7 strange/weird facts about yourself
4. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link their blog
5. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

7 Strange/Weird facts about me? Hum, this is going to be harder than I thought. Not because I don't think there are strange/weird things about me, but because I think they are perfectly normal. LOL

1. I don't like melon of any kind.
2. When I get angry about something, I clean house.
3. I'm afraid of heights, but only in certain situations. Ex. I can't walk next to railing on the second floor of a mall, but I love roller coasters.
4. If I have started a list, such as a grocery list and someone writes something on that list, I have to rewrite it. Having 2 different sets of handwriting on a list drives me crazy.
5. 99.9% of the time that my husband and I go somewhere, I drive.
6. I don't like anyone else doing my laundry or cleaning my house.
7. I'm scared to death of mice.

After putting this in writing, I think I need therapy.

I'm tagging these 7 people and all their blogs are linked on my blog page so go check them out.

Reba at The Cloud Chronicles
Erin at The Slaws
Cammie at Polanks
Kim at Journey to Katelyn
Amy at A Daughter to Love
Yesenia at Familia Giancola
Emily at Sweet Baby Cecilia

News Report, Just Not the News I Want to Report

Yes, I really wanted to post that we're out of PGN, but we received no word on our case today. The only information we got was our monthly Guatemala Program Update from our agency. Over the last 5 weeks they had 25 cases receive PGN approval and 17 families brought their children home. I thought that was pretty good news though. They are still seeing average timeframes between 9 and 11 months from referral to pick up. We haven't quite made it to the 9 month mark yet (that happens Feb. 8), so it appears we may fall within those averages. I was hoping we could help lower the averages a bit :-( Actually, to give you an idea of how much things have changed since we began this process, when I originally interviewed our agency in December, 2006 I was told adoptions were taking between 6 and 8 months. After we started our home study process the averages changed and were reported at 7 to 9 months. Last Spring they were 8 to 10 months and for the last few months they've been 9 to 11 months.

There were a few PGN "outs" posted on the forums today, but there were only a few. I do need to remind myself that there are only a handful of people that actually post on the forums, so while it appears there hasn't been much activity from PGN, I'm sure there are many "outs" taking place, but not being advertised.

I do have one big piece of news to report . . . . .

Tonight is the season opener of "LOST." Dave and I became big "Lost" fans in season 1 and haven't missed an episode since. So, for at least two hours tonight I can occupy my time with someting that is not adoption related. That seems to happen rarely these days :-)

9 Months Today

Our sweet baby Lili turns 9 months old today. I really thought at the very least we would be preparing to travel and go get her, but alas, we're still sitting in PGN.

Happy 9 Month Birthday Liliana. Mommy and Daddy will be there as soon as we can.

New Countdown

For those who have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that last month we got the big heave-ho from PGN. A week later our attorney had resolved the previo and we were resubmitted, but that meant we started all over again. Boo Hoo! As of today, we've been back in PGN for 6 weeks. I've also been watching the forums for outs and although there hasn't been as many as I was hoping to see, there have been a few and all are submits or resubmits from the first week of December. For a matter-of-fact, it appears they are now approving cases from December 6th and 7th. Since we are a December 18th resubmit, I'm hoping it won't be much longer for us and I'm hoping even more that this time we get all the way through without a previo. I can honestly say this is one of the most difficult things I've ever gone through in my life and I constantly have to stay focused on the prize at the end.

Liliana, mommy loves you and is trying her best to bring you home as soon as possible.

Tag On to My January 26th Post

For those of you who wanted to know the name of the store with the magical "fairy dust" it's Club Libby Lu. Here is a link if you want to get further information. http://www.clublibbylu.com/

Now, if you are wondering what the talk of "fairy dust" is all about, check out my post from January 26th.

PGN Info

Prior to receiving our previo from PGN last month I had been regularly calling PGN for updates. However, since the 1st of the year it's become almost impossible to get through to PGN. So, while I know many of you are really wanting to know what's going on, I have no information because I can't get through to get the information. Therefore, extreme patience is now required and I will probably have to wait to hear word from our agency. Sorry, but there's little I can do about it.

With that said, I did have a comment on my blog about PGN and wanted to answer that question.

PGN stands for Procuradoria General de la Nacion. Procuradoria is a Spanish term that is used in Central America. The PGN in Guatemala is made up of lawyers, judges, counselors and administrators as a combination of the US Immigration Service and elements of the Justice Department. The Procurador is the person who manage and administers laws on behalf of people adopting through the PGN in Guatemala. It has been described as being similar to the Attorney General's office here in the U.S.

An adoption case entering PGN is a very important step in the process. Approval from PGN is recognition from the Guatemalan government that the adoptive family is now recognized as the child's new family. Typically, within a few days after PGN approves the case, the birth mother signs off for the last time and the child is then legally the child of the adoptive parents. Although it would be nice if this was actually the end, it's not. The case is then submitted to the civil registry office in the the child's city of birth and that civil registry office issues a new birth certificate listing the adoptive parents as the parents of the child. The attorney then gets the child's passport and submits everything to the U.S. Embassy where the 2nd DNA test will be ordered and then the Embassy appointment scheduled.

I will continue to keep everyone updated as I get updates.

I'm Not MIA

For those who read my blog often, you've probably gotten used to daily posts from me and therefore may have been wondering what happened to me over the last few days. There is nothing to worry about, I'm still around, but was gone most of the day Thursday and Friday, then headed to Chicago Friday night with my sister-in-law and niece. I'm sure my sister-in-law won't mind me sharing that she recently started a job as a Kindergarten teacher in a Spanish speaking class. She is thrilled and at the same time she is finding the job to be quite challenging, however, I'm sure she'll do great. A requirement of her new job is passing a Spanish proficiency test, so we went to Chicago last night to spend the night as the test began early this morning and lasted just over 4 hours. Although she won't get her results for about a month, she felt good about how she did. Now we will all wait for her good news.

Of course who can go to Chicago and take a test without doing some celebrating. Walking downtown in the cold didn't sound overly appealing, so we headed to Schaumburg, IL and took on the Woodfield Mall. For those who know me, you'll be absolutely shocked to know that I bought nothing for Liliana. I was tempted on a few occasions, but decided to wait until we are out of PGN and closer to traveling on our pick up trip.

Our first stop at the mall was the Rainforest Cafe. My niece chose it last night while looking through the various flyers and brochures at the hotel. Of course what child can resist a trip to the Rainforest Cafe. As we were there and I was looking around, I imagined us back there in the future (hopefully the near future) with Liliana.

While finishing up our time at the Mall, we made a stop at a little store (and for the life of me I can't remember the name of the store) that caters to pre-teen girls. Everything in the store is Hannah Montana, High School Musical, etc. As we were entering the store, one of the employees asked my niece to hold a little stuffed animal and then told her to shut her eyes. She told her to make a wish, sprinkled her with fairy dust and had her spin around 1 time. It was so cute! We go inside to see a little girl getting her hair done, girls in the back of the store dressing up and looking as if they were getting ready to perform. I know very few 6 to 11 year olds that wouldn't have loved this store. On the way out, the fairy dust employee handed my sister-in-law the stuffed animal, told her to close her eyes and make a wish. She sprinkled her with fairy dust and had her turn around and then exclaimed, "Good job!" Next thing I know, I'm holding the stuffed animal, shutting my eyes, making a wish, being sprinkled with fairy dust and turning around. All I have to say is that if I don't get a call this week telling me we're out of PGN, than I will no longer believe in fairies or fairy dust. Of course if I get that call this week, I'll be heading back to the fairy dust employee begging for another wish and sprinkle :-)

After a long day, we headed out on the 3 hour drive home. I walked in the house happily greeted by my babies, Jada and Lexie and Dave relaxing on the sofa watching t.v. As I looked at the t.v. I see "Obama wins the South Carolina primary." I was thrilled!!!!!! What a great ending to a pretty nice day!!!!

Baby Abuelita Dolls

For anyone interested in the Baby Abuelita Dolls, I have the link on the right hand side of my blog page. I ordered mine on-line, although some have found theirs at Wal-Mart.

Lili loved her doll as did her foster mom. For a matter-of-fact, her foster mom has requested one so that will be one of her gifts on our pick up trip. She told me she doesn't need anything fancy. She is so sweet!

Trying to Get Back Into the Swing of Things

Getting back into a routine after being gone from home can be difficult, but it is especially true for me this time. One obvious reason is missing Lili, but probably the biggest reason right now is the bug I brought home from Guatemala with me. Let's just say the bathroom and I have become good friends since I got home (sorry if that's too much information). I tried to be careful about what I ate and I didn't drink the water, but who knows what's caused this. Since I like to find the positive in a negative situation, it's become a good weight loss program :-) I've lost 4-5 pounds already. Yeah!!!!

In my efforts to get back into a normal routine, I've started calling PGN again. Yes, my weekly calls to PGN had become part of my normal routine. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get through no matter how many times I try. I called about 8 times yesterday and have already tried 3 times this morning, but the furthest I get is on hold and then disconnected. It's appearing as if I just need to wait to hear the news from our agency and quite honestly, after our previo, I'm a little worried about what PGN might tell me. Hopefully we'll get good news within the next couple of weeks. Yesterday marked 5 weeks back in PGN and from all the posts on the forums, they are still approving submits and resubmits in about 8 weeks time. February 12th is 8 weeks for us, so keep your fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly this time.

My everyday routine has fallen in place nicely this week. I've done tons of laundry, cleaned and dusted, made appointments, etc. The one difference I've noticed is that I'm spending much more time thinking about how much my routine will change once Lili finally comes home. Last night, for example, we ate dinner around 6:15 and while I was cleaning the kitchen I realized we will need to get into a routine of an earlier dinner time so I'm able to get Lili fed, bathed, and to bed at a decent time. Okay, I've been through the mommy thing before so I realize that the best plan in the world can change with a little one in the house, but I can't stop thinking about how I will need to schedule my day.

Okay, I've rambled on about this long enough. So let me close by sharing some more pictures from my visit trip.

This hat is so much better in my mouth than on my head.

Look Grandpa, a Cardinal fan in the making. I just haven't quite got the hang of wearing hats yet.

Such pride!

It's Official

I'm ready to go back to Guatemala and here is the reason why.

More Trip Updates

On the first visit trip Dave and I stayed at the Westin. As you can imagine, it is like most up scale hotels in the U.S., but the price tag is a little more reasonable. This trip, however, I wanted to do something different and more of a Guatemalan experience so I took the advice of many families and stayed at the La Casa Grande on this trip. Here is a bit of history regarding the hotel:

This house was built 70 years ago, in the same place where it was a little french palace, which was built by José María Reyna Barrios who was the president of Guatemala (1892-1898); The general Reyna Barrios was a man that traveled a lot because of that he did a lot of effort to embellish the country, so he made the stroll de la Reforma and the palace de la Reforma that after the year became a military school and the Militar Hospital.

Many of the statues that remain embellishing the stroll de la Reforma were brought here by him, including the sources, iron doors and two statues that adorn the gardens of the Hotel La Casa Grande. The president Reyna Barrios was killed in one of the streets of the city, so her wife sold the palace and went to France.

With the earthquake of the year the mansion went ruined, and for many years it stayed that way, it got many owners until 1937 when it was bought by the Vlamick family, who donated many of the marble pieces to the church of Guadalupe; Then they build an elegant house, and now it has became the right place for The Hotel La Casa Grande.

My goal was achieved this trip as I really did feel like I was in Guatemala.

The other nice thing about the hotel is the fact that the majority of the time the guests are all adoptive families. I made some new friends and enjoyed meeting their beautiful children.

When Dave and I return for our pick up trip, we will definitely take up residence at the La Casa Grande during our stay.

Mommy and Lili outside the La Casa Grande.

Lili likes looking at books. She's so smart!!!
Lili with her Baby Abuela! This doll sings songs in Spanish and Lili really liked playing with her.

My 2nd Visit Trip

Sorry for the teaser yesterday, but I've had some rest and I'm ready to blog about my visit trip. But first, let me just say that my body when through some real adjustment when I came home. It was in the 70's in Guatemala and when I arrived in Chicago Friday night it was 1 degree. Burrrrrrr!!!!!

My flights to and from Guatemala were uneventful. Getting through customs was a breeze and even the wait for my luggage was easy. There was a little confusion regarding my ride to the hotel, but that was quickly worked out and my stay at the La Casa Grande was wonderful. I would highly recommend it to all families making a trip to visit and especially when picking up their children. The convenience of having the Embassy next door is great and several families that were there on pick up trips commented how happy they were that they had stayed at the La Casa Grande.

At 9:00 a.m. Monday morning, our foster family brought Lili to me. As you can see from the pictures I posted yesterday and from the pictures I'll be posting today and the rest of the week, she is doing very well. I brought a Baby Abuela doll for her. For those not familiar with these dolls, when you press their hand, they sing songs in Spanish. Lili loved it as did her foster mom. Her foster mom told me that she would like to have one of the dolls as well, so I'll be taking one to her on our pick up trip. Anyway, Lili quickly figured out that she needed to press the red patch on the dolls hand to make her sing and very intently worked on trying to get her to sing. She was successful one time, but never quite figured out that you have to actually press down and can't just touch it. However, every time the doll would sing, Lili would start dancing. She bobs her head from side to side and gets her little body moving from side to side, which is adorable.

Other than not eating solid foods very well for me, she did well all week.

Lili loved to flop down on the pillows. I would say night-night and she would put her head down on the pillow and just smile from ear to ear. Of course she wouldn't lay there long, but it was so cute!

I just had to post this picture not only because of the kitty cat on the pants, but to show everyone how long her hair is getting. Keep in mind, she's only 8 months old in this picture. I'm going to have a lot of fun with her hair, assuming I can get her to sit still long enough :-)

How can you resist a smile like this?!!!!! She has two teeth on the bottom (obviously) and as of Friday, the 4th tooth on the top had made it's way through the gums. Like many Guatemalan babies though, she didn't cut the front two teeth first, but instead the ones on each side of the front two.

Happily and Not So Happily Home

I had an absolutely wonderful week with my precious angel, but leaving her yesterday was heart-breaking. Now my hope is that we are out of PGN soon and can finish up this process.

Because I'm too tired to do much blogging tonight, I'm just going to post some of the pictures I took over the past week and I'll post more information about my trip over the next few days and/or weeks.

These are some of the pictures from Day 1.

Okay, Just One More Post Before I Go

I went to get the mail and what did I find, Lili's lastest medical update from December 21st. Since I'm sure that all of you have been waiting for this information, I thought I'd share it before my trip.

At 7 months, 3 weeks of age, Liliana weighed 16 lbs 2 ozs and was 27 1/4 inches long.

The doctor reports that she rolls over, sits by herself, reaches for and grasps everything she wants and pushes the walker. She is presently enjoying complete health.

Last Post Before My Trip

Because Dave and I are leaving early tomorrow morning for Chicago, this will be my last blog post until I return from my trip. However, be prepared, because when I return there will be many new posts and pictures to share with everyone.

Just two more days sweet Lili and mommy will be back.

The Countdown Continues

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3

Three more days to go. Actually, I'm leaving for Chicago early Saturday morning as Dave and I are attending his company Winter Party Saturday night. I started packing and quickly realized that two medium suitcases just weren't going to do the trick, so I had to pull out the monster bag. Of course the problem with the monster bag is that I can easily go over the luggage weight limit, so I'll be spending a lot of time with the scale as I pack.

Even though I'm not physically ready for the trip yet, emotionally, I'm more than ready to go.

Here I come Lili.

It appears she's preparing for my arrival.

Actually, the goodies she's guarding are a gift basket that a friend of mine and I sent to her foster family for Christmas.

Countdown

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

Yes folks, 4 more days and I will be in Guatemala!!!!!!!

Liliana - Mommy is coming to see you again!!!!!!!!!

Thoughts and Emotions

I leave for Guatemala in 5 days and am so happy that I'm going to be with my baby girl again. However, I'm feeling many other emotions today as well and while it would be easy to blame it on the rain (we've gotten a lot of rain since last night), this is much more about all the things happening in my life right now and all the things happening around the world.

When we began our adoption journey, things looked promising that Lili would likely be home with us during this Holiday season. However, as you all know, that didn't happen. With all the changes taking place with adoption in Guatemala, the process has continued to become slower and slower. At this point, we hope to have Lili home sometime this Spring, but the truth is that we just don't know when she's coming home. We have no reason to believe that our case won't continue to be processed, but we just don't know how quickly that process is going to take place. This makes me feel sad, frustrated, and nervous.

Dave stopped at Starbucks on his way to work this morning (which has nothing to do with my emotions today) and here is the quote printed on his cup.

“My cousin in Tibet is an illiterate subsistence farmer. By accident of birth, I was raised in the West and have a Ph.D. The task of our generation is to cut through the illusion that we inhabit separate worlds. Only then will we find the heart to rise to the daunting but urgent challenges of global disparity.”
Losang Rabgey, Ph.D.National Geographic Emerging Explorer and co-founder of Machik, a nonprofit helping communities on the Tibetan plateau.

By accident of birth I too was raised in the U.S. and have opportunities available to me that so many people in this world don't have. One of those opportunities is freedom to vote. The U.S. is at a turning point. We've watched our economy continue to fall, gas prices continue to rise, the job market is getting worse, we're still dealing with all the problems in Iraq and our reputation as a country has been marred. However, those of us who live in the U.S. are fortunate to live in a country that allows us to cast a vote for the person we want to see run for president. Later in the year we will then have the opportunity to vote for the candidate that we want to see in the White House. Today, the voters in New Hampshire have the opportunity to cast their votes and let their voices be heard. Go Obama!!!! And next month I will have the opportunity to cast my vote. Go Obama!!!!! I want to encourage everyone in the U.S. to register to vote and to participate in the political process. Go Obama!!!!! I feel excited and energized by the prospect of major change on the horizon and to know that one day Lili will also have the opportunity to walk into her local polling place and cast her vote gives me a feeling of pride.

I could go on today about all my thoughts and feeling on various topics, but I fear that many of you would become bored, so I'll end this post today by saying once again, "Go Obama!"

7 Days

One week from today I will be arriving in Guatemala!!!!!! I am "so" ready to see my baby girl again. Three months ago this Wednesday, I handed her back to her foster mom and while I know I'll have to go through the pain of leaving her again, it is more than worth all the tears to spend a few more days with her.

Happy New Year!

Here is a little video montage I put together of Lili from referral to the end of 2007. Hope you enjoy it.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com