The Harris Family: Paulo's First Birthday Party!

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Paulo's First Birthday Party!

On June 7th we celebrated the first year of Paulo David's life. Imagine his plight the first year of his life? He is just one of thousands of orphans in Guatemala. International adoptions don't put a dent in the need of this country. It was definitely a day to celebrate the blessing of Paulo with friends!

We hosted the party at our apartment. It was attended by Emily and Samuel Armstrong; Bill, Kyle and Billy Beyer; Billy's friend Blair; Lee Anne and Erick Whitworth; Angie and Milo (Emily and Lee Anne's roommates) Kimberly and Aeson (Emily and Lee Anne's friend who is adopting).

We of course had a birthday cake that Paulo tried on.

7 comments:

Pat and Lee Anne said...: Great to see you all and spend time with Paulo! Your blog looks great!

Lee Anne; June 13, 2008
Anonymous said...: So glad you gave into the temptation and "remind" us all about your updated blog... I'm so happy that you got to spend Paulo's birthday with him!!! I'm praying for your family during this difficult wait time.; June 14, 2008
Pat and Lee Anne said...: Great blog Harris's! Glad you've joined the "blog community". It's always great to see your pics, hear your experiences, etc. See you tomorrow at church...Pat; June 14, 2008
Joann and KC said...: We were so excited to open your blog after church today. What a story!! We read every word, just as we have with Erick and Samuel. We plan to read about the Huffs and Embrys too. What blessed families on such amazing adventures. We pray for the future of each of these darling boys and their families. Your quotes and blog are inspiring to say the least. But to be honest looking at Paulo's little face is the best inspiration. God is so visible in what you are being led to do and we have been with you as prayer warriors all the way. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." Eph 3:20
Blessings, Joann and KC; June 15, 2008
Anonymous said...: As "they" say.... good things come to those who wait! "They" also say that good things come in small packages. Imagine how doubly good it is to wait for a small package!!!; June 17, 2008
Anonymous said...: Wow! What a journey and so much further to travel on this road. Your faith is contagious and the music and blog are beautiful. Paulo is a blessing to our family and I'm looking forward to the day when I will hold and touch him. His little personality is charming and adorable in the pictures. I can't imagine him in action.

"Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time!" (Paulo) Galatians 6:9

Love,
Peggy; June 17, 2008
Anonymous said...: God Bless you both and I cant wate to meet him one day

God be with you all your Trips and most on the great day when you bring him home with you.; July 13, 2008

Our Adoption Progress

• Early November 2007 – We receive an e-mail from Pat and Lee Anne Whitworth informing us they are in Guatemala and plan on adopting a child.

• Mid November 2007 – We visit the Whitworth’s after they return from Guatemala and hear their adoption story. We get to see photos and video of several children.

• Mid November 2007 – Nicole begins to express the calling in her heart to adopt. Todd has just finished reading Waking the Dead by John Eldridge and is inspired by his message to live our days in extraordinary fashion. God is stirring us.

• Late November 2007 – We begin to research Guatemalan adoptions but are concerned about the instability on the horizon. We continue to communicate with The Open Way Adoptions and the Whitworths.

• Mid December 2007 – US Department of State announces all Guatemala adoptions initiated before 12/31 will be processed. We begin to work on our home study and dossier. Nicole calls Todd at work on 12/17 and after a short discussion Todd purchases airline tickets for Guatemala.

• December 21, 2007 – We fly to Guatemala and accept referral of Jorge Mario Choc Tzib born on June 7, 2007. We eventually decide to name him Paulo David Mario Harris.

• January 19, 2008 – We complete the home study with Adoption and Beyond.

• January 22, 2008 – Our dossier is complete and mailed to the Guatemalan Consulate in Chicago.

• February 5, 2008 – We received the I-171H from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The legal process in Guatemala begins.

• February 7, 2008 – Our dossier is received by our attorney in Guatemala via The Open Way Adoptions.

• February 11, 2008 – We receive confirmation that our case has been registered with the newly created Guatemalan Central Authority.

• March 6-10, 2008 – We visit Paulo in Guatemala City.

• March 26, 2008 – The US Embassy authorizes the 1st of two DNA tests.

• May 30, 2008 – The 1st DNA test and Family Court appointment is complete.

• June 3-10, 2008 – We visit Paulo in Antigua Guatemala. Amber gets to meet her littler brother for the first time.

• June 7, 2008 – We celebrate Paulo’s first birthday party in Antigua Guatemala.

• June 11, 2008 – The DNA test results are received confirming a probable match (99.999%) with the birth mother.

• June 16, 2008 – We recieved the Pre-Approval of our case from the US Citezenship and Immigration Services located in the US Embassy, Guatemala.

• July 21, 2008 – We received news of the Guatemalan Family Court approval of our case.

• August 7, 2008 – Our case entered the PGN.

• August 29, 2008 – The final birth mother interview is complete.

• November 18, 2008 – Our file is approved by the PGN. The Decree has a typographical error and has to be corrected and signed by the PGN again. After a few weeks the Decree is corrected and re-issued.

• December 9, 2008 – Our file is submitted to RENAP to obtain a birth certificate.

• January 13, 2009 – We receive the birth certificate.

• January 22, 2009 – We receive the passport and complete the 2nd DNA test.

• January 29, 2009 – The results of the 2nd DNA are received at the US Embassy and the visa appointment is set for February 2nd.

• February 2, 2009 – Visa appointment complete. Pick up visa at US Embassy on February 3rd and come home.

We have a crucial role to play

Our deepest fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. –Nelson Mandela's 1994 Innaguration Speech from Author Marianne Williamson

The Harris Family

Paulo's First Birthday Party!

7 comments:

About Us

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Todd and Tyler (Big Bro')

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