When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that you are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny. Paulo Coelho
In this corner weighing in at 22 pounds, coming all the way from Coban Guatemala, in his professional debut...Paulo David Mario "The Pigeonator"!!!
In this corner weighing in at 6 ounces times three, coming all the way from the La Merced Plaza, Antigua Guatemala, always on the run..."Tres La Merced Pigeons"!!!
• 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.
4 comments:
Too cute! :)
Felicia
Hi Todd,
We are Jim and Grace Stuckmeyer from your old church (actually our old church) First Baptist Church in Blue Springs, MO. I saw your names and blog mentioned on Emily Armstrong's website. We adopted a little girl from China in May '07 and now have adopted another little girl! She is from Kazakhstan and will be home Oct 28th. Our kids were in Mission Friends together. The boys are 23, 20 and 17. I know yours are getting older too. Congratulations on the addition to your family! Adoption really is all about God isn't it?! Our blog is www.sisterswithatwist.blogspot.com
We are catching up on all the little ones who are waiting to COME HOME. Paulo looks like a handsome little dynamo. Praying that there is a beautiful covering of memories of you all together that will fill his little heart and mind. He is going to keep you very busy...and we pray it is very soon. Blessings and love.
Awesome blog. Really like all the videos. Hopefully soon all these Guatemalans will be home in Blue Springs.
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