Levi Douglas Bradley: Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me.....

Our Adoption Story

Levi was born on April 21, 2007 in Chinautla, Guatemala, a small town known for pottery. He weighed 6.7 pounds and was 19.7 inches long. He was in private foster care in Guatemala City where he lived for 10 1/2 months with his foster mom, her son and daughter and Isaac, his foster brother. Throughout our difficult adoption journey, Isaac's mom, Nancy and I became very good friends. God placed our boys together and had the perfect plan in place long before we ever realized it. When I was undecided on an adoption agency, I joined an online forum where Nancy provided me with information about her agency and recommended them to us. We decided to sign with the same agency and I emailed Nancy back to let her know. Over a few months we emailed back and forth to learn we were both from TN and lived only 30 minutes apart... we thought wow, it's a small world. Little did we know a few months later we'd both get referrals, earlier than we expected, of 2 beautiful Guatemalan angels. When they turned 2 months old our agency called and decided it was time to tell us that they were in the same foster home together and had been since they were 1 day old. We were amazed they were together. Even more so, God amazed us once again when we learned shortly after that they were born on the same day and were from the same town... no longer a coincidence that was for sure. We were being told by the foster mom how attached they were and acted like brothers. But, Nancy and I got the chance in January '08 to go to visit them and see it for ourselves. It was an amazing time of bonding with our boys that we will never forget. After that trip it seemed when one of us would reach a roadblock in the crazy process of international adoption the other would be delayed with something else. We stayed right together until the very day we picked them both up. We had our US Embassy appts the same day and we flew home through Atlanta on the same flight on March 11, 2008 when they both entered the US as citizens! It was an awesome time for us in the Atlanta Airport when we rec'd the congrats they were official! We've made friends for life with Nancy, Eric, and with Isaac's extended families. We look forward to many years of watching them both grow up so close together. Over the past year, as we went through battle after battle to bring our boys home, Nancy and I both would never think of one without the other in our endless prayers to keep them safe, happy and healthy until they could be home with their forever families. We're finally parents and it's what we've both waited for, for so many years.. our families are finally complete!!!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me.....

Hey, I cannot believe I forgot to post this too. But, my sweet husband and my wonderful mom and dad are all giving me the best Christmas and Birthday present ever. I am going to Guatemala to see my baby!! Nancy and I are venturing there on our own. After much reservation (since I have not been without Steve but one night and that was only because they wouldn't let me into ICU with him in about 15 years and especially since Levi's been sick, I have the opportunity to go for a short visit and check things out with him for myself. I feel so bad for Steve knowing he wants to see him too but, it's just too expensive for us both to make the trip knowing we'll be headed back soon for pickup. He's not a selfish person so he insisted I go ahead and make the trip with Nancy. Of course, I'll be nervous but, with a lot of of planning I think we have figured the safest and easiest route for the trip. We'll continue to plan every detail to keep the husbands' posted and aware of what is going on with us every step of the way. I'm sure we'll post on the blog while we're there or Steve will one for updates. We've called PGN this week and are still with the second reviewer in the process, which means no kick outs so far to date. The Guatemalan Congress did vote in the grandfathering for the in process cases but, we're still waiting for the fine details about the law changes from our attorney once they know the specifics for each case and how each one will be effected if at all. Will keep everyone posted on that too here on the blog. I am going to commit to try and post more regular and not get behind like I have been. Thanks for all the prayers for the adoption and for Levi as he's been ill and through this whole crazy process.- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)