Birth Certificate Update

Hey, just wanted to post that my attorney met with the mayor or his representative yesterday about getting Levi's birth certificate. He was told to come back in 5 business days and he'd let him have it. Hoping and praying he walks out with it next Monday. After that happens, they will take our file and go to the US Embassy and request approval slip for "orange", which is his 2nd DNA test. He will be taken by the foster mom into the lab for his mouth to be swabbed for this test. It is sent to Burlington, NC for the results just like the first one he and his birth mom had done. It takes about 7-10 days for the results to get back to the US Embassy from here. Once they are back there the Embassy will send Steve an email with our appointment and we'll know a date when we are to go pick him up. We really are close once they get the birth certificate in hand but, yet we seem so far away too. I would have to say I am a little anxious and nervous about the rest of the process but, I don't know why. I guess it's first time mom/parent syndrome I don't know. Because I know from here until we travel is simply paperwork. He's defiantly the same baby so, no worries with DNA or anything so, I don't know. I am so ready for this all to be over and have him home I know that. We're going this weekend car seat shopping so, that will be exciting to keep us busy until next week. Please pray that the attorney walks out with both mine and Nancy's birth certificates on Monday!! Wouldn't it be awesome if we got our pick appt (the Embassy appt) the same day? Even close where we could bring them home together? We were talking about that, we think they'd do so much better being together on the plane than alone. Praying if that is God's will then it'll be. Thanks in advance as always for your support and prayers.- Tracy (officially Levi's mommy)

GOOD NEWS- WE'RE OFFICIAL!

Hey, just wanted to post so really good news for a change! We are officially Levi's parents as of yesterday! His birth mom has been in and signed off for the final time. Our attorney reported to our agency yesterday that she submitted our file for the dreaded wait to get the new birth certificate from the town where he was born.
Sad thing is, the mayor here is supposedly corrupt and doesn't like adoptions, Americans,etc.. He has been holding the birth certificates for several weeks (8-9 weeks and as many as 12 weeks) and not issuing them without the adoptive parents flying to Guatemala to get it in person. Many posters on a forum Nancy and I belong to say that he holds out for bribes to release it any sooner. Nancy has been waiting 3 weeks as of yesterday to get Isaac's new bc and is very frustrated with the whole waiting game to get it issued. The birth certificate has to be issued before they can submit for the 2nd DNA and then for your Embassy appt to go get them. It is simply ridiculous that we pay out A LOT of money to the attorney for this to be over as quick as possible and to get them home as infants not as toddlers and then your hung up in the system from one man holding so much power over a bc... one piece of paper.
The agency said that basically now after mine was submitted since then their firm I assume has had 2 more submitted there needing bc's. The total being 4 now, she said that would make them "stay on top of it more and work harder to get them all out than they were." That is part of Nancy's frustration I am sure. She was the first one submitted and they would have already been "working hard" to get hers regardless if they have 4 waiting now! She and Eric are planning to go to Guatemala and get it themselves if possible. They are at least going to try. She has some contacts there who plan to go with them to translate and hopefully walk away with it in hand. Please pray for their safety, both our bc issues and continue to pray for Levi and Isaac that they will be out of this mess and home soon where they belong! Thanks as always for your prayers and support. They just turned 9 months old, we've pulled our time I think and it's time for this to be over and start our families. - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

WE ARE OUT OF PGN!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

We are finally out of PGN!!! I called on Monday to check on the status of our case and spoke with Laura, the English speaking girl we get for status checks and she said we had been approved that I needed to call my agency. I called them and they said they would check with the attorney and get back with me to confirm if we were indeed out or not. I didn't hear back from them so, I assumed our file wasn't picked up yet. The social worker from our agency called me yesterday at work to confirm the attorney did pick up my file on Monday and she had it in hand with my approval. We were out as of Friday, January 18th. The social worker from the agency said the attorney had called the birth mom to come in and do her final sign off. after she does it's official... Levi is our son legally. Pleas pray that she gets in there and gets signed off so the attorney can get us registered with the civil registry where we get the birth certificate from and then we wait for that. Here is where the mayor is holding the new birth certificates because apparently he doesn't like Americans or adoptions or something because he's causing unnecessary delays with releasing them. Nancy has been researching this and talked to several couples who have waited and waited and are having to actually fly to Guatemala and meet with him just to get it released. He's held some up to like 8-12 weeks. We won't wait that long before we go get ours but, we pray that it doesn't have to come to that. We'll make it our prayer that he will just release them and let us come get ours boys soon. Nancy and Eric will have been waiting for Isaac's new bc 3 weeks this coming Friday and she will be talking to our agency to see what their game plan is from there about getting it for them. She is not willing to wait much longer though because she can try and get it herself a lot sooner. It's crazy to waste even more time waiting and waiting if you truly can walk in, wait for an appt with the mayor and walk out with it. Rumor has it he likes bribes and he's out to get some money from this but, he can expect no money from us for it we have to stay legal here and need no trouble with the case at this point. We've come too far to mess things up now. I don't know what they could do if anything since he's legally already your son at that point but, basically I guess I'll see what comes about with Nancy's and go from there since she is 3 weeks ahead of us on this issue.
Once they get the birth certificate they can submit you for orange, which is the authorization for the second required DNA test. They will just take him in and swab his mouth I think. It just has to match the first one he had done with his birth mom and we aren't worried about him being the same baby we took as our referral, etc.. for those of us who get monthly pictures and updates and have been to visit this is a useless but required step by the US to ensure they are issuing a visa for the same baby that the case started with. Luckily, this has been a pretty steady part of the process. It goes to Labcorp from Burlington, NC so we'll be able to track that somewhat too and know when the results make it back to the US Embassy. Once they get the results we'll wait for an appointment... which is your pink slip to travel. The appointment or "pink" is for you to go in and pay for his visa so he can leave the country. Adoptive parents getting travel dates right now are running like the first few weeks of February. I know we're ready to have this behind us and get him home and start our family. We've waited as long as it takes to have a baby and it shouldn't take longer than that to get this done.
All in all we praise the Lord for this wonderful news and know that I will be posting when and if I hear when the birth mom comes and signs off. The attorney feels like this isn't a big step (the birth mom's signing) so, generally they don't call our agency when this takes place unless they just happen to think to mention it's been done according to the agency social worker. I on the other hand think it's major since that is what makes everything final and him legally our son. Of course, part of our hearts have been in Guatemala since we first saw his pictures and we accepted the referral and especially after meeting him for the first time back in September. In our eyes he's been our son since May but, legally speaking. Praying for a speedy sign off and for the birth mom to have peace and closure with the decision she has made to allow us to become Levi's parents. We'll always take that responsibility very serious and be proud to be his mommy and daddy. We could never thank her enough for the ultimate sacrifice she made to allow him to have a better life full of opportunities. Once she is done with her part with the sign off, I pray that the attorney would allow me to write her a letter and have it translated. I don't know if it'll ever even make it to her or not but, I feel like I owe it to her to at least try to let her know how blessed we are that Levi will make our family complete. Continue to pray that these last few steps are behind us quickly so we can get our boy home!! Thanks for all your prayers and support so far. We know without God none of this would have been possible! Will keep you posted with updates as I know more. Love and Blessings- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

No news today just missing my boy!

I haven't heard a thing new about our case but, still waiting to hear something from the agency that we're out of PGN. I am hoping and praying this is our week. Someone on the yahoo forum got out from a November 21st resubmit. We're a November 23rd resubmit so hopefully they are at least working on cases right around the same date. Generally your in PGN for about 8 weeks sometimes a little longer (can be less but, that is rare). Most cases when you go in on like 23rd of November he usually signs close to the 23rd of January. Please keep us in your prayers this week especially that we get out of PGN with no more kickouts. We're getting to the point where we can hardly stand the waiting anymore. It is driving us crazy we just want him home so bad. I am really missing him today and so is Steve. If he'd just spent a few days with him too then I think he would really be crazy from the waiting and from missing him. It was so hard on Steve to see him on the webcam and not be with him it liked to have killed him. Anyway, hopefully soon we'll be able to both be with him and welcome him to his new home with his new family. Until then we have to wait it out and pray hard. Thanks in advance for your support and prayers. - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Still w/2nd reviewer~PGN

Just wanted to post that we're still with the 2nd reviewer as of today when I called PGN. The good thing is there is rumor that Laura at PGN, the girl who we talk to that speaks English, her computer is a little behind with your actual case status. People on the web forum we're on are saying that she seems to be like 7 days behind with her information according to when some of their agencies are calling them with their outs. One can only hope that we're actually on Barrios' desk (he is like our attorney general who does the final sign off). Nancy never heard that she was on his desk but, called Dec 26th to learn she was with the 2nd reviewer and she got the call from our agency she was out 8 days later. Which would make the information she is about a week behind seem like more of a possibility. Who knows?? We saw a case that was resubmitted on 11/21 who got out today so, we're praying we're right behind them with a 11/23 resubmit date into PGN after our kickout. We are just so ready to get PGN behind us so they can call the birth mom to come sign for the final time. Once we know he is officially ours then we'll sit a little more comfortable. We'll still have the birth certificate issue in front of us to face but, we are ready to get to that step which would be one step closest to having him home. Just keep praying we're out soon. Will keep everyone posted here if we get any updates. I have posted some new pictures as I guess you would see before reading this post. He's just the sweetest thing! - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Leaving our babies in Guatemala~

Well, Nancy and I have arrived in Daytona Beach, Fl after our wonderful visit with the boys in Guatemala. Despite a really rough first night, the rest of the trip turned out to be abosultey wonderful! We had to however, walk away and leave them behind once again. It just broke our hearts to hand them back over to the foster mom and leave there without them again. I am just heartbroken and miss him so much already. Bless his heart, he was so confused when he saw the foster mother back there in the lobby to pick him up. He would look at her and then look at me, he didn't know what to think about it. What made it even worse was when I handed him back to her he started to cry and reach for me to take him back. Of course I did and that broke my heart even more to think he wanted me back. He's very attached to her so after just 3 days I was totally shocked to see him do that. Steve was right... he could tell just how much I love him and it did my heart good to know he could really feel that love in such a short time being with me. Hopefully, he'll remember me when I go back and we're praying it's soon. I couldn't get through to PGN before we left so, I didn't get an update on our case before we left. I'll try again today and hoping to hear some good news. Boy, could I use some right now. We have had the worst night last night getting to Daytona. First of all, we get from Atlanta to Orlando and find that 2 of our bags didn't make it there with us. After we stood forever in baggage to make the claim, we headed to get our rental car. Well, Budget wouldn't let us rent on a prepaid credit card. I had confirmed my reservation 3 times and they instructed me specifically what to do. The guy didn't care at all about the fact that we were stranded again in Orlando International. Nancy refused to spend another night in that airport floor sleeping! We finally found another car rental place (local no name place) who didn't even ask for anything except $100 deposit and handed us the keys. We were grateful for them to just make it easy to send us on our way. We rented a GPS (@Steve's request) to get us there the easiest way from Orlando to Daytona. Well, "Susie" which is what we named her right off, must have been as tired as we were because she wasn't working for us. She has us in some neighborhood in Orlando (a good neighborhood luckily), telling us to turn where there wasn't roads, stay in right lane when it was a 2 lane, exit when there wasn't an exit (it was a 2 lane side road not an interstate to even have an exit). Nancy finally jerked her right off the windshield and started with her own directions. She is familiar with the area but, we had to get back to an interstate she knew. Basically, we drove around in Orlando because it was 2am or after when we made it to our room in Daytona. We kept waiting to eat and saying we were going to stop and by 2am we realized we hadn't eaten since breakfast in Guatemala. We ended up having a donut from the 7-11 store. This morning has unfortunately not started off well either. We have to return the rental car to a different airport than we fly out of. We've had trouble finding transportation that isn't $125 per person one way. We finally found a taxi to get us back to the airport we're flying from so, we'll see. Nancy said she thought this trouble was God's way of keeping our minds off leaving the boys. If it was well, it worked. We've not had time to dwell but, it's still there and we're still heartbroken. Must be the motherly instinct because every so often when I look at the clock, I'll think now it's time for his bottle, he should be taking his nap now, or what he should be doing at that time of day. Man, I just miss him so bad I can't stand it. I just want him home & for all this to be over. Please keep us in your prayers that our court process is over soon. I'll post pics from home by tomorrow. Thanks in advance for all your prayers & support. Love and blessings-Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Pray as I have to leave behind my son... AGAIN!

Hey all, I couldn't sleep so I thought I would post on the blog. I am sick from something. Hoping it's just my nerves and not something I have eaten here in Guatemala. I am having a hard time dealing with things tonight (well, this morning now). Poor Steve, bless his heart he's the only one who will talk to me about it in the middle of the night. He had his laptop set up on the bed so he'd hear me send him a message if I couldn't sleep. That meant a lot because it makes me feel some better to talk to him because he knows first hand what we're facing having to leave in just a few short hours. My heart is just breaking to have to walk away from Levi again. It's so hard not knowing when you'll see him again and what you'll miss while your gone this time. He on the other hand will be going back to all he knows, his foster family. He probably won't remember me when we return to get him and we'll have to watch him hurt over missing his foster mom again. Hoping and praying for some good news when I call PGN when they open. I am planning to call before we leave Guatemala just to know where we are there. Pray for us as we head out tomorrow around 1:49pm (I think that is right) Guatemala time. We have a short layover in Atlanta before we are back in Florida for the night. We couldn't get a connecting flight so we're staying over night in Daytona to unwind and regroup before we fly home on Tuesday afternoon. Pray for me as I leave Levi, it'll just kill me I know. Love and Blessings from Guatemala.- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Update from Guatemala

Hey, sorry I didn't get to post like I said I'd try and do but, things haven't gone entirely as planned the whole trip to allow me time to post anything. Our flight was a little early getting to Orlando so we ended up spending the night even longer than we had planned. We slept where ever we didn't get run off and waited to catch the next flight. When we arrived in Guatemala, the foster mom was already waiting for us at the hotel with Levi and Isaac. They were very upset all night Friday night and I mean they screamed all night long. Isaac went to bed like at 2 something in the morning and Levi at 4:30am! When they weren't asleep they were pitiful looking for the foster mom and crying, well screaming. Things got so bad Friday night we had decided we weren't putting them through that anymore and we were calling for the foster mom to come back and get them. It wold have been different if we were here for pick up trips and knew we could ride it out til things improved but, we were trying to settle them with 2 strangers for just a few days to have to go back to her and do this again later. They were so pitiful we were heartbroken for them both. Luckily, we have praying parents and husbands and it got us through ti. We know that is all that did. They settled and went to sleep and when they woke up things weren't great but, better. By today, they're both great and it's like they've always been with us. Of course, this is our last night and that is starting to set in for me. Nancy said that she thought knowing she was out of PGN would make it easier to leave but, she was wrong. She is feeling just like she did before having to leave her last 2 trips, it stinks!! Well, just pray for us as we have to leave. I know it'll be harder than the last time I know. He's just I know we've already missed so many things with him it just kills me to think about it. I do miss Steve so much but, the time has flown by for me a whole lot quicker I am sure than for him. He looks so sad and so tired when we talk by webcam. I don't think he's getting much rest but, he wouldn't tell me if he wasn't. Better go get some things packed before Levi is up from his nap. I just can't get over what a good day it's been with him. Make it even harder I think to leave, who knows, it's bad either way. Praying when I call PGN either tomorrow or Tuesday I am out or told by Laura to call back a certain day! If I were out and the birth mom signs I will feel a while lot better having to wait to come back. Love and Blessings from Guatemala- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Heading to Guatemala~Pray for us as we travel

Just wanted to post that later tonight we'll be headed to the airport for our trip to Guatemala to see Levi and Isaac. Nancy and I are flying out of Tri Cities to Orlando, Atlanta, then to Guatemala. We'll arrive there in Guatemala City Friday at 12:39pm Guatemala time. They are one hour behind us (EST). The foster mother will be bringing the boys to meet us at our hotel around 1:30pm. We have to make every minute count because we only have a few days with them but, we'll try and post on our blogs if we have the chance. If not, his daddy can post some updates to let everyone at home know we're ok. Please pray for us that our boys will be at peace with us, knowing we love them and not miss the family they have known for so long too bad while they're with us, for our safety as we travel to and from the airport but, mainly while we have the boys out taking them to the pediatrician with the adoption attorney's escort. It is the weekend that all the "extra people" start coming in for the Presidential Inauguration on Monday, the day we leave. I can imagine things will be a little chaotic (traffic, security, all the extra people attending, etc..) Steve and I both are dreading being apart after all these years of never being apart in 15 yrs. It has really set in now fr both of us and I can't and won't even try to explain how bad this part of the whole trip is for us both. Call it crazy if you want but, we're just closer than the average couple and we spend every minute together most of the time and don't mind it a bit so far. I'll miss him like crazy! I'll be connecting with him by webcam and he'll be able to see his son the next best way. He's thought this is what I needed to do since the beginning was to go see Levi and see for myself that he's ok and bond with him as much as I can while I am there. Just pray for us all. Will keep you posted. - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Nancy is officially Isaac's mom today!!

Hey, just wanted to post and let you all know that I just rec'd a call from Nancy that she is officially Isaac's mom today. She rec'd the call that Isaac's birth mother had come in to sign off the final time and the attorney was hand carrying her documents to the mayor of Chinautla today also. She is so relived to have this part behind her and know that he is officially her son! How exciting for her family! There is nothing now that can keep her from getting him and she now calls the shots where he's concerned. The attorney has assured her she will push all that she needs to for the new birth certificate and get it asap. She can then proceed with the loose end things that have to be done for him to leave the country. The big thing from here is the birth certificate to be able to obtain his visa. Keep them in your prayers and us too as we await these same calls that we're out of PGN. We technically have a few more weeks to go (Friday will be 7 weeks of expected 8 as I posted before) if we run the average 8 week stay and receive no more kickouts. Thanks for all of my family and friends who have lifted Nancy and Isaac up in prayer for their case. Prayer does change things and he'll be home soon!! I couldn't be happier for her and Eric, today is their day to celebrate!!- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Just 3 days, 15 hrs and 19 minutes... but, who is counting?

Well, our trip is just right around the corner and I cannot believe how fast it's passed since we made the reservations. Nancy is so excited and anxious she is wearing Isaac's clothes out packing and repacking~ha ha! I have been pretty much packed for over a week since summer clothes are all we're taking, well besides all the toys and baby stuff!! We'll think about you all that are wearing your coats and sweaters while we're soaking up the sun with our babies by the pool in 75 degree weather and shorts (just had to rub that part in a little while I am at it). No, really pray for me that I don't need to be heavily medicated to walk away from Steve Thursday night to get on that plane and leave him behind. I know some of you are making fun of me right now but, for those of you who know us well, know that this is BIG for us both and very hard! He says I need this and so does Levi, which I think is so sweet that he feels that way. Pray that Levi will be OK with me and not cry the whole time, same with Isaac with Nancy. I know he probably thinks the foster mom is his mommy but, I at least want him to feel loved by me while I am there, we can work on the mommy change over later. My time is short with him but, IF he naps or I have a free minute, I will try and post updates on how things are going from Guatemala. Thanks in advance for all your prayers and support. Blessings- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Nancy is OUT of PGN!!!!! One step closer to Isaac!

Hey, just wanted to post some good news! Nancy got the call that she is OUT of PGN!! She found out this afternoon. She is just more than happy and praising the Lord today! She truly does give Him all the glory for this and knows without Him she wouldn't be this far. We both have a lot to be thankful for. Some of the adoptive parents weren't far enough along to have been grandfathered in under the old law as we were. I am sure when she gets to Guatemala and holds him in her arms this time she'll be looking at him in a whole new way. Before she called him her son and hoped and prayed he soon would be but, now she can say "this is MY son" and know it's finally real. Steve and I am so happy for her. I know she will continue to pray for Levi and hopefully we're soon to follow. It is good to know that although PGN has posted signs at the window where cases are brought by attorneys to submit, they are taking no more new cases at this time until the new law details are settled and established, the cases that are still there are still being reviewed and moving. Also, thanks to Nancy being persistent with our agency, the attorney over our cases in Guatemala is going to be talking to us about the birth certificate issues I mentioned in my previous post and what she has in place to do about the delays. As always, please just pray we're out too soon and that things continue to move to have them both home soon. As you pray today too, stop just a moment and say an extra prayer for all the children of Guatemala who won't have the opportunities Levi and Isaac will have because they'll be caught up in a corrupt government that has system set up to care for them but, want to stop/delay adoptions. Also, for our boys' foster mom, she will be without a job once Levi and Isaac come home. She has 2 children of her own and the small amount she gets for fostering them is her only source of income until when and if they ever have foster homes again. As of right now, unless things change , that is part of the new laws, no more private foster care. She is a fine lady and deserves so much more. Thanks in advance for all your prayers and support. Congrats again Nancy and Eric, praying your sweet boy is home with you all soon. - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

The latest news from Guatemala

Well, not much to post about our case specifically other than we called PGN and we're still with the 2nd reviewer. If we make it until this Friday, we'll be in 6 weeks of the average 8 week stay in PGN. However, with the holidays (we assume) Nancy should have been out last Wednesday. She hasn't called yet this week so, she doesn't know where her file is at to date. Pray we both hear something soon. I feel like that is all I ever post but, it's all we have is prayer and just hoping this is all over soon. We're a little over 8 days away from seeing our boys and the stress is just building for me. I hate, hate, hate leaving Steve here!!! It's starting to set in but, he keeps telling me he'll be fine. I know he is a big boy and can take care of himself but, it won't keep me from worrying. It would help if I didn't have to add to it all that his laptop crashed and is down completely until it can be serviced. We have to figure out an alternative plan because that is the only way we have for him to see Levi on his live webcam. We had already worked the bugs out and had it installed and working good until it crashed the other night...not good! HP is sending for it this week but, it won't make it back before we leave next Thursday night. Nancy and I have arrangements with the attorney's facilitator to pick us up on Saturday morning in at our hotel and take both boys to the pediatrician they see monthly (until they are out of PGN then they start seeing the US Embassy panel of doctors). We are meeting him at the request of our agency since both boys have been sick pretty often for the past few months. Boy, will that be an early morning and our initiation I guess. We have to have both babies up, awake, bathed, dressed, ourselves dressed and ready to be downstairs to meet her to take us there by 8:20am!! That is am!! Man do I hope they sleep good and not stay up all night since it's their first night with us Friday night. If we're up all night they'll be really excited to see the doctor I am sure. The newest thing for us to worry about is the town where Levi and Isaac were both born has a corrupt mayor. He's against adoptions and stalls making the new birth certificate. The babies have to have the new bc before they can have their Embassy appt for their Visa to exit the country. They have to have that step done before they can have their 2nd DNA test done, etc.. Basically, you can't move until the new bc is obtained. He has been stalling the new issued bc for some time now (so we've learned from our own research this week about it) and the average wait has been anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks in addition to the 6 or so the agency/attorney takes to have him ready to leave Guatemala. We're looking at being closer to his first birthday. It doesn't seem at all fair and we're just hoping and praying we can also get with the attorney while on our trip and see if she has a plan in place for this situation before we are faced with it. We'll see. Praying something or someone can make him speed up. What makes tit so bad is that they are our legal children after PGN and the final birth mother sign off. But, without the new bc listing us as his parents and giving him our last name, he can't get a Visa meaning he can't leave the country without it. It's always one hurdle after another. Praying for some answers soon to all this mess. Will keep you posted.- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)