New Picture

Hey, wanted to post a picture that Levi's foster mom sent us in email. He is sitting on a toy she bought for Isaac to push and walk behind. He is walking holding onto something. Nancy is praying he doesn't get brave enough to let go in the next 7 days and take his first steps without her there. If he had a clue he could and had thought about it he would have already. We're talking about the same adventurous little boy that is climbing out of a walker. Too funny!! She and Eric are going to have their hands full. As far as them being sick with a bad cold, Isaac is over it and better, Levi is just with a mild cough now so thanks for all your prayers. We're packed and ready to go pretty much except for a few last minute things the day before. Still praying for all the money we need for the trip but, we know and believe that the Lord will make a way. He hasn't brought us this far to not carry us through to the end. Will keep you posted on anything new before we leave.- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

So ready to leave for Guatemala!!!

Well, I am pretty much packed and just waiting watching time drag on until we go get Levi. Since Nancy talked to the foster mom the other night and I learned Levi had been sick again and been the doctor... I can't sleep much at all. I am pretty much exhausted but, when I lay down I can't sleep. My mind is just going in a hundred different directions. I tried to wear down today by packing but, not much good. I did get everything together and all the baby things I'll need at home to be ready for him. It all hit home when I was getting his things together tonight that I still can't believe we're finally just a few days from bringing home our boy! I need to get him home and checked by his pediatrician because he's been sick so much. The flight is set and we're waiting for confirmation on our hotel then we'll have it all planned out I think. Praying this week passes fast and that Levi is feeling better since the antibiotics. Will call and check on him tomorrow. Blessings- Tracy B.

GOING FOR PICK UP!!!

HEY ALL--- HE'S COMING HOME!!! I am just a little excited! Steve and I wanted to let you know that we have our appointment at the US Embassy on March 7th to go pick up Levi. We will be leaving on March 6th and will not be able to return home until March 11th. Because our opponent fell on a Friday we are stuck there over the weekend. Levi's visa to leave the country will not be ready until after 3:30pm on Monday. Therefore, our flight will be on Tuesday morning. We'll be bringing him back this time and not having to walk away leaving him behind.
However, we will be leaving behind what has come to be a part of our existence for nearly a year now. We will be heartbroken for the foster mom as she will be losing both Levi and Isaac at the same time pretty much. And, our thoughts and prayers will be with all the Guatemalan children who never find the same opportunities that Levi and Isaac will have here in the US. Nancy is actually going to be getting Isaac the day before on the 5th. Her Embassy appointment is the same day on the 7th. That is dad's birthday and he and mom are going to Guatemala with us so, what better present than a grandson? I was there this year on my birthday and there was no better preset than that let me tell ya! Anyway, we have our flight booked and are working on the hotel reservations now. Nancy is waiting for confirmation where she booked hers but, as of now unless something changes, we will be on the same flight back (Guatemala to Charlotte). She will be flying back into Tri Cities but, we'll be driving back from Charlotte. At least we will be able to take a picture of Levi and Isaac (unless they are really upset from the flight) of their feet touching US soil for the first time and doing so together... priceless. We've seen many pictures like that other adoptive parents have taken and it is so cute! Please do keep Levi in your prayers but, he was taken to the doctor today and given a shot for "a cold" that he wasn't able to shake?? He and Isaac were sick but, Isaac is over it and Levi can't get over it according to the foster mom when Nancy called her tonight with a translator. Nancy said she didn't sound too bad right now so, hopefully she is ok that her time is getting closer everyday. Bless her heart she told her too she has no prospects for a job right now after she isn't fostering right now. She says nobody will hire her due to her age. Pray for that and for Levi. Also, us as always that we make it through all this. Love and blessings- Tracy (AKA

Come on pink!!

Hey, wanted to post an update that our 2nd DNA results was just delivered by Fedex to the US Embassy a few hours ago. Nancy's was too and a few others from our yahoo adoption forum. We're bound to have our appts at the same time with at least some of them. Anyway, we're now going to be hovering over Steve's laptop awaiting our travel date. Typically, you get your appt for pick up emailed to you the day after your results arrive. However, today is Friday so, they're of course like any other government office not there on Saturdays. AND, Monday is a holiday... President's Day. So, they will not be back in the office until Tuesday. Nancy and I are still hopeful and praying that they have mercy on us and give everyone an appt before they leave today knowing they ahve a 3 day weekend ahead. That is probably nothing but wishful thinking but, stranger things have happened. Will for sure post as soon as I get the travel date and know when to book our flight. Do pray that the funds come through for that because these last fees we sent wiped up out. We have been checking on flights since the DNA was done to see what kind of prices are out there right now and they literally doubled since the first of the week. I am not sure if that is because of Spring Break coming up or what but, we're hoping and praying to get some good rates when we book. God didn't bring us this far through all of this for us not to have the money to go get him that is for sure. Blessings- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

2nd DNA done!!

Hey, just wanted to let you know that we got the call yesterday that Levi (and Isaac's) 2nd DNA has been completed and the results sent out headed back to Guatemala by Fedex. They are scheduled to arrive by 6pm today. After the US Embassy gets it logged back in they will issue our appt for pick up. We're finally almost done! This will be the last step of this long difficult process. Steve and I are just so ready to go get Levi and bring him home. My mom and dad are still planning to go with us for pickup (if we can swing 4 plane tickets now, for some reason they shot up yesterday to double what we were looking at). They just want to be able to have the experience of seeing Guatemala and knowing about where he's from. Of course, they can't wait so, if that get them to see him sooner they are all about that part too.
Issac and Levi will be most likely leaving the foster mom at the same time unless for some reason our appt times get seperated at the Embassy. But, even so they should be back to back if nothing else. We've just prayed that if it's God's will for us to leave together with them , then let it be. Nancy and I are about to go crazy with this waiting part. Knowing they have been legally ours for a few weeks makes it a little harder with the waiting! We've both been "nesting" (so they say that is what it is we're doing) and cleaning their rooms, washing their clothes, and just finishing those last minute thigs before we don't have the time to spare for such. Eric got to hear Isaac saying dada on the phone last week so, he is just beside himself too (and of course rubbing it in a little to Nancy haha). Levi is getting in the walker better now and going backwards only so far... too funny! Will keep you all posted on when we're traveling. Until then, keep us in your prayers and keep the foster mom in mind too. She is sad but, knows this has to be. She says she is so thankful to know they are both going to keep in touch and be so close and that we love them so much. She is thankful they will have opportunities in life through this adoption. Will keep you posted. Blessings- Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

Long overdue update...

Hey, sorry for the delay on posting any updates. I am happy to post that we are still moving ahead (pretty quickly now) and we'll be bringing Levi home soon!! Nancy called the foster mom last night and she seems to be coping better than when I spoke with her last Sunday evening, still very sad but, sounded better. Both boys have their Guatemalan passports and have had the second DNA sample taken as of Thursday. We can assume that the specimen was sent already to Burlington, NC where Labcorp will process the results. They only have to compare it to the 1st test done at the beginning of our process to confirm he is the same child leaving the country, just an added step from the US to ensure he's legal. When I rec'd the authorization request for me to sign the other day it was great to see his name as "Bradley" now and us listed as his parents. We're still amazed and so excited that this will all be over soon and he'll be home.
Yesterday, Nancy adn I took a few hours to unwind and shop for the boys a little. We had a good time and enjoyed just getting some down time. Continue to pray we hear this coming week that the results are back to the Embassy and we get our travel date. Once we get that date, we'll be hard to tolerate until we actually leave, we'll be so excited we'll drive everyone around us nuts! As of right now, they are together again in the process and as of right now we'll be in Guatemala at the same time. Will keep you posted with any news. I will try and do better this week momma Nancy about posting (she's been about to get me for being so behind haha). - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy!!!)

Special thanks!

Hey, today I thought I would post a little different type of update today. Today, I just want to reflect back and give thanks. First, of course, I would not post being thankful without saying we will never be able to thank the Lord enough for all the blessings He has given us during this adoption journey. He has blessed us over and over in this whole process and for that we owe Him everything. Several years ago when we had failed fertility treatments and thought life just wasn't fair little did we know God had a plan already in place to have Levi mkae our family complete. Looking back at all the things He borught us thorugh to get us to this point has been simply amazibg as well. Steve's physical condition was full of one problem after another and the Lord brought him through it all to come out healthier than he's been in years and actually feeling able to care for Levi full time while I work. Of course, month after month in the hospital we coldn't see the bigger picture then either.
Although our families have all supported us through this journey, without Nancy I would have lost my mind through all of this. She has been there for me bascially from day 1 and picked me up when I needed picking up. We've laughed togethr, cried together, prayed for one another (a lot!). We've known the same hurts over and over from not being able to have children on our own to going through the adoption process together. Nobody knows unless you've been there what it feels like to have to walk away leaving part of your heart in Guatemala after those visit trips and we even got to share that part. Just some more ways the Lord has blessed us on this journey. We have shared so much in this process and it is very important to us both to have Levi and Isaac remain close as they grow up and know where they come from. You have to keep in mind they act and think they are brothers I am sure. They have been together since they were 1 day old and only been apart when each of us visited and when Levi was in the hospital. We knew they were close but, didn't get the real impact of it all until we saw them together on our trip and boy was it something to see... priceless! Levi and Isaac both are so loved already! Levi has even gained a mamaw Kay along the way! Kay is Nancy's mom, Isaac's mamaw, and like my mom she is a prayer warrior! We're blessed to ahve come to know her along the way too, she is the sweetest lady!
Anyway, just wanted to thank the Lord today for ALL the blesssings He's sent our way through this process. Of course, I could never thank everyone of you personally for all the prayers, gifts and emails that have brought me this far but, please know we are so appreciative for it all. My own parents have done more than I could repay them for but, they know from the bottom of my heart how much it has meant to Steve and I both. Basically, they made all this possible with the Lord's blessings on them too this past year. Although this sounds like some farwell post, it is NOT. I am not done by a long shot just reflecting today that is all. - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)