After talking to Lourdes today, we found out that our pre-approval was picked up at the embassy and our file was being reviewed by her before being submitted to PGN. She told us that our file was somehow missing Chris' Washington State police clearance (which we have, it just wasn't there) and photos of our family, house, job, etc. which we mailed to Robert, our agent months ago. Don't ask me how one or two things can somehow just be missing. This is how families get kicked out of PGN however so at least we know our file is being reviewed well ahead of time. Anyway, the story is that Robert is mailing these items tomorrow Fed Ex however they won't arrive to Guatemala to Lourdes until Friday. If they arrive in time, Lourdes will bring our completed file and submit it to PGN. If it arrives too late, we'll have to wait to be submitted on Monday, July 30th. Lourdes also said that in two weeks (around August 14th), she will check on our file in PGN to find out if we'll be getting kicked out for something else that they may have missed. If she finds out that we won't have a "previo" (kick out), then we've been told it could just be 4 more weeks after that to get approval (6 weeks in all). You never can trust dates you hear though because of course, it will be out of her hands at that point and in the hands of PGN officials. If they see an error in translation we could get kicked out. Please continue crossing your fingers. If this timeline in fact happens, I may rethink about returning home. I would love to stay, of course with Blake, but at this point we have to wait to see if we get kicked out or not. Without kick outs, this could be our timeline to final approval. Anyway, let's move on to a new subject. How about we talk about some of the things we see here every day that is completely different than the US! There are so many, so I'll begin listing them (these I will call the "Top Ten of Antigua"):
1. Babies ride on motorcycles along with their entire family (baby is usually in front of dad and mom in back of dad so it often looks like baby is driving)
2. Fresh meat (literally just sliced off the cow) is always available and sold at the market unrefrigerated -includes flies if you ask
3. Human feces is covered up by a white substance so people are more aware of what they're walking in on the sidewalks
4. Women breastfeed openly (I mean this literally) - breast hanging out and baby hanging on
5. Men ride bikes on bumpy cobblestone roads (this has got to hurt)
6. People carry furniture (sometimes larger than themselves) on their backs for miles - women carry baskets with goods on their backs sometimes while at the same time carrying a child of 5 years of age on their back and four other children in tow
7. Random blasts throughout the day and night (we're not sure if they're fireworks, guns??)
8. Armed guards no older than 18 at times, stand in front of every bank and will not smile no matter what to show their brut power
9. Psychedelic chicken buses dominate the streets and yell "Guate, Guate!!" as they go by (meaning they are headed to Guatemala City)
10. There are no traffic lights and rarely a traffic sign therefore, traffic is a game of its own. If you're hit, oh well!
Actually, I don't mean to make light of any of this. It is quite an experience being here every day. These are just some of the things that make me smile as I cruise by with my baby who thinks nothing of it!!
The people here continue to be the kindest people I've ever met. They are genuine, helpful and work so hard for their families just to survive every day. It makes you realize how good we have it in the U.S. Did you know that 1 in 4 children die here every day because their families can't afford the medicine at the hospitals needed to keep them alive? I may have already mentioned this. It breaks my heart. You want to help them all and hand them all money. If you ever feel like donating to a good cause, please donate to a family or child in Guatemala. I know other countries are needy as well, but this country will always hold a soft place in my heart. I want to take 4 children back with me, but I know this is not possible. Still awaiting Auntie Melaine's arrival! We can't wait to introduce her to the top 10 of Antigua!! By the way, the picture of the two women together are Blake's foster mothers who are sisters (Rocio and Karina). They are amazing. They have given nothing but love and care to Blake. They love him as their own. The other lady holding Blake is Virginia, the housekeeper of our house. Oh, there's one more lady with long curly hair holding Blake. I met her the other day at the market. She was from Honduras and here doing business. She adored Blake and quickly swooped him into her arms! His new name is "coqueto" which means flirt in Spanish! Can't you tell from all of the women holding him! He's only 5 months and they can't keep their hands off of him! What will we do when he's 17?!!! Thank you all for the thoughtful and reassuring comments. I love to read them every day. You have all been so supportive and wonderful.
1. Babies ride on motorcycles along with their entire family (baby is usually in front of dad and mom in back of dad so it often looks like baby is driving)
2. Fresh meat (literally just sliced off the cow) is always available and sold at the market unrefrigerated -includes flies if you ask
3. Human feces is covered up by a white substance so people are more aware of what they're walking in on the sidewalks
4. Women breastfeed openly (I mean this literally) - breast hanging out and baby hanging on
5. Men ride bikes on bumpy cobblestone roads (this has got to hurt)
6. People carry furniture (sometimes larger than themselves) on their backs for miles - women carry baskets with goods on their backs sometimes while at the same time carrying a child of 5 years of age on their back and four other children in tow
7. Random blasts throughout the day and night (we're not sure if they're fireworks, guns??)
8. Armed guards no older than 18 at times, stand in front of every bank and will not smile no matter what to show their brut power
9. Psychedelic chicken buses dominate the streets and yell "Guate, Guate!!" as they go by (meaning they are headed to Guatemala City)
10. There are no traffic lights and rarely a traffic sign therefore, traffic is a game of its own. If you're hit, oh well!
Actually, I don't mean to make light of any of this. It is quite an experience being here every day. These are just some of the things that make me smile as I cruise by with my baby who thinks nothing of it!!
The people here continue to be the kindest people I've ever met. They are genuine, helpful and work so hard for their families just to survive every day. It makes you realize how good we have it in the U.S. Did you know that 1 in 4 children die here every day because their families can't afford the medicine at the hospitals needed to keep them alive? I may have already mentioned this. It breaks my heart. You want to help them all and hand them all money. If you ever feel like donating to a good cause, please donate to a family or child in Guatemala. I know other countries are needy as well, but this country will always hold a soft place in my heart. I want to take 4 children back with me, but I know this is not possible. Still awaiting Auntie Melaine's arrival! We can't wait to introduce her to the top 10 of Antigua!! By the way, the picture of the two women together are Blake's foster mothers who are sisters (Rocio and Karina). They are amazing. They have given nothing but love and care to Blake. They love him as their own. The other lady holding Blake is Virginia, the housekeeper of our house. Oh, there's one more lady with long curly hair holding Blake. I met her the other day at the market. She was from Honduras and here doing business. She adored Blake and quickly swooped him into her arms! His new name is "coqueto" which means flirt in Spanish! Can't you tell from all of the women holding him! He's only 5 months and they can't keep their hands off of him! What will we do when he's 17?!!! Thank you all for the thoughtful and reassuring comments. I love to read them every day. You have all been so supportive and wonderful.
1 comments:
He is such a happy baby Lara! I just love getting the updates and pictures from you. I know each decision you make is a hard one but you are doing so well at remaining strong and following your gut. I think meeting the birth mother is a great idea if that is what you decide. She probably just wants to see her baby in safe hands. You are so warm and welcoming that once she sees you she will know this is true. Whatever decision you make is the right one however. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and so is my mom. Keep being strong and I can't wait to meet your little son in person!
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