Keeping Things in Perspective

Well, we didn't receive our "pink slip" today. However, we are very confident that it will come tomorrow. As I was searching the internet for a gift for Gabriela's foster mom, I came across a poem that had this wonderful line:

Even though I didn't give you life, Life Gave Me You.

We are so thankful that we have been led down the path of adoption. Even though Gabriela is not quite in our arms forever, we are truly Blessed that she will be so very soon.

All Our Love,

Joe & Tara

Ready for Gabriela

Gabriela's room is coming together! An important piece of Gabriela's room is missing right now - a rocking chair that my Dad made for us. The seat is currently getting upholstered, so I will post pictures when it is done. It is beautiful and will make a great place for lots of snuggling and bedtime stories.

We should receive our "pink slip" on Wednesday, so check back then for our upcoming pick-up trip details. We can hardly wait!

Have a great week,

Joe & Tara

More Gabi Pics!

Hi all,

These were taken Monday when she had her DNA test done. Looks like that beautiful brown hair is growing back -- yea!

Tara

We're Getting Closer!

Gabriela's Guatemalan passport was issued last Friday. We have a scanned copy of it and it is very cute. It's funny to see such an important document with a little baby's picture on it!

The 2nd DNA test was done today. The samples were sent via FedEx to a lab in the US and are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday. It usually takes another week for the results to get FedExed back to the US Embassy in Guatemala and for them to issue our "pink slip." The pink slip will tell us the exact date and time that we have to be there for our Embassy and Visa appointments.

We cannot wait to bring her home! Her room is just about done. I'll post pictures later this week!

Love,
Joe & Tara

We have Gabriela's Birth Certificate!

Mixco issued Gabriela's birth certificate today! We were very worried that this process would take another 30 working days, but they have come through for us! Praise the Lord! Her Guatemalan passport will be issued tomorrow. The 2nd DNA test will be done on Monday. Then, we wait for the US Embassy to issue our "pink slip." This will tell us the date and time of her Embassy appointment to issue her Visa.

We are thinking about traveling around the 17th of March and staying in Antigua for Holy Week and Easter. We have heard that it is an unbelievable time. Let's just hope we can get a hotel room during this busy time!

Thanks for checking in on us! We are so excited!
Joe & Tara

Hurry Up & Wait...again.

Hello ~

We received news yesterday that Gabriela's birth certificate may take a little longer to get than expected. Worse case scenario -- 30 working days. Ugh. My heart breaks again. Our lawyer and agency are confident that they can get it sooner and based on their past history, they will. Keep us in your prayers. We will let everyone know when we know anything. As soon as the birth certificate is secured, the rest should be fairly prescriptive and quick.

Thanks for checking in on us,
Joe & Tara

New Gabi Pics!

Gabi went in for her doctor's appoinment on Monday! She is over 16 pounds now and almost 26 inches tall! The doctor said she is very healthy and her hip feels good. You can tell in one of the pictures that she has her little brace on. We hope that it is working, so she can avoid going in the cast once she gets home! We worried about her hair loss, but after a little research, have come to the conclusion that most babies lose all of their hair that they were born with before they are 6 months old. We just hope it comes back quick because it is going to be cold when she comes home to Colorado! We are very thankful that she is so healthy. She will be 5 months old on the 25th of February.

Joe & Tara