May 14th, 2008 Gotcha Day

GOTCHA DAY

Today I went to the embassy to finalize the paperwork. Our morning consisted of a few quick interviews and lots of waiting in a crowded, hot, room! We were very bored and Dawson was busy doing everything she could do! I now have to go back to tomorrow to pick up her visa and passport. In the one picture with my dad, we are headed to the pool. She does not like him at all yet. It is not uncommon for these children to be afraid of men. She is leaning out as far as she can to get away from him! Dawson has decided to not take a nap at all. She prefers playing with paper and our room key. The pool and the bathtub remain sore subjects with her....she screams! Tonight we are headed out to dinner with our friends from Guatemala. Tomorrow, our friend is taking us to Antigua! Hope all is well at home!

SHE'S MINE!!!!

Sorry for waiting so long to post!!! Internet connection is not the same and they have been working on it all night! On to todays news....Dawson's foster family came today and it was very difficult for them. She is their last foster child and boy are they attached. They were wonderful people and took amazing care of her. Dawson is happy, smiles but hates her bath!!! Enough words...enjoy the pictures! Kellie

MAY 7, 2008

SHE'S COMING HOME! WE ARE LEAVING ON TUESDAY, EMBASSY APPOINTMENT ON WEDNESDAY AND WILL BE BACK FRIDAY NIGHT!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET OUR NEW AMERICAN CITIZEN!!

April 29, 2008

Dawson's DNA is in the USA as of April 25th. It takes approx. 5-7 business days to complete the test and then it is Fedexed back to Guatemala City. After about 48 hours of its arrival, I will get an email with my embassy date. The day I get my embassy date is what is considered being "PINK" in the adoption world. Looks to me like I might travel mid May?

April 14, 2008

Wow! Unexpected pictures just appeared in my email! It's hard to believe how big she is and of course how cute she is too! Looks like she is thinking about walking! Last week, I received her birth certificate and passport in two days instead of the usual 2-3 weeks. This means things are really moving along. No complaining here! Looks like I will be traveling sooner than I thought! I will keep you posted!

April 9, 2008

I've been so excited I almost forgot I had a blog. My loyal blog followers have been emailing me reminding me to update them! Sorry about that! My official adoption decree was picked up on Friday, April 4. This officially names her "Dawson Mariela O'Hara." Today I have an email from the attorney submitting this decree for a new birth certificate from her birth town of San Marcos, San Marcos, Guatemala. (town, province, country) It's a little ways out of Guatemala City. My attorney has to drive it there and then we wait for it to be changed. This usually takes a few weeks depending on the town. That's all the news for now.

APRIL 2, 2008

I GOT A CALL TODAY AT 2:00....WE ARE OUT OF PGN!!! We are very, very lucky that we were never kicked out. She has been quite an unusual case for my agency! What next you ask? WELL....we now wait for the week notice to travel to attend her embassy appointment. My estimated time frame for travel is 4-8 weeks. These next few weeks she gets a new birth certificate, a passport, a physical and a final DNA test to make sure she is the same baby. The craziness has officially begun!!!