Who can focus on work?

How can I focus on anything other than "Kennedy is coming home!". I have this list of things constantly running through my head. I started keeping a notepad with me at all times so when I think of something to take along to Guatemala, I jot it down so I don't forget. I think we are set with all of Kennedy's things be packed. I can't forget to get the stroller out of the car.....see another item for my list! I have pretty much planned out my wardrobe in my head, but I haven't actually packed anything for me yet. And so it begins...life where others needs will always come before mine.

Brit and I went to celebrate Kennedy's homecoming on Saturday night at Casa Sanchez, a Mexican restaurant in Selinsgrove. It is not quite Guatemala, but - hey - they border Guatemala! We had a nice time and ran into my second cousin and her soon to be husband. It was nice seeing them in person again and being able to share well wishes with one another.

On Sunday we had an interesting "invitation making" session at my house. Printing off invites for Kennedy's home coming party/baby shower. My mom, aunt Trudy, Mama, and I had fun trying to assemble the invites. Some how we got it all taken care of. Now we just need to get everyone's addresses to actually send them out!

Well, today is Monday. This means I only have three more days until we are with Kennedy forever! (Or as Brit puts it, "Three days and a wake up.") On any given week, Fridays can never seem to get here fast enough. This week, I want it to come at warp speed!

My Water Broke!

I could smell PINK…it was in the air. We finally got a response to an email today. The embassy confirmed that they received everything and that I should get an email within the next two days telling us we are PINK. Brit and I stopped at the grocery store to pick up items to make for supper. A s we walked right into the bakery section it was PINK-A-PA-LOOZA! They had all of these cakes, cookies, cup cakes, etc. decorated in PINK icing. I looked at Brit and said, "This is a sign from God. We are getting one of those cakes!" When we got home, Brit called the Embassy. The woman he spoke with confirmed what the email had told us. She said they are currently scheduling appointments for4/21/08. We then both felt a little relief and finished making supper. It was a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l day today so we decided to make beef shish-ka-bobs on the grill. After we were finished eating, I checked me email again. I yelled for Brit who was still in the kitchen…we got something! There is was…our “PINK” email had arrived! It is called a “Pink Slip” because before they started emailing you with an appointment date, they would give the information to your attorney on a bright pink piece of paper.

We immediately started calling everyone to share our news! Our appointment is 4/21/08. We are making travel arrangements and will be arriving in Guatemala City on 4/18 and will be returning home 4/23. This week was so difficult. I cried so much waiting for this email to arrive. After all, we thought we would have received this email on Monday - at the latest! When I was talking with my cousin Heidi she asked, “So did you just burst into tears when you got the email?” At first I couldn’t remember and then I said, “No. I was just so happy I started smiling and laughing!” I was just “cried out” from the emotionally exhausting week. Mamma stopped in and we grabbed a bottle of champagne out of the fridge and had a toast to Kennedy Marguerite. Tomorrow night we are going out to dinner somewhere to celebrate!

Thank you all for your prayers and support. As always, we NEVER could have gotten through this without you!

I’m Going Nucking Futs!

I feel like I am trapped in some type of Adoption Purgatory. Caught between two worlds – adoption in process and home forever! Am I being punished for something? I did want to learn more Spanish before our pick up trip. Hablo Espanol! Hablo Espanol! I am screaming at the top of my lungs and no one can hear me.

I have emailed the embassy twice at two different email addresses and…nothing. When I press the “send” button I actually think I hear crickets chirping in the background. (You know…like on cartoons.) Do they even have crickets in Guatemala?

Many people have been offering us parenting advice. A lot have said, “Just wait, she’ll test your patience even more when you get her home.” Maybe that is why we are going through this now. Kennedy is preparing us for these future dialogues:
“But the puppy likes to eat it.”
“That is what all the other girls are wearing.”
“He is only two years older then I am.”
“But you have a tattoo!”

Hmm…come to think of it. Maybe this is the easy part. Brit is being more productive then I am. He is calling both of our Senators’ offices. The lab that processes the DNA results is also sending another copy of the results to the Embassy. Let’s hope today is the day we get out of the Adoption Purgatory!

I am on the ledge...

The Internet is not all that it is cracked up to be. I did a little searching and found on one adoption sight a few families that had 2nd DNA taken a day after ours and they already have their embassy appointment. I know I should be happy for them, their babies will be home forever next week. I just can't help but feel sorry for myself, Brit, and Kennedy. Why is this part of the process taking so long? It just feels like it is never going to happen. I am in a funk. I am just not myself. I feel so withdrawn and distant. I just spoke with Brit on the phone. I didn't even feel like talking...I just wanted to hear his voice. Will our PINK ever come?!?!?!?!?

Still Waiting...

We are still waiting on word about our embassy appointment. I really hope I find out today. I really started getting anxious last Thursday. I have an obsession with my email...I have to check it all the time. I try to wait an hour before I check it again, but I am rarely able to wait that long.

We received the lab results in the mail on Saturday. We were in Pittsburgh, so we didn't actually open them until we returned on Sunday. When Brit went for the mail, he came in and said, "We got something from Lab Corp". "Open them quick", I exclaimed. "There will be a photo of Kennedy inside!" Sure enough, there was a Polaroid of Kennedy from the day they took the DNA test (3/24/08). "Oh my goodness...look at that hair," I giggled. To my amazement, she has even more hair. It was pulled up on top of her head in two pigtails. She was sitting up on an exam table with her foster mother holding onto her little hand to support/stabilize her. She is wearing one of the little outfits we had sent down previously.

I looked up into Brit's eyes and we were both renewed with excitement. We will find out this week when she is coming home.....maybe even yet today! I need a date soon, or I am going to go mad.

I need to share that a dear friend, an advocate for children, and a champion of their education passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2008. Dixie Hunter, who I served on the Juniata County School Board with, lost her battle with lung cancer. She was someone I looked up to and was a true mentor to me. We met when I was only 24 years old. She taught me so much. She will be missed by so many. Please keep her family in your prayers. She leaves behind a husband, sisters, and parents who loved her dearly.

Waiting for PINK!

We are hoping to be PINK by the end of the week! We received word from Carol on Monday evening that the results from our second DNA test were a positive match. Just waiting for the Embassy to send us an email regarding our appointment date. I am really, really hoping it is the week of April 14th! I can't wait much longer! All I can think about is checking my email, and I do that CONSTANTLY!

The Seigler side of the family had a baby shower for me on Sunday. We received some wonderful gifts and now our entire home (not just Kennedy's nursery) is ready for her arrival. Brit spent two hours putting the Exer Saucer together. I told him, "This is what Christmas will be like from now on."