Stalking FedEx

Where oh, where is my DNA???? Oh, there it is. On the FedEx truck in Guatemala City. So why then does FedEx not update their site very often???? I just checked (10:45PM) and the most recent tracking post is from 2:14PM that it was at the GT Facility. It had been cleared for delivery at 12:14PM.

At least I know it's there. I also emailed the USE. They have all of my file and it is in good order. They have my name, case number and know that the DNA, if not delivered today by 5:30 will be there right away Tuesday. Come on FedEx guy!!!!!

I think I'll have my "PINK" by Thursday 9/4 at the latest. And as usual, I'll keep you posted.

sara

DNA on it's Way

I emailed off and on today with Ines at Intelligenetics Lab in South Carolina. I wanted to see if she could use my FedEx or UPS account so that she could send it the fastest possible international overnight option available. She was able to do this. I also inquired of another adoptive parent from my agency. Her daughter's DNA was received at the lab one day after Charlotte's. I asked that if hers was done to please include it in the envelope as well. So, both of us are now stalking the same FedEx envelope. I did of course just check and it is en-route. It could arrive as fast as tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping and praying this is the case.

It is not usually the case that the DNA arrives at USE and they issue the "PINK" slip the same day.(on a rare occassion it has happened) PINK's are usually done the next business day or two. However, I of course have hit another snag - Labor Day. The USE will be closed on Monday. That's why I really want the DNA there tomorrow. If it doesn't get there until Tuesday the soonest I go PINK is Wednesday 9/3. Any way I look at it, I'm thinking that my appointment at the USE will be sometime between 9/9 -9/12. I am hoping for sooner rather than later. Of course, I'll keep you posted as things keep moving along!!!

She will be in my arms "forever" very soon.

sara

thankful

I emailed Ines at Intelligenetics Lab yesterday. When the DNA results are being shipped out she will give me the FedEx tracking number so I can become a FedEx stalker. However, today I had to take a moment to be thankful for just how far I am in this process. Below is an excerpt from an email I got today from my agencies forum moderator:

I have just been made aware of a very sad, frustrating, heartbreaking situation that may be impacting one of the members of this list: during a recent birth mother interview, a BM was pressured into reclaiming her child with the promise of financial aide until the child reaches 18 years of age. After the interview, the BM was shaking visably, so no telling what other tactics were used in the coersion!! Now, we all know the state of Guatemalan social services, that there is NO money of this kind to back up this promise, which underscores the evil behind it! The agency is currently trying to hire a panel of attys to fight this, but in the meantime, I'm asking for your prayers and support for this child - who has been torn from a loving foster home and is now in a state run orphanage awaiting judgement by the court of minors - and for the AP who must be in torment over this! If she is on this list (and I don't know that she is or is not), I hope she knows we all stand with her, support her, pray for her and this child, and know that "there, but by the grace of God, go I!

I know that my caseworker has all of the attorneys she works with aiding in this situation. I am very thankful I am well beyond this phase and that it is just days before I get my "pink" slip. Please keep this family in your prayers.

DNA at the lab

I got confirmation today from the lab, Intelligenetics, that they have received Charlotte's sample. It was being typed into the system as I was talking to Inez. They won't guarantee anything faster than a week, but I am hoping and praying that they are done with it by Friday and that it goes out no later than next Monday 8/25/08. The thing I have to remember and remind everyone is that "overnight" in the USA means overnight, but when dealing internationally, it means 1-3 business days. Please keep praying for me. I'd love to have one step of this process actually go FAST!!!! But I do know that I am that much closer to bringing her home.

Sara

Another step closer

I am in Ames, Iowa for a work function. I rode down with mom and dad and after checking into our hotel rooms, we went out to grab some dinner. As I was leaving the restaurant, my cell phone rang. It was my caseworker. She said, "I'm looking at a copy of a birth certificate that says, Leticia Wenzel." Oh, my God!!! It really is starting to slowly sink in. She also said she has my "orange" slip. Charlotte's DNA test is set for tomorrow morning at 8:30AM!!!! I can hardly believe this. It's been such a long time in coming. I am hoping and praying that the lab processes this in record breaking time - Can you blame me???

I promise I'll keep you posted as each new step is achieved. Thanks for your support.

sara

She's a Wenzel!!!!

My caseworker called me this afternoon to tell me that Rocorio (pronounced rose-are-ee-oh, she's my attorney's daughter) was just called to go to Mixco to pick up my file. She told me not to get too excited until she had it in her hands. Rocorio would call her later tonight to verify and she'd call me. Well at about 7:20PM she did call me back. She said, "you can scream." I said, "what?" And again she said, "you can scream. You have a birth certificate." I did. I am still in shock.

I spent nearly all of the last three hours on the phone. I called my mom, Eric, dad, Maureen and Jane and then Angie. It hasn't really sunk in yet. Angie said it didnt' for her either until she landed in Guatemala. No, I'm not leaving yet.

Here's what's next:
BC and passport are delivered to the USE tomorrow

Issued "orange" slip for 2nd DNA
this will probably be done by Thursday 8/14/08

DNA then goes to the lab that ran her first test for verification and is then sent back to the USE

USE gets 2nd DNA results and then issues "pink" slip
VISA appointment is on the "pink" slip usually scheduled 1 week later

So, I think we will be heading off to pick Charlotte up sometime the week of 8/25 or so. Again, I thank you for all the prayers, love and support. Bringing her home truly has been a journey I won't soon forget.

sara

All you can do is laugh

Seriously if there's something that can go wrong it does for me. My caseworker emailed me with an update. The new BC was NOT done today as the only person at the CR in Mixco (yes there is only one, just like there was only one at PGN) who signs off was out sick today!!!!! But on the positive side, my attorney has all the translations, except the BC done. Once she picks it up and hopefully that will be tomorrow morning, the BC can be translated right away and then it's off to the USE. So, what can I do but laugh?!? It's not funny but in a warped way, I guess it is. Here's to tomorrow and some GOOD news.

sara

Another bump in the road.....

I talked to my facilitator this morning. First there was the sudden and untimely death of a well known and respected attorney in Guatemala last week. That took my attorney and many others out of commission for a few days. And then the CR of Mixco issued a previo on my file. (I have no idea what it was for but I do know it was a small simple error). The previo has been corrected and was resubmitted yesterday afternoon. Supposedly if all goes well, the new BC should/could be picked up tomorrow. Then off to the Embassy for the DNA. This probably cost me about a week. Being in Guatemala for Charli's first birthday is going to be tough unless I want to go well ahead of my potential appointment. I'll know more once the BC is picked up and the DNA is actually done.

Eric happened to call in on his way home from a mini-vacation (much needed). He thinks that as far as this adoption goes, I've been pretty unlucky. In some ways maybe I have been. But in the grand scheme of international adoption it's been pretty fast. I really would like for one step of this process to go fast and smooth. Maybe the DNA will be that step.

Keep praying for us.

Nursery

Well, as promised, I am attaching some pix of the nursery. This one is of Emma the day she came over and helped paint the flowers. And this is one of "her" flowers. (I have a couple pix to hang but they are being framed and a butterfly from the ceiling along with the crib mobile.) But for the most part the nursery is ready. And if I do say so myself, I think it turned out pretty darn cute. Thanks Dad for helping with the paint and the crib. Thanks to Emma for her help. A big thanks to Carrie for the crib and another really big thanks to Juli for the bedding. What a lucky little girl Charlotte is to already have so many people who care about her.

sara