My journey to Charlotte: Today is...

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Today is...

Forever Day. For many in the adoption world, they refer to this special day as "Gotcha Day". I chose to go with "Forever Family Day". It was one year ago today in Guatemala in the lobby of the Casa Serena that Charlotte was placed in my arms FOREVER!!!! It is hard to believe it's been a year. But what a wonderful year it's been. I put a collage picture together of "Then and Now's" for you to see. She really was a baby when she came home at one year old and now at two she's truly a toddler. (the pix of the two of us in the "now" row were taken yesterday)

I just can not imagine my life without her!!! She really and truly is a gift from God!!!

Happy Forever Day, Charli!!! I love you, mama.

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Timeline

April 2007
* Mailed initial application

July 2007
* Home Study done

August 2007
* Fingerprints done
* 18th Leticia Alvarez Lopez born

September 2007
* I-171H

October 2007
* paper ready, but wait listed for referral
*due to another adoption friend found out about Leticia
* Accepted referral of Leticia (to be named Charlotte)
* Changed agencies to complete adoption (DeColores)

December 2007
* DNA done
* cleared family court
* entered PGN 12/28

January 2008
* KO for no Pre-Approval (PA)

February 2008
* Got PA 2/27

March 2008
* should be resubmitted to PGN
* Guatemalan Government closed for Holy week 3/18 - 3/25

* Called PGN 3/26 NOT resubmitted, should be next week

April 2008
* 4/1/08 email from Tracey and DeColores - I'm back in PGN
* 4/28 /08 the BIG meeting at PGN

May 2008
* 5/8/08 first Birth Mother interviews conducted
*5/15/08 Heard from my facilitator my BM interview is scheduled for Tuesday 5/20
* 5/20/08 BM Interview completed

June 2008
* 6/2/08 Previo for missing signature
*6/3/08 Attorney has meeting at PGN to get file back in
*6/4/08 resubmitted to PGN :-)
*6/4/08 Previo for updated employment letter
-- did letter and am overnighting to courier service to take to GT Consulate in Chicago
*6/10/08 Document authenticated at Consulate and now received by my facilitator, will be sent FedEx to attorney in GT for translation and authentication
* 6/19-23 /08 Not sure of exact date but was re-submitted to PGN

July 2008
*7/23/08 OUT-approved from PGN!!!!

August 2008
* 8/1/08 KO of Mixco, but resubmitted
*8/6 - 8/8 Man in charge of signing off on BC out sick
**** 8/12/08 BC is done****
*8/14/08 "orange" - DNA taken
*8/20/08 Confirmed DNA at Intelligenetics Lab
*8/28/08 DNA left lab and I have the tracking number!!

September 2008
*9/2/08 DNA report at USE and copy received at home (along with a current picture!!!)
*9/3/08 PINK notice received!!!!
*9/7/08 leave for Guatemala
*9/8/08 Charlotte in my arms forever
*9/9/08 Embassy appointment
*9/10/08 pick up Visa
*9/12/08 Hurricane Ike stalls us in Guatemala
*9/13/08 FINALLY Home!!!!

November 2008
*11/9/2008 Baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

December 2008
*****12/23/2008***** Court date, adoption finalized and new birth certificate issued by State of Wisconsin!!!!

Adoption Short hand

BC = Birth Certificate
BM = Birth Mother
CA = Central Authority (new after Hague law)
CoC = Certificate of Citizenship
CR = Civil Registry (local government)
DoS = Department of State
FC = Family Court
FM = Foster Mother
GT = Guatemala
HS = Home Study
I171H = approval of I600A
I600A = USCIS application
Orange = authorization for 2nd DNA test
PA = Pre- Approval letter from US Embassy
PAP = Prospective Adoptive Parent
PGN = Procuraduria General de la Nacion ( big court, like our Attorney General)
Pink = paperwork in good order and appointment at USE is scheduled (usually travel for pick-up in 2 weeks)
POA = Power of Attorney
tbn = to be named
USCIS = US Citizen and Immigration Services
USE = US Embassy