Spoiler Alert:
We have Visas.
After 15 hours of driving in the last two days...we have the coolest looking passport stamp thing I've ever seen. Seriously....for those who have got the Visa stamp, doesn't it just look cool?
Our visa task was kicked off when we got our plane tickets, shortly after we overnighted a key letter to Raleigh to have it apostilled.
While this has been typically a very quick process, there was a delay, and on Monday of this week Andi called the state to ask the question first postulated by Marvin Gaye, "Hey, what's going on?" They said they didn't have the documents at all, and even though it was signed for, they didn't have any record of our request. We got 2 new copies of the letter on Monday night, notarized, then I was off to Raleigh on Tuesday. Upon arriving in Raleigh (without expanding too much), I was told again that they had no record of our documents, and that the letters I brought wouldn't work. Andrea explained this to the consulate, who said we'd be fine with just a notarized copy when applying in person. Live and learn we thought...I drove home....went to work....to come home to find....the copies of the letters sent back, fully completed, by the state. Wow. I do have some perspective a day later, but if I would written about this yesterday, this would read more like an episode of HBO's Deadwood.
The drive to Hotlanta today was a joy. A chance to test drive our van, see how far you can really drive once the LCD screen reads '0 miles to empty', and just a chance for us to dialogue about our thoughts, hopes, and fears with all that is going on.
The employees at the consulate couldn't be nicer. They asked to see pics of our boys, the paperwork was in perfect order....Andrea has been the organizational queen (did you really think I would play a part in that...)...and we hit the road, visas in hand, and got her home for her work & friends shower tonight.
2 more days to go...we HOPE we have solutions for both dogs....lots of loose ends to tie down.....sigh!
Well folks....I think these guys said it best...
We're leaving together
but still it's farewell....
.......will things ever be the same again?
It's the final countdown.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Calm...er....Storm before the Storm.
Just a quick note as we come up for air....
So, we travel in 8 days. Still no visas, still waiting on documents from Raleigh (the Observer doesn't lie...they really do hate Charlotte), still trying to finish the boys' room. At some point I'm going to put the 73rd coat of paint on the room. Going from lavender to orange requires a primer, Andrea and I disagreed, and I of course was wrong.
There is constant movement; constant action in the house. It's like a season of 24; only more violent.
People keep asking me if I'm excited, and I've said I really don't have time to be excited. There is an overwhelming joy of knowing all of this is leading to the moment we meet our sons, but the stress and panic of details like the visa situation, and tying up our respective jobs, is hanging heavy on both our hearts.
Thanks so much to family members who have helped overwhelmingly with donations. We are stunned and overjoyed to feel so loved.
It feels like we are in a raging sea right now, and I know things will certainly be no calmer when are with the boys...but by then, we'll be with the boys, ya know? But for now, were getting tossed around like the boat in The Perfect Storm, but that movie ended up okay right?.....Right?
So, we travel in 8 days. Still no visas, still waiting on documents from Raleigh (the Observer doesn't lie...they really do hate Charlotte), still trying to finish the boys' room. At some point I'm going to put the 73rd coat of paint on the room. Going from lavender to orange requires a primer, Andrea and I disagreed, and I of course was wrong.
There is constant movement; constant action in the house. It's like a season of 24; only more violent.
People keep asking me if I'm excited, and I've said I really don't have time to be excited. There is an overwhelming joy of knowing all of this is leading to the moment we meet our sons, but the stress and panic of details like the visa situation, and tying up our respective jobs, is hanging heavy on both our hearts.
Thanks so much to family members who have helped overwhelmingly with donations. We are stunned and overjoyed to feel so loved.
It feels like we are in a raging sea right now, and I know things will certainly be no calmer when are with the boys...but by then, we'll be with the boys, ya know? But for now, were getting tossed around like the boat in The Perfect Storm, but that movie ended up okay right?.....Right?
Saturday, June 21, 2008
FAQs
We have been getting so many questions, I thought it might be fun and helpful to do a "frequently asked questions" post. So here goes:
Q: Is your house ready for three little ones?
A: Umm...nowhere near, but we are working on it!
Q: How's your Spanish?
A: Probably not much better than the boys English, but we are working on that too. No seriously, we aren't fluent, but we do know some. Just how much will truly be put to the test upon our arrival in Bogota!
Q: Are you registered anywhere?
A: Yes. Target.
Q: What size clothes do the boys wear?
A: They are teeny tiny for their age (overcoming severe neglect, malnutrition and sicknesses when they were infants), so we are estimating that the twins (Luis and Daniel) are about a 3T and Carlos is probably about a 4/5 or XS - even that may be baggy.
Q: How are you all feeling?
A: Elated and freaked out at the same time.
Q: How can we help?
A: This is the best question of all, and we might finally have an answer. We are contemplating having a work day next Saturday to wrap up some house and yard projects that need to be done. If you are interested in helping out, please email me at andrealwe@yahoo.com. Oh and we need a fish sitter - any takers?
Q: How can we pray for you?
A: Keep praying for "shalom in the home". Stress makes me nuts and there is a lot of pressure to prepare the house, prepare to leave our jobs, our dogs, etc... But most of all, please pray for the boys. We know that our lives are about to be flipped upside down and in many ways have been preparing for this for four years, but our boys did not ask for any of this. And though the paperwork says that they sort of understand what is about to happen to them, there is no way that they can truly be prepared for the fact that we are about to take them away from all that they have known for the last three years (for good or for bad). Although our intentions are good, I am still feeling incredibly selfish that we are putting them through the trauma of completely changing their lives. Pray that we will bond as a family and that their transition will be as smooth as possible.
Again, I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us and continues to support us. I also want to give a HUGE shout out to the "family" we have made through others' adoption experiences and experiences to come. It has made the wait more bearable to know that we are not alone in this journey. I look forward to now sharing the parenting experiences that we will all have as adoptive parents. Oh and that brings me to the best story of all...When we were purchasing our plane tickets at the airport, the rep called me "Mom" and that melted my heart! Finally, I have wanted that title for so long...
Q: Is your house ready for three little ones?
A: Umm...nowhere near, but we are working on it!
Q: How's your Spanish?
A: Probably not much better than the boys English, but we are working on that too. No seriously, we aren't fluent, but we do know some. Just how much will truly be put to the test upon our arrival in Bogota!
Q: Are you registered anywhere?
A: Yes. Target.
Q: What size clothes do the boys wear?
A: They are teeny tiny for their age (overcoming severe neglect, malnutrition and sicknesses when they were infants), so we are estimating that the twins (Luis and Daniel) are about a 3T and Carlos is probably about a 4/5 or XS - even that may be baggy.
Q: How are you all feeling?
A: Elated and freaked out at the same time.
Q: How can we help?
A: This is the best question of all, and we might finally have an answer. We are contemplating having a work day next Saturday to wrap up some house and yard projects that need to be done. If you are interested in helping out, please email me at andrealwe@yahoo.com. Oh and we need a fish sitter - any takers?
Q: How can we pray for you?
A: Keep praying for "shalom in the home". Stress makes me nuts and there is a lot of pressure to prepare the house, prepare to leave our jobs, our dogs, etc... But most of all, please pray for the boys. We know that our lives are about to be flipped upside down and in many ways have been preparing for this for four years, but our boys did not ask for any of this. And though the paperwork says that they sort of understand what is about to happen to them, there is no way that they can truly be prepared for the fact that we are about to take them away from all that they have known for the last three years (for good or for bad). Although our intentions are good, I am still feeling incredibly selfish that we are putting them through the trauma of completely changing their lives. Pray that we will bond as a family and that their transition will be as smooth as possible.
Again, I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us and continues to support us. I also want to give a HUGE shout out to the "family" we have made through others' adoption experiences and experiences to come. It has made the wait more bearable to know that we are not alone in this journey. I look forward to now sharing the parenting experiences that we will all have as adoptive parents. Oh and that brings me to the best story of all...When we were purchasing our plane tickets at the airport, the rep called me "Mom" and that melted my heart! Finally, I have wanted that title for so long...
Friday, June 20, 2008
Hiccup #1
When we tried to buy our plane tickets, we found out that Delta only offers their "adoption fare" on certain flights. We will therefore be traveling on July 5 to Bogota. That is two less days to prepare, but a blessing in disguise as it will give us the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Colombia together before we pick up the boys. This will be our last official getaway as a family of two! What a great gift from God!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
What you've all been waiting for!
We are beyond proud to introduce our incredibly handsome sons.
Luis Angel (4), Daniel (4) and Carlos Samuel (6)
We will be flying to Bogota on July 7, then on to Pereira on July 8. We will at long last realize our dream of parenthood on July 9. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us, has given us financial gifts and/or has been a source of support and encouragement for us. We are beside ourselves with excitement (mixed with a bit of disbelief and tinge of terror).
Please pray that all of the remaining pieces will fall into place. We have much to accomplish in the next two and one half weeks. Life is going to be insane with work and home. We still do not have a sitter for Baxter and will need to take Sylvia at least half way to Virginia Beach to stay with my very gracious sister (please note that my very gracious mother would be the one meeting us halfway). Pray for peace in our hearts and in our house. Things are about to get really crazy around here!
Luis Angel (4), Daniel (4) and Carlos Samuel (6)
We will be flying to Bogota on July 7, then on to Pereira on July 8. We will at long last realize our dream of parenthood on July 9. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us, has given us financial gifts and/or has been a source of support and encouragement for us. We are beside ourselves with excitement (mixed with a bit of disbelief and tinge of terror).
Please pray that all of the remaining pieces will fall into place. We have much to accomplish in the next two and one half weeks. Life is going to be insane with work and home. We still do not have a sitter for Baxter and will need to take Sylvia at least half way to Virginia Beach to stay with my very gracious sister (please note that my very gracious mother would be the one meeting us halfway). Pray for peace in our hearts and in our house. Things are about to get really crazy around here!
Happy Father's Day......to me!
The posts may come quickly over the next few days...so I wanted to get this one out. Just like our 171-H, I really didn't this want to become outdated (adoption humor...hah hah).
In light of paperwork, pictures, and the knowledge that things are 99% certain, I celebrated my first unofficial father's day on Wednesday.
Here's where I reviewed our paperwork, my commerative glass filled with this, while Andrea had to work. Remember, as long as there is a waitress, you aren't drinking alone.
Lately so many things have happened that we had always hoped for....our first shower - Thanks so much to all the awesome people I work with!... painting our boys' room (no Doug...we are just painting over purple....not a tribute to Clemson), and the knowledge that this is REALLY happening.
Anyways....stay tuned kids for pictures, travel dates, airplane ticket drama, and more. The next 3 weeks will be crazy. Adoption has taken over...the breaks over.
Monday, June 09, 2008
What is up with this heat?
I have been reluctant to post for two main reasons: 1) we don't really have much to tell you and 2) I cannot put into words the ball of emotions I (Andrea) have been lately.
The Spanish version of the paperwork arrived on our doorstep this morning after much begging, pleading and insisting on my part to our agency. After three weeks of looking at the boys' pictures I couldn't take the not knowing anything else about them any more. Although we don't understand every word in the packet that came to us, it does help to have some idea of who they are. We will receive the translation later this week. After that, we hope to make our acceptance official and get our travel plans solidified as quickly as possible. In order to beat the clock, so to speak, and not have to update our homestudy, we really need to be in Colombia by mid-July at the very latest. The clock is really ticking since our I-171H expires August 25, 2008. Can we beat it? We shall see...
In other household news, our AC is broken in the middle of a heat wave. This is a very interesting study in temperaments. Want to know how well you love your spouse? Turn off your AC in the middle of 100 degree weather. It really isn't pretty! :)
And if all goes as planned "Auntie Camp" starts in one week, which is where our niece Liana comes down for a week and hangs out with us. She goes to Day Camp at my Y during the day and then we play all evening long, pass out around 9 PM and then get up and do it again for 5 days straight! It is pretty much the most awesome week of the year!
Hopefully our next post will be the official "acceptance" post complete with pictures of our handsome young hijos! We will keep you posted!
The Spanish version of the paperwork arrived on our doorstep this morning after much begging, pleading and insisting on my part to our agency. After three weeks of looking at the boys' pictures I couldn't take the not knowing anything else about them any more. Although we don't understand every word in the packet that came to us, it does help to have some idea of who they are. We will receive the translation later this week. After that, we hope to make our acceptance official and get our travel plans solidified as quickly as possible. In order to beat the clock, so to speak, and not have to update our homestudy, we really need to be in Colombia by mid-July at the very latest. The clock is really ticking since our I-171H expires August 25, 2008. Can we beat it? We shall see...
In other household news, our AC is broken in the middle of a heat wave. This is a very interesting study in temperaments. Want to know how well you love your spouse? Turn off your AC in the middle of 100 degree weather. It really isn't pretty! :)
And if all goes as planned "Auntie Camp" starts in one week, which is where our niece Liana comes down for a week and hangs out with us. She goes to Day Camp at my Y during the day and then we play all evening long, pass out around 9 PM and then get up and do it again for 5 days straight! It is pretty much the most awesome week of the year!
Hopefully our next post will be the official "acceptance" post complete with pictures of our handsome young hijos! We will keep you posted!
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