YAY, we got our “official referral” letter which means the next step is filing the I600.  Wahhhhh, I am so excited…this means we are another step closer.

I had a long drawn out post about our bond as of the last 6 months but wordpress is not cooperating tonight and I don’t have the energy to retype everything.  Ugh!

No news on the adoption front.  It’s been almost 2 months since referral and still no DIA approval.  I have an email into our agency for an update………..

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If I have any advice about places to NOT have a connecting flight that would be Mexico City.  OMG!  What hell we went through.  The directions to gates, ticket booths, bathrooms, etc. is NON EXISTENT.  And the immigration officers are complete assholes and that’s putting it nicely.  The immigration officer I ended up with was a royal BEEEEAHHCH!  She looked at where I was going (Guatemala) and made a smart ass comment about not knowing Spanish.  Lanny bit his lip and told the beahhhch to “have a wonderful day” using his dry humor.  English was hard to come by as well which wasn’t much of a surprise.  Just don’t do it if you can at all avoid the MX City airport.

When the plane was getting in position for landing in Guate City Angelica could see the mountain tops and said “this is my country!”  It was sweet.  The airport has been redone and has been modernized, so until we set foot outside it hadn’t felt like we were in a 3rd world country.  Once  outside there were several (maybe 50) people holding up signs of names, hotels, tours, taxi’s, etc.  Everyone is yelling “need a ride”.  I had arranged for the hotel we were staying at in Antigua to pick us up but he/she was know where to be found.  So we got  a ride from some van company for $20 each to Antigua.  Rip off but we didn’t care at that point, we wanted out of Guatemala City ASAP.  On our way to Antigua the smell of exhaust and pollution was evident and it brought back that same feeling of fostering back in 2003.  Guatemalans drive insanely fast, weaving in and out of traffic and riding the tail end of the car in front of them.  It’s crazy insane!  And most vans/taxis do not have seat belts so it makes for a hold on to your shorts kind of ride which isn’t always easy with a 50lb 5 year old sleeping in your lap.  We stayed at Hotel Aurora, a beauiful, clean, average Antigua style hotel near Central Park.  Easy walking distance from all the wonderful shops, restaurants and markets.  Once at our hotel, we immediately hit the streets and went walking.  It felt wonderful to be back in Antigua, almost a feel at home kind of wonderful.  The first thing we noticed was that we could not call out from any of our cell phones but we could receive calls.  We realized this was due to having Verizon so we had to buy a new phone while there.  $20 got us a new cell phone with 150 minutes, can’t beat that kind of deal.  It’s sad to not see all the vendors and Mayan women in Central Park selling their textiles.  I’m not sure what happened but according to one of the Mayan women I spoke with the new president does not like Mayans.  I ran into my favorite Mayan Vendor Ruth.  For those of you who fostered, I am sure you remember Ruth.  I was amazed when I was walking along and suddenly heard “Lady Michelle, Lady Michelle”.  It was Ruth and she remembered my name from 5 years ago.  We hugged and she went nuts over Angelica and how beautiful and big she is.   I proceeded to look through her textiles and without notice her and the ladies she was with bullted the opposite direction and police were running towards me.  The police scared them off.  I stood their with some of Ruth’s belongings, shocked and amazed by what I had just witnessed.  They do dislike Mayan Vendors and it sucks for them…how are they suppose to make a living if they cannot sell???  Pissed me off and broke my heart!  I saw Ruth and the other ladies hiding in the ice cream shop down the street and walked over to them, mouth still at the ground I am sure.  She said she’s had her bag of belongs cut off her and taken by the police. Later that day Angelica asked me what had happened and this my opportunity to explain racism.  I’m not sure how well I did it but she seemed okay with my explanation.  I bought 600 Quetales worth of textiles  and we hugged and went our separate ways.  I wasn’t able to get a picture of Ruth as she was in a hurry to get away from the police who were watching us like hawks.

Picture of my friend Jacki, Ruth’s friend, me and Angelica

 Standing their shocked after all the women took off running from the police.  Lanny took this picture not knowing what was going on.

Later while in Antigua we met up with Kathi and her daughter, Karina, who we met in Colorado at the Latin American Heritage Camp in 2007.  We ate at Hotel Antigua and watched the girls swim and play for hours.  It was awesome to see them in Guatemala and it jsut happened by change that we were visiting at the same time.  Later we went to a children’s Guatemalan dance where the children dance to earn money to go to school.  It was precious and I was once again amazed by how docile and well-minded ALL the Guatemala children are.  When you grow up working from the age of 3 for money, you grow up fast.

Children doing the “Corn Dance.”

 Boy and girl dancing

Sitting with the chidren eating banana bread that we brought for a snack after the dance (Angelica would not sit without me.)

We left Antigua after 3 nights and went to Lake Atilan and stayed at La Casa del Mundo a beautiful hotel on a cliff by the shore of Lake Atlilan.  It’s only assessable by boat, which is a journey in and of itself.  It’s a bit isolated but breathtakingly beautiful with tons to do such as kayaking, hot tub and swimming.  The views, scenary, plants, vegitation, etc. is incredible.

Hotel Del Mundo balcony

Interesting painting in our hotel room, ugh…I think those kids are a little old???

Angelica jumping off one of the many areas off the hotel

Gearing up for some zip lining through the jungle in Panajachel. What an amazingly fun time!!!  Angelica giggled and screamed the whole way down the zip line.

Wild Spider Monkey in the jungle.  Later in the day he was showing of for us by swinging nonstop from a branch by his tail. 

While at the hotel on the cliff we saw brothers ages 13, 7 and 5 fishing on the shore.  There was no fishing pole, just string, hook and a worm.  I was able to communicate a little bit with them with my limited Spanish and they were the sweetest, kindest boys.  So polite and willing to share a bit of their lives with us.  Angelica talked their heads off using English so they giggled a lot at her as she was being so goofy and wild and they didn’t know any English.  The oldest boy starting throwing big rocks in the water to make Angelica laugh.  We took them what limited food we had brought in our suitcases….granola bars, beef jerky and pringles.  I’m sure they never seen either in their life but were very thankful for the bag of goodies.  They never did catch anything.  After 2 days in Panajchel we went to Guatemala City for out last night.  It was there where we got sick and ended up feeling ill for 2 days.  The hotel was nice and Angelica met a little girl, Sarah, who she played with all night. 

All in all it was a fantastic trip.  I wish it had been longer so we could see more of the country and visit some of the villages.  I also wanted to meet up with some of the families I have met online but we ran out of time.  It went so fast.  The best thing of all was that Angelica loves her country and saw much of what I wanted and felt she needed to see.  I don’t ever want her to feel guilty for having an “easier life” than many of the people she had seen.  I don’t want her to feel bad but I know she will when she is older.  There is nothing better for a child then exposing them to their culture and who and what they are and for that I am very happy for visiting.  We will go back when she is 7 years old.

Young girl on the streets of Antigua waiting for passerbyers to put money in her bowl, which Angelica did before I could tell her to let me or Lanny do it.  I felt horrible.  There’s several people on every street just like this.

LAHC was another amazing experience for us and more so for Angelica.  The connection LAHC brings her to her culture, heritage, friends alike, adoption talk and Guatemala is incredibly valuable.  LAHC will not replace the loss of her country, culture, heritage, and first family but it’s something we as her parent’s, in some small way, can introduce her to who she is and where she came from and that is what makes these heritage camps worth it.  However, we must remember that camp does not replace the need for adoption talk and culture awareness throughout the rest of the year but rather, brings together our children as adoptees, minorities and families alike for 3 days a year and that is important for us as adoptive families.

Opening Ceremony

This year was very special for me in particular.  My dear friend Jessica and her daughter came all the way from California to join us at camp.  Jessica and I fostered our girls at the same time while living in Guatemala back in 2003 and this was the first time we reunited since our fostering days and it was nothing short of amazing.  Our girls bonded immediately and Jessica and I were like sisters.  We understand each other and have a special connection because of our similar experiences.  Olivia and Jessica are very special to us and we love them like family. 

Here is a picture of the 4 of us.

  Olivia and Angelica

And then there’s Lucy and Angelica.  They met last year at camp and were joined at the hip once again this year.  The two of them are like two peas in a pod.  Energetic, wild and histarically funny explains these two when together.  Lucy’s mom and I have also became close as friends and as co-coordinator’s of the camp.  I wish I had a picture of the 4 of us :(.

Lucy and Angelica

We are looking forward to the time when we can add Vietnamese Heritage Camp to our yearly must do’s.

Answer these questions with one word only: no word can be used twice.

Found this over at Judy’s

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
2. Your significant other? Lanny
3. Your hair? Ponytail
4. Your mother? Heaven
5. Your father? Stranger
6. Your favorite time of day? Evening
7. Your dream last night? Nothing
8. Your favorite drink? Coke
9. Your dream goal? Bliss
10. The room you’re in? TV
11. Your ex? Obsessive
12. Your fear? Alone
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Exploring
14. What you are not? Tall
15. Your Favorite meal? Pasta
16. One of your wish list items? Housekeeper
17. The last thing you did? Fireworks
18. Where you grew up? NE
19. What are you wearing? Clothes
20. Your TV is? On
21. Your pets? Scared
22. Your computer? Laptop
23. Your life? Fulfilled
24. Your mood? Content
25. Missing someone? Mom
26. Your car? White
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
28. Favorite store? Gymboree
29. Your summer? Enjoying
30. Your favorite color? Purple
31. When is the last time you laughed? Tonight
32. When is the last time you cried? Week
33. Your health? Good
34. Your children? Goofy
35. Your future? Exciting
36. Your beliefs? Open
37. Young or old? Young
38. Your image? Natural
39. Your appearance? Average
40. Would you live your life over again knowing what you know? Yes!

How about you? What’s the state of your state?

As some of you may know, we had a foreign exchange student living with us for 10 months.  He left last Thursday, right before we left for the Latin American Heritage Camp for the weekend in Fraser, Colorado(separate post to come.)  It was bittersweet.  Angelica is handling it better than I ever imagined.  I think all the preparation leading to him going back home helped tremendously.  I am a little sad but happy that he is back with his family and friends and happy that things are back to ‘normal’ around here.  He will be missed!

Spoke to agency, they said the province (Quang Nam) ’our’ little guy is in takes especially longer.  They said from the time you receive a referral to the time you submit your 1-600 expect 3 months.  Then of course 60 +/- days after the submission of the I-600.  This puts our estimated time of travel at 6 months.  Best case scenario would be early December to travel.  Which will put him at 12 months old. This it what I assumed but it was nice to hear it from our agency.

We were also told to expect pictures but the lady who took the pictures hasn’t emailed pics to the agency, although she said she did…they haven’t received them.  It’s been over 1 week of waiting to see the little guys face and it’s killing me.  All part of the waiting game I suppose.