Getting closer!!

The doctor's appointment went fine. Izzie didn't even cry on the first shot. She just jerked her arm away and looked at the doctor like he was crazy for poking her in the arm like that! She cried a little on the second shot (probably because she was getting tired of that mean doctor). We're going to have a hard time with this child...nothing phases her.

The next step is the Visa appointment on Friday, November 2nd. We're #28 out of 30...so it'll be a long day. Todd is flying in on Thursday!!! Then the Visa will be ready for pickup on Monday, November 5th....and then on Tuesday....HOME!!!!! It's been a long journey. God has been faithful the whole way.

We've almost got her home!!

Lastest Information

Monday we have to head to the city. Izzie has to see the Embassy doctor for clearance to come to the US. Plus she also has to have visa pictures taken. We'll get all that done, then next will be the Embassy appointment. I'm so excited!!! I can't believe we will be home in 10 days. The sad thing is I've already starting packing. Oh well. We'll keep you posted on how things are going.

I just booked the ticket

for my brother to come. This time next week he'll be here. I'm so excited!!! Only 12 more days until I get back home. The sad thing is I know once I get back home and settled in, I sure am going to miss Antigua. I have really liked it here. Oh, well....at least we'll be home!!!

We have PINK!!!

I just spoke with the Embassy. We have our pink appointment!!! It's November 2nd. We'll pick up her visa on November 5, and head home on November 6. I can't believe it!!! I know when I'm coming home!!! This is so great!!! I'll keep you posted on the rest. Thanks for the prayers!!!

2nd DNA Results Delivered!!

We got the message late yesterday afternoon that the results from the 2nd DNA test were delivered to the Embassy. Now all they have to do is give us a date. The hitch is...if they don't give us one today, then it will be next week before we get a date. The Embassy doesn't issue Visa appointments on Fridays. We're so close to getting Izzie home. Everyone keep praying.....

This is going to be a rough week

So, we found out that our agency has our 2nd DNA test results, and the Embassy should have them tomorrow. If the Embassy does what they are supposed to do, we should know when our appointment is going to be on Thursday. So on Thursday, I should know when we get to come home!!! The rough part is having to wait out the days until Thursday. This week is going to go by so slow. But this is the final step. We get our appointment, go to our appointment, get Izzie's visa, and GO HOME!!! This is getting exciting!!! Please pray our appointment will be soon!!!

Update

Ok, here is the current update. We found out Wednesday that the samples for the 2nd DNA made it to LabCorp that day. Today they emailed us to say that our samples are being tested. We are hoping to know something next week. We will keep you posted on what we hear. Since the last video worked so well, I'm posting some more.





Fuego erupted the first night we were in Antigua. The video isn't the best...but you get the idea.

Well...

Brandon fussed at me for not updating the blog, so here's the update. We had the 2nd DNA done Friday. Everything went fine. I got to meet the doctor that has been seeing her since she was 3 days old. Izzie had to have 2 shots and will have to have 2 more. He commented on how smart she was because he gave me a canister to keep her entertained. He stood behind her and gave her the first shot. She looked at her arm, looked at him, then started crying. After that, she wouldn't pay anymore attention to me and kept watching the doctor behind her. He finally just had to give her the shot. She is 30 inches long and 21lbs 10 oz. Now we just wait for the Embassy to get the results. After they get the results, they have 48 hours to give us an appointment day. We're getting closer. I also think I have figured out how to post video. If it works, this is a video right after I got her. Izzie loves to look at pictures of herself, so we looked at all the pictures. I can't believe how much she's changed. Thanks for all the prayers. It's amazing how God is working. I pray that God blesses all of you as much as He has blessed us. Enjoy the video (if it works).

Drum roll please

They tried to submit us to the Embassy yesterday, but the Embassy wouldn't take our paperwork because the copy of Izzie's passport was too dark. So we were submitted today. They moved our 2nd DNA appointment to Friday at 10:00AM. I'm so excited, I can't believe it!!!!!

The latest news

First, for those that don't know, Brandon made it back home safe and sound. The kids met him at the airport. They were shocked because he cut off all of his hair. We didn't tell because he wanted to see their faces when they saw him. Now, on to the news. Myriam, our translator, called yesterday. We should be submitted to the Embassy today. She has scheduled our second DNA test for Thursday. I should be in the city at 10:00 Guatemalan time. We are very excited to see our case moving again. It shouldn't be too much longer before we are able to get back home. I'll update as more news comes in.

Brandon leaves tomorrow

We're sad because Jorge will be picking up Brandon tomorrow at 10:00 to take him to the airport. We went out tonight with our friends Stephanie, Bella, Stephanie's dad, Jenni, Bryan, and Lena. We had a great time at Cafe Sky. Then some of us went to get dessert afterward. It's sad for Brandon because he will not be coming back. He's trying to get his last minute stuff in, like one more cup of Antigua hot chocolate and things like that. Please pray Brandon has a safe trip tomorrow. I know the children at home will be so happy to see him. We'll keep you guys posted on how things are progressing.

Izzie has a passport!!!

We told the kids yesterday that Izzie has a birth certificate. The girls (mainly Mackenzie) started screaming they were so happy. Their little sister is coming home!!! We went today to get Izzie's passport. We got there about 45 minutes early, so we just sat there and waited for our lawyer. She got there, and gave us a copy of the long awaited birth certificate. We went in the passport office and stood in line. When we got to the counter, the lawyer gave the lady our paperwork. We had to wait for a few minutes, then they called us to sign and go get her picture taken. We went into another room. They had to get her fingerprints on a electronic device. It was hard because she didn't want to keep her fingers still. Then it was time for the picture. It took the guy about a hundred times to get the picture. It was so funny. He had a little squeaky duck. I was holding it. She was laughing and would point every time he would take the picture. Finally, we got a good one of her smiling. We waited about 20 more minutes, and our lawyer got the passport. So we can mark that off of our list. I saw quite a few other babies there that were obviously being adopting. The guy was the lawyer with four ladies. He was running between them trying to take care of all the paperwork and everything. So, now it's time to be submitted to the Embassy. I'll let you know when that happens. I can't believe we are moving forward again. This is wonderful!!!

Oh, and we also moved again today. We moved into an apartment that has 2 bedrooms. It's so nice to be in a bigger place that in one room. It's so much better. My brother will also be coming down near the end of the adoption to help me get back home. I've got so much stuff to get home I couldn't do it by myself. I'm very excited that he gets to come. It should be great.

I can't believe I'm posting this

WE HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE!!!!!! I am still just in shock. After almost 3 months. Wow. Today we went to Chinautla. Brandon went in with our translator and messenger. They told them to come back after 3:00, and it would be ready. We didn't really tell people because every time they would tell us something it would end up being not true. So, we waited it out and received the phone call just a little while ago. Izzie's last name is officially Harris!!!! Tomorrow I will go get her passport done, and I should hopefully be home in about 3 weeks. Thanks for all the prayers. God has answered them, and now we are on to a new chapter.

Brandon forgot to mention...

that Izzie took her first step today!!! She was watching TV and didn't pay attention to what she was doing. She was standing and was trying to reach my knee. I was so excited!!! Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know.

My new shoes

A week or so ago I had a cobbler in this small village we visited make me a pair of shoes. I finally got them today. He actually sketched the outline of both feet to be sure and get the measurements exact. Now, these are hand-made, custom fit leather shoes. In the States I would have paid about $200 for a pair of shoes like this. These cost me Q250, or about $30! At first I thought, oh no...they're too tight. Then, I realized that I thought they were tight because I've never had shoes that actually fit. Plus, they're real leather, so they will mold to my feet. We went out for supper tonight and I walked probably 5 or 6 blocks. I was sure my feet would be killing me...but they're fine. I'm really happy with my hand-made leather shoes.


Izzie is so funny. She's started shaking her head and saying "Nah nah nah" whenever we tell her "No". She's also started pointing at things and whispering "Wow!". She especially likes to do that when we're trying to get her to go to bed, or do something she doesn't want to do. It's almost like she's trying to distract us. Funny kid.

A message from Izzie

WAR EAGLE!!!

Nothing new

We wanted to update everyone on the adoption...but there's really nothing to update. We are still waiting for Isabella's birth certificate from Chinautla. Today we will be contacting the facilitator to schedule a trip to Guatemala City and possibly Chinautla for tomorrow. I(Brandon) am heading back to the States on either Saturday or Sunday, so we will need to go to Immigration and the Embassy to get all the paperwork completed so that Mandie can complete the Guatemala side of the process by herself. There's just no other way around this. As much as I want to, I cannot stay in Guatemala any longer without taking a leave of absence from my job...and that's just not an option.

We want to thank everyone for the prayers and kind words. It helps more than you'll ever know. There have been valleys and mountain tops in this process. Some of you have been there with us the whole way. Mandie and I thank God every day for the family and friends He has blessed us with. Mandie has a great support structure here in Guatemala as well. She is surrounded by knowledgeable people who know Guatemala as well as the locals do. It is also very clear to us in events that have happened, that God is very much in control of our situation. That brings us a lot of peace.

Hopefully this week we will have some good news to post.

Thanks...