UUGGGHHHH!

Well, we had some bad news this week. The president that took power in Jan. replaced the attorney general on Tuesday and then he proceeded to change the sub-attorney general who signs the adoption cases when they are ready to come out of PGN. There was also reviewers who were replaced. Soo.... what does all this mean??? No one knows for sure yet, but it will mean a slowed down process for a little while (if it can get any slower.) We were told our case was supposed to come off the 2nd reviewers desk to get signed soon... but now who knows. The new administration is asking for an audit of the PGN, etc. It is POLITICS, but we can only hope it is for the better.

My lucky streak with not getting sick came to an end on Sunday night. I woke up vomiting and felt like crud for a few hours, but it didn't last long. I am sure it was something I ate --- bought some tortillas from a vendor stand after church on Sunday. (I was getting pretty cocky!!)Thankfully Rosalia has not been sick at all!!

I took some private Spanish lessons this week. I had a woman come to the apartment and had a babysitter for Rosalia for 3-4 hours in the afternoon. (I learned that I need more lessons!) She was very good and I did learn a fair amount. Now I just need to study, practice and use it. Rosalia did well with the babysitter. She did not nap as well, but did not seem to have any problems. (Who needs Mom anyway!)

My roommate left on Sunday for Guatemala City where she has her embassy appointment on Monday and is leaving for the good old USA on Wed. It was sad to see her go but we are happy for her and her daughter. Can't wait till it is us!!

The good news is I have my niece Melanie coming in on Monday for about a week! Looking forward to having family here and maybe seeing some new sites. About a week after Melanie leaves I get to have Tony and Joshua come- oh boy!!!

Another week!??!

Howdy from another week of life with Linda and Rosalia. I was waiting to post because I thought we might get some good news on our case this week, but no such luck. We are still in PGN and with the 2nd reviewer, but at least not kicked out and having to fix something in our case file. Rosalia added to her collection of fun things to do with a "cheap" walker from the local market and a johnny-jumper that she loves. Both are good at helping those legs get stronger. She also loves her bath and HAS to watch the water go IN and OUT. Don't cover my eyes with a towel till it is all done!!

It is nice to have a real bathtub and not have to bathe her in a laundry bucket.

We had a little excitement on Wed. night. As we were going to sleep the world began to shake - literally!! There was an earthquake that we later found out was a 6.1 on the scale. Being from Kansas I layed there and just prayed. Found out I should probably take my baby and get out of the house! Another life event I am learning while here in Guatemala.

Hope it is warming up where you are and you can get out to enjoy the spring.

Love to all and thanks for all the comments! They are really fun to read. MISS YOU!

wrap up for week 5

Well another week-almost. We had a birthday here, my room-mates daughter turned one and we got to celebrate. Rosalia didn't get to enjoy the cake - (reserving that for her 1st birthday in a month.) There is a picture of a fostering mom's outing - we did a little painting project with our kids. We can compare adoption stories and give each other some support. If you think your story is bad, someone else can always top yours.

The other picture is Rosalia enjoying her outing in the umbrella stroller. Definitely not made for Antigua sidewalks!! Funny though- it makes her fall asleep when most kids would be bouncing out of their seats. We are waiting for some good news next week about our case. Still in PGN but supposedly (via our attorney we hired) the file looks good and should be out soon. I never try to get my hopes up until I hear for sure.

Hope Jayhawk fans are enjoying the bliss this week!!! What a great game-huh!!

Just another day in paradise

Good morning all. The weekend was fairly uneventful. I did get to watch Kansas play Saturday night with a Spanish announcer. Way to go Hawks!! I bet it is exciting in Lawrence today. Can't wait till tonight. We also went to church on Sunday at the cathedral. It was unique and universal although didn't get much out of the sermon!

Rosalia is staying healthy and getting stronger. We have a neat terrace above the apartment and can go up to drink a bottle or watch the sunset.

Life in Antigua, Guatemala

I arrived in Guatemala on March 10th to start "fostering" Rosalia till we get her home. We found out on March 3rd that we were out of family court (finally!!) I got settled and picked up Rosalia on March 11th from the orphanage (hogar). She was rolling over, but had a hard time sitting up. The house we were in had a wonderful garden that we got to hang out in. It was an ok house (once I got the water running), but did not have internet or W/D for laundry, and had lots of little ants. Soo.. we hung out and got to know each other. It was a very special time. My schedule was like Rosalia's -- in bed shortly after she went to bed at 7pm and up at 6am (like clockwork). There was a TV in the house that had 3 channels in Spanish (oh boy!) The house was about a 30 min. walk into Antigua which we did several times a week. After being in town and getting groceries, etc. we would usually take a "tuc-tuc" home. They are small little vehicles like golf carts that are cheaper than a taxi. The roads in Antigua are made of stones/rocks...BIG, bumpy rocks. Rosalia has been a trooper riding around in the front of mom in her carrier and bouncing like a Worlds of Fun ride. She will not know what to do in a vehicle with shock absorbers.

The week after I got here was holy week and Antigua was packed!! Amazing processions that they have and lay colorful sawdust carpets in the streets for the processions to cross over. It was truly a week I won't forget.

My roomate Rachel came March 24th with her daughter Hannah who is exactly a month older than Rosalia. We moved into a nicer place on April 1st that has internet so I can finally write this blog I had promised everyone!

Rosalia is doing wonderful and sitting up without a problem within 2 weeks, and now within a month is doing the army crawl across the floor and standing up on Mommy as much as she can. She has gained weight (don't know how much, but she has a little tummy) and is smiling!! Those wonderful toothless grins. The other excitement was Mom got to be there for her first tooth (at 10 plus months!!) She had a little hard time with that.

She seems to like birds and everytime I put on the carrier she starts kicking like crazy (we are going on an adventure!) She also loves the sound of plastic and is like a dog with a bone... you don't dare take it away!! She likes to help mom while trying to bag the groceries with grabbing anything she can reach (you bag your own here). LSC- she loves her dolly and playmat.

Other good news is we found out on March 17th (St. Patricks Day) that we are in PGN!! This is the process that usually takes the longest for most people, so we are hoping for a more speedy time since we spent most of our time in family court. We learned that we already made it past the first reviewer and have the second reviewer to go. Know one knows how long that might be though. (Keep those prayers coming) My roomate's adoption is coming along quickly and she will be probably heading home in a few weeks. That means I will probably need to find a new roomate.