Happy Birthday - 8 Months Old!

Today, Samantha is 8 months old and we have been in PGN for 4 weeks without a kick-out (that we know of!). I don't have any major news to report, no new pictures, no new medical information. But, being a milestone day, I thought I should say something! When we started this journey last year, I prayed that God would bring our daughter home for Christmas this year. At this point, that dream is still a possibility. One of my dear friends reminded me that we can pray expectantly and believe that God may honor our expectations. So, I am doing just that. I know that God may have another time line, and that's ok. But, for now, all we want for Christmas...is our Samantha at home! Happy Birthday, little one.

Ear Infection

Well, it becomes clearer every day that Samantha is meant to be ours. At her 7 month check-up, she has her first ear infection. A common malady among the Carr children! Doctor reports fever and cough but no difficulty breathing. She now weighs 15lbs 5oz and is 67 cent. (approx. 26 1/2 inches). Her visit was this morning at 11:30. It's amazing to me that we already have this information. Please join us in praying for her healing and for strength for her foster family. Caring for a sick baby is always tiring. We'll keep you posted...

Blessings,
Amy

We're IN!!

It's been quite a week already. As of yesterday, we had heard nothing from the embassy. So, yesterday morning (day 71) we contacted our Congressman's office. Last night, on our agency chat, our director informed me that we had been submitted to PGN yesterday. I panicked. Why would our attorney put us in without pre-approval? Well, it turns out, we got pre-approval on Friday. The embassy just mistyped our email address, so the email never made it to us! (charrfamof5 is wondering what's going on!!) Fortunately, our attorney was also emailed the information so her office picked up the document this week and WE'RE IN PGN!! If all goes well, and we have no kick-outs, we could be out of PGN in the next 8-10 weeks. (Considering we waited longer than that for our pre-approval, that doesn't sound so long.) Once we exit PGN, the attorney meets with Samantha's birth mother for a final signing and then Samantha is officially ours and a birth certificate listing us as her parents will be ordered! The good news is, I can stop wearing out the mouse clicking the "check mail" button!

I have to say, that through all this, I am incredibly grateful for our agency and, especially, our case worker. What a blessing they have been...keeping us informed, helping us wait, encouraging us when things look dark. They are just another one of God's wonderful provisions for us as we walk this road. Thanks for taking the journey with us.

Blessings,
Amy

Day 64 and Counting

Some of you are probably wondering if we've forgotten to post the good news of our PA. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. We are now on day 64 and still counting (you'll notice the counter at the bottom is now posting negative numbers, I thought it would be more fun to count down than count up, who knew then we'd go below zero!!) The good news is we should have news any day. The bad news is the embassy is closed for training and we've heard there will be no PAs issued this week. Ugh! So, we continue to wait. We'll let you know as soon as it arrives. I know I say it often, but really, we can't thank you enough for you prayers on our behalf and on behalf of our little girl. Thanks for journeying with us!

Doctor's Visit

Samantha saw the pediatrician on August 7th. She weighs 14 pounds 4 oz and is 42 cent. long (16.5 inches). Good report. She received some vaccinations, so looks a little grumpy. Can't say I blame her! No smiles, but she's pretty serious most of the time and I'm sure the doctor's office is not her favorite place to be.





We continue to wait for our PA from the US Embassy. They are closed today for a Guatemalan holiday, the day of our Lady of the Ascension. They will also be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week for training! We hit the 60 day mark on Friday, so praying our PA comes before then.

I feel like a little girl waiting for Christmas! I can't even tell you how many times a day I check our email! I wonder who will see the message first, Rob or me? God is at work!!


We appreciate your prayers for us and for Samantha and her foster family. The political climate in Guatemala is a little unstable right now. Praying for protection and peace. Thanks for partnering with us!

Blessings,
Amy