A+B+a+a=us

Ana, Bryan, Almari and Alex

Let the fun/insanity begin!

This blog started as a record of our journey to adopt a child. On December 05, 2006 that child was born. Months went by while we waited for our child to come to us. During those months, our nephew became a part of our household. God knew why. On October 08, 2007, another child was born that would join our family. On April 11, 2008 our youngest daughter, Alex Skye, came home. Finally on May 20, 2008, our first daughter, Almari Christine, followed her younger sister home.

 

This blog will now be about our adventures as we learn to become parents. It will be interesting for me as a NEW mother at the age of 49. My husband is younger and much more patient so that will help us. Also we have the most amazing “Manny” to assist us. We also have wonderful families and friends to guide us. Let the fun/insanity begin!

The dates in Almari's journey home

09/30/06 First Homestudy
10/03/06 Sent in I600A
10/10/06 Fingerprints
10/19/06 Sent completed homestudy to USCIS
10/21/06 Sent papers to Tallahassee
10/27/06 Papers to Guatemala Consulate
10/28/06 Met with agency to hand over dossier

12/05/06 Almari is BORN!

12/14/06 We see Almari's picture

12/15/06 Almari is ours! We need medical report to accept referral

12/20/06 Received 171H

01/05/07 Referral accepted

01/22/07 POA sent to agency

02/15/07 New POA sent to agency

03/05/07 POA is registered

04/16/07 Embassy appt for DNA authorization

04/24/07 DNA Authorization

05/07/07 DNA and SWI scheduled (cancelled)

05/24/07 DNA and SWI done - Lab called 05/30/07 that they had samples

05/24/07 We arrive for first visit!! She is a perfect precious angel.

06/04/07 99.9% DNA Match -- We introduce Almari Christine to the world!

06/05/07 US Enbassy receives DNA results 

07/06/07 SW report is done

08/30/07 Mom flies out to see Almari and Dad follows the next day. Beautiful day with "clouds"

09/13/07 Attorney is interviewed at Embassy

09/14/07 10:20am PA

10/09/07 Enter PGN

10/18/07 On 2nd Reviewer's desk

10/22-10/25 Mommy visits Almari

10/24/07 Previo(s)

11/22-25 Visit

11/23/07 Our first "Us" day

11/24/07 Almari's early Birthday party

12/05/07 Almari's 1st Birthday

01/28/08 Registered with CA

02/08/08 Registered with second CA

02/11/08 Resubmitted into PGN

03/06/08 OUT

03/27/08 Final sign off

04/09/08 BC

04/11/08 Passport

04/15/08 Orange

04/22/08 2nd DNA

05/08/08 PINK

05/15/08 Put in our arms forever

05/16/08 Appt

05/20/08 HOME

The dates in Alex's journey home

10/08/07 Alex Syke is born
10/17/07 We see pictures
10/19/07 We accept referral

10/22/07 Amended homestudy to USCIS
10/22/07 Mommy and big sister, Almari, meet Alex

10/27/07 Daddy and Mommy meet Alex and sign POA

11/05/07 DNA Authorization

11/08/07 DNA test taken

11/22-25 Visit

11/23/07 Our first "Us" day

11/26/07 DNA test results

12/14/07 Amended 171H received

12/26/07 SWI
01/12/08 PA

01/21/08 Out of FC

01/24/08 Registered with CA

02/08/08 Registered with second CA

02/15/08 Entered PGN

03/04/08 OUT - Final sign off - registered in CR

03/13/08 BC received

03/14/08 Passport

03/17/08 Orange

03/18/08 2nd DNA test done

03/25/08 Results at Embassy

04/01/08 PINK

04/07/08 Alex put in our arms forever

04/08/08 Embassy Appt 7:15am

04/11/08 HOME!!!