The time has come.

I am officially going to end this blog and start our new journey on our family blog. It is a private blog and if you are not already a viewer I can send you an invite. Just leave a comment letting me know you need invited with your email address. I will check here often so I can get everyone added who has followed our family's journey to Kinsey. It feels so weird ending this. It was like my online diary in a way. I am planning to turn it into a book so we can show it to her when she is older.

Kinsey has been home for almost 2 months now and is doing better everyday. She has officially went with her Nana on a trip to her house for a few hours. No tears! She wanted to go back. And she went with the neighbor for awhile today to play with no problems. Her English is improving. She spoke with our friend in Guatemala the other day and she could not make out anything Kinsey said unless it was in English. Kinsey's spanish is less frequent. It makes me sad but we just don't speak it fluently. She still says some small phrases, but mostly English words.

Hope you all decide to continue to follow this crazy family as we adjust to life as a family of 5!!!

Crazy zoo at our house.

Kinsey has been home for 4 weeks now. We had some sleeping issues at first and she was scared we were going to leave her. I can proudly say now that she is sleeping in her own bed all night. This includes being awake when she is in her big girl bed before falling asleep. HUGE milestone. She started in our room in a pack and play and any time we would even roll over in our bed she would jump up and start asking if we were there. This was happening every hour so we were getting exhausted. At first she would not even sit on her big girl bed in her room. We have came a long way. Also, she is letting loose and is letting other family members hold her and do things with her. She still has not been left alone with a family member, but this week we will be starting this for a few hours at a time. I have to return to work 2 weeks earlier than planned due to some staffing issues in my department. Bummer! I would prefer to stay and be mommy all day long everyday.

We had a welcome home party for Kinsey a couple weeks ago. Around 100 people stopped by to see our princess and welcome her to America. It was so nice to see everyone. We had a jumpy castle, cotton candy machine, and a mexican/taco bar. We even had some of our adoption friends whom we had never met in person, but have felt such a close connection to through this whole process come to visit. It was a great sunny day. Kinsey did well that day. She was more open than I expected. We were all exhausted afterwards, but well worth it. I did not get too many good pics because I was too busy trying to greet everyone.





We colored Easter eggs last week. Kinsey enjoyed that with Kainen. Gabe just hung out and watched.



Look at Kinsey's morning hair do.....Gabe could care less about his basket




We went to church Easter morning. What an awesome day. To be at church and have 2 new blessings with us to celebrate. Kainen was in his class. He chose not to sit with us in the Sanctuary. When we picked him up it was dark in the room and there was music and glow sticks waving everywhere. They were having quite a party.

We spent the day at Danny's mom and dads. We ate and had our annual egg hunt.



Gabe had a sucker and drank from his uncle's glass of pop so he had no nap all day until 5:30pm. He was way past due. He was pleasant, but in a sugar coma.




Those are a few things that have happened over the past month. Sorry I am a super slow blogger. We shall see what happens when I return to work. You may never hear from me again :)

Welcome Home Pictures

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First Official Family Photo At Home

So much to say and so little time. Atleast for now I want to post our first photo as a family in our living room. This was taken by my friend shortly after we arrived home Friday night.

Photos from today

Before the Embassy Appointment






We have Visa!!!

Kinsey on U.S. Soil Friday!

We had our Visa appointment this morning and was able to pick up our Visa this afternoon. So tomorrow is a free day for us to relax and enjoy. It still feels like a dream. When we walked out of the Embassy with the Visa we were hollaring Whoo-hoo! Kinsey had her arms up in the air on her Papa's shoulders yelling too. She was as excited as we were. She tells us all about her "new house" and who is going to be there. I think she is getting the concept. Our flight arrives in Indy at 4:59pm. It is on Continental. Can't wait for you all to meet her. I also can't wait to get to my home. I am done with Guatemala for awhile.

Pictures from today to come later after little ones in bed

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have an appointment for Wednesday morning at 10am. Whoo-hoo!!!!!! They emailed us and said it was for tomorrow, so I started emailing and calling people. Then within an hour, they emailed and said there would not be an officer to do the appointment tomorrow and rescheduled for Wednesday morning. That is ok I guess, cuz we are coming home. Another family with our agency also has the same Visa appt. time Wednesday. They are arriving tomorrow here at the hotel and we will get to enjoy this whole experience together. We did Kinsey's final doctor appointment tonight so that is why it took so long for me to post. I guess this is really happening. So our plan is to come home Friday on the 5pm flight, but don't make airport travel plans yet!!! We have to confirm a few things in the morning with Continental. I will post our official travel times later. Going to go dance the "happy" dance with Mia Familia.

Love ya all!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darn terrorist threats....

Last week there was increased security around the Embassy with roads blocked and extra guards around. We read that there had been a terrorist threat towards US Embassys. This morning we received another email that they were just waiting for the DNA results then they would schedule our appointment. They said that the results could be stuck in the mailroom. Danny, Kinsey and I thought we would take a little stroll to the Embassy this morning and maybe sift through the mail for them. I got to speak to the woman who had been emailing me back and forth and she explained to me what the delay was. She said if they get them from the mail room today they can schedule the appoinement tomorrow. If not then maybe for wednesday. Either way, it looks like we will be home thursday or friday. They said that is the only thing they are waiting on.

Update

Received an email from the Embassy that stated they had not yet received my DNA results. Um.....Yeah you did. So I sent an email back stating when it was delivered and who it was signed for by. Geez............ I can't catch a break. I hope it is not lost. Just my luck...................UGH!!!!!!!!!!

No Pink yesterday...

Yesterday bit the dust, so let's work on today. Even though I am down here in Guatemala, they still did not email me with an appointment. UGH!!! So I got up this morning and sent another email. I now know how crazy people start to become when they are this close to the end. Also Satan starts to put things in my head on why we don't have an appointment yet. Then the bad dreams start happening. I think I am losing it.

So PLEASE PLEASE give us pink today so I can get this celebration started!!!!!!!!!

Think Pink......Pray Pink.....

Eat pink, wear pink, smile pink, yell pink, drink til your pink. I don't care what you do that is pink. Just please do something that has to do with pink today. Our DNA was delivered and I already sent an email asking for a Visa Appt. ASAP!!! In the old adoption days the slip that told you when you had your appointment was the color Pink. So everyone who was close to this stage of the process would wear pink or something to help along the long anticipated wait for the date. So why don't you all join in and say "Bring on the PINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will keep you posted.

It is finally hitting me.........

that she is coming home. We received an email tonight from the lab stating that Kinsey's DNA results are ready to be shipped back to Guatemala. Wow! God answers prayers. That was super fast. We received a copy in the email showing she is still the same child that she was at the beginning of the process. Duh!! But anyway, part of the procedure. Here we go, it's the final countdown!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update

DNA arrived in the US this morning. The lab said they could have results sent out this Wednesday to head to Guatemala. She said they should arrive on Friday. I will start stalking my new Embassy friend on Friday about getting me an appointment ASAP since we are here already. We still have to do Kinsey's final doctor appointment, but that can't happen until the Visa appt. has been issued. My goal is still to be home by the 17th or 18th. Since this week is just a hang out and wait week, we went to the mall and the grocery store again. We rode the carousel 2 times in a row. Good thing I had not ate lunch yet. I don't do spinning things very well anymore. She had a great time. Gabe gets a lot of attention when we go out because American babies aren't too common around here. Everyone stops to talk to him and he always puts on a show for them. I was thrilled today when I saw a Quizno's in the mall. I had been craving a sub and a cinnamon roll. They also had a Cinnabon. I was in heaven!! It doesn't take much to excite me these days. There is a new amusement park we are going to check out later in the week. Our friend here has invited us and it is supposed to be a lot of fun. It has a zoo, pools and rides. Just trying to pass the time. We plan on a final trip to Antigua maybe this weekend. I love it there and we can't wait to share it with Danny's mom. It is the heart of Guatemala and that is where I feel the most safe and where you really see the culture. I bet you can't carry a whole crate of coca-cola bottles on your head with no hands. I saw a woman doing that last time I was there. Crazy!!! I will try to post some more pics of the kids later.

DNA.......CHECK!!!!

At the zoo!!

Kinsey fell asleep while watching her Bible songs DVD

So we were submitted to the Embassy on Wednesday and they only do DNA on Thursdays. I was frantic wed. afternoon trying to get a hold of someone at the Embassy to tell them I wanted to schedule the DNA appt. for the following day. My facilitator was able to make all those arrangements for me and I was able to take our daughter to the Embassy to get her DNA performed. There are 2 other families that are using the same lawyer as us that are coming home too. All 3 girls were together and one of the families is from my agency. It was such a relief to get this done so quickly. If it didn't happen yesterday, we were for sure here longer due to not being able to do DNA until next Thursday. Anyway, that part is done. The Embassy emailed today and needed additional paperwork since we changed lawyers in the middle of the process. I already knew this, so we have those papers ready and will give those to the Embassy Monday. The lab said DNA could be back in Guatemala 1 week from today so let's pray this happens. Gabe is sooo done with this hotel. He is doing well, but at 9 months old he would prefer to be on the ground moving around instead of in a playpen, a walker or being held. He has always been a homebody. So I think he misses home. Kinsey has been a peach as usual. She is an endless pit. I can't keep her out of the food and snacks. She tells us 5 minute long stories in spanish, we video them and then have our friends here at the hotel translate. Last nights story was about Snow White and how you didn't want to eat the poison because you would die.........Hmm!!! Anyway, I will do my best to keep up with the blog. We lose internet frequently down here. We had none all day yesterday. Hopefully it will stay connected for us.

You make do with what you have.....

So how do you like my double stroller? When you have 2 kids that want pushed at the same time, you create this combo.

Ice cream and popcicles!! Gabe had his first popcicle and he did not want to let go!

Randon Pictures From Guatemala

Mama & Kinsey

Gabriel at Mcdonalds

Kinsey and Papa at Mcdonalds

Kinsey and Gabe playing on the IPOD

Kinsey playing Mcdonalds

So living in a hotel with 2 little ones is SUPER fun. Heh! Just kidding. But we are making do. I get cabin fever at home really quickly so it has set in really fast here. The kids are both down for a nap. We have established a routine for naps that is working well. Nana brought a Bible song DVD with her and Kinsey loves it. Within a day and a half she already knows Father Abraham and If Your Happy and You know it in English and the motions. Super cute. She also told me she likes Shakira and does she ever. Her song Loca comes on and Kinsey sings it word for word and dances with her hips moving. Now I didn't teach her that one. I didn't even know the song until Kinsey introduced it to me. Too funny. I will try to post as often as I can.

what a whirlwind!

Well, for those of you who do not know, we are here in Guatemala. We arrived thursday and are not leaving this place without Kinsey. So next time you see us in person, we will have our beautiful daughter with us. It is a very long story and some know it already. It was miscommunication between several parties involved, so after praying about it for 1 week we decided to finish the process down here. Kinsey has her passport and we are being submitted to embassey on Monday. DNA kit already at embassey and the testing should happen wed. or thurs. I heard they only test on Thursdays, but then heard possibly wednesdays and thursdays. After that we just have to wait for those results to be tested back in the states then once the US Embassey gets those results, we will get our appointment. So maybe we will be here for 2 weeks or so. Danny's mom is here with us so that has been a great help. Kinsey is great as always. It has not hit me yet that she is here with me to stay and this is not just a visit trip. My goal is to be home before my brother's birthday which is March 18th. I will try to post as often as I can. As you can see I have been here for 3 days and just now have time to post something.

OFFICIALLY A REYHER!!!

WE HAVE HER NEW B.C.!!! We are extremely thrilled and are seeing our dream of having her come home to us come true. Thank you all for your prayers so far. We are supposed to get her passport on Monday, then the whole file gets submitted to the Embassy for 2nd DNA and her VISA! We are so close, we can feel it...

No BC this week

They attempted to pick up the birth certificate yesterday and today and were told both times to return on Monday. Another run around with the Guatemala government. Guess we will wait until then.

Great family memories!

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Great News

We lost internet yesterday for quite a while and woke up this morning without it too. I obviously don't have much time during the day so I haven't been able to post much. I have a lot to say but atleast want to get this news out. I went to RENAP this morning. Long story short, we will have Kinsey's birth certificate on Monday. I physically saw with my own eyes the paperwork that says to pick it up on the 22nd. That is saturday so they said to come Monday. Mayra asked several times " are you sure we can pick it up?" and they said yes. WHOO-HOO!!!! If all goes as planned, they will get Kinsey's passport next week too. Guessing around 6 weeks from now she will be on her way home. I can't believe it. Have so much more to say about the trip but have to get up with the roosters for our flight home in the morning. Bye for now.

Finally a free moment to post

I have 3 kids and a husband asleep so I finally get to post. Is this how it will be when we all get home? No time for myself? Thats ok. I can't wait to have everyone home. Yesterday morning started off with the airline unable to print Gabe's boarding passes. And somehow that was my fault. They worked for 40 minutes which was way too long because it was getting very close to boarding time. We held up the line and finally they gave me one to get to our next destination but had to obtain the rest once we reached landed in the next city. Well, while in line for security we hear "last call for flight blah blah blah". That was our flight. People see us in distress and let us cut ahead. We get through security and I tell Danny and Kainen to run ahead. I run with 2 bags, Gabe, and no shoes on like crazy through the terminal. I just knew we missed our flight. We got there and they wanted to know where our visas were. What? I don't need a visa, I have a passport. Then they wanted to see our actual tickets for our return home flights. What? We don't get those until we go to the Guatemala airport and check in. Anyway, they finally let us on. We were so out of breath and sweaty I was pretty sure we were going to puke. After that, smooth sailing into Guatemala. Kinsey arrived about 10 minutes after we did. She was her usual meek and shy girl. She threw her 15 minute screaming fit when her fostermother left then has been fine since. She loves Gabe and has helped with feeding him his baby food. It is so funny because she talks to him in a stern voice in spanish when he looks away and doesn't take the bite from the spoon. Too bad she knows way more spanish than I do and I have trouble understanding her at times. Her hair is down to her bottom. We bought her a bicycle last time we were here. She brought it with her and she rides like a speed demon. We went to the zoo today and met up with a friend who lives close by to us. She is here also visiting her little one. We had a good time. We spend the rest of the evening playing games and skyping family. Tomorrow we are supposed to go to Antigua with Kinsey's FM's daughter and then to her house to visit. Here are some pictures of the kiddos.

RENAP....Be kind to us!

Ok, we were just informed we have entered RENAP for her new Birth Certificate. Hopefully any delays will be worked out immediately so we can move on to the Embassy! Thank you Lord! Only 3 more days and we see this sweet face...

Going on a vist

Yes, Its true. Can't stay away from Miss Kinsey too long. The way our luck is going, we may have her home around March or April. So many delays. The RENAP office let 500 employees go this past week in Guatemala. This is the office that issues the birth certificates. Not sure what to expect. We haven't even applied for it yet. That is supposed to happen Tuesday. But in the meantime, we have enough flyer miles to use and a 5 day stretch off from work so we took full advantage of it and are heading to warm Guatemala this weekend. We have not seen her since August and it has been way too long. This will be Kinsey's first time meeting her baby brother. Can't wait to see how she does. She talks to him on the phone and asks about his bottle and asks if he is happy or sad. She will be a great big sissy.

This will be the first time I can get a family photo of all of us together. Yay!!! I will post some pictures once we get settle in.

Still waiting for RENAP submission

Oh my goodness! This is taking FOREVER.........

Since most offices have closed for the holidays, things are so slow. Also the fact that people had to be hunted down, paperwork signed and resigned and registered and reregistered has got me in a tizzy. We are being told that we should be submitted to RENAP for Kinsey's new birth certificate next week. Pray this happens because this takes several weeks to get and I am now starting to get impatient. I was doing pretty good, but not now. We had a good Christmas and our theme was "JOY". We have had so much "JOY" brought to our lives in 2010. My mom's gifts to our family were all based around that theme. God really did bless us with Gabriel entering our lives and Kinsey preparing to come home. Let 2011 bring ALL the Guatemala babies home!!!!
Mmore updates as they come.

Not much of an update

We have not really moved since getting out of PGN. We have our old lawyer and new lawyer working together and we need a document signed by someone who is trying to be located. Most of the notaries who worked on our case are from 3 1/2 years ago. He's not missing, Its just taking a while to get all the ducks in a row. Some other documents have to be registered with the new attorney and it will take a couple weeks for that. So no RENAP submission anytime soon. Please pray that these things happen in God's perfect timing. Atleast we are OUT of PGN. I can handle more small delays as long as I am out of that black hole and never have to return. Keep you posted.

GIve me an O, give me a U, Give me a T!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I know I already posted that the file was ready for pickup. But I knew I wouldn't be at ease 100% until it was outta there. Received an email that the file was picked up today.

Officially OUT!!!!!!!!I NEVER EVER want to deal with or talk about PGN again. Well, unless I am fighting to bring the rest of these sweet babies home. Then I will do whatever it takes.

We need the final adoption decree signed and that will make Kinsey ours. Then on November 30th they plan to submit us to Renap for her new birth certificate. They only accept peperwork on Tuesdays and there are a few things that need translated before they can submit for it. So I will keep the blog updated as we learn more.

Ready for Pickup!

Called today and we are approved and at the window ready for pickup. She said to go ahead and have my notary come pick up the file. WHOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Still hard to believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!No, Not hard to believe when there is a might God in control!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Going to CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good news all around

The lawyer issues are resolved and everything is good. Thanks for all the prayers on that issue. There could have been some major delays if these were not resolved.

PGN told me today still waiting for photocopies. There are only 2 girls in the office working until January due to the holiday vacations. They pretty much shut down or go to half staff until after the new year. Hoping they can move this along. I will continue to check next week and update the blog. They did confirm again we are approved. I have to keep asking everytime I call because it is so hard for it to sink in.

Approved and waiting for photocopies to be made.

Today the nice PGN lady said we were approved and going for photocopies then the window for pickup. Still not believing it I asked if we were finished with the Procurador. She said yes and that the supervisor also authorized approval on the case. I guess there is a sub-attorney general who signs and then the actual attorney general gives his rubber stamp of approval. It needs photocopies made then can be picked up. I am in such shock and so guarded that it is hard to believe.
Years ago you didn't hear about getting approved until you were released and your agency called you with the news that you were out of PGN. Well in today's Guatemala adoption world, you have to do all the calling yourself and learn of each confusing step one day at a time. I will definetly celebrate when our file is picked up but atleast it sounds super positive. WHOO-HOO! There is some light at the end of this tunnel. Thanks for all of your encouraing words. You all better be at the airport waiting to meet this girl when she comes home. We will keep you posted as more news comes my way!

Going to the delivery window?

That was what I was told today. Elisa, the woman I talk to in PGN said that it is going to the window after being photocopied. She said she was "pretty sure" it was approved. That is what she has told me all along. She always asks if I have any previos when she checks on my case, so I am hoping we still don't have any previos. She is still saying that we don't, but you know how that goes. I am calling back on friday. Someone is on vacation that delivers it to the window or makes the copies. I'm not really sure, but I know someone else is doing this persons job and she wasn't sure when it would get all done. Anyway, I will call again. Please continue those specifice prayers about our lawyer situation. There has been some communication issues and there are some things that need straightened out. It has nothing to do with our file in PGN. Just please pray things get worked out.

Keep you posted.

Made another phone call today

Still waiting for final signature. Still better than a kickout.

Called PGN today

I was told we are still waiting for final signature. I was told to call back tomorrow and they may have it signed. Still praying for no delays.

File with the Attorney General

So I called PGN today and I was told that my file was with the Procurador. That is the fancy name for the Attorney General. We have officially passed reviewer number 2. The PGN lady goes on to tell me that our file will be ready for pickup soon. I asked if we had a Previo(Kickout) or were we approved. She said " one moment they didn't tell me that." She came back to the phone and this is how it went.

PGN: Mrs. Reyher you have no previos.

Me: Did you say No previos?

PGN: No Previos

Me: DO you mean No Previos?

PGN: Yes, No previos

Me: Still not believing it I say, Really No previos?

PGN: Your file will need photocopied and then it will be ready for pickup.


WOW! Could this really be happening? We are so guarded that part of me is so scared to be dancing from the rooftops. We are thrilled of this news and hope and pray that it is true. Kinsey could be home in the next few months. For the prayer warriors, would you specifically pray for our lawyer situation. We have had to do some switching around with some people and some new papers had to be filled out. Pray that these things do not delay the case once it is out of PGN.

Keep you all posted on any new news we learn.

Who is missing?

Hmm. If you guessed Kinsey, you are absolutely correct. Yesterday was our sweet Guatemala Princess's 3rd birthday. This was the first birthday we missed. It was super sad. But we did get to watch her party on skype so that was a huge help. Her foster family is awesome and we are so grateful for them. We were able to watch her blow out her candle and hit at her Barney pinata. It was as big as her. I think she had a great time. I made a cake for her here and we had family over to celebrate. We sang Happy Birthday and Kainen blew out the candle for her. Here are a few pics from her day in Guatemala and the pics I took here at our house.

Big brother holding Kinsey's cake

Kinsey eating her Strawberry Shortcake cake in Guatemala

Kinsey and her Barney Pinata

Me and my cake