5 weeks

Yep - it's been 5 weeks - today - that we have been in PGN (it's actually gone by really fast as I've been so busy!) No KO's (kick out's) yet. No word. You usually don't hear anything about how your case is doing till they either kick it out (so you can fix something or supply a missing document) or they approve it. I know we cannot be approved yet, but I am curious to find out if we need to fix anything at all (besides providing the PA).

We STILL have not heard ANYTHING from the attorney handling our case as to whether he/she has submitted us for Pre Approval with the US Embassy or not either. I hope he/she has. We haven't received an email from the US Embassy stating we have PA - so I at least know that. . . . . . .but I'd rather hear that we DID have it. . . . . . One day we will.

Not much other adoption news to tell ya. We did call Wendy last monday (a week ago) and that was wonderful. :) It was good to hear her voice! She was saying "Hello Mommy. How are you?" and practicing saying the things she's learned in English like "eyes, nose, ears" etc. :) She didn't say too much, but I know she was listening and I hope our call made her happy. :) We miss her alot!! Especially after having a yard sale on May 5th to raise some more money.

We were just going to sell a few things at my mom's house when her community had their bi-annual yard sale. But after redoing Meg's room and getting in the purging mode - I had more stuff than I thought I would. I figured - if I was going to go through the trouble of getting it to my mom's and sell it - then I would make this sale more of a fundraiser (I decided this the monday before the sale). I emailed a few friends and family to see if anyone else had any donations towards the sale - and about 5 people did (THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH - those of you who did donate stuff). We didn't have near the amount of stuff that we had at our last sale (I wish I had taken a picture of that last sale and all the stuff we had!!) - but we had a nice steady stream of shoppers and we got rid of alot of it. Some shoppers were wonderful to talk to - about our adoption, about Wendy, etc. We even had a Italian lady who had grown up in an orphanage, and a Guatemalan lady who recognized the Marimba music I was playing on my radio. Even a couple who were looking into adopting from Korea (or somewhere else) as the wife had been adopted from Korea!
But then there were those typical, hard-core, bargainers that just kind of ticked me off. I tried not to let them get to me - but I have a hard time with people who ask me what I want for something - and then when I tell them they give me this HORRIFIED look of disgust and then say "NO!" and quote a price less than half of what I originally said. And then they never budge from that price. . . . .usually. Even when I was passing out in front of a lady - she still would not give me the price I was asking - but put the measley amount she had quoted, in my hand as my body went down on the ground. When I was able to get up and walk (with J's help) back to the house - I told her my passing out was from all her hard bargaining! :) She laughed - but deep down I was a bit miffed still. I learned, shortly thereafter, that with those people I do NOT quote what I really want for the item - but I double the price for them. :) Then I MAY get close to what I want . . . but I still get the disgusting looks (like I've offended them) no matter what I quote - even at 50 cents! :) Oh well. I think it's a cultural thing for them. :) I am super-glad to bargain with those shoppers that bargain much nicer - saying things like "WOULD you take $1 for this instead?" :) OF COURSE! :) Anyways . . . .

So, for those of you that are wondering . . . . I did get over my dizziness and fainting by the next day. I think it was a combo of many things going on that day. Not a good day to be falling apart though. :) Just keep me in your prayers. I've had more of the same feelings today and I'm not sure if it's just an "attack" (from the enemy) or something I really should go get checked out. I've been doing ALOT of praying and "battling" lately - over some things I want to change around here . . . so I wouldn't be surprised if it is an attack. Thanks for your prayers!! I am soooooo thankful to have such prayer warriors on my side! And if you are not a prayer warrior . . . . you CAN be! You can start now! :) . . . . Don't know how? . . . .Just ask me! :) I'd be glad to help!

As for our family . . . .Meg is now 7 . . . Charlie died (Ryan's hamster) . . . .John has joined our family (a new hamster) . . . Chompy is still, amazingly, alive and actually getting bigger (Ryan's turtle) . . . Cookie is still a nervous nelly (our cat . . . anyone want her?) . . . and the kids are getting spring fever at school (and so is mom!)!
We went to Busch Gardens for Mother's Day(with some friends) and the park opened up their new ride - The Griffon - 12 days early, just for Mother's day! :) I was probably one of the first 1000 people (besides the workers) to ride on it (we may have been the "test" subjects!)! For those that don't know what it is - it is a rollercoaster that is 205 feet high and you go down at a 90 degree angle. . . twice! Completely vertical! That's after hanging over the edge of that 90 degree turn for a few seconds . . . just to get your heart pumping even more. :) I LOVED it! I had my arms high in the air the WHOLE time!!! Screaming with excitement! :) If I hadn't had my kids with me I think I would have stayed at that ride all day long. :) hee,hee. BUUUTT . . . . . we HAD to go to Dragon Land and other kid rides too . . . . it was only fair. :( Hey - wait a minute. I thought it was MOTHER's Day!? I should have been able to do what I wanted to do all day - right? :) Ha, ha. I don't think that really happens for a mother. . . .at least - not too often. I did enjoy seeing my kids have fun! It made me happy! And that's what it was all about!

Well folks - sorry so long. I'll keep you updated as I know things.
Keep us all in your prayers - here in the US and Wendy Kate in Guatemala.
Keep praying that our paperwork gets moving a little quicker!! We would LOVE to have our daughter home by the summer!! That would be the easiest as far as childcare goes too (for our pick-up trip).
Let us know if we can be praying about anything for you! I'm serious now! Let us know! Send us an email or call. I'd be glad to pray!

Blessings to you all!
Lori :)