We are so close!

So we wanted to let you all know that we are close to meeting our goal for our matching grant. We have 3,300 of the 4,000 that we need for the grant to be matched! We are so greatful and thankful for this amazing gift we have been given from Life International and from all of you that have contributed to these adoptions. Just wanted you all to know how we were doing.
L & S


PS we also had to share some more pics from our trip! They are just too cute!

Un tiempo increible!

We are back in the states and had such a fabulous trip with our two amazing blessings.
I cannot begin to say how much we love these two little ones. They are such a joy and such a gift. Every moment we had with them was more conformation that these children where meant to be a part of our lives.
So a short recap of our trip. Mateo came first and we spent some time with his foster mom. She is always a bit leery of leaving him and he was clingier this time with her. Before she left though Elizabeth, her foster mom, and also our facilitator showed up. So it was a big reunion in the lobby! Mateo’s foster mom had a granddaughter the same age as Ellie and she said he gets a little jealous and rough sometimes. So we were watching for that. Meeting Ellie was again so surreal; she is such a sweet little peanut. She was all smiles and didn’t have any problem when the foster mom left. We also learned from the lawyer that she had her DNA test done and that the birth mom signed a power of attorney for the rest of the signatures! That really was a relief because now she basically had done her last signature.
The overall time with the kids was amazing. They played so well together. Mateo loved his little sister, he always wanted to share and hug her. And when we asked him where his sister was he would point at Ellie! So sweet! We did have a few more meltdowns with Mateo but it was good to see that side of his personality it made our time very real!
Both kids are approaching the last court right now PGN, this process can range from 6 weeks until over 6 months. Please pray we get in quickly and get out even quicker. Thank you for your prayers and support. Overall we were just blessed, the leaving was not any easier but the time spent with them was worth the goodbye. We are so excited and thankful to be able to become the parents of these two amazing little people!
Scott and Laura (and Nana VanderWeide)

We're here

From Scott:

Bienvenidos! Welcome! Due to weather, we almost missed our flight from Houston to Guatemala City, but we arrived last night late with Laura's mom. After some much needed rest, Mateo arrived with his foster mom, Aura, and Mateo's 16 year old friend Juan Antonio. Again, it was somewhat surreal, but was wonderful to reunite with him. I think it was harder for him this time than last as it took awhile for him to warm up to both Laura and I, which is very understandable.

After about 45 minutes, Elisabeth arrived with her foster mom, Norma, and attorney; it was so amazing to see her for the very first time. I wish you all could see the amazing little girl that she is: so precious, fair skinned, tons of hair, brilliant personality, and three dimples-kind of weird, but oh, so adorable. Her features are so delicate from little hands, a button nose, and an a contagious smile and giggle.

Mateo's personality is shining just as it was in July. His desire to run, play, eat, and laugh this time is largely overshadowed by how he looks at Elisabth and tries to play with her and show her books and pick things up and give them back to her. I can already see how much of a loving hermano (brother) he is going to be.

Please be in prayer for us these next few days as we strive to love these children and as we meet with our attorneys down here. Ellie recently had her DNA testing completed with her biological mother and is now in process through the first of two courts. Mateo should be entering the second, and final!, court next week, however, it can take months to get through it. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Less than 24 hours to go!

We are almost on our way!!! Tomorrow at this time we will be on a plane to Guatemala to see our children. It is crazy right now as we try to pack for a 4 day stay with our two little ones. We have been praying a lot that the visit will go smoothly and that it will not be too hard on the kids. Even with the possibility of it being a hard transition with them and the knowledge that we will have to again leave them, I am thankful. I am thankful for the opportunity to understand who they are, to see Mateo’s famous smile, and to see Ellie smile for the first time. It is a trip of firsts, first family photo, first time my mom gets to meet her grandchildren, first time to meet Ellie and her foster mom, and the first time we will get to hold our baby girl. Defiantly a trip of life changing firsts! We are nervous and excited and we will try to post while we are down there to keep you updated. On the adoption front we got some more good news, Mateo got the pre-approval from the us embassy, therefore we just need to exit family court and then we can be sumitted to the finally court the black hole called PGN. Our lawyer said that the family court needed some information but that they should release our file after they get it. The family court caseworker gets back on the 19th or the 23rd so be praying she lets us out so we can get into this last court. Thank you for all your prayers and for your support on this journey!
Laura

DNA Approval!!!

Finaly we got approvel from the US Embassy on Friday to get the DNA test done for Ellie! We are so thankful that we have moved forward. We have been waiting on this since we got our I-171-H approval in October. So the 3 month wait is now over. Thank you Lord! We are so thankful that we are going down next week and so we should be able to get more information on not only when Ellie's DNA testing will be done but also what is happening with Mateo's case. We'll keep you updated is we get any new news!

L & S

Slower than molasses in January

Well we are back at school and the new semester has begun. We have a great building this year and I was excited to have the students back. We also had a wonderful break that was really relaxing and so much fun with friends and family. I also got to see my good friend Tanna and found out she is engaged!!!!!! Congrats Tanna and Cory! Now all of the 407 Milton girls are on their way to wedded bliss.

On the adoption front I would say we are moving at a snails pace but that would mean we are moving at all. So I would say a stand still is more like it. Hence the truth that our adoptions are slower than molasses in January. We keep hearing that we are going to be submitted for the DNA approval for Ellie but it keeps getting delayed. It is so frustrating to not be able to do anything to make this process go any faster. I keep praying for patience and to trust God’s timing but today it seems like a continual process. More of the refining that needs to take place I am sure. On a happier note we are leaving for Guatemala next week to visit! We are so excited to meet Elizabeth and to see Mateo again. Please pray for patience and trust for us both as we wait to hear of any news on the cases.

Laura