Getting Ready!

We are running around getting things ready, packed and tying up loose ends in preparation for our trip to finally be with Maria Alejandra on May 2nd!! We will arrive early in the morning on Tuesday, make a stop at the Hyper Piaz (sounds similiar to Walmart/grocery) in Guatemala city to pick up essentials that are not found in Antigua where we will being staying; then we will go to our new little home away from home. After unpacking, getting settled, and a good night sleep, we will return to the city to pick up Maria from the Hogar on May 2nd. We are renting an apartment in Antigua (about 40 minutes from the city) that we found out about from other fostering moms. There seems to be an entire community of brave moms going solo from 2 weeks to 12 months waiting with their children through the process. Antigua is a very safe little touristy town which is very popular among europeans and americans visiting Latin America. I will have my computer and internet access and will post much more than I have in the past, hopefully with pictures!! Although it is very stressful getting ready and waiting on pins and needles for our exit from PGN, I am hoping it will all melt away when Maria is in our arms forever!!! Rachael is doing well with the anticipation, she knows we will be gone about a month and is ready to say goodbye to her friends for a brief period. It will take about 4-6 weeks to get Maria's visa once we exit PGN. Usually it is 3-4 weeks but the embassy has been backed up. Hopefully that is improving and we will get lucky and be home before June 1st (although we have learned to expect the longest wait and then wait longer!). Ok, back to the craziness. More to come soon! Thank you all for your calls and support!!