Our Family Journey

Oh My Gosh!!

I can't believe the time to say this has actually arrived.

We will be leaving on Sunday, December 10th (albeit very late on the 10th) to go get our sweet Maria!! We won't arrive in Guatemala City until 5:30 am on December 11th. That's OK...who needs sleep when they are doing something this important anyway!!

On Monday, our Foster Mother, Lidia, will bring Maria to the hotel some time that day, we haven't found out when yet, but some time that day. At that time, we will also meet with our attorney's assistant to fill out the remainder of the paperwork. It's simple stuff, like we promise to make sure her vaccinations are up to date within 30 days, that kind of stuff! Nothing to worry about!

Then on Tuesday, we have our appointment at the US Embassy. That is where we swear that we are the people on the documents that have been submitted and Maria becomes a US Citizen!! Yea!! Add one to the rolls Census Takers!! And make sure you change that law about adoptive children being President, because that is what our Maria aspires to be!!

On Wednesday, our attorney's assistant goes to the US Embassy to get our completed paperwork that we have to give to the Immigration Officers when we get to our first stop in the Great Ole U S of A.

We could leave Guatemala anytime after that...about 3:00 pm on Wednesday. The only flight I could get, however, was on Friday. We will arrive in Sioux Falls at 9:11pm on Friday, December 15th. I know most of my and Dave's family plan to meet us at the airport and then come over to our house for coffee and cookies, or beer and pizza...which ever you prefer!! If you are reading this and have been following our story, we would love to have you there to celebrate!! Please don't hesitate to come!!

I have mixed feelings about Maria leaving Guatemala. Although I so desperately want to get her to our home, I also know that she is leaving behind something she will never get back...her connection with her homeland.

In her short 8 months on earth, she will have lost her birth mother, her foster mother, her birth country, her culture, her native language, and her identity. That's a lot to absorb. I don't think as a 39 year old I can completely comprehend what that's like, so I don't think it's possible for anyone younger to even try to ponder. I feel bad about that.

I know that I will work very hard to ensure that she has all of the resources she needs to feel that connection, but I have a feeling that once you leave...it's never the same. Makes me a little sad.

She is however the most loved little girl in the tri-state area and I can't wait to go love on her! Her little cheeks are going to be peppered with soooo many kisses on Monday, she will look like she has a rash!!

Please join us on Friday evening to welcome the newest US Citizen to Sioux Falls. Maria Rene Richter!