Celebrating Christmas in April with Elia

Well tomorrow a group of friends are coming over to my daughter and son-in-law's to celebrate Christmas with Elia. They had hoped to have her by Dec 20th. They have left the tree up waiting for the celebration.

I am so glad they did this and tomorrow is a very special day. Elia's First Christmas may have happened in 2005, but Christmas at home with her family will be April 29, 2006.
Merry Christmas to the Krells. I love you guys so much. Hug and kiss that sweet baby girl extra special for me tomorrow. I am so glad yu waited until she got home aand can finally have your Christmas Celebration together.

Surprising the Church Family

Becky and Eric attend a fairly small family oriented church near their home. This church has followed and prayed for them through a couple of years of infertility, a preganancy follwed by a miscarriage, and this year through their adoption from Mexico of Elia. It was friends from this church who first mentioned 4 orpanages within an hours drive of the Border close to where they live. It was one of their friends from this church who told them about the small baby at the orphanage where they first went to see Elia.

This church has thrown the orphanage an early Christmas party and put on a puppet show for all of the kids there. This church donated blankets this winter for every child there as the orphanage has no heat. This church has prayed for them and supported them through many difficult times, like when the first target date of Dec 20 fell through. One man in particular later dubbed "Uncle Gerry" came along side them in a very big way from that point on. He is bilingual, and very familiar with the court system and legal workings of both side of the Border. He did lots of advocacy with and for them when it was called for especially with the attorney who just didn't quite seem to have his act together on more than one occasion.

It was this church who would ask for updates weekly and constantly ask "have you heard anyting etc...You all know how that starts to feel when the waiting gets longer than expected etc. It was this church who thought the Sunday would come when they would be asked to pray for a safe travel sometime during the upcoming week, as Becky and Eric travelled to the orphanage which is maybe 8 miles from their home, pickk up Elia and then travel what we originally thought would be Juarez for a VISA. Well that trip is still on the schedule for May 8. HOWEVER

Because the travel plans happened suddenly last Monday afternnon, and the left for Tijuana (not Juarez) as planned suddenly at 3 a.m. Wed morning, very few people from their church knew what had taken place during the week. They had previously rallied a couple of friends to help them pull of this surprise whenever it happened, so those people were aware and preparing their part for Sunday morning.

After their 22 hours in a car round trip to Tijuana with a baby who had "almost" never sat in a car seat before, they arrived home Fri night as many of you know.

Sunday morning would find them entering the church from a side door, and sneaking Elia into the arms of the friend "Dubbed Uncle Gerry", and then proceeding around front, parking the car and entering as usual on Sunday morning.

Becky mentioned that as she was walking in a lady approached her and said "So mama sita, how are you doing "? Becky wasn't sure if she had heard something they were trying to keep secret so she said "Why do you ask"? The lady must have wondered about Becky's strange response then, but just answered her and said "Well I know you are so anxious to get Elia and all, I just wondered if you've heard anything about how much longer it will be"?. Becky said she just smiled and said "Soon!"

Not long into the service a slide show that Becky had prepared and left with a friend, started to play. Eric came out and sat at the piano, and Becky picked up a microphone to sing. A couple of others from their "praise team" were on their instruments. The song was Natalie Grant's "Held"...The theme is the idea of "This is how it feels to be held, to be loved etc. The church wouldn't really have thought anything unusual yet, and were probably anticipating a prayer request for a Travel date, or even prayers for safe travel. They may have just thought it was the Music special for that morning. They never would have been thinking she was there in the building. So Becky sang and the plan was close to the end of the song Gerry would come walking out with Elia. He got about 3 steps out onto the platform when everyone just started clapping...they were all so surprised and thrilled to see that family's and their months of prayers had been answered and Elia was home. Becky said, she still had a little more of the song to sing, so she just took Elia, and finished singing it to her. They have a video of it, and I might get a small clip from it, or I might have to wait until I visit in une to actually see it al. It was described though as a very special time, and a really fun way to say Thank You to lots of church family who had supported them on their adoption jouney.

Celebrating the Family

Here are a couple of fun pictures.

Crossing the border from Tijuana to SanDiego

Elia with her Mommy and Daddy in her room






Talked with my daughter some this evening. Elia is doing very well adjusting to her new home. She has some new little furry friends and Pedro their little dog and Elia are already really good friends. I should get some pictures of that soon. She is eating well. Loves all the new and interesting toys she has to play with. She went to church this morning and Mom sang Natalie Grants "Held" while Dad played the piano, and a slide show played in the background. This would NOT be anything strange and new, as they both do a lot musically for thier church all the time. Most of the people in the church did not know Elia was home yet. Near the end of the song, A wonderful friend who has helped them deal with a couple of sticky points during the process, as he knows the courts and legal system, also the highways around Mexico etc. anyway he was dubbed "Uncle Gerry" back around Christmas time. He got to walk out with Elia and hand her to her parents as the song was nearing an end EXCEPT the song wasn't really ended, and as he walked out the people caught on and they all started to clap, so he just handed her over to Becky and she finished singing the song while she held her.

Can you help me rally some to celebrate.

As you know my daughter and son-in-law ave adopted a baby girl from Mexico. They have several friends and family of course who have been supportive along the way, and also at times frustrated at how l-O-N-G this takes, why there is "no news" for long perieods of time etc. I am wondering two things...If You would go to the BLOG post linkedbelow if you are reading this...AND If you would ask others rom the International Adoption Community which you know to also go to this link. Because they did an independent adoption as they were only a few miles from the orphanage where Elia was left, they did not have access to a group of people to celebrate this part with the kind of understanding that you have. Thanks to anyone who will take the time to help them to celebrate. If you leave some kind of contact info I am sure when they get rested up you will hear from them. If you are not comfortable leaving contact info then just let me thank you now for joining our celebration. I won't be going away i will be joining your celebration as well!!!
This is a surprise BLOG entry. They have no clue I have put this on their BLOG today.

here's the news and the link.



They left San Diego about 11 am California time and are expecting about an 8hr drive.

I have put a surprise slide show on the BLOG site sharing some of the memorable spots along the way. You can see her from age 2 weeks to 10 months...and watch as differnt "small hurdles" get crossed. leading up to this day . Pray for a safe arrivel and a wonderful first weekend in their home as a family.

If you don't know Elia's journey OR want to reminisce with us just a bit, take a peak. This takes you directly to the slideshow post.

Remembering our journey

Tagged to be weird!

I've been tagged by Jon and Karen to reveal ONLY 6 weird things about myself.

1. I detest watermelon...I've tried it every way imaginable and I don't even like to be in a room where I can smell it.

2. I have almost 200 gallons of fish water in my livingroom. You'll have to figure it out or I could post some pictures. My daughter says if we have an earthquake I will drown.

3.I love to Square Dance!!!! My kids say "That's great mom, glad you like it, but its just not for us...They still picture it is something they HAD to do in gym class when boys and girls still had "cooties" and they hated it. If you don't understand that statement, remember...this is an entirey different generation you are dealing with.

4. I may not be a geek, but I am the most computer literate person in my family and circle of friends that I know.

5. I am afraid of snakes, spiders and scorpions and am seriously trying to convince myself "I want to move to Arizona" to be close to Elia and watch her grow up.

6. I might watch a total of 3 hours of TV a week.

OK So now I get to tag 6 people to share their weird things. This could take the rest of the evening or week or month!!!! Let's see...

1.Stacy

2.Faith

3. Mildred and John

4. TC

5. Amy and AJ

6. Eliza2006

If you have already been tagged or you don't believe in this sort of thing, don't sweat it. Otherwise, give us the weird and then pick six people to do the same.

Have some fun with it...I did. It's a good way to pass time!!!!

Wed early am Tijuana bound with their baby girl!!!

Nothing on the BLOG at the website yet. yet. Will wait for Becky to send me what she wants, or set me free to write it up myself. She is SO-o-o-o-o busy now, LOL....So this time I am NOT encouraging you to go there to respond to this LOL

Although

I would love you to go there to see how really cute Elia looked for Easter. I put her picture right at the BLOG so you don't even have to go find it in the photo album while you oohhh and aaaahhh over the other 200 plus pictures!!!! I feel better, can you tell!


6 am Wed morning they will head for Tijuana with Elia. To make a long story short they should be able to cross her over in San Diego on Fri and bring her home. They then will have 30 more days to make the trip to Juarez,so they are kind of doing there farewell tour, broken up in pieces. They are very excited.

Having said that thought he timing is not real good for Eric's Dad and step-mom who have just come in from IL and will go to the orphanage to see her the first time today. They were staying til Thurs morn and the plan was they would spend Wed at the orphanage with Elia, So now they will need to choose to get in the car and head to Tijuana too, and get to enjoy all of this, or head home a day early with little time for Elia. SIGH, the main problem is leaving from San Diego on Fri sometime will put them quite a lot behind schedule and Kathy has a rather mean boss so that might not be an option. I kind of feel badly for them if they can't stay to enjoy all of this, after driving all that way. I would love to be there. SIGH again!!!

So that's the news.

Prayers for safe travel please, and the best decision regarding extended family.

Thanks
Glo

Special Lovedones!!!

Link to my grandbaby's website

I guess maybe some of you have tried to find Elia's website and it is kind of hard to locate from blogger. I haven't quite gotten the layout of this, yet I have had a wonderful time making Elia's site since Sept. anyway. The picture and profile as well as the link section are all down near the bottom of the page as you enter my bLOGGER site. I can't figure out how to move it up to the top LOL

I made a link to the site off of my links...scroll to the bottom of my BLOG page here. If you see their picture and profile, scroll down another inch or so, and you will see a link that says http://journeyoffaith.zoomshare.com That will take you to Elia's site. Actually if this post turns in to a link, clicking on this will work too. LOL hmmm!!!!

The Blog is the 6th one down on the left side. If you have time to visit one of the pages...try OOOHHSS and AAAHHHSSS 2 Has 2 videos lots of pictures, and exciting things that have already happened. Thanks

A little discouraged and a whole lot FRUSTRATED!!!

I get to write what is happening inside f me here in this BLOG as my daughter and son-in-law do not know this one exists. It is a good place for me to get out my own frustrations etc. as to them I always try to be strong and encouraging, but it doesn't always feel that way, as I watch and listen to this journey. That also means anything you right on here about your own experiences is not realy shared with them, but they do have a BLOG on the website I have made for them throughout this journey as well. That is pretty much their support system in cyberspace. This is mine LOL...aren't you all lucky!!!

I am not at all surprised things didn't work out for Tuesday or Wednesday. I would have been much more surprised if they had gone smoothly. Almost nithing from Dec. on has gone smoothly out of mexico, and with this immigration deal betwwen us now everywhere, I do think it has in fact caused problems that Elia and her parents have no control over, and no part in th e making of, but alas are somewhat anyway along for the ride!!!
Anyway the latest follows!


WEll, we didn't go to Juarez. Here's the scoop. We have found out that we need an additional document sent to Tijuana. I am sending them a bunch of info. but there is an important letter that must be sent to wrap this baby up and bring her home! I should receive that document today and I will overnight it to the person in charge in Tijuana. Then, I am suppose to make contact on Monday regarding the finalization and trip. We may or may not have to go to Tijuana and then to Juarez. We are hoping that we only have to go to Juarez. Yesterday was the first we had heard about a trip to Tijuana from anyone. We are a little confused, but the trip (whatever it is) will be in a little over a week. She said she will get it set fast. She was sorry that we couldn't get Elia home before Easter, but they just have to do all the legal stuff, which I completely understand. However, don't be too disappointed. She will be home in a little over a weeks time and this will be over. We will let you know more as we get the info. I still don't have pictures. I will send those tonight. I brought the wrong photo disc to transfer pictures. Oops. Elia slept yesterday. She wasn't feeling very good, so we are hoping she feels better for Thursday's visit.

There is a link to their website for Elia off of my profile, if you have encouraging thoughts or words for them, please feel free to visit.

Thanks for listening to grandma

Passport is in their hands..Contact from Juarez

The passport is in their hands. They have talked to Juarez and they have all the paperwork. So evidently NOW we wait again hopefully just hours but maybe days for Tiawana to issue OK to release Visa, and then they get their travel date to Juarez.

They have asked to consider this week as Eric's Dad and Step-mom are coming for Easter. Lily Perez the lady who has talked with them from Juarez said she would mention that to Tiawana so go ahead and pray for a miracle...She was BOTH calling and faxing whatever Tiawana needed today, but it could be anywhere up to 2 weeks to travel. Either way we are now down to weeks and days (no more months) as it sounds anyway!!!
I am still going to wait for a travel date but then I will be purchasing a ticket for the weekend after Father's Day for the big Celebration, Baby Dedication, Birthday and Carni Asada ? whatever ?means we get to eat at Burger King!!!! LOL Actually a wonderful family from their church owns a Burger King right on the Border. They have let them park there for free 2 to 3 times a week since Sept. They are catering this upcoming celebration as a gift to them. They promised it wouldn't be hamburgers.

Just wanted to keep many of you updated on what we have learned today.

We have a passport

Well sort of...It is being typed up etc, and will be handed over to them on Monday. They did get Elia to her destnation, took pictures there etc. She left several fingerprints and a toeprint electronically, as her little fingers were so small the electronic reader couldn't pick up her print, so they did the toeprint too. LOL

Little thing took it all in stride , similar to her really cute Birth cert. photo. She is so good natured!!!

Thanks to all of you who did respond with your encourageing words and prayers. I know they were so needed and appreciated today by both Becky and Eric. They did have extra paperwork to do via a request from Mexico City and the Mexican Consolate ....and Madre Maria sign offs...date Becky and Eric signed on etc...., but ran around and got it all completed and to the Consolate with their baby girl...and all her prints LOL.

Of course if you've ever driven in Mexico or from what I have read anywhere out of the country, that runaround can be a little breath taking in itself.

Thanks so much for all of your responses

Passport Woes...not at all a good day..they need encouragment

My daughter left the orphanage in tears tonight. They have been refused a passport for Elia unless they go to Mexico City (which will take 2 to 3 more months) because they are "North American"...There is NO other reason!!!! All of the papers are there and in order but they refuse to give Elia her passport from Nogales Mexico..which is a Border town and caught up in all the Immigration stuff happening these last two weeks. From the orphanage they somehow got to talk to The Mexican Consolate on the Nogales AZ side of the border before coming home. He ( a mexican himself) said...All the paperwork is fine. There is no reason to NOT get a passport....What they need to do to see him tomorrow is to get an escort across the border with Elia...They will fingerprint them all...and do her passport right then and there. Sounds easy enough...well 2 weeks ago it wouldn't even have been necessary ...as they would not have been called North Americans and told NO go to Mexico City!!!!Prayer request is ,,,that they will be able to find an escort tomorrow to take Elia to the Mexican Consolate on the US side of the border. They will not be able to carry her across the line either way...they will have to turn her over to the escort and meet them at the Consolate etc...then get her back on the other side of the border to bring her back to the orphanage. If they can get this done, she will get her passport tomorrow.They are expecting the paperwork from the National Visa Center in New Hampshire to be in Juarez by next week for sure. It was the Consolate in Juarez that told them to go ahead and get the passport done this week. Once they have the passport, they trade it for the Visa in Juarez and can take her home...This passport (in the middle of all this immigration stuff) has got a small family of 3 innocent people trapped in national problems not at all of their making. Please pray for my daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby Elia... Thank You so very much.

Most of you have this bookmarked but in case...here is the site

http://www.journeyoffaith.zoomshare.com

Passport next Wed 4/5/2006

Heard from my daughter today that Juarez has not heard anything from National Visa Center yet. They have had the INS approval now for a little more than 3 weeks. Whoever she talked to there told her to go ahead and get the passport done for Elia and had them fax some paperwork there to Juarez yesterday. That lady said she would check with New Hampshire to see the status of their case etc, and get back, but this way once NVC sends the documents, the passport which takes a week or so will be all done. She will get them an appointment ASAP once the other stuff gets in from NH. Encouragingto get any news at all. Once again though it was my daughter making the calls for the information, not INS or Juarez calling her. Kind of scarce on the info...which gets nervewracking after a while. It was good to get some direction to progress forward with the passport anyway. Still a positive step in the right direction as far as we can tell.