Video

Sandra sent this video this morning.

She also wrote that they arrived at the DNA appointment 1 hour early, so they used the stairs instead of the elevator to kill some time. The clinic is on the 8th floor and Pili climbed all those stairs and wanted to keep going up when they got to the 8th floor! "Pili does not tire easily." She had immunizations yesterday so that she would be up to date when I receive her. The shots caused her to have a fever and "cry with discomfort" but she woke up this morning feeling much better.

DNA is at the lab today and the results should arrive at the embassy next week.

DNA will be sent next Tuesday

Not as soon as I'd hoped, but at least there's an end in sight. I could be in Guatemala the week of March 9th or the week of the 16th - most likely the week of the 16th.

Discipline tips from Sandra

Sandra sent me an email the other day, describing their morning of getting the passport photo taken. Apparently Willow was very angry because they had to wake her up at 5:45 (she doesn't go to bed 'til 10pm). She was "tranquil" on the bus, but when they got to the immigration office she did not sit still for one minute. She ran around, played with other kids, took off the chains/ropes for the waiting area, etc. When they tried to comb her hair for the photo, she threw the comb and purposely messed up her hair. She looked everywhere around the room "minus the camera". The only way the photographer could get her to look at the camera was to trick her by putting a stuffed tiger on top of the camera.

Sandra said she belives I will "have to pay extra monies to courses so Pili can study theater" because she "dramatizes in all". If she falls, she throws things in anger. If someone corrects her, she hollers and tries to explain what really happened. If someone does something she doesn't like, she "gives complaint". "She is a little girl with very strong character."

Sandra wrote in all BOLD font: "Remember to never, ever touch the food that is on her plate. If you do this, she will throw all her food to the floor." Am I adopting Helen Keller? It appears this child has never been told no. I know, I know: it's better that she's been loved. I'm used the idea of her being loved; I'm taking that for granted now. YIKES!

I have been doing all I can to prepare Lily - we talk about this stuff every day off and on. Yesterday Lily's dental hygenist said to her "Being a big sister is a very important job. What is the first lesson you're going to teach your sister?" Lily goes "I'm going to learned her how to be a 'King girl' because she doesn't know our rules yet". I didn't hear it, and I'm SO thankful the hygenist told me so I know Liller is hearing me - for as much good as that can do for her! I tell her all the time: "Willow won't know we are her family. We can't punish her when she breaks the rules because she doesn't know our rules and she will be scared of us." If Lily took her sister's toy, she'd get a time out. Willow won't, we just have to say "No, no, Willow. King girls share toys. Here's another toy, Willow". I know - it sounds obnoxious, but we're going to be in survival mode. I guess that explains why my mom wants to get Lily outta the line of fire as much as possible. I'll try deep breathing (and drinking).

I keep reminding myself that I deal with a room full of 7 year olds all day, every day. I can handle a little discipline problem. I have a Master's degree in Behavior disorders, right? I taught teenagers with conduct disorders for 10 years - I can handle a naughty toddler. Despite these reminders - it's hard to breath most of the time. I'm way more excited than scared still, but absolutely terrified none the less! I can not WAIT to start dealing with it instead of worrying about it all.

My next post should be that DNA is on its way. YEAAAA!

ORANGE!!!!!

When the embassy grants approval to submit the final DNA, they issue and orange slip. WE ARE ORANGE! Now all that's left is to collect that DNA sample from Willow, overnight it to the U.S. lab, and overnight the results back to the embassy. We should be there in 2-3 weeks, depending on when the sample is sent in.

What a relief!

Passport DONE!

Finally I can report that Willow's passport is done. What a relief. Apparently the guy who has Power of Attorney for me has taken another job and my attorney couldn't track him down 'til now. Seriously - this close to the end and these absurd things continue happening. I keep waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out of my computer and yell that I've been punked.

Now we pray for the DNA process to happen soon (today would be great) and then the results to arrive smoothly back at the embassy with in a week or two at the most. I should be there in 3 weeks. I SHOULD be there in 3 weeks. Pretend you haven't read that for the last 2 months or so.

Here are some pictures from Sandra. They took her to the zoo last week. She was afraid of most of the animals, but had a good time (as long as she stayed close to Veronica).

Nada

My attorney has done NOTHING since receiving Willow's birth certificate. He has not completed her passport, he has not received permission to complete her DNA, and he definitely has not collected the DNA sample we need before bringing her home. Once the sample is on its way to America, I can expect to travel about 2-3 weeks later, but we STILL haven't started that part of the process.

There are no words for my rage and sadness.

Daily Life according to Sandra

Sandra sent me information about Willow's daily life. I had asked a million questions, and she went above and beyond:

FAVORITE SHOWS: 1. Backyardigans 2. Barney 3. HI 5 4. Lazy town 5. Mickey Mouse 6. Jorge the curious one 7. Winny Pooh (I'm inserting the exact translation because I think it's funny)

FAVORITE FOODS: Bread with marmalade, with beans, with cheese cream or with ham egg. I stir cereal with and without milk, banana, apple, orange, tangerine, grape, lemon with salt, chicken stew, banana, meat hoe, rice, noodles, Pope juices, crackers, compotes, pure water,
gelatin
NOT FAVORITE FOODS: The sausage, fried egg, candies of mint

THAT HE LIKES: - The books - to see photos - the dummies - to dance - to sing - to play ball - to be bathed - to run - to do the things by itself alone - the candies - the ice cream - the cake - the ham - the caps - the hats - that the alagen when does somewhat good or something that be dífícil to do for its age (him is applauded and him is said: BRAVE! !!!). - The fotball and to shout goal - the children and to play with them

And a picture. While Sandra and Veronica were talking, Pili took her orange peels and the napkin from her bread and decorated the laundry basket. Sandra wrote that she is "ingenious" and "creative" and is fascinated with the simplest of things. I am cracking up thinking of her sister's reaction to this mess!!! Lily is a NEAT FREAK.