Traveling Tomorrow

Hi All,
We leave tomorrow at 5:00am, I cannot believe it. We will go directly to the orphanage once we arrive in Guatemala. I will not be posting on my blog while we are gone. If you would like to read about our trip, see pictures, or video please go to my husbands blog at www.braimee.com I think it will be eaiser if only one of us is blogging about our adventure. Take care and God bless all of you who are still waiting for your little ones.

Were going to Guatemala!

I called the Embassy today and they told me our appointment will be on Sept 4th. That means we will likely be leaving this weekend. I am so excited I cannot tell you. We are trying to figure out our travel plans as I type. I will write more later. I cannot believe our dreams are finally coming true!

Hopefully back on track

I am sorry that I vented yeaterday. Here is the follow up to our situation. Our caseworker called today to let us know that the DNA had been completed, I guess our agency uses a different organization to do the testing then I was told. I am relieved to know I made a mistake and called the wrong testing place. We did get confirmation today that our DNA arrived at the Embassy today, and we should hopefully get pink next week. Thank you to all who have supported us through this. Sometimes you just don't know who to trust, when you have had all the delays we have had. We just want our Son home and we want to know that we did everything we could to help that process along.

BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE

After reading a forum, I found that many Moms were calling the Embassy on their own to check the status of their pink slips. They were all getting appointments for Monday if their DNA was completed and they had been submitted to the Embassy. Hearing this I got really excited. Our social worker had told us our DNA had been completed last thursday and that we were submitted to the Embassy on Monday. I called today only to find out we had been submitted, but not until yesterday. Then the lady told me that she did not have the results to our DNA test and I would need to check back. Ok at this point I was disappointed, but thought I'll try back Monday.

After getting off the phone with her I decided I had better double check that the DNA was actually done. I called Lab-core and talked to a very nice lady who told me the 2nd DNA test had not yet be completed and I had to pay if I even wanted an appointment. I knew we had to pay, but I figured we would get a bill from our agency when they needed the money. I am heart broken, I put my trust in these people and within a week I have found out they have given me false information three times. We have entered in on good faith this organization and would like honest accurate information from them.

I am tired, stress, and don't think I can handle much more of this.

Happy Birthday Cameron

Cameron turned one today. I am so sad that we are not with him for his Birthday. Pray for pink soon!!!

Look what I get to keep

Sorry that I had to vent yesterday, but sometimes the waiting just gets to you. I should not complain, just look who I get to spend the rest of my life with.












I received this picture yesterday from another guatamama, who had just returned from a mission trip to Eagles Nest. Please pray for her as she waits for her referral.

More delays :(

Hi Everyone,
We received the following frustrating e-mail today:

The embassy decided that since they will be short-staffed next week, they will not be processing adoption cases (ex. Issuing pink slips). This means that you need to add a week into the time frame.

Also – the first family received their second DNA test back. It looks like the fee to have that processed is $175. I hope there will no other fees added in- but I can’t say for sure. I just wanted to pass on the latest news.

It is certainly disappointing that the embassy is not processing this week…. Hang in there.

Wonderful, more waiting for such a dumb reason, what is wrong with the US Embassy, when they do not have enough staff? I plan on contacting our local Senator, to tell him what I think about this issue. I cried all the way home I cannot handle another delay. Please pray that the US Embassy will get there act together so Cameron can come home.

Cameron Video's

Two more videos of Cameron can be found at www.braimee.com Thanks Whitney!!

Surprise Party

Saturday was so much fun! Our families threw us a "Can't wait Cameron" surprise party. We had no idea, we just thought we were going over to my Dad's for Dinner. It is so wonderful to be supported by such a loving and giving family.

August Update

Cameron has not grown much over the past month he is 18 lbs and 13 oz. He has been sick, and on antibiotics. We are so ready to have him home!

Beach Baby

We were supposed to be submitted to the embassy this week. We are hoping for our update this week. Keep praying!

Tears in Minnesota

Just when we thought the waiting was over we got hit with this:

U.S. Embassy Uses DNA Testing to Protect Children Adopted in Guatemala



Effective August 6, 2007, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala will require a second DNA test, to verify that the adopted child for whom an immigrant visa is being requested is the same child matched at the beginning of the adoption process with the birth parent. The Embassy is taking this step in response to concerns about the unregulated adoption process in that country. The Embassy already requires one DNA match between a relinquishing parent and prospective adoptive child as part of the immigrant visa process for Guatemalan children adopted by American citizens. This new procedure will apply to adoption cases finalized by Guatemalan authorities and submitted to the Embassy on or after August 6th.


The United States supports the highest standards of practice in international adoption. Due to concerns about the Guatemalan adoption process, the U.S. government must apply an extraordinary level of scrutiny to adoption cases there. This second DNA test will confirm that the child applying for the visa is the same child originally matched with the birth mother who voluntarily consented to the adoption. The first DNA matching test typically occurs a number of months before the adoption process is completed and the visa is issued.


We support the efforts of the Government of Guatemala to reform its adoption process to meet its obligations as a member of the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention. The Hague Permanent Bureau's international advisory group of experts, including U.S. representatives, are providing technical assistance to the Government of Guatemala as it works toward implementation of a Hague Convention-compliant adoption process.


Our case worker thinks this will at-least tack on an extra two weeks if not more to our wait. Please keep us in your prayers!

Yesterday as we were feeling so sorry for ourselves, a tragic event occurred not far from our house in Minnesota. A bridge collapsed injuring many and killing at-least four people. The death toll is still expected to rise as many are trapped under the bridge in the river. I know all to well how hard it is to loose a family member unexpectedly. I know what is like to not get to say goodbye. My mom died suddenly in January and my heart aches for all the families and friends of the victims. It brought up alot of emotion and sadness within me, but it made me thankful to God for the miracle that will soon come to us. Cameron will be a blessing of joy and hope that we so desperately need. God is good and God is with us even when we throw are hands up and question why? Please pray for Minnesota and for all families including mine as we greave for the ones we loved so much.