We are family....

Four years ago today, we had the embassy appointment in Guatemala City that allowed us to bring you home.

Our Pink Slip said to be there at 8:30, so off we went with happy hearts. After all we had been through and after all the waiting, we would finally get your visa and become an official family. We sat in a big room with a bunch of other new families. When they called our name we approached a window where a lady looked at all of our papers. Then she asked if our attorney was present.

Attorney?

Well, of course not. Why would the attorney be here? You mean from our agency? Oh, yes. Well that really should come as no surprise to anyone. Certainly not us. They already have our money. Why would they be here?

We had no representation. They were not pleased.

Then, two very good things happened. A few days earlier we had gone on a tour of Antigua. One of the passengers on the tour worked at the embassy. She and mommy became friends. She was there. She knew our story, and she helped us. The other good thing that happened was a young man that happened to be in line behind daddy was someone mommy had heard about from her big list, and he helped daddy finish some paperwork.

It really is about who you know.

This morning when you woke up I was drying my hair. You were sitting in daddy's lap in the living room. I came in and said good morning, and then told you that this was our family anniversary. I told you what that meant and asked, "What do you think about that?"

You said, "Good."

Indeed.