The Blizzard of 2009

Here are a few more pictures from the blizzard of 2009 (or the aftermath at least). 

Owen was none to thrilled to have so many layers on.

The drift in front of the garage was almost up to Owen's neck

No using the front door

This was the road one house over, this is where a car was stuck, the snow was drifted up to their windows

As of 9:00 last night we still had not seen a snowplow

Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I think the pictures will do the talking!  These are all from yesterday, I haven't even tried to take any today.

11:55am

5:15 pm

Family Day!

2 years ago today we became a Family Forever, the day we left Guatemala and arrived home in the USA. We had a long flight home, as our flight was delayed landing in Houston for over an hour then our flight out of Houston was also delayed but finally after all the delays we arrived home to many loving family member in the Kansas City airport, that is one day I will never ever forget! As special, as day was that they put Owen in my arms at the Westin, arriving and getting off the plane in Kansas City just has a heart stopping memory for me. I knew he was ours forever never to be separated again.


2007 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-are-home.html

2008 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-year-ago-todayforever-family.html

We plan to celebrate tonight as we have tickets to the Polar Express movie at the I-Max Theater; the Polar Express is one of Owen’s favorite movies.

We also lost a dear family member this week, Moe, Owen’s fish passed away; it is very hard to explain death to a 3 year old at least this time around, it was about a fish. Here are a few pictures from the service and burial.

BTW...please don't judge me by my dirty toliet....

And one fun picture, Owen was very excited about his castle and that it would sit in the window.

Enjoying life….

There really isn’t much to say about our Embassy day 2 years ago but I do thank god that it went as quick and smooth as it did and that I’m so grateful that I put all the work into this blog so that I can also go back and relive the days.

November 21th

2007 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-are-done.html

http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2007/11/pictures.html

2008 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-year-ago-today_3531.html

November 22nd

2007 – http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2007/11/happy-thanksgivingand-more-photos.html

2008 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-year-ago-today_22.html

This weekend we enjoyed a little “Santa” and holiday spirit!

Owen enjoying his sugar cookie

Owen and cousin Mallory have a great time together

Mommy trying to take a picture of the three of us

The lighted tree and fireworks

As our journey continues….

November 20th 2007 was the big day, the day that would change our life forever the first day as a family.


Things have really changed since then but one thing is for sure we are a family!

2007 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2007/11/owen-is-here.html

2008 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-year-ago-today_19.html

He was such a happy boy that day it was amazing.

Mike took Owen to the dentist for the 1st time this week and he did awesome!  I was so worried as I know how much he hates to brush his teeth and have his teeth brushed but all went well and the Doc said he had great teeth.  What a relief!

Showing off the pearly whites!

Has it really been 2 years?

2 years ago today Mike and I hopped on a plane for Guatemala, little did we know how much one little person would change our lives and we would not want it any other way.

It does not feel like it has been 2 years, I do wish time would slow down.

2007 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-are-here.html

2008 - http://ourlittlehawkfan.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-year-ago-today.html

HALLOWEEN 2009

So Halloween has come and gone and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, here are just a few pictures from the past couple of weeks as you have to hold on to Halloween as long as you can…

Our 1st snow came way to early this year!

We went back home for a quick H1N1 shot and got to visit Papa and Grandma and show off our costume.

Grammy had a Halloween part for the kids, they had tons of fun (and got way to many treats)!

SEE MY TREATS...

PUMPKIN TIME...this was our first time and Owen didn't mind the guts at all.

Roll up the sleeves to get more goo...

Owen watching as daddy carves our Spiderman Pumpkin

How cool...of course Owen choose the Spider to carve!

Owen working so hard on painting his pumpkin...this was his preschool Harvest Party!

Yes, Spiderman again this year but this year we were the black spiderman, not the red/blue one!

The loot....

Our new Halloween pj's

The Guatadopt Calendar is Back On!!!

Not sure how many of you that read this blog have ever seen or heard of the Guatadopt Calendar but if you have not you need know about it! Before Owen came home I learned about it and ordered the calendar every year for home, work and parents, it makes great Christmas gifts, this year 2009 Owen's picture made the calendar for the first time (actually his picture is part of October so I get to see him every day this month)! They announced earlier this year that they would not be doing a 2010 calendar but today I learned it is back on, YEAH.... It is a great calendar and the profits go to a good cause! Details below or you can go directly to their website which you will need to do to submit photos and order - http://www.guatadopt.com/index.html

********************************************************************************

Thanks to a printer who must love the calendar as much as we all do, the project is back on. We will have a link posted early next week for where to submit pictures, along with more specific instructions.

A few KEY things this year:

1. Photo submission period will be short – only about ten days!!! Once we have link posted (should be Tues 10/20), don’t wait – submit your pics. Pic out a favorite pic or two now and be ready to go. We WON’T have time for late submissions, weird tech issues, etc.
2. Calendars will be available ONLY through a "preorder" period. We are printing the exact quantity that gets ordered. The cost of excess calendars has been a HUGE drain on the amount of money left over to help children in Guatemala. So we had to get away from that.
3. The order period will be short – only two weeks!!!!The schedule is as follows:Oct 20 – Nov 2: photo submissions Nov 2 – Nov 15: calendar is being designed Nov 16 – Nov 30: order period. We will post a PDF of the final product.Dec 1 – Dec 15: print and bind Dec 16: ship UPS ground (they should all arrive a few days before X-Mas)

Please do me a favor and spread the word on the various forums. We want to be sure everyone knows because sometimes folks only check Guatadopt once a month or so. We don’t want people to miss the submission period.If you believe you may need some shipped internationally, please let me know in advance as our e-commerce system is not set –up to accommodate them.Posted by Kevin at October 15, 2009 09:42 PM

So many Pumpkins so little time....

We made our annual trip to Patch's Pumpkins last weekend and had a great time even though it was a bit chilly.   I guess you can call it annual as we went last year too!  Who knew a Pumpkin Patch could be so much fun.

So many pumpkins so little time!

Waiting for the Great Pumpkin to come because this is the most sincere pumpkin patch

It took Owen forever to pick just the right pumpkin; he would pick it up then say naa....and continue hunting!

This is the one...

A little inflatable fun.

Roasting Marshmallows!

Hunting Pumpkins is hard work

Can you beleive it has been 2 years (& 3 days)....

2 years (and 3 days…we have been busy) since that glorious word, “OUT” was screamed from the top of our lungs…. Yes, 2 years ago on the 1st of October we knew our little boy was ours and would be coming home soon! I still remember the day and will cherish it forever…


Here are a few pictures from the past couple of years!

Oct 2, 2007

Oct 4, 2008

Sept 11, 2009

New photographs of Izzy!

We received a few new photographs of Izzy again this week, I love seeing that smiling face but inside I’m dying a little bit each day. We miss her so much and have yet to receive any new information on the progress of her case, how long can this drag out, how long can people ignore the fact that there are children and lives being hurt by all the politics and organization battles.

She looks so old here, sniff, sniff!

This one just makes me sad, nothing more to say.

LOVE the boots! She is ready for rainy season in Guatemala.  I guess Izzy asked her foster father for winter boot (I guess winter to them is not the same as an Iowa winter) and she wants to put them on all the time and is very pleased with her boots!  They also told us that Izzy is a flirt..

Candy if you happen to check out the pictures does the dress look familar?

Update on Isabella

I know many of you have been wondering about Isabella and the status of our case, well last week we received word that PGN will not sign off on our case do to the following:

• In accordance to Guatemalan Civil Law, a child that is born during the 300 days after a Divorce is considered child of the ex husband. In our case, Isabella was born 222 days after the Divorce resolution so PGN is not approving the adoption because legally the ex-husband is considered the birth father.

The only way to continue with the adoption process under the old regulations is to start a judicial process objecting the paternity and this requires a DNA test. We knew all of this last year but we were hoping that the case that AS put together was enough evidence to get everyone to approve. Well everyone did except the final signer at PGN. With everything that is going on down there, this does not surprise us - mad, sad, angry, irritating, and many more emotions yes but surprise no….

Our last communication stated that they were in the process of trying to notify the ex-husband but from what we can tell he has no reason what so ever to help! We pray even though Isabella is not his child that he has a heart!!!!!!

That’s all I can type right now I’m about at the end of my rope with this and my emotions are all over the place, not sure how I get though the day some days.

A month in review...

Okay another month has come and gone, who knew that time could pass so quickly!  I guess August was just busy. 

This was actually from July's family fun night.  Owen has been getting into Batman lately but was not sure about meeting him in person.

He is okay as long as daddy is around.

Yes, a head first slide.

Mallory loved Clifford!

In early August we went to Adventureland with cousin Mallory!  Looks like Mallory is doing a little rap dance in the plane.

Interesting expression.

They both giggled out of control while riding the Frog Hopper!

The Adventureland Puppy (I'm sure he has a name but I don't know it).

His favorite way to to end the day!

4 Little cousins splashing in a tub

Mallory turns 3...what a little princess

The 2009 Iowa State Fair - checking out the big pig...

This picture is for Papa...and Uncle Ryan!

Chickens - one of Owen's favorites

THE BIG YELLOW SLIDE!

Cindy and Mike took the kids for a ride (one of 4 that night)

Okay now we are up to August family fun night!  Owen doing is best Karate Kid pose.

backwards this time...

Owen's favorite...SPIDERMAN!

...AND one more trip to Adventureland for 2009! 

This time we went with our good friends Candace, Craig and cutie Miguel...the boys have a great time!

 some boating...Owen kept his hands inside the boat this year (well almost)!

 A little train ride to end a perfect day...yes it is August and I'm wearing a sweatshirt, it got cold!

1st Day of Preschool...

Owen started Preschool today sniff, sniff, it is provided by our school district, he will be attending class M, T, TH & F from 8:45 - 11:30 and during that time he will also receive special one on one with speech and cognitive skills teachers as well as his class room teacher. We were able to get him into this class (never planned on sending my 3 year old to PK yet) late due to his slow response to speaking though he is doing great and every day adds new words to his vocabulary.

Today I went to work late so that I could walk my darling little boy to the bus, yes he even gets picked up by the school and he did awesome, probably better than I did. We know Owen is attached to us but in the back of my mind I all could think about is the separation and would he think we were leaving him. He spent 17 months with his foster family and then they handed him over to us and now 21 months after that we are putting him on a bus with strangers, my heart just ached for him. We talked alot about school the bus and how it would bring him back to Tara's and how we would pick him up after work. He did great and was like himself when he returned to Tara's for the rest of the day. I asked him if he is ready to go back tomorrow and he said YES, so I'm praying that is a good sign.

On Monday we visited the school during open house so that he could see his room and meet his teacher Ms. Heather.

His Locker

Activity Board
Ready to head to Tara's this morning (shoes on the wrong feet and everything)

Right before we left for Tara's

Waiting for the bus at Tara's (using phone so I could send to Mike at work, he had an early morning meeting that he could not get out of)

On our way to the bus!

They have these great seat for the little ones!

Some new pics....

Isabella’s foster mom sent us some new pictures. my guess is the cake pictures are from her birthday and YES, I did buy her those neon green chucks, every girl needs an awesomely (is that a word) cool pair of shoes! I may not have put them with that outfit but you can’t say she isn’t colorful.

We don’t have any updates regarding our case, I know many of you have emailed and asked, we are expecting one this week, and we hope it is good news! Last update was that AS was still waiting for an interview with the Sub General Attorney to discuss our case and what we need to do to get PGN approval…and the get you know what out of there!

Previo Information

We heard from AS yesterday regarding our previo, sounds like the Sub General Attorney (the final signer in PGN) considers that there are still problems regarding the divorce and timeframe when our daughter was born (see below for description of issue – we have been fighting this issue every step of the way so it is nothing new).

The issue with our case is that Isabella’s birth mom gave birth to her within 300 days of getting divorced, in the eyes of the Guatemalan law, this makes her ex-husband the legal birth father which they are saying is not the case and the ex will do nothing to help in this matter.

Our AS rep is going to PGN today to talk to them and see what we can do to get past this, we are praying that he gets his point across and they sigh us out right then and there (I know this is a dream but you never know what God can do).

AS did make it sound like they had our whole case file (which I’m trying to validate) we are praying that is the case as we feel it will be in better hands that way. We don’t see our case sitting on a desk some where for months with no action.