previous day's entry January 6, 2006
next day's entry
The last week has been so nutty....there has been so many little details that I've learned about our visit, our DNA test, our timeline, I don't know where to begin.  I guess the Headline news is that we learned yesterday that our DNA test was NOT actually taken on December 15th.  It is just as well that I didn't know this since I know for a fact that the test was done yesterday, January 5th.  I didn't spend 3 weeks worrying about when it was going to be rescheduled.  Apparently, our attorney did not inform Mary that Franklin's birth mother did not show up for the appointment.  Everyone assumed that it had and it was only by coincidence that I called Leslie at our agency yesterday to inquire about the delay in getting our lab results.  When she contacted the lab, they said they had no sample.  As she relayed this conversation to me, my heart was pounding.  I thought she was about to tell me something far worse.

In the end, because of the holidays, it took 3 weeks to get the appointment re-established.   Both Mary and Sara (our facilitators) have totally stepped up to the plate and have provided lots of detail on what happened in December and Mary called me today to tell me what our attorney said about the DNA appointment.  The best news of the day was that Franklin's birth mom did all final signatures for his adoption.  We thought she would need to sign off again after PGN but apparently she signed a power of attorney (POA) and  our attorney can handle the final sign-off.  That was great news.  And, Franklin apparently handled seeing his birth mother well.  He was somewhat indifferent, according to the attorney.  His foster mother was there for him so this must have been an important comfort.  His birth mother asked if he was getting a good familiy and I understand was emotional at the end.  I've been crying on and off today thinking about all of this.   This must have been an immensly painful day for her.  I hope she knows that we will love Franklin as our own, and will always respect that she gave him life and then an opportunity that she could not provide. 

A heart-warming part of my day was my email contact with Ilse Chambers, our Guatemalan translator.  The woman has been so incredibly kind and supportive, it has left me speechless (that doesn't happen much).  She confirmed that she will bring Franklin and his foster mother (who Franklin apparently calls "Mama Nuevo" - new mom) to Telma's House between 9 and 10 am on Thursday,  Jan 12th.  I can't wait to give Ilse a big hug.  She emailed me today and said that Franklin's foster mother is an angel and the best she has ever seen.   We couldn't ask for more.  He being well cared for and that was also clear to Mary...it was very healthy that he has attached to his new foster mom.   I'm hoping that she will keep in touch with us in the future and provide a link to Guatemala for us. 

The not-so-good news is that since our DNA is effectively 3 weeks behind now and with Sara being very open about the likely timing of our process, it does not look possible that Franklin will be home with us in April.  I will focus and pray for May but it could be later.  I am too tired to share all the reason....what will be will be.  We would wait forever for Franklin now.  In the grand scheme of a lifetime, a few more months will not matter.

I'm going to move onto a new page to detail our travel itinerary!!!
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1