We're with Arabella and good news!

Mom and I made it to GU with no problems yesterday (Wednesday). We waited and waited for Bella to get here and finally about 3:30 our social worker called. She told us that they were at PGN and that the birthmother interview had been scheduled for 9 a.m. that morning (they just found out the day before) but that Bella's birthmom lives very far away and that she had just gotten to PGN. They wouldn't let her do the interview that afternoon. They finally persuaded PGN to let them reschedule the interview for Thursday morning at 10 a.m.. PGN kept telling them that they would have to come back in 2 weeks, but they pleaded with them and told them how hard it was for the birthmother to get there from so far away.

We were sad that we couldn't get Bella until the interview on Thursday, so we went out to dinner to try to pass some time. We ate at Applebee's; it was delicious!

We got up this morning and anxiously waited for news about how the interview went and for Karen to bring Arabella to us. Finally a little after 1 p.m. they arrived. Bella is cuter than ever! She weighs 18 pounds now and is very healthy. We played for several hours and then we did a video call with Daddy. It was really neat that we could see each other and talk back and forth. Oh, the wonders of technology! After that she took a late afternoon nap. She ate a good supper (macaroni & beef and bananas), and then we gave her a bath. Then it was a lot more playing and watching Bella crawl; she is getting pretty good at getting to where she wants to go. She also loves to jump in the jumperoo. We will have one of those at the house we are staying at in Antigua. We had to delay our trip to Antigua until tomorrow (Friday), but that's ok. Bella is with us and that is all that matters.

As far as the interview, everything went fine and Bella's birthmom signed all the papers that PGN asked her to. Since the interview went well, we might get out of PGN soon. If we don't have any errors on any of our paperwork, we will be approved and should be out of PGN in a few weeks. If we have errors, we will get a previo (kick-out) and we will have to fix the errors and resubmit the documents. Then you have to wait for them to review your file again, so needless to say we are praying for no previos! Pray with us for that please.

When we get out of PGN, it will be about 6 weeks after that when we can bring Bella home. This means that if we don't get any kick-outs, that Bella could be home for her first birthday as we have been praying for. If not before her birthday, it shouldn't be too long after. Regardless, if it is anytime near her birthday when she comes home, we will have a big homecoming/birthday party for her. You're all invited!

Thank you for helping us pray Bella home!

Blessings,

Tonya