Flying home

Leaving The Pentagon (our hotel we had stayed at so many days and on the previous trip) was sorta bitter sweet. I was so ready to leave, but as we walked out the gate I thought of Amaya and how these were her last moments in Ghana. I'm sure she doesn't realize what huge moments these are, but I sure thought about them for her.
Her ticket was on "hold" until I could show her passport in order to get the adoption fare ($1763 versus ours at $2085!). When arrived at the counter they told me the itinerary had been canceled probably because we hadn't paid for it yet. After explaining I couldn't do that until we got to Ghana, she agreed to try and help me. I had a slightly panicked moment--I was ready to get this journey home started but I also felt like I was on the "Amazing Race" and that if everything took too long they would find a reason to keep her here. The lady told me I had to go ahead and check in through the lines as there wasn't much time (even tho we still had like 2 hours!) and she would work on it. I'm thinking, "I'm not leaving without her".  I left her my credit card and she eventually met me at another counter and said it was fixed. I'm laughing inside thinking, "I have no idea what you actually just charged my credit card, but I really don't even care at this point as I just want to have our baby on the flight with us". We eventually found our way to an area where they had the US women's world cup soccer final on. Interesting to see alot of the Ghanaians cheering for Japan. We were asked to go through the gate line just as the OT shoot out began....uggh, we would have to find out from someone else, who dared break the rules and enter last, what the US fate would be. Savannah showed Amaya the airplanes through the window and she seemed excited. She continued to smile as we strapped her in but she was obviously very tired and fell asleep within minutes. So nice to be small and able to curl up and sleep for the first 10 hour flight. Sometime soon I started to become sick...achy, chills/hot, slight fever, very uncomfortable, frequenting the bathroom kinda sick. Our plane left at 10:05pm and we arrived in Amsterdam at 6:40am their time. We had a 3 hour lay over and between nodding and a little coloring, I laughed with Amaya telling her how many "abruni" (white) people there were.  Next flight was to Atlanta and it was a 6 hour flight. Again she did great, sleeping a lot or watching some TV. Another lay over in Atlanta and then we had only one more 3 hour flight. Arriving in Atlanta was an amazing moment. It was here we passed through immigration and went to the little office where they reviewed the sealed packet we had been carrying. The guy was very nice and after reviewing everything said that as he stamped her passport she would officially become a US citizen. I got a picture of it and I can honestly tell you that it wasn't until this point I really felt like it was over. That she was ours and that no one could take her away. This day had become one of the worst days of my life (I can't tell you how miserable I was feeling like I had the flu and being confined to sitting in a chair upright all day), but it was also one of the best days of my life! My cousin said it sounded like childbirth. You go through so much pain but the outcome is so worth it. It was a perfect comparison.
One last flight and when we arrived in Co Springs we had a bunch of people waiting for us. My cousin Blair was the first to greet us and take some of the luggage. Around the corner was my friend Tasha from work, along with her entire family! They had made a huge sign and brought flowers. I only wish Amaya would have enjoyed it more. It was 3am our time and she was so obviously tired, wanting really to just go back to sleep on daddy's shoulder. Out to the car we met my mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, sister and niece, and cousin Collin and his family. They were so generous to be there with gifts and hugs. We went back to our house then for cake (welcoming Amaya but also for Savannah's b-day). Amaya eventually woke up a little and by the time everyone was leaving she waved and was saying goodbye. Thanks everyone for making that night so special (even tho I laid mostly on the couch enjoying it!)
So....we left Sunday night at 10:05pm and arrived in Co Springs Monday at 8:00pm (and it's a 6 hour time difference) for a total travel time of 28 hours.

Sat-Sun

We wanted to stay our last night at Big Milly's but the place is so popular they had no room for us. We called around and it's amazing that most any hotel in Accra is at least $100 (unless you really take a risk of what you are getting, which is way too scary in this city). We decided to go back to the Pentagon where our lady friends were there and we could have a last goodbye at Southern Fried Chicken. Savannah wasn't feeling well, but had wanted a purse and we still had gifts to buy so while she stayed in bed, we ventured out. We went to Osu, which is about 7 minutes away, and took one of the our lady friends (Hagar) to help us pick out quality and bargain. I don't mind bargaining so much, but it's difficult to know what a good price is to even start. We loved having her with us and since she is from Osu, she walked us to her house to meet her family and have a coke!
During our stay we met three great people. Jack is from Dallas and he is a little person. He is adopting two boys (one Ghanaian little person) and has been in country since court, which was three months ago! His Visa interview is in a week and a half and he is so ready to go home. It was very interesting talking with him--seems like a reality show should be following them!
The other two guys walked in and asked us if we thought the hotel was good. They were stranded until Wednesday as they were in a village up north and a commuter plane that was supposed to bring them to Accra just never showed up. Therefore, they missed their flight to the US and none are open for a few days. They work with a Christian organization that teaches business, etc., to countries (Global Advance Marketplace). Not knowing where to eat or having any cedis (local money) left since they thought they would be gone, we befriended them. Fascinating to hear about what they do for God's Kingdom and people that so need educated on how to really make it.
On Sunday we had our "good-bye" meal from Hagar. She made rice and some spicy sauce with meat to put on it. Mmmm. Later she went with us to help Savannah pick out a purse. She was feeling better and wanted to go shopping. Daddy didn't so he stayed behind and let Amaya take a nap. One of the guys, Kevin, tagged along and we had great fun listening to him talk to the people on the street. Glenn is so quiet, he is not. The Ghana people do all the typical "hey my friend, I remember you" stuff---anything they think will get them a sale-- and he was like, "dude, you've never seen me before because I've never been here before", and would just outright tell them their marketing tactics were not so good! ha! We were quit entertained.
Later our two friends tagged along to see what Southern Fried Chicken was all about and we had our last meal there.
By now I think Amaya was really doubting she was leaving today. We had been telling her for a couple days that on Sunday we were flying to America. All day we had been telling her we were flying today and now it was like 6:30, dark and so who knows what she was really thinking. Our flight was to leave at 10:05 so we were going to head to the airport soon.

Friday

Today we didn't go anywhere outside of the Big Milly's gate. Was a nice lax day--this is a real vacation! We did our morning breakfast watching the fishing boats come in and Savannah and I decided to get manicures and pedicures from the nail tech/hair specialist at the resort. We couldn't believe how cheap it was there...like $17 for both of us to get them. What we didn't know was that this would be on Africa time (something anyone who has been to Africa or familiar with their ways jokes about all the time...they have no time). I think it took like 4-5 hours for her to do us both. It was a nice time as it's situated right inside the gate where people come and go and many hang out there so we had many conversations with the workers and villagers wondering through. This is where we got the picture of the cute baby we held (he was the son of the head bar tender). Amaya got her nails painted too (for like 50 cents) and during our turns daddy bought her a hand carved xylophone.
Tonight was extraordinary fun for Amaya. We had a buffet line (think Luau) and then a fantastic drumming/dancing show. Amaya just loves music and she was mesmerized from the beginning to the end. It was definitely a time I felt like I was really in Africa (or watching National Geographic!) and thought of so many of you that would enjoy being here with me enjoying this. Even the local fishing people came onto the resort and the kids all sat up front and some even danced. They told me they come every week, even though I'm sure the show is probably pretty much the same often. They don't care. This is what they do. It's their culture. A huge part of it. And I decided at that moment and I have to find a way to keep that in Amaya's life.

Thursday- Savannah's birthday!

Today was Savannah's birthday. We didn't actually go anywhere today though. We are now at Big Milly's Backyard. It was recommended to us by an adoption friend that had stayed here for 2 months straight! It's actually not that far from Accra, but with traffic will take us 2 hours to get back close to the airport. Big Milly's is right on the ocean. It's a little compound...once the security (very nice man that greets everyone) let's you in, you see all these cute little huts/buildings that bring you to a nice tropical place. You don't realize you are surrounded so much by poverty unless you are awake on the drive in--which you will be because the roads are so bad you can only go 2-5 miles an hour to dodge the holes. The restaurant is right off the ocean so we were in amazement when we went for breakfast and had a front row seat to the Ghanaian fisherman bringing in their boats and the activities that surround this. I could write for hours. There is a an upper level in the bar like cabana that we sat at for hours because we could see down the beach a bit too. They young men (and some children), spend hours and hours unraveling the nets to reveal the catch. The restaurant buys their fish but only from the ladies (always a middle man). They are not to approach the boats and offer to buy. So as the steps from the beach to inside the villages grow, so does the price. The women first are making food and selling food (the support for the fisherman I guess), but then you'll see some of them carrying off fish in large bowls on their heads walking into the village. There are many children hanging around and I imagine not going to school.
We really just watched the activities for the entire day! For dinner, we surprised Savannah by "ordering" a cake ahead of time. The cook (we met him and what a wonderful guy from the Volta region up north) made it and after being unsure what kind of cake we would actually get, were surprised that it was pretty good.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

We finished Monday by going to the market. We actually only bought one thing....a drum for Logan. We were a little overwhelmed by all the shop owners approaching us to come into their place. They even were grabbing arms saying, "come, I have beautiful things".  I felt like they kept showing us stuff and didn't give us a minute to just look so we really weren't looking. The coordinator dropped us off at Southern Fried Chicken on the way home for Amaya's fav....chicken...and rice. We then walked back to the hotel. Kinda fun for Savannah to give her a piggy back ride and have her fall asleep on the "ride" home.
Tuesday we set out west....it was an almost 4 hour drive to Cape Coast where Kakum National park is located. There we did the famous walking along the suspended bridges (a set of only 4 in the world). Significantly high off the ground. Amaya walked 2 out of 3 of them by herself. I don't think she all enjoyed it but I was glad she was willing to do it. Savannah just watched the ground on the hike up and back scared to walk on one of the hundreds of lizards. After the park we went to a "monkey sanctuary". It's actually a home of a dutch couple that have taken in many animals as rescue or endangered, etc. I have a few great pics of some rare animals I will upload eventually on facebook. Kinda fun to be so close to some actual monkeys, etc. We landed at a hotel/hostel like place called "Hans Cottage Botel". Not very impressed. Cool birds and crocs laying all around the lake we could touch or see closely, but the service was terrible and talk about a very plain room. Mmm, not loving the no hot water or just a fitted sheet with no blanket thing, etc., etc (call me a spoiled American-I'm okay with that). I've also never been in a bathroom where there was no shower curtain and the water just stood in the toilet/sink area for hours afterwards (intentially). It was, though, nice to relax so much and have really quality time with Amaya. She is talking more each day and Savannah and her are having such a great time together. Tonight Savannah painted her nails red.
Wednesday we made it to the Slave Castles at Cape Coast. Amazing history there. I watched Roots years ago and can't believe I was standing there in such history. Pretty emotional actually being in a dungeon that held 200 men at once for 2-3 months with no light, very little food, and completely unsanitary. Out the door of no return was an amazing site of active working Cape Coast fisherman. Hundred of people and many many boats bringing in fish and unloading the nets. What an awesome site and I think it was then when I really felt like I was in Ghana. We ate at a cute little place close by and then our trek back to the east to a village called, "Kokobrite".  The drive is so amazing because we pass by so many villages. Just like the movies and pictures, the villagers have their food/market stands set up in every one (and many in between as well) with so many women walking around with everything sitting on their heads. The schools are often along the road as well and the kids (all like in uniforms) are out playing "football" and dancing. We ended our day arriving at Big Milly's Backyard. An amazing place I will tell you more about tomorrow. I haven't had internet in a while so after checking email and uploading some pics (it's so slow here), everyone has been long asleep and it's my turn for now.

Forever in our arms

We left Saturday afternoon at 12:30 for the journey to Ghana with Savannah in tow (okay, she was actually a great help with our 6 large suitcases filled with donations and 3 carryones!). The flight ends up being overnight and although I slept a few hours (thanks motrin PM), Glenn and Savannah played angry birds nearly the entire time. So, the IPAD is great since it lasts like 12-14 hours but by the time we got here it was on like 2% battery. We brought an IPOD charger that I assumed was universal but apparently it won't charge the IPAD. Guess we'll be looking for one if there is such a thing here as it will provide some entertainment on the flight home. Just as I was posting a facebook status, it died and I could not get the laptop to log onto internet for some reason.
We arrived and came to the hotel, unloaded very quickly and back out to the van to make the trek to the orphanage. It's rainy season and it was definitely raining. Despite it being a Sunday, the traffic was bad and it took over an hour plus to get there. The coordinator had told us he told "Autie Rose" at the orphange that we would be coming today but Amaya looked quit suprised when she saw us. With 30 kids chanting her name, she looked a little freaked. I can tell she is not one that likes a ton of attention so this may have been too much for a moment. Anyway, within minutes she started to warm up again and had a good time helping Savannah dish out the backpacks, beanie babies, shoes, and other gifts we brought. It became quite chaotic as all the kids kept yelling "madam please" and holding out their hands. Very sweet but we felt we were being mobbed! ha!  We stayed for a bit, took some pics and then headed back to Accra. Amaya fell asleep almost immediately in daddy's arms and slept the entire way. We landed at Southern Fried Chicken for a repeat meal of chicken....and rice. She was soo excited and after being "finished" with her chicken, requested ice cream so her and Savannah split desert.
We all think it's still surreal. We agree this is hitting us more gradual than an all at once sorta thing.
Once back at the room Amaya took her nightly bath, explored some of the things in the room we had brought, and finally crashed at 8pm ish. With the late nap, I knew we'd be in trouble.....up at 5am..."mommy, I hungry". She loves the pediasure I brought and has eaten food already for a week. The ladies this am confirmed she had not had chicken since the last time we were there.
Today we plan to go to the market and get a "cloth, dress" and anything else that might seem appealing.
I had also forgotten my camera cable but realized the laptop will take our memory card so I will be able to upload pics to facebook. Thanks for all your prayers!

VISA Approval!

We received an email from the embassy in the afternoon yesterday (July 7th) that said Amaya had Visa approval and that we could pick it up...........tomorrow, July 8th. Ouch, they really don't like to give notice but who cares!!!!!!!!!at this point!!!!!
So I spent all day researching tickets. I basically had way too many choices. My neighbor works for American Airlines so we had the opportunity to do some stand by to save some dollars. Combining that or using that alone or on and on. Turns out we could get to Accra and back to London pretty safe, but high probability of getting stuck there a bit on the way home. I think by then we will be so anxious to be here that in the end I just bought the tickets outright :(  After many....way too many...hours of researching all the options, we are leaving tomorrow (Saturday). It will take a day to get there so hopefully we will be reunited by Sunday. Savannah is going and soooooo excited. Was kinda mad we didn't leave today but I told her I just have so many tasks. Even though we've been ready, there are always so many last minute things to throw in place! We will be gone now for Savannah's b-day but she is planning on celebrating in Africa so who cares, right? Our return flight is scheduled in on Monday, the 18th at 8:37pm.

some good news

The coordinator went to the Embassy, turned in the documents, and they took her passport. This, I'm told, means approval of the Visa. If they are still investigating, etc., they will not take the passport and say they will let you know. So, YAY!!
The sad news is that they told the coordinator the Visa will take "weeks" to print and they will contact him. Mmmmm, even when my printer is acting up I can usually print something in a few minutes so all I can say is that is the government at its best. In the meantime, my darling continues to sleep on a 1 inch dirty mat with sometimes 1 meal a day. Arrggg. Glad God is getting me through this. I sure hope my next post is in the next couple days rejoicing because we've booked our tickets.

YAY! Documents found!

WELL, THERE IS A GOOD NEWS FOR THE BOARMAN, ALL THE DOCUMENTS WERE FOUND (CONSENTS AND DECLARATION) ORIGINAL. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE EMBASSY ON TUESDAY SINCE MONDAY IS AMERICAN HOLIDAY.

...and the days go on

Received an update from the coordinator over there today and I didn't find it very encouraging. Seems he turned in the same paperwork at the interview that he has for all the other Visa's but the consular wants more. I have asked for him to clarify exactly what paperwork she wants because his first email seemed like it was just consent/decree from the courts but again, he should have known that so if he turned that in then I'm not sure what they want now. I have also emailed the consular 3 times over the past week with no response. The coordinator also said he has "combed" the court and cannot find these documents and so he has requested them from Social Welfare. Hopefully even if they get them they will suffice. If not, I don't know where we stand. I feel like it could be weeks now. It's been one week and really nothing. I am in contact with lots of adoptive moms that have been through the Ghana process. One of them said she had to get a lawyer letter and take it in order to get the courts to "find" her documents. This is where Glenn and I are waiting for God to say, "go". We need prayers for confirmation on whether to keep riding it out for a bit or to just go. We could end up there for weeks and even returning without Amaya if the consular gets all documents but continues to not issue the Visa. A similar thing happened a year ago and families were stuck waiting for weeks-months for approval for no apparent reason.  Please remember to pray for us. I had really thought we would be traveling this week but now I feel like it will take a miracle for that to happen (I do believe in them!). Everytime you're stopped at a light and it turns green--hopefully that will trigger you to remember Amaya in your prayers.

waiting, again

So the update is that the Embassy wants these documents, the coordinator has applied for them with the court and is awaiting their call to come pick them up. He will then take them to the Embassy (no appt needed apparently) and turn in everything and find out when they will issue the Visa. Supposedly this is all they are waiting for.

No visa yet

Sorry for the delay. I'm at work and it's been crazy busy.
We received this info from the coordinator: the embassy wants the original consent and declaration from the court. I have started working on getting the docs from the court.

Really that's all we know at this point. I have tried to email the agency but they don't have much answers.  If it's the court decree, etc that he's talking about we already know they are required and he should have had them with him today. So, I have no idea why he didn't (other families have told me they easily 'get lost'). Besides the passports and medical, I'm not sure what else could be wanted/needed but hopefully we'll get more word on that tomorrow.
So, whether or not he can just hand these in at anytime, how long it takes the courts to get/process these documents, or even if we need yet another visa appointment is beyond my knowledge at this point.
So sad for Amaya. Please pray for a super quick resolution.