Jayden is doing so well with his letters. This week, we started him on letter tracing and he's taking to it quite well.
Here, you can see the difference one day made. His letters are not as shaky. He's getting more and more confident with the marker.
He even wanted to try his numbers. I'm so proud of my little boy.
I was so sick. I was so alone. I was so sad.
I made the effort to dress us all in red white and blue. But now that I think of it, I don't think I ever took the time to explain to Jayden or Maya why. Once we got dressed, I took the kids out for a ride in the wagon. I took Rio with me too. It was so hot and so humid, but I didn't want to short the kids. In the end, they decided they didn't want to finish our walk so we went back to the swings and hung out there. Here they are in the clubhouse, or crackhouse as Jayden calls it.
My new sunglasses...
Notice the bead of sweat on Maya's face...
Jayden - Peek-a-boo
The AMC movie theatre has a summer program where they show a film for $1 per person at 10am. The proceeds go to charity and I was told to get there early because it sells out. Last summer, I never got the chance to take the kids because I always worked on Wednesday. This year, I couldn’t wait to try it! So Leslie and I took the kids to see Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa and Jayden and Maya were awesome!
We were running a tad bit late. We got in and found seats easily enough. Leslie went to get snacks with Jayden and Caitlin. I stayed with Maya. I thought she would take it as an open invitation to roam the theatre but she just sat there. And when the movie started, my first thought was that it was too loud. But Maya sat back in wonder and didn’t flinch. Once Leslie got back with the kids, Jayden sat back and did fairly well. I think he was just happy he got to hold on to the bag of popcorn, but who knows. Towards the end, Maya actually fell asleep and Jayden started to play with the arm rest, but otherwise it was great!
Can’t wait to do it again!
June 30, 2009: I called the National Visa Center to get some clarification on the visa packet. We finally have all the forms, passports, photos and documents we needed and filled out the forms, but when it comes to the NVC, I like to make certain. They proceeded to inform me that our case had been expedited. I just have to take a moment to say Thank You GOD! Because, I know, that I know, that I know, that all this is happening because of his goodness and grace. They said they sent the file to the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras as of June 25th. I called the Embassy in Honduras and was given an email address to follow up with. I drafted and sent the email, the very same day. I’m hoping that Esteban can just hand deliver the forms to them while he visits.
June 5, 2009: We receive the visa application packet. The application doesn’t seem too bad. They are requesting a ton of original documents though. Many original documents, some of which we do not have. Luckily Esteban’s uncle was visiting in Honduras and he will bring us the children’s passports and updated passport photos. Because the kids are currently split up, he will only bring the boy’s updated passport photos though. Shanel’s photos and passport will have to wait until Esteban visits in July.
June 4, 2009: We send in our request to expedite the case, in Jesus name!
June 3, 2009: Things are getting worse in Honduras. Ricardito is in trouble and I am more desperate than ever to get him out of there and bring him home with us. I call immigration and they confirm they received the visa fee. The next step is the visa application packet. She tells me she will request for a packet to be emailed to me. I ask if there is any way to expedite the case. She said they will only expedite in the case of military or life and death. I explain our situation with the kids. She tells me to send in a request via email and submit a copy of the death certificate.
April 19, 2009: Esteban’s mother passes.
April 15, 2009: We sent in the visa fee. Transaction cost: $1207.99 Total spent: $2043.58
July 3, 2008: We received notification that they reviewed the documents submitted in support of an application for an immigrant visa but could not continue the case without the visa fee. We had two choices. We could send the payment, but Esteban would have to forgo his trip to Honduras. Or we could send Esteban to Honduras and wait to send the payment next year. At the time:
*Esteban had already skipped his trip to Honduras in 2007
*Esteban’s daughter bore a child out of wedlock and he was now a grandfather
*The children’s mother had decided to leave the country and the boys were practically on their own with their maternal grandmother
*Esteban’s mother’s health was declining
We decided that it was much more important for him to visit Honduras. The fee would have to wait.
June 23, 2008: I submitted the I864 and the I864A forms. I guesstimate that it took me a full two weeks of filling out applications, making phone calls, making copies, sorting through three years of financial data and organizing documents. Transaction cost: $12.45 Total spent: $835.59
April 25, 2008: We received notification that effective January 1, 2008, the immigrant visa fees increased from $380 to $400. Lucky us.
December 9, 2007: We received notification that they received the Agent of Choice letter but they could not continue until we submit the immigrant visa application fee of $380.
December 6, 2007: We sent in the Choice of Address and Agent form. This took a while because we were under the impression that they should be signed by the children personally. We later found out that because they were minor children, Esteban could sign the form on their behalf. Transaction cost: $4.80 Total spent: $823.14
September 3, 2007: We received notification to fill out the I864, Affidavit of Support. This was by far the most overwhelming application for me. I postponed the project many times and I considered giving up many times. This was my contract and promise to the children that I would be their sponsor. It was emotionally overwhelming. The directions alone were 11 pages long. The application was also 11 pages long.
August 22, 2007: We sent in the fees. Transaction cost: $214.65 Total spent: $818.34
August 6, 2007: We received the I864 processing fee bill for $70 each. We also received the Choice of Address and Agent form.
July 3, 2007: We received the I797, Approval Notice. We were thrilled.
June 16, 2007: We sent in the copies and translations. Transaction cost: $23.88 Total spent: $603.69
May 7, 2007: We received the I797E, requesting evidence. They wanted copies of the children’s birth certificates and notarized translation copies.
January 26, 2007: We received the I797, which is like a receipt. It confirmed that they received the petitions and the fee. January 22, 2007: We sent in the I130 (immigrant petition for relative). At that time, these were $190 each. Transaction cost: $9.81 Total spent: $579.81
January 22, 2007: We sent in the I130 (immigrant petition for relative). At that time, these were $190 each. Transaction cost: $9.81 Total spent: $579.81
Caitlin blowing kisses...
Chooch on a timeout. He decided he was going to sleep, until he saw us jumping in...
Happy Birthday darling...
The family...
Mari had Chooch's birthday party at the restaurant and it turned out really well. Here's Maya enjoying a fruit kabob and sporting her new hat. It was a foam craft that the kids worked on.
Leslie and Caitlin
Jayden wanted the fruit kabob minus the pineapple, which Caitlin was more than happy to relieve him of.
Afterwards, the kids burn off some energy in the bounce house.
Boo!
Then the kids came inside for lunch and pinata. Pull strings, of course.
Cake time!
Titi Weh! And Sebi!
Caitlin and her friends...
Jayden patiently waits for his cake.
Chooch helps himself to the entire cake with his spoon.
A special treat for guests...
After the party dies down, we head back to the bounce house... Happy Birthday Aiden and God bless you!
We ended up spending the night at Mari's house so the next day, we went to the pool with the kids. Sebi was at the sitter's. That's why he's missing from the pictures. It took a while for Jayden to loosen up in the pool. This is our 5th time swimming this year and he had two "fall in the pool" incidents. I'm guessing why this year, it's been so hard to get him to relax in the water.
Caitlin was practicing floating on her back.
On your mark, get set, go! Catch me Titi Weh!
Caitlin shows the boys how it's done!
Maya watches from the sidelines.
Weeeeee!
Comfort zone.
Chooch!
Caitlin takes a dive.
That's my noodle. I wanted purple. Green was mine. Gimme!
The day at the pool wore out poor Maya. She fell asleep at the table during lunch. Mari had to stand by her side to keep her from toppling over.
