1-9-08 Embassy Appointmnet

Kimberly Yamileth Hxxxxxer soon to be readopted in OH and her name changed to Emma Liliana Hxxxxxer meets all the criteria to become a citizen of the United States of America. She will be a citizen as soon as our plane touches down in Houston on Friday the 11th around 4:30. We will be arriving in Cinci late on Friday evening. (If you are planning to come to the airport---everyone is invited---e-mail me for the specific time and location.)

The appointment was not at all what I expected. We had to go through security, much like the airport, to enter the Embassy. Hanging on the wall in the foyer are large pictures of President Bush, Vice President Chaney and Secretary of State Rice. There were 29 other babies and families in a small room with rows of hard blue chairs. Babies were crying or sleeping...lots of Moms and Dads tried to comfort their little one and make the time go faster. Emma was a wild little one for the first 30-40 minutes....then she went to sleep and slept through most of it...she woke up right before I had to sign the final papers and the man said "Congratulations Hxxxxxxer family. Your visa will be ready tomorrow at 3:30."
Carolina was with me and she was awesome. She had everything ready and held my hand through it all. She said do this, pay this, sign this..and it was done. Bryan was also there. He hugged and kissed me and Emma and congratulated us. It is weird...the feeling of standing there and knowing that it is offically over. After all the time, worry and stress our journey to bring Emma home is about to end. In 2 days, we will BE home....that is a miracle and something we thank God for every day.

Here are a few pictures from after the Embassy appointment. (We had to leave at 6:45 and neither Emma or I were up for before we left pictures. We were running around making sure everything was in order and we were ready to be picked up. We arrived "home" (yes I call hotels home now) around 9:30.