Hello, from Pakistan - I-290B Appeal

Another month in Pakistan . . . going on 250 days, 35+ weeks, 8+ months!

I apologize for the lengthy delay in update . . .

August - Well what can I say about August, that wasn't said about July . . . I just thought July was my hardest month! Isn't it wonderful that we don't have the crystal ball to know what is coming down our path? . . . we probably would never step foot on the path! But, our heavenly Father stands firmly with us, never leaving us, many times . . . carrying us . . . It reminds me of that poem "Footprints in the Sand".

Most of the month of August was spent waiting on the USCIS decision to our applicant appeal response to the NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny). However, I did enjoy the holy Islamic month, Ramadan, from a religious point. It's always interesting when you begin to understand another religion. I do try to understand . . . & respect the tenets of Islam. The end of the month of Ramadan marks the holiest of days, Eid (8/31/11), which is the beginning of the new Islamic year (based on Islamic calendar). The wonderful g.house family included us in their Eid celebration this year & we felt right at home. Just like Christmas! . . . where food & fellowship with family is wonderful.

Wednesday (8/18) – Mr. Karim took me to an "Iftari" buffet & dinner. The restaurant was Jahangir (pronounced like John Deer only John Geer). Iftar is the traditional fast breaking evening meal/feast, which begins 1st with prayers, then everyone eats 3 dates (yes, it must be 3 - observance of how Mohammad broke his fast), followed by fruit juices (gradually eases the body out of 14-16 hours of fast). Then, you sample the many types of finger foods - fresh fruit chaat (salad), chana chaat (cooked vegetable salad), somosas (triangle shaped pastry filled with minced meat), pakora (cold mashed potato w/onion & spice deep fried in oil), spicy chicken wings, etc - followed by a big cold glass of cold "lassi" (watered down yogurt. To me, it tastes like soured milk. yes, as in the milk in the frig has expired, but people love it here!). Actually, Iftar to me is a meal, but that is only the "fast breaking" part of the evening. Some people make their evening meal out of the Iftari food (sort of like "happy hour" in the US!). But, just like any holiday, most go for the full feast - after the fast is broken with Iftar, you can then enjoy an overwhelming dinner of all kinds of Pakistani dishes - it really is quite the feast!.

Tuesday (8/23) - Over skype, Uppa D read the USCIS decision to our applicant response to the NOID . . . Denial. We were anticipating a long wait, like 1-2 months . . . but it came very quickly, in only a week! It was once again shipped to my US residence address from New Delhi via FedEx, so the official date of the denial is 8/18/11. So, we now have an official Denial to the I-600 orphan status classification. We do have an official appeal option - It is called the I-290B Appeal & we only have 30 days to file it.

Tears flowed today over the decision. And, I'm needing to "live" with this decision for awhile before sharing it with everyone. Needless to say, it has broken my heart! Very disappointing & a very big blow to our case. I have been on skype many times with my family . . . But, through it all . . . there is no doubt that I will appeal this decision, continue fighting for Gracy's future. Somehow, someway the Truth will make itself known!

The g.house family is also heartbroken . . . & a special fasting prayer is said for us. Mr. Karim & family makes the next few days of the holy month & holidays very special for us.

Wednesday (8/24) - Our US pediatrician is wanting an MRI of Gracy's brain. So, today we go to the Islamabad Diagnostic Center to have it done. The procedure is an hour long procedure & Gracy will need to be anesthetized to be immobilized for the lengthy procedure. Samir accompanies us & keeps mama preoccupied during the procedure. Once it is over, it takes another 45 minutes for Gracy to recover from the anesthesia. It was actually a deeper anesthesia than when she had her tongue tie surgery! After 30 minutes in recovery & nothing, I was getting very worried. She ran a very high fever at the end & had to be given Ibruphen to reduce the fever. It was a little scary . . . but she is doing just fine now! For this mama, it is always difficult to watch my child go under anithesia. They are so innocent & trusting . . . my heart just aches knowing I'm putting them through a medical procedure that sedates them. I'm always glad when it is over!

We get the hard films & softcopy/DVD films, along with the report, the next day. I send it on to the US for our pediatrician & pediatric neurologist for further evaluation.

Monday (8/29) - I was again treated to an Iftari buffet & Ramadan dinner. Shelina & Samir took me this time. It was a beautiful roof top restaurant at the Envoy Continential Hotel. The evening was fairly cool & we watched the sun set over the city of Islamabad. Very beautiful & the night sky absolutely gorgeous.

Tuesday (8/30) - A major day of laundry! I pretty much have it down to a science now, but it still takes a major amount of time! But, in the evening . . . Gracy, Shelina & Mama were treated to the special Eid tradition of "Mehndi". This is henna artistry. It's temporary & only lasts about a week. It was so much fun! They do this type of "bling, bling" make-up for special occasions like Eid, weddings, etc (major celebrations). Gracy had a very hard time keeping her sweet, little hands still, so we opted for the henna "stamp" on her palms. I've also attached a picture of both Gracy & Mama's hands with their "Mehndi". If you goggle Mehndi, you will find pictures of very elaborate designs. It's so much FUN!

Wednesday (8/31) - Eid ul-Fitr Mubarak!! Pretty much like our Christmas. After a month of fasting & prayer, everyone dresses in new clothes for Eid, sweets are given & a feast is eaten with close friends/family. The markets were packed during the evenings of Ramadan, everyone shopping! It is traditional to give gifts of sweets on Eid, so the g.house had many packages of "sweets" coming through the door! And, Gracy & Mama received a very yummy cake from Mr. Karim. Gracy & Mama were also invited to attend the evening Eid dinner with the g.house family. A beautiful restaurant, with a wonderful family. Gracy was dressed as pretty as a princess - a beautiful pink dress with lots & lots of tulle, crinoline petticoats, sparkling beads & matching pink shoes (picture attached). The part she liked the best . . . her bangles! You just can't be properly dressed in Pakistan without the "bling" of bangles! Gracy's were pink/silver to match & she just couldn't leave them alone! I think we got home with a "couple" unbroken! The meal was wonderful with all the traditional Pakistani holiday trimmings. And, wonderful fellowship with our gracious hosts.

The Eid celebration lasts for 3 days. So, Islamabad & all of Pakistan basically shut down for the rest of the week.

September has brought many busy tasks/objectives for our case . . .

Monday (9/5) - My immigration attorney complained directly to the Consul General of the New Delhi USE about the process of how our evidence was examined for orphan status. However after a week with no response back, we have decided to officially appeal through the I-290B appeal process. We have 30 days from the date of the Denial (8/18/11). It takes about 4 days to FedEx from the US to New Delhi, so we have only about 1.5 weeks to complete the I-290B form. We will ask for the 30 day extension to submit our new legal brief w/evidence. Going down this appeal path will be a lengthy process. It will 1st go back to New Delhi for a 2nd review. Should that review produce a favorable, overturned decision (yes, one can hope!) then the appeal process will end there & we will have Gracy officially classified as an orphan & can move forward with her immigrant visa. If the decision remains a denial, it will then be forwarded on to the AAO (appeal board) in Washington D.C. This is where all the immigrant appeals from all over the world funnel into, so our appeal goes into the queue & we have to wait our turn. This can take as long as 2 years, but will surely be at least 6-12 months. So, we will need to adjust our waiting expectation . . . for a long duration.

Wednesday (9/7) - Our Gracy Girl truns 27 months old!

Thursday (9/8) - Finally, received the online confirmation for the I-160 non-immigrant medical B visa application. Now, I can take the confirmation & file for a visa interview appointment. To do that, I had to go to the approved American Visa Services Center, pay the visa fee (13,030 rupees, $150), submit Gracy's passport, a 2x2 visa picture, copy of the confirmation & my identity proof (copy of my passport). When it was all said & done, I still had a very difficult time getting an interview appointment. The I-160 visa application (I'm assuming all non-immigrant visa applications are this way) did not have a relationship category for "guardian" so, I was advised to use "other" as the relationship throughout Gracy's application. Well, this just created more problems at the visa center . . . Even though Gracy's passport has a guardianship disclaimer stamp for me on the inside cover, signed/endorsed by the Ministory of Interior/Passport, the visa center would only go by what was listed in the "parent" field of her passport & also the "parent" field of the visa application. Both have to list the b.father, at this point. So, the application said I was "other" & the passport didn't have me listed in the parent field . . . after 3 calls to the USE & an hour of wait, I was finally given the interview appointment. I just hope & pray once I get to the USE for the visa interview, this will all be understood & accepted as the truth.

Our medical visa interview is Wed, 9/21/11 at 9:00 a.m. (US - 11:00 p.m. Tues). Please pray for the USE to have open hearts & minds.

Monday (9/12) - The I-290B Appeal is officially sent via FedEx from the US to New Delhi. It should be received in 3-4 days. I pray a special prayer today as our case journeys on. We have also filed for a 30 day extension to have amble time to prepare a new legal brief with additional evidence. We don't know what that "additional" evidence will be, at this point, since we have given USCIS everything that supports Gracy's orphan status. But, we are going to comb through everything & see if we can produce additional legal opinions from Pakistani legal experts to help in clarifying the legal Pakistani law issues that USCIS seems to have with our case.

Thursday (9/15) - I have decided to share our story. So, during the month of August & September, I have been working with different media sectors to have our story told. Today, we finalized an article that will be published in the Tulsa Wold, Sunday, 9/18/2011 (below is the link). My hope & prayer is that people will finally understand what a compelling case this is & the truth will finally make itself known. The truth about a baby girl, her deserving right to be adopted into a loving family & her right to live beyond being a victim of child trafficking.

Friday (9/16) - Nicky's Gotcha Day! Our 7th Family-versary! I can't believe it has been 7 years since I first met my sweet Tyoma & we became a family! It is all so fresh in my memory. I'll never forget & I relive it over & over again. What precious memories!

Thank you, my sweet little boy, for making my life so wonderful!!! I love you more than the whole world!

Yealo Blu Tebia, Tyoma! :)

Sunday (9/18) - link to the Tulsa World article below. Please feel free to forward the link to your family & friends and anyone that you think would be interested in our story. Thank You!

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110918_11_A16_CUTLIN134753

Although Gracy does have a medical condition of hydrocephalus, she is really doing very, very well . . and gaining every day. She is now officially into size 4 (diapers & shoes). She can still wear her 18 month clothes, but they are short! 2 year old sizes are still a bit big, but she is growing fast! She is currently in the 25-30% on the growth charts for W/L (yeah!!). She is a sweet, bubbly, lively, talking toddler & keeps everyone at the g.house on their toes! She is perfect in Mama's eyes. She is pure Joy! :)
Her measurements:
Weight - 27 lbs
Length - 34"
HC - 20.5" (this puts her in the 95+%, actually almost off the charts for hc).

Gracy’s New Words . . . Gracy is also learning Urdu words!

“Bel-come or sometimes Pel-come" – Welcome
“Beeee-leez" - Please
She can say most of all the basic colors & we are working on shapes now.
"A-ja" - Come here (Urdu)
"Ya-lay" - Take it (Urdu)
"Ta-Ta" - Bye-Bye (Urdu)

I have been asked by many "How are you holding up?" Actually, pretty well. There are those difficult days (homesick for my Nicky!). . . but I pick myself up through the encouragement & support of my wonderful family/friends in both the US & Pakistan. Without this wonderful support network, it would be . . . very difficult. I consider the precious individuals that are living through this with me to be "angels" on my shoulder. They bless me everyday with their support, encouragement & dedication to Gracy's story. I am humbled & grateful . . . all I can say is Thank You!

And . . . my faith holds me steady!

Take care . . . talk to you soon! (kiss & hug your family tonight!)

Love & Blessings,
Nancy (Mama) & Gracy

Hello, from Pakistan - USCIS Orphan Status Applicant Response Appeal

Another couple of weeks in Pakistan . . . going on 210 days, 30 weeks, 7 months!

July was been a very challenging month . . . however, I’m still standing! J yeah, yeah, yeah . . .! (I couldn’t help it, I’m singing it in my head!)

August is here, and is the Islam holy month of “fasting & prayer”, Ramadan. The markets, stores, restaurants, the whole country basically shuts down for a month. Fasting is from “dawn to dusk”, & starts at ~ 4:00 a.m. & runs through until just after 7:00 p.m. So, life is very, very quiet right now, even the traffic through the g.house has slowed down to a trickle. In the evening at sunset, families gather for the Iftar “fast-breaking” meal. The stores that sell the Iftar foods open in the evening after the Iftar is over & are basically the only stores open for the 1st days of Ramadan.

(7/21 – 7/31) - The last 2 weeks of July were spent with follow up medical visits for Gracy. I have found out there are no pediatric speech therapists in Pakistan! So, I have been working with her myself to help strengthen her tongue muscles & “stick out” her tongue! This should help in her delayed speech acquisition. However, she has found this very difficult, since she has never been able to “stick out” her tongue before now! Little by little . . . it is creeping out past her lips!

Gracy also has another medical condition that we have been monitoring since early spring. In early February, she was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. At this point, she shows no signs of developmental delays or brain damage. But, her frontal lobe ventricles are completely full with fluid . . . so we are being very careful!

As a result of her medical conditions, we are trying to obtain a non-immigrant medical B visa. If approved, this would allow her to travel to the US with me for medical treatment for an interim, temporary amount of time. It is a very difficult visa to be approved (especially if you have a pending immigrant visa in process) . . . & we couldn’t apply for a non-immigrant visa until after we had received the USCIS decision for orphan status, which determines the immigrant visa. I feel I need to exhaust every possible option of returning to the US with my little girl as soon as possible, so we are going to try for it! However, in order to make application for this visa, I have to be physically present to submit the application dossier to the USE here in Islamabad. So, over the last couple of weeks, I have been diligently trying to get all the necessary medical statements from both Pakistan & the US to support our visa application.

(8/1 – 8/5) – We have been very busy with preparing our Applicant Response to the Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). It was finally sent to USCIS New Delhi, Friday, 8/5. No electronic files can be sent, all original hard copy docs required, sent via FedEx.

Saturday (8/6) – For the last 2.5 months, I have been trying to find a trustworthy family, individual or living situation for Gracy . . . The last resort is to leave Gracy here & return to the US without her for a few months (depending on our USCIS timeline for orphan status review decision OR USE/ISL timeline for medical B visa decision). It is very difficult to think about this option . . . but I must be thinking ahead should our next set of “wait” be lengthy, again. So, today, I visited with a possible family that has come recommended through a Christian friend. Needless to say, it has been very difficult to find someone that is willing to take on the responsibility of a small child, for an unknown amount of time. But, should our wait be again several months, I do know God will provide the loving, secure, healthy environment needed to take care of Gracy. It is a lot to ask of someone & that someone has to be just right . . . for the best interests of our sweet pea! Please pray . . . that I don’t have to utilize this option! But, pray . . . should that be the case . . . the perfect, loving individual & environment will make itself known & be ready.

Sunday (8/7) – Gracy turns 26 months old today!

Church at St Thomas. As we sang “Because He Lives”, my heart was touched with the following 2nd verse . . . It speaks for our situation.

“How sweet to hold
A newborn baby
And feel the pride
And joy (s)he gives
But greater still
The calm assurance
This child can face
Uncertain days
Because He lives“

Monday (8/8) - Through the FedEx tracking number, the FedEx package has arrived in New Delhi with our Applicant Response to the NOID. However, I’m told it will take 1-2 weeks before we will have a notice of receipt from USCIS that it has “officially” been received. The explanation for the time delay . . . it takes that long to travel from the central mail room (in ND) to the appropriate USCIS office (also in ND). Yes . . . it takes longer to “find” the right USCIS office within the same city, than it does to ship from the US to India! Go figure! J By now, I’ve stopped asking why & have just accepted that once a case file reaches a USCIS/USE office, it goes into “file 13”, just because . . . So, hopefully in a couple of weeks, we will have a timeframe for decision review . . . we will ask for an expedited timeframe, but there are no guarantees that USCIS will give us an expedited review.

Tuesday (8/9) – Today is my last employment day with Helmerich & Payne . . . Yes, very sad indeed. But, life does need to move on . . . For those that wish to continue with my adoption update, please email me at novokbb2@yahoo.com . I will be emailing from this email address & will change the distro list accordingly. You can also email me anytime using this personal email address.

Wednesday (8/10) – In the morning, a visit to a Catholic orphanage in Rawalapindi (40 min drive from Islamabad). A possible interim living situation for Gracy. A German friend from St Thomas that runs an orphanage/hostel for 5 year old + girls suggested this orphanage. I’ll visit with the sisters & see the facilities. Later in the day, another doctor’s visit for Gracy, hopefully ending with a medical statement stating medical treatment is needed in the US!

Looking back over my adoption update emails, I noticed I have never shared pictures of the guest house. So, below is the link to the New Cape Grace website. I have stayed in Rooms 26 (where Gracy, Uppa D & I stayed), 23, 28 & for the last 2.5 months 25 (a very small room). Now you can see where I spend most of my time during the day! Click on the TripAdvisor widget (under Services) & read the reviews. Pictures also of Karim & Samir. This gives you an idea of who Karim & Samir truly are, a wonderful family!

http://www.newcapegrace.com/

Gracy’s New Words . . . She is just beginning to start putting 2 words sentences together! We have a loooonnnggg way to go, but it is coming through loud & clear, at least to Mama! :)

“I Uv” – “I Love You” at this point, but Mama knows exactly what Gracy is trying to say . . . soooo incredibly sweet to hear!
“All Done!” or sometimes “Me Done” – Enough said!

Gracy loves to dance & sing . . . so below are a few favorites that I hear throughout the day (yes, I know . . . get it on video!).
“. . . up a uv . . . high . . .” – this is “twinkle, twinkle little star”. Gracy loves this song & I hear her singing these words . . . she even has the actions down!
“. . . impy der . . . – yes, hard to decipher, but its “Itsy, Bitsy Spider”! The actions, let you know exactly what song it is J Her little fingers try so hard!
“Uv . . . ME!” – this is from our FAVORITE song! We sing the hymn “Love Lifted Me” every night before bed & many times throughout the day. Grace belts out a resounding “ME” everytime.

Mama is also learning some Urdu (Pakistani language). Here are just a few of what I use every day!

“Sallam, vey da coom” - Hello
“Ka-da-ha-fus” – Good Bye
“Ta-Ta” – Bye Bye
“Shuck-ria” – Thank You
“Gee” – Yes
“Nay-hee-n” – No
(for those quick no-no moments its . . . nay nay!)
“Bosh” – Enough
“Ah-chah” – good
“Va-va” – very good
“Tee-kay” – OK?
“Cal-hal-hey” – How are you?
“In-shall-alla” – By God’s will/in God’s time
“Mein Tumsea Peeyart Karta Hoon” – My fav . . . I Love You! For both my children, I start every day & end every night with “I Love You (b.name)” in their birth country language, along with their birth name. I’m hoping by daily telling them I Love You in Russian/Urdu, it lets them know just how much I love the “special-ness” of our family & the value I place on their country of birth.

So, here we are again . . . current!

Take care . . . talk to you soon!

Love & Blessings,
Nancy (Mama) & Gracy

Hello, from Pakistan - USCIS Orphan Status Approval/Immigrant Visa

Another week in Pakistan . . . going on 190 days, 27 weeks, 6.5 months!

Some weeks are just simply harder than others . . . & this week has been the most difficult so far! . . . Even in the dark valleys, God is Joy, True, Just & Faithful! :)

Tuesday (7/12) – No news from USCIS.

Throughout this week, we are dealing with the Giardia (intestinal parasite) as best we can . . . Whew! the last couple of days Gracy has gone through 15-20 diapers a day! (Yes, that is correct! During the worst of it, in 1 hour I changed her 4 times!) So . . . we didn’t go ANYWHERE this week. Stayed close to the g.house.

Saturday (7/16) – Skyped with Uppa D (cousin Dalend) & Nicky.

USCIS New Delhi sent the I-600 Orphan Status Decision to my US residence address via FedEx. Today, Uppa D received it, opened the FedEx envelope & read USCIS’s decision to me . . . Marina Grace’s I-600 orphan status has been Denied . . . we are all so disappointed! This document is the NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) which will go into effect after a 30 day wait for applicant response. I have consulted with my immigration attorney, who is experienced with Pakistani immigrations, specifically IR-4 adoption immigration visas, and I have been counseled that MG’s case facts are definitely legally strong & in compliance with USCIS orphan status guidelines. So, we will be responding back to the NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) within the 30 day trimeframe with a counter response based on a legal, sound argument for orphan status. We have no timeline for the USCIS reply to our NOID response, however, I'm told by my attorney, it could take several months & should we have to appeal the final Denial, possibly 2 years before a final resolution. So . . . we hang on knowing that “Truth will make itself known”. And, praying that USCIS will respond favorably to our NOID response.

Sunday (7/17) – After 8 days of treatment for Giardia, Gracy is retested at the diagnostic lab . . . We will get the test results/report back tomorrow.

Monday (7/18) – The lab report came back with no signs of Giardia cysts! YEAH! We go see Dr. Rubina tonight for a follow up.

While we are at Dr. Rubina’s clinic . . . much discussion is had over Gracy’s medical condition, Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie). In May, Gracy was diagnosed with a very severe, thick tongue-tie condition which requires surgery to release her tongue. The prognosis - excellent! However, since Gracy is in such a critical stage of language acquisition & she will not be allowed to travel to the US within the next several months, the decision has been made to have her tongue-tie corrected through surgery here in Islamabad.

So over the next couple days, I’m deep in . . . researching medical doctors, somewhat difficult, child specialists are few & far between. As with anything in Pakistan . . . you have to be extremely careful & know that you know!

Tuesday (7/19) – Late in the evening, I finally consult a surgeon at the Ali Medical Center that performs the Ankyloglossia tongue release procedure on children with general anesthesia & with reconstruction of the underside of the tongue (very important in MG’s severe case so adhesions/reattachment does not occur). The surgeon is UK trained & seems to be very experienced with the severity of MG’s case. However, the surgeon’s schedule is very tight & for the next 2 weeks, he is only available late Wednesday night as a possibly surgery option. So, at 9:00 p.m. I take MG to be examined by Dr Nadeem for a possibly surgery the following evening. It is a severe case, but all looks good & he is confident that the procedure he performs (very similar to UK & US) will permanently correct the Ankyloglossia. I’m told, the procedure is considered “routine” & will take ~ 30 minutes. After the general anesthesia has worn off & if she is doing well, we can take her home (g.house home!). However, she may be kept overnight, if necessary.

Wednesday (7/20) – Tonight is Gracy’s surgery . . . 9:15 p.m. PST/11:15 a.m. US CST. Yes, Mama is very anxious. I think anytime a parent makes the decision to place their child under anesthesia, in a “coma” state . . . and, as your child looks at you with loving trust, you watch them “go under” . . . it brings the reality of the intense, enormous responsibility that a parent has for the life of a child. As a parent, you research, gain the best possible information you can obtain & then you make the decision. I have felt that enormous weight of responsibility 2 different times with Nicky’s medical needs . . . Believe me, it doesn’t get any easier, especially in a 3rd world country!

I pray my decision has been based on sound, medical advice & expertise! A mother’s prayer said over our sweet Marina Grace & a prayer for a very quick recovery time. Please pray for the surgeon’s diligent, competent hands . . . operating on such a tiny sweetheart. :)

Gracy’s New Words . . .

“Manier” “Sattod” “Comaran” . . . all guest house staff . . . Gracy is learning who she can wrap around her finger!!!!
"Peez" (please) – This brings joy to Mama’s heart that my sweetie is sooo polite. She now says Please & Thank You!
“Coke” – Yes, can you believe it!

Take care . . . talk to you soon!

Love & Blessings,
Nancy (Mama) & Gracy

Hello, from Pakistan - USCIS Orphan Status Approval/Immigrant Visa

Another 2+ weeks in Pakistan . . . going on 182 days, 26 weeks, 6 months!

Say hello to the Monsoon Season . . . rain, rain, rain!!! It seems to only rains at night, which doesn’t cool anything down . . . just makes the next day extremely hot, humid/muggy.

Monday (7/4) – Happy 4th of July! Gracy dressed in her red, white & blue outfit (I brought for the USE interview) & Mama wore a blue, white & pink shalwar kameez (as close to r/w/b as I could get!). We spent a very quiet day at the guest house . . . unfortunately, we are not feeling that well. And, we ended up the day at Dr Rubina’s office. It seems that “something” is giving both of us a hard time!!! Actually, Mama has lost count of the times we have had dysentery. So, MG will go through some testing over the next 2-3 days to see what is going on in her tummy. Dr Rubina took Mama’s blood pressure & it is very low, so a saline/glucose replacement is now a must. Hopefully, we will be back to health soon!

Tuesday (7/5) – This is the week that the USCIS in New Delhi gave us as the deadline (15 days) for the final decision on MG’s orphan status (I-600 application). So far, we have not heard anything & hopefully, the Senator’s office will follow up to confirm the decision. I am waiting on pins-n-needles . . .

MG began intestinal testing today to see if she has any kind of parasitic infection in her tummy. Mama is suspicious of a parasite, called Giardia, that is known to plague orphanages & 3rd world countries. Of course, it could be just another simple case of gastrointestinitis (mama has had this, oh so many times over the last few months!). We have 3 days of intestinal sample testing 1st thing in the morning at a diagnostic lab about 15 minutes from the g.house. . . so today we started our early am taxi ride to the Islamabad Diagnostic Center (IDC).

Wednesday (7/6) – Another early am trek for intestinal sample at the IDC.

We also found out today that USCIS ND has finally responded to the 15 day deadline on our I-600 application . . . unfortunately, they are still not able to make an orphan status determination & have delayed the decision due to a “clarification” issue. We are not privy to what the issue is, just that there will be another delay. The S.office, on our behalf, is asking for a new timeline for this delay . . . we will see if USCIS will respond back with another estimated timeline. The S.office is diligently trying to help in every way possible, however, one has to be very careful with how you “ask” about an I-600/Immigrant Visa application case (especially in this part of the world). An applicant is not privy to the case’s specific details of the “process”. And, if there are any applicant “demands” this is considered “manipulation” by the applicant . . . & is against USCIS guidelines (in short, illegal & your application will be denied). Especially, in this part of the world & during the current events of US/Pakistan relations . . . everything is supposedly double & triple checked. So, we/S.office are being very cautious & careful on how we ask & what we ask for . . . I’m not sure how a 2 yo can place an entire country’s security at risk . . . but the policy of “process” is non-negotiable. So we Wait . . .

Thursday (7/7) – Marina Grace turns 25 months old!!!

Unfortunately, we are both not 100%. This is the 3rd day of intestinal testing for MG & appointment with Dr Rubina. As Mama had suspected . . . Gracy has tested positive for the intestinal parasite, Giardia. So, Mama probably has it as well. At least it gives us an answer on why over the last month we have become sicker each day with dysentery. We have medicine now! As much medicine as we have gone through over the last 6 months . . . thank goodness medicine in Pakistan is very economical!!! There is no way of telling where MG picked Giardia up . . . she could have had it all along . . . & passed it to Mama, who knows . . . We will have about 7-10 days of treatment & then MG will be tested again. Hopefully, our nasty “tummy friend” will be gone! :)

There is a young couple staying at the g.house for a couple of months . . . their baby girl & Gracy have become fast friends & love playing together. It is so nice to have a playmate for Gracy (MG is action packed & needs LOTS of activity). The sweet mother is a delight to visit with, as well. The family is from Karachi (far south). We have spent many evenings (the coolest part of the day) over the last month playing in the garden with Gracy & baby F.

The S.office is to find out the new timeline estimate for orphan status decision by Friday 7/8. It is a disappointment to be delayed, once again . . . & we are still just on the I-600 orphan status decision. There is still the immigrant visa process to go through after the I-600. I’m told by the USE/ISL the immigrant visa process will take 5-10 days minimum (without any issues). However, I’m also told the US/Pak relations have become so strained that the process will probably become even longer over the next 1-2 months.

Over the next few days . . . Mama & Gracy are still pretty weak from the Giardia. Gracy is bouncing back quicker than Mama . . . I’m so thankful for the g.house family, they have stepped in to help with childcare while Mama is, let’s just say, battling Giardia :)

Saturday (7/9) – The Tulsa Little League Baseball All-Star tryouts are today! For the 2nd year, Nicholas tries out . . . we will see if he makes 1 of the 4 All-Star teams. When Mama talked to him over skype, Nicky assured mama that he had a great time & he did a “great job”! Nicky sounded so excited about his efforts & Uppa D concurred that Nicky did a great job . . . of course, we think he is an “all-star” regardless of the outcome!!!

Mama felt well enough to go shopping with Shelina (g.house owner’s daughter) in Rawalipindi (sister city to Islamabad). “Pindi” is very close to Islamabad, takes about 50-60 minutes by taxi. It isn’t the miles, it is the TRAFFIC! I have never experienced traffic like this . . . cars, motorcycles, bicycles, carts w/horses/mules/oxen, rickshaws . . . all on a 2 lane highway trying to pretend it is 4-6 lanes! Honestly, it was simply amazing. On TV/magazines, I have seen/read many times about the traffic in India, China, Hong Kong, etc . . . but never have experienced it. I now can say I HAVE! The congestion with horns & shouting & people . . . simply amazing! And . . . then the markets . . . another entirely amazing experience. People everywhere!!!! Little shops that seem to go on & on forever, twisting/turning this way & that way. One “mall” (large concrete building divided into tiny little shops) may be for clothing (women & children together in a mall, men’s clothing in a separate mall; got to keep those genders separate, lol!), another for furniture, another for cosmetics (yes, 1 entire mall for cosmetics!), another for carpets, another for . . . you name it, it is in Pindi! Everyone goes to Pindi to shop! We were at the market for over 7 hours, shopping for Shalwar Kameez suits for Shelina (she has a new job!) & of course, Mama had to get in the shopping action as well (I bought a few, as well!). Anyway . . . the entire 7 hours we were at the market in Pindi . . . I never saw a foreigner. I was the lone one! Of course, by now, I am so used to the stares & whispers back-n-forth . . . I don’t even notice it!

Monday (7/11) – The S.office is diligently trying to find out some kind of update on our case . . . so far, no news. So . . . we are back in the Wait. Such a familiar place, yet so very frustrating to be faced with the “unknown” once again. I’m trying to keep the stress/worry/strain/tension at bay . . . but it is difficult since we have been living in Pakistan now 6 months. What will another month bring? . . . I do know that God has a plan . . . Trust & Faith!

Right now the days are slow & steady . . . the Heat is constant, Giardia is intense, the Wait seems forever, . . . but we know, this too shall pass J In the meantime, Gracy has become the g.house “Greeter” (sort of like the Walmart Greeter!). Lately, she has spent a great deal of time with “Papa” Karim (since Mama has not been feeling too well). So, Gracy “greets” anyone coming or going from the g.house. She makes sure that they shake her hand 1st , then she waves “bye-bye” or “hello” & gives them a “fly kiss”. (mental note to self – I have to get a video of this!) Papa Karim & everyone are so surprised at her sweet confidence at only 2 yo. She is fearless/strong & yet so sweet! Our Marina Grace is a very delightful, special child . . . full of Promise!

Gracy’s New Words . . .

"Now" – Hmmmmm, I wonder where she has heard this one! :)
"Va Va" – In Urdu, this means “very good”. Papa Karim has taught Gracy this word! She walks around saying it over & over . . . along with “Wow”!
“Done” – She lets Mama know when she is “done” with anything . . . eating, bath, book reading, etc.
“Outside” – Gracy longs to be outside, playing in the garden, with KeeKee (kitty) or just sitting in her stroller watching the traffic go by (She loves big trucks/buses & shouts/waves to them as they go by). She also loves to go on walks, although we have minimized these lately due to security risks.

We are diligently praying & hopeful for good news . . . any day.

Take care . . . talk to you soon!

Love & Blessings,
Nancy (Mama) & Gracy

Hello, from Pakistan - Nicholas & Baseball

I missed a very important summer milestone in my Nicky’s life this last week . . .

Saturday (6/26) – Nicky participated in the Tulsa Little League Pitch, Hit & Run Challenge. He is such a baseball lover . . . anytime he gets to “play ball” he is all about it! He won 2 trophies - 2nd in the Pitch & 2nd in the Run. Nicky tells me that he was in the top 5 for quite a while in the Hit category. He was so excited & practically wanted to sleep with his trophies Sat night! We are all so very proud of our little baseball player! Mama is very, very proud! I just wished I could have been there to see it ALL! :)

Hello, from Pakistan - Gracy is 2!!!

Another 2+ weeks in Pakistan . . . going on 149 days, 21+ weeks, 5.5 months! We have a very special Birthday coming up for our Sweet Pea, Gracy Girl !!!

I know I sound like a broken record . . . but, have I told you, AGAIN, how HOT it is here!!! My favorite taxi driver & I have a special way of saying hello - Nancy: "How hot will the drive be today?" Driver: "Today . . . HOT Drive!" Believe me, I will welcome the "hot" Oklahoma summer of 2-3 weeks of just 100 degree weather! But, truly . . . it is only a minor inconvenience! :)

Monday (5/23) - I received a call from the USE/Islamabad late in the afternoon. The Islamabad "decision" has been made . . . the case's timeline orphan status "facts" is too "complex" for USE/Islamabad to approve Gracy's IR-4 adoption permanent immigrant visa. The case will now be sent on to New Delhi, India for final decision/processing. Yes, the tears flowed & flowed & flowed tonight! My family & I skyped for comfort. The guest house family (Karim, Shelina & Sameer, bless them!) helped me weather through the disappointment. Gracy & I will not be coming home this week, next week or . . . for sometime. During the call, I did ask for special permission to speak to the USE official that has made this decision. I have a "possible" appt with him tomorrow morning. Hopefully, I can get a better explanation on what this "no approval" decision means & the status of the case from this individual.

Tuesday (5/24) - I was able to speak with the Mgr of American Citizens Services Unit this morning. I was not allowed a personal, face-to-face appointment with him (which I had requested), but I was able to directly speak with him via phone. He explained that the USE/Islamabad has only a very basic USCIS office & has authority to approve only the very "straight forward" I-604 investigation cases. Our case is not "straight forward" . . . but is very complex with complicated timeline facts for orphan status eligibility & prospective adoptive parent status eligibility. Islamabad has not "denied" the immigrant visa, but neither has an "approval" been given. The electronic file & case has been sent "up the chain of command" so to speak . . . to the closest, fully staffed USCIS office . . . New Delhi, India. All is not lost with the I-604 processing done here in ISL. New Delhi will take the I-604 investigation facts that ISL has gathered & will begin a thorough review, again, from the inception of the case in 2009. However, the USE ACSU Mgr could not give an estimated timeline on how long this next level of processing will take . . . there is no average timeline . . . it could take a few days to several months . . . so, all I can do is wait. The next step is to wait a week & then follow up again with USE/ISL to see if I can be given a status update.

The rest of the week was the normal, daily childcare, laundry & catching up on work emails. I am starting to work a few hours each week to try to become re-introduced back into my work at H&P. I have regularly kept up on reading emails, but now I am actively responding & participating in specific tasks. It definitely helps in feeling "normal" again! LOL!

Tuesday (5/31) - I have waited a week for news that the electronic file has officially been sent on to New Delhi. I called the USE/ISL today to verify that the electronic file was sent last Wednesday. Yes, you have to follow up & make sure people are doing what they say they will do . . . "things" slip through the cracks (enough said!). So . . . yes, the file was sent. I'm told it will take a week to receive the electronic file in New Delhi &, at this point, ISL is no longer involved in the final decision & will not receive any status updates until the final decision is made. I'm told to forward any questions/concerns I have to New Delhi . . . I'm given a generic email address, which I'm told I may/may not get a response from, depending on my question/concern. I send an email plea to the New Delhi USCIS office, using the email address, to please provide me a "timeline estimate" on the process for immigrant visa decision. We will see what the next week brings . . . hopefully good news.

Saturday (6/4) - I picked up my new Pakistan visa extension this afternoon. Miracle worker, Shelina, was able to help me obtain a 6 month visa extension this time. The monthly extensions were bringing too much focus to my case & creating some issues with the Pakistan Ministry of Interior, so Shelina suggested this option. No one really knows how long the USCIS immigrant visa process in New Delhi, India will take . . . so we applied for a several month visa extension (very, very rare with a tourist visa) . . . so I can stay here in Pakistan with Gracy.

Gracy & I moved g.house rooms today. LOL :) . . . since we have been here, we have had 4 different rooms! Karim just keeps moving us, as he needs to best utilize his g.house accommodations for all his guests. At this point, we are like family & just move as needed! This time, however, was a "clean out" project. We had been staying several months in one particular room & mama had to go through & "clean house". Since our new room is smaller, I packed up all the items that we are not using . . . and now, we are down to just the bare essentials!

Monday (6/6) - A week has gone by since the last follow up on the USCIS decision. So, another follow up . . . I found out today that the I-600 form (the critical document for applying for an IR-4 immigrant visa, which I turned in on 4/21 to the USE/ISL) . . . was never sent along with the electronic file 2 weeks ago to New Delhi, India . . . without the I-600, nothing happens, the file was put at the bottom of the stack & not even looked at! No one at USCIS New Delhi & no one here in USE/ISL caught this important oversight . . . I could go on & on about the mismanagement of our case's electronic file, but it really serves no purpose . . . At this point, all I can do is pray . . . pray . . . pray for someone with "higher power" to take over with an "eye on the sparrow". I ask for prayers to be lifted up for the "appropriate, priority focus" on Gracy's case.

Nicky has his 1st Little League Baseball game tonight. My little guy is crazy about baseball. Please pray for me . . . I am a bit blue that I am missing out on so much of my Nicky's life these days. It is difficult to be away from my sweet Nicky, who I love more than life! However, G'ma, Uppa D & my wonderful family, neighbor & friends are helping fill in the gap for Mama . . . but my heart still aches for my "sweet baby, Tyoma"!

Tuesday (6/7) - Our Sweet Pea, Gracy Girl . . . TURNS 2 years old TODAY!!!! For a week, g.house owner Karim has been busy planning a birthday bash! In fact, his entire family has gone over & above. And . . . they have kept it all a secret from Mama & Gracy! Of course, Gracy doesn't have a clue what a birthday is . . . but she will enjoy the attention & have FUN . . . we all will.

The Big B-day started out with Gracy dressing in Mama's favorite . . . a pretty pink/white summer "frock" (as Pakistan calls a little girl's dress) with a big pink bow in her beautiful, dark brown hair. Pink is Gracy's color! Then there were BALLOONS - EVERYWHERE! Karim had ~ 150 balloons put up all around the g.house. Unfortunately, the heat began to pop the balloons before Gracy could get outside to see them . . . no matter . . . the effort was so appreciated! Once they started popping . . . Karim went out & bought even more balloons to bring to the g.house. Gracy had a lot of balloons to celebrate with! Next there was a special luncheon with the g.house staff. There are 6 young men that work at the g.house & have a special love for our Gracy Girl! They take turns each day taking care of Gracy while Mama works or runs errands or needs to attend a specific appointment. Gracy is a very, very active child & sitting still just doesn't come easy for her! LOL! So, if her personal presence is not required . . . she stays at the g.house & plays. Mama know that Karim/Sameer will make sure she is safe & well taken care of. So, it was only fitting that Gracy have a special b-day lunch with the staff! After lunch, she was taken into the common lobby area & she opened her "gifts". She had a small swimming pool & a toddler tricycle waiting for her! She oohhed & aahhed over each one. But, she immediately wanted to try out the tricycle! She can't quite work the pedals yet, so she just "scoots" with her feet to make it "go". She played & played . . . going back & forth from one end of the lobby to the other. Next, it was the "big time" . . . on to the driveway, one end to the other. Then she went swimming in her new pool! She loves water & splished/splashed everyone! We ALL kept cool for about an hour. Mama was wanting Gracy to nap for a bit, but Gracy had other ideas . . . she moved from tricycle to pool over & over again for hours. That evening was a special b-day celebration at a very nice restaurant, The Olive Garden (no, not the US Olive Garden!). It was a very, very nice restaurant . . . and Karim, Shalena & Sameer (once again) went above & beyond. A special table was decorated all in pink/white with party hats & the "works"! As Mama & Karim brought Gracy into the restaurant . . . candles were lit while singing "Happy Birthday"!!! Gracy's cake was a beautiful pink/white w/tiny blue flowers, Princess "Barbie Doll" cake (with a real Barbie Doll)! And . . . a big number 2 candle! All around the cake were lit tea candles that made the cake just glow . . . beautiful! Gracy (with the initial practice help of Sameer) did her best to blow out all her candles (Sameer helped). It was such a surprise b-day for our precious "Princess"! So, we had cake 1st (everyone deserves to have their cake 1st on their b-day, right!?!) After the cake & watching Gracy dance to the restaurant music, we ordered dinner. Wow! what a feast! Gracy had her normal 2 bites & then wanted her bottle of Nido (formula)! But . . . the adults had a wonderful meal! What a special, special b-day dinner. It was pretty late when we finally got back to the g.house & Gracy was still wide awake! This child doesn't miss anything! She wanted to play with the balloons, AGAIN! It was after midnight before she finally settled down enough to sleep & then ONLY if Mama would let her sleep with several of her balloons! LOL! What an amazing, special day! Words cannot express my gratitude/appreciation for everyone's efforts in making our Sweet Pea's 2nd birthday (but her very 1st b-day celebration) such a wonderful memory. Yes, I know the celebration was more for the adults than for Gracy, since she is so young & Gracy will probably not remember this special party day (& probably will be the only one she will celebrate in ISL) . . . but the adults will remember & we will forever share the memories with her.

Of course, once we are back in the US, we will have another Party BASH! It just HAS to be . . . because it will be such a wonderful, wonderful moment to FINALLY be back home with our Sweet Pea!!! Yes, everyone is invited!

Wednesday (6/8) - A very down day . . . Gracy was very tired today & took a good long nap! She loved playing with her balloons (I think we could have just given her balloons & she would have been happy!). She also rode her toddler tricycle up/down the driveway with each staff person taking turns helping her make it "go"! Yes, a splish/splash in the pool was mandatory after that! She fell asleep very early . . . Whew! Mama was tired too!

Thursday (6/9) - A very normal day of wait . . . but playing with the new b-day toys break up the day. After a good pool splish/splash, we had b-day cake, again, mid-afternoon (this time - we shared it with Giorgio, Italian NGO coordinator). Mama even stuck in her feet in the pool today (of course, I made sure my knees & elbows were covered! lol!)

Mama & Gracy have "adopted" a stray kitty born under the guard house. It is a yellow tabby. Gracy loves it & looks for it everyday. The kitten is very emaciated & we are "loving" it back to health (G'ma remember my childhood days with the barn kittens?). I've told Karim that he will need to take care of it when we are gone! He smiles & says he will try to make sure the kitten stays healthy. Now that we see the kitten gaining in health . . . we will give it a name . . . Hmmmmm . . . will let you know!

Gracy, of course, has some new words -

"Bir-day" - of course, a BIG word this week in honor of our bir-day girl!
"Balloon" - many, many balloons to pop & play with.


On the legal/USCIS/Immigrant Visa front - there is a lot of frustration & uncertainty on what will happen next. I wish I could tell you that the USCIS immigrant visa process is going smoothly, but it is not . . . Please pray for wisdom . . . the right people, the right steps taken, all within the right timing . . . all are very important. Without wisdom, we could hinder the case instead of help. The "bigger picture" is . . . Marina Grace's future! I'm a US citizen with a US passport . . . I can come back to the US, at any time. However, Marina Grace cannot at this point in time (even though I am her legal guardian) & the way we communicate & handle the case . . . will determine Gracy's future!

Yes, we are ready to come home! Pray for wisdom & God's omnipotent timing . . . hopefully good news soon.

Take care . . . talk to you soon!

Love & Blessings,
Nancy (Mama) & Gracy (our b-day sweetie!!)

Hello, from Pakistan - Osama bin Laden

Just a quick note to say "We are OK!" It is just another day in Islamabad, even though 30 miles away Osama bin Laden was captured.

We are trying to expedite the USE immigrant visa as quickly as we can. I'll send a more detailed adoption update later.

I'm so busy with Gracy these days . . . she is 24/7 (I LOVE IT!).

Please remember . . . God is in Control!

Take care & we will see you soon!

Nancy & Gracy :)

Hello, from Pakistan - High Court Appeal

So . . . another adoption update - going on 83 days, 11.75 weeks, I'll go ahead & call it 3 months.

Wednesday (3/23) - A sunny day of wait & a Pakistan holiday . . . Independence Day . . . We went to visit our park family friends again today. The mother gave me a piece of beautiful cloth for a shalwar kemeez (traditional Pakistani dress). She took me to visit her sister who is a tailor to have the shalwar kemeez tailor made for me. The sister lives in what is called a "Christian Community" (where our park family friends previously lived). Sadly . . . this is a nice way of saying the "slums", broken concrete shelters interconnected by narrow alleys. As I walked through the narrow dirt alleyway turning left, then right . . . dodging the blowing trash/litter . . . stepping over broken concrete . . . hiking up my pants to miss the sewer drainage running through . . . I was immediately humbled. Yes, I felt all eyes on me as the people & children stood in awe & watched an obvious Christian (Muslims do not enter here) "white" woman walking through their feeble existence, probably the 1st time most had ever seen a white woman "up close & personal". We passed a woman with an obvious new born & the park mother stopped to congratulate the mother, oohhhing & ahhhing over the tiny infant. As we moved on, I was told it was the family's 8th child. I prayed as I walked through, prayed for God's wisdom & blessing to fall on these people. All I can say is, the need is so great . . . As we finally reached the home where the sister lived . . . again I was humbled as I entered the dwelling. She runs a tailor business from her 1, 8 x 10 room. There were 5 women inside, sitting on the bed & floor. They were happily chattering away in Urdu. The sister was squatting on the floor next to a sewing machine (the black antique kind grandma used). Her nimble fingers efficiently & professionally sewing a beautiful kemeez (Pak tunic). It was royal blue with absolutely beautiful embroidery . . . I found out that it was for one of the young women sitting on the bed . . . her bridal shalwar kemeez. The bride was so excited . . . & I wished her congratulations. The sister would look up every few seconds as she worked away . . . to join in the women's banter, laughing & chatting away (as women do!). She had an assistant for the hand & embroidery work & she passed the bridal dress to the assistant for the finishing touches to be done by hand. Then she turned to me, with a smile, tape measure in hand. She quickly measured me while the assistant wrote down the measurements. Then, the sister went outside for a few minutes & came back with coke & chia (tea) for her customers. Everyone was laughing & enjoying the break. Then the sister began another shalwar kemeez that had recently been cut by the assistant. The assistant finished up the bridal dress & the bride proudly showed it to me. With the park family mother translating (as best she could), I hugged & told the bride she would look beautiful! Then we left . . . walking out the far side of the community, opposite of our entry, where we could find a taxi. As we finally came out of the dark alleys, there was a large clearing. This is where the people live who cannot afford a crumbling concrete home . . . in dirty canvas tents or . . . cardboard/tarp roofed dwellings. There was a small concrete pad with a water hydrant for these families to draw cold water. However, that wasn't the most significant, "invisible elephant standing in the in room". At the far side of the clearing . . . was a huge, huge trash dump . . .which I immediately realized was the source of the "smell" when I first entered the community. At this point, the stench was so intense . . . with the recent rain water mixed in with the run-off drainage going through the alleyways. But, still that was not the most significant of what I saw . . . What hit me the hardest was the people (especially the children) digging through the garbage, trying to find anything they could salvage. How many of these children were orphans?, just trying to exist anyway they could? The park mother & I didn't speak as we walked through this part of the community. In fact, she moved at a double-time pace to get past the sight. But . . . as we reached the top of the crumbling steps, I turned back & watched for several minutes . . . watched the children laugh/play & watched those that "dig". The park mother finally touched my arm to motion me to the taxi. When I looked in her eyes, I saw her embarrassment & disgrace, as she saw the look of shock & tearful heartache in my eyes. After the visit to Edhi Home, I thought I was prepared for anything . . . but nothing had prepared me for this experience. It is the dismal life of the poorest of the poor, Christians in Pakistan. And yet . . . even with the intense poverty . . . life continues . . . young love with the promise of marriage & births of new babies.

Thursday (3/24) - the 1st High Court hearing for the Appeal. My attorneys called me at 8:45 a.m. to tell me the motion/case was #5 on the docket. I rushed to High Court & just as I was almost there . . . my attorney called & said that the case was called & finished in 5 minutes! The HC judge continued the case & ordered 3 summons . . . b.parents, FIA & legal counsel for the State (Civil/District courts). So, the taxi turned around & went back to the guest house. I had left MG with one of the staff "boys" (night security guard). When I walked into the room, the night security guard was reading the Urdu alphabet to Gracy (too cute - she has a book for English ABC & Urdu ABC)! We spend the rest of the day doing laundry!

Friday (3/25) - I received the dictated/attest order from yesterday's hearing. It is continued to next Thursday (3/31). Gracy & I took a walk & played outside the guest house today. It is really starting to get hot now (95+). Since tomorrow is the Visa extension interview with the Ministry of Interior, we went to the market to have copies made of the High Court Appeal application, my passport with all visa extensions & the visa extension form. I also had to have more passport photos made (each visa extension requires 2).

Saturday (3/26) - Shelina, Gracy & I went to the Ministry of Interior at 10:00 am for another interview for another visa extension. This one was a little bit tricky . . . Pakistan only allows US Citizens a total duration of 3 months stay in Pakistan on a single entry, tourist/short term visa. I received the initial visa from the Houston Pakistan Consulate for 30 days which we used in Jan & early Feb. Then Dalend & I extended our visa again for 2 months (expires 4/2). So, that already totals 3 months & technically, I should be leaving for the US. However, my situation is somewhat unique - I have legal custody of a minor child & I'm still in the Pakistani legal process for an amended guardianship order, so I do not have a guardianship certificate yet . . . That means, I can go to the US, but MG cannot. Once Shaleena explained this to the MOI official . . . he understood & approved a 4th month for my particular situation.

While we were at the MOI, we met a very nice journalist from Austria. Of course, Gracy charmed her way into sitting on her lap to play with her iPhone!

Sunday (3/27) – Mama has been having dysentery off/on for the last couple of weeks. Last night & this morning it hit with a vengeance . . . so Mama & Gracy did not go to St Thomas Church. Karim had a couple of the staff watch MG while I slept in the afternoon . . . I had been up most of the night! Gracy loves the "boys" & they love to play with her. She has a little soccer ball that Uppa D got her & they play ball in the driveway. It was so helpful to have someone watch MG so I could get a good nap in!

Monday (3/28) – Another laundry day. MG got soaking wet again & took a dip in her pink pool! A very hot day. But a good day for line drying clothes!

Tuesday (3/29) – Shelina came by to take all the visa extension approval paperwork to the Passport/Visa center. I went early to the market to make copies of everything before she came. Since Gracy is such a wiggle worm . . . the passport/visa center is not the place for her (too many files stacked on the floor & she LOVES paper!) There is no way that Mama can concentrate on what Shaleena is translating with Gracy begging (actually screaming) to be put down! So, Shaleena called ahead & I wrote an authorization for Shaleena to file my extension form for me. Again, the Visa center will keep my passport for 7 days (I get a receipt to carry with me). Next Tuesday we will go pick it up between 2-3:00 p.m. Sameer will go with me to translate.

I really don't what I would have done without Shelina helping with the visa extensions - The guest house owner & family have been a God-send. Sameer accompanies me whenever I go shopping to translate & Shaleena's knowledge of the gov't officials/offices has helped me navigate the passport/visa world. Plus, they are so much fun to be around . . . young 20-something & full of life!

Wednesday (3/30) – Checked in with attorneys late afternoon to make sure all the documents for the 3 parties summoned were completed & ready to go for tomorrow's HC hearing.

The park family's oldest daughter (Mehreen) & her 5 yo daughter (Jenny) came to have lunch with us. The little girl & Gracy had a ball playing. Gracy was so cute trying to play dolls just like Jenny . . . MG "thinks" she is so big!

Thursday (3/31) - 2nd High Court hearing . . . D-Day! Or, I guess . . HC Day! I was up very early, skyped with Nicky/G'ma. Mehreen came to babysit with Gracy while I went to the High Court hearing. This time . . . I was not going to miss it! I arrived at the High Court complex in plenty of time. High Court looks very different from the civil/district complex. It is a much newer building & larger. The security is also much tighter. All the women have to go into a small side shack & be physically searched by a female FIA agent. All bags are scanned & searched. I thought I had remembered everything . . . but, remember my passport?? . . . it is at the visa center! So, I didn't have any identification with me! I had forgotten to bring the receipt from the visa center & the copy of my passport's facing page. Ugghh . . . that is so not like me! Of course, security wouldn't let me through without it! I did have my mobile phone (that I take everywhere) & called my attorney. He was in in route to High Court . . . he had me hand my phone to the security guard & told them to have me wait in the female search shack until he could arrive. I watched as all the attorneys came through in their long black robes (very British). It was so formal looking. Once my attorney was there . . . the security supervisor was called & they had a conversation . . . Then I was whisked through the body scanner & was on my way to High Court! I never went through the physical body search by the female FIA agent.

The case was #5 & was called at 9:30 am. My attorney & I walked to the bench along with the b.parents POA & the Pakistan Deputy Attorney General. The Pak AGO was called to represent the State (both FIA & the Civil/District courts). My attorney & I stood on the right . . . b.parents POA & AGO stood on the left. When the judge saw that I was a woman, he told me to please take a seat behind & to the right of my attorney. Anyway . . . then the court reader read the appeal application. Then the judge asked my attorney to begin. If I ever wondered if my attorney was the right person for the job . . . my concerns were put to rest quickly. I saw Mr. Khan in prime-time action. He has become passionate about this case & it showed in his body language & tone. His arguments were straight to the point, full of emotion for Marina Grace & all the Pakistani orphans, which up to this point, have not had a voice. The entire legal firm has become passionate about this case & the entire firm was present (there are 4-5 attorneys & office staff). I was very proud of my team!

The judge then asked the POA if he had any objections from the b.parents . . . No. The judge then asked the AGO . . . they needed more time to review the case - the judge gave them 24 hours.

This case has become a very important case for the future of Pakistan intercountry adoption, especially for the US. I'm the 1st guardianship appeal case & the 1st Christian adoption case to be heard in High Court. It is all about the word "adoption" & how the US defines it for an IR-4 immigrant visa. However, there is also another precedent . . . how will Pakistan define adoption for a non-Muslim orphan child? . . . the Pakistan law currently does not have a statute for this. Will Pakistan bind them to Shariah Islamic law or not? So, the case is very important . . . But, I'm just an adoptive mother wanting to do what is in the best interests for my child . . . And . . . in the process will create a precedent for all future US intercountry adoptions in Pakistan.

Friday (4/1) - My attorney called me at 9:15 am to tell me that the Attorney General's Office had indeed responded with an objection to the case. There was another hearing scheduled quickly at 10:00 am to try to reach an agreement/ruling before Saturday (another holiday!). Since I didn't have childcare & since the hearing was called so quickyly, I decided it was best that I didn't try to attend . . . and I had heard all the arguments the the day before. So, my attorney quickly made an appointment at 9:15 am with the Attorney General's Office to visit about the case prior to the 10:00 hearing. Mr Khan again went over the merits of the case with the Attorney General . . . and, finally, the Deputy AG was directed to enter a reluctant "No objection" at the 10:00 am hearing!! At 10:15 am, the High Court judge approved our appeal!!! Mr. Khan had persuaded the gov't of Pakistan to continue to allow intercountry IR-4 adoptions & . . . set the 1st High Court case precedent for non-Muslim intercoutry adoption!

I was so excited . . . I threw Gracy up in the air over & over! Of course, she doesn't understand the significance of all this, but . . . she laughed & giggled anyway! I called the US, woke my family up & told them . . . we WON!

Saturday (4/2) - We woke up to an overcast day, but we were all smiles anyway . . . (OK, this is not a belated April Fools - those with weak stomachs might want to skip this part!) UNTIL the 11 yo daughter (Marish) of the park family came to me & told me she thought Gracy had head lice! I checked Gracy & then had my head checked also. Yep! . . . we have an infestation of head lice, both of us! So . . . we can add that to our "critter" list, lol! When we came home from Russia, we had Scabies . . . Now, Head Lice . . . I think we have now covered the "mite" family. The park family mother (Saleena, not the same as the guest house owner's daughter Shaleena!) walked to the Chemist shop with me to get the necessary items Dr. Rubina told me to get - English Anti-Lice Shampoo & a nit comb. Then we went to work . . . Karim had the beds stripped & the blankets removed. I bagged up all Gracy's toys, last 2 days of clothes & anything else that was fabric that couldn't be washed. Thankfully, the floor is tile. Then, I treated our head/hair. Saleena began on my head with the nit comb & I started in on Gracy's. OK, trying to get a 21 mo to sit still while Mama "tries" to pick out nits . . . is impossible. I tried for an hour Saturday night & Gracy just screamed . . . Not sure how we are going to do this! What an exhausting day . . .

Court is closed today for another holiday - no high court order dictated yet. I did, however, receive my shalwar kameez from the tailor . . . it is lovely.

Sunday (4/3) - I don't think church is in the plan for today! I started going through Gracy's head again & I'm telling you she now has twice as many nits . . . how can that be after treating her head twice yesterday??? I spent all day, in 5 minutes intervals, going through Gracy's hair, pulling out nits . . . all day long! I treated our hair again just before bed & had the sheets changed. We will see what we look like in the morning.

Monday (4/4) - Again overcast . . . & it looks like rain today. No matter . . . the day is spent trying to pick out nits from Gracy's hair & mine. At 6:00 pm, I finally texted Dr. Rubina & asked if there was anything I could use that will kill the mite & the nit together (the nits multipy so fast!). She called the chemist for a special oil/lotion. The directions were all in Urdu, so I had Sameer read them to me! It's not supposed to be used on children under 2, but Dr. Rubina told me it would be ok, just be careful not to get in eyes or mouth. This is strong stuff!! I hope it works! You leave it on for 2 hours, then rinse out. I had to really entertain Gracy (stand on my head, piggy back rides, you name it) so she wouldn't put her hands in her hair & then in her mouth! I then spent another 2 hours (while Gracy slept) pulling out Gracy's nits (this solution broke the nit hold on the hair shaft & they came out very easy). While she slept, I treated myself, spent 1 hour with the nit comb on my hair . . . then I fell exhausted into bed! I'm hoping we are on the downhill side of this . . . However, I'm still smiling . . .

My attorneys told me the writ/order is still in the "writ room" waiting to be processed . . . they assure me that we do have an approval & it is only a matter of time, 1-2 days for the attested amendment order to be processed. I can't wait to finally hold that precious piece of paper!!!

So . . . That brings us up to date . . . :)

Gracy has some new words -

"Bye-Bye" as she waves
"Ahh-low" (hello) when she holds the phone to her ear.
"Peek" for Peek-a-Boo.
"Baahh" (bottle/sippy cup)
"EE-OO" (Nido - formula, yes this is usually screamed)
"Naahh" (mixture of "No" English & "Nahin" Urdu)
"Ahh-ma" (Grandma)
"Uppa D" very clear.
"Mama" is not only said now , but screamed!

I know this was a long update, but quite the week, my friends! Major highs . . . some minor lows, but Gracy's smile lets me know, without a doubt, it is so worth it!

Take care . . . talk to you soon!

Love & Blessings,
Nancy (Mama) & Gracy

Hello, from Pakistan - District Court Appeal Ruling - Denial

So . . . another adoption update - going on 70 days, 10 weeks, 2.5 months.

Thursday (3/10) - the 5th hearing for the District Court Appeal. FIA was the last witness that has not appeared before the district judge & when our case (#19) was called, no one from FIA was present. The initial hearing was very short, maybe 10 minutes, at the most. We entered the required FIA appearance summons into the case's evidence. The judge smiled when my attorney again asked for the judge to please consider the length of time this appeal has taken & rule expeditiously. On our way to find a taxi, the FIA Director finally arrived & my attorney, FIA Director & myself quickly went back to the district court for the judge to question the FIA Dir. When we got there the power went out & the rest of the hearing was conducted without any power or lights. The daylight shone through the one small window, which barely gave us reading light. The judge asked the FIA Dir questions, then asked me more questions, all very confusing, actually. But, nonetheless, it finally ended about 30 minutes later. Will we hear a ruling? . . . we will know when we see it. The judge gave no indication one way or another. We went back to the guest house & resumed our normal daily routine . . . it has become so familiar now. Gracy naps, Uppa D works & Mama does laundry, make bottles & plays with Sweet Pea (& does a little computer work, mostly emails!)!

We had to make the final decision if Uppa D would return home on Sunday or not. The flight's deadline for ticketing was today . . . it is the right decision to have Uppa D fly home. I have a wonderful support group here & I know I will be just fine!

Friday (3/11) - the District Judge asked for my attorney to appear before her in the afternoon (an impromptu 6th hearing). He called me after the impromptu hearing to tell me that the judge would probably deny our appeal for an amended order. I guess the judge made several remarks about intercountry adoption . . . I don't believe I have heard my attorney this irritated with any of the judges up to this point. But, this is not a surprise, I had expected a denial from the minute the district judge looked in my eyes . . . I just knew. So . . . we will appeal to High Court . . .

Saturday (3/12) - Uppa D & Gracy played together a lot today. We finished up the packing (with Gracy's help, of course). Then we went to the park. On the way, we met a family that the previous week Dalend had treated the little girls to ice cream. The father saw us walking & came out to thank Dalend for the treat. He asked us to come to his house. They live in the servants quarters of a large home & one of his daughters is the cook. They are a lovely family. It was a very surreal moment when we stepped into their home, one simple room (~ 10 x 8). A family of 6 lives there. We stayed for dinner, rice with potatoes & boiled eggs in curry sauce. Very tasty!. We have been in the wealthiest of homes and also the poorest of homes, such a contrast in this country. It was a special evening with a very loving family.

Sunday (3/13) – Uppa D left at 1:00 a.m. He sat beside Gracy for a few minutes watching her sleep, then gave her a kiss good bye . . . she smiled in her sleep. I watched from the terrace as he drove away in the taxi. It is just the girls now!!! Later in the morning we went to St Thomas Church . . . It was a beautiful day & it cheered up the day. Then home to the guest house for lunch & nap time.

Monday (3/14) – Waiting for the ruling & order dictation from the district judge. Without that, we can not begin the appeal process in high court. So, we wait . . . Mama does laundry today, a nice sunny day to dry laundry outside! It is starting to really warm up. The day's temp was over 90 degrees. Just last week it was only in the 70's. They say that the "cold" leaves quickly here & the "hot" just appears!

Tuesday (3/15) – Waiting for the ruling . . . Mama finished up the laundry & folded clothes. Gracy played on the terrace (yes, in her diaper). Again another very warm day (90's). No A/C! But, we run the fans & it keeps it cool inside. Since the buildings are masonry construction, it stays cooler inside.

I also received a text late afternoon from my attorney that the district judge had dictated the order, but it was not signed/attested yet. Hopefully tomorrow . . .

Wednesday (3/16) – My attorneys appear each morning at 9:30 a.m. in front of the district judge to inquire about the ruling. The judge is "working on it" & it will be finished sometime this week. Mama & Gracy decide to do a little shopping. Since I don't have another set of hands . . . I purchased a stroller. This helps a great deal when we take our walk, go to the market, etc. Both Mama & Gracy got new sandals (it is too hot for boots!). Gracy got a new light cotton dress & Mama got a few new light weight summer kameez (Pakistani tunics). I'm told the temp is now going to be in the 90+'s. When we got back home, Gracy played in her green tub full of water on the terrace (she takes a bath in it too). She splashed to her heart's content! She had a ball! This girlie is action-packed, let me tell you! It is so good to see her soooo happy :)

Still waiting on the signed/attested district court order . . .

Thursday (3/17) - A Very Hot Day!!! We go for a walk with the stroller early in the morning while it is still cool. Gracy loves the new stroller . . . she just sings as we stroll along (too cute!) There is now a power ration. So, the power goes out 4 hours a day. In 2009, we experienced this as well. However, now they have a scheduled outage in Islamabad. This really helps in scheduling your day. We know when the power will be shut off & can schedule accordingly. The power goes out at 2:00 - 3:00 a.m., 8:00 - 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon & 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. We skype with Nicky, G'ma at 6:30 a.m., then eat breakfast, then take our walk between 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. (while the power is out), then come back & get ready for our day once the power comes back on.

We went to Edhi Home for a visit late afternoon & had tea with the staff. The director was not there, but we had a wonderful time. I actually was invited into the "big house". We had been received only in the reception area (which is a small 3 room entry building at the front gates). The Edhi Home ladies were so thrilled to see Gracy (they call her Marina). She truly has grown!

I also received notice that finally, the order is signed & attested. It was completed late afternoon & will be available for my attorneys tomorrow am. YEAH!

Friday (3/18) - My attorneys scanned the order & sent it to me. It was as expected . . . Denial. It took 4 weeks to be denied . . . But, this truly is a step forward. Now we are not tied to the District Court with continuous delays. We are free to move on to High Court. I met with my attorneys late afternoon & reviewed all the documents for the appeal to High Court. It will be filed tomorrow (Sat) & we are very hopeful that the HC court hearing will be on Monday! I ask for prayers & positive thoughts for this "new round" of Pakistani court.

We had another visit with Edhi Home early afternoon. The director had just returned from Karachi & wanted to see Gracy . . . so back to Edhi Home we went at 2:00 to see the director. I received a wonderful, surreal surprise when I got there . . . the day before I asked if I could see where Gracy had lived at Edhi. I was told that only the director could give permission & . . . yes, she agreed! So, once we arrived today, the director took me into the living quarters of the orphans & homeless. There are no words to explain the experience. Stepping into the dark, little, concrete room where Gracy lived for 16 months was like walking to a sacred place for me. There is something about seeing the cribs where my babies slept that just touches my mother's soul. When I touch my child's crib, I pray for their healing (body, mind & soul). I can still remember that feeling of sacredness in Russia when I was allowed to see Nicky's crib & groupa . . . & now here in Pakistan with Gracy's little white, iron, paint-peeled crib & room. Both my children's orphanage rooms are nothing special. In fact, less than adequate, pitiful in comparison to what would be considered a child's "proper" environment. But, to me, both places are like shrines . . . it is part of who they are. I'm simply their "stepping stone" from "there" to "here". . . And, that, my friends, is why I'm their Mama . . . why I created my family through intercountry adoption . . .

There is also a TV cable strike going on here today . . . so no English channels on TV. I'm glad I watched American Idol last night! Yes, I have to admit I am watching American Idol. I'm usually not one to get "hooked" on any specific TV show . . . but since there are so few English channels . . . I'm now, sadly, an Idol Fan.

Saturday (3/19) - We awoke to overcast skies & it rained today! A nice cooling, steady rain to cool the day. I was prepared to do laundry this morning . . . but that will have to wait for another day. At 12:00 we walked to the home of our park family friends for lunch. We spent about 3 hours there just visiting. Gracy completely wore the little 5 year-old girl out playing & finally the little girl fell asleep. Gracy, of course, was still going strong & kept trying to wake her to play. Gracy is quite the active child & will fight sleep until she just drops. We left when the rain stopped & walked back to the guest house for a nap (have I mentioned how wonderful the stroller is!!!). After a bottle & mama walking the floor for a few minutes, she finally fell asleep. So, now mama can get on the computer & catch up on emails!!!

My attorneys filed the application for High Court appeal of the guardianship order amendment denial.

Sunday (3/20) - Gracy & I dressed in our new dresses (Mama in a new sharwal kameez & Gracy in a new summer dress!). We looked pretty great (if I can brag on my little girl, a bit!). As we were leaving to get in the taxi . . . Mama slipped on the top step of the guest house stair case (from the 2nd floor) & fell all the way to the bottom . . . with Gracy! The staircase is 3 split levels of 6-8 steps each. I was still on my feet when we hit the 1st landing, but then fell forward. We hit the hard terrazzo floor. Gracy landed 1st directly on her face & then mama fell on top of her & rolled over her!. What a horrible fall!!! The guest house owner immediately ran to pick us up. Gracy's forehead began immediately to swell, so I called Dr. Rubina & made an emergency visit. Dr. Rubina said no x-rays were needed for Gracy & everything else was just "surface" damage. She checked both of us out (mama had a couple of nasty abrasions). So, needless to say, we didn't make it to church :). We are both ok, Gracy has healed faster than mama (lol!). I'm still limping along with a sore hip, knee, elbow & shoulder. How I want to have a massage at St. Francis Health Zone, right now! We took it easy in the afternoon, Gracy on her children's ibuprofen & mama on adult ibuprofen; & both with special ointment prescribed by Dr. Rubina. I know, I know . . . I'm an accident waiting to happen & have been ever since I was a child! The carpet on the edge of the steps is very, very worn & I tend to step on the step edge & I'm always in a hurry to go someplace . . . I need to slow down & watch where I place my foot on the steps!!! And, I have promised, promised that I will call someone to help carry Gracy down the steps. You know . . . every travel I take has to have some physical accident (lol!) Amazing . . . how innocently it all happens! (I haven't even told you about the car driving over my foot waiting for a taxi at court!!! A story for another time! lol)

At 2:00 p.m. our park family came to have tea with me at the guest house. Just the aunt & one of the daughters came (the daughter I have really bonded with, she is a single parent of a sweet 5 yo girl). We had a great time visiting & learning about each others lives. We laughed & laughed. Mehreen (daughter) knows English very well & has quite the sense of humor!

Monday (3/21) - The High Court hearing was supposed to be scheduled for this morning, but my attorney called at 9:00 a.m. & told me that the court reader could not read some of the copied documents & has asked for darker copies. Yes, it is frustrating about how the smallest of insignificant details delays when the larger issues seem to go unnoticed . . . but we soldier on! Instead, Mama & Gracy did laundry! It was a bright sunny day so we spent about 3 hours washing, rinsing & hanging our clothes. Gracy is such a big, big "helper". She starts off with her clothes on & by the time we are finished . . . she is a naked baby girl! She loves to take off her clothes! So, Mama puts nice, fresh, clean, warm water in the green wash basin & we play in the water on the terrace. Gracy splish splashes as Mama sings "Splish Splash I was Taken a Bath . . . ". We have great fun on laundry day! It makes the hard work so much more enjoyable with a 21 mo little girl helping! (of course, it takes longer, but we definitely have the time . . .).

Tuesday (3/22) - Again I was ready for High Court at 8:30 a.m. HC begins at 9:00 & my attorney is to call me at 8:30 with our case # to be heard. Then I take a taxi to the high courts 30 minutes before the case # time. This is different from civil & district court. You go at 9:30 for those 2 courts because your case # to be heard could change without notice. This is not the case in High Court. My attorney called at 8:45 a.m. to tell me that, again, our case is not on the docket of cases for today. There has been an overage of cases scheduled since Wednesday (3/23) is a public holiday. So, my attorney spoke directly with the HC judge & asked for an expedited case #. We will be heard 1st thing Thursday a.m.(24th). Yes, slow steps forward . . . but still forward :)

Since we are again delayed another week to submit the USCIS IR-4 immigrant visa dossier . . . I will have to extend my visa again for a 2nd time. My visa expires on 4/2 & it is obvious that we will not have the IR-4 immigrant visa for Gracy by then. Shaleena (guest house owner's daughter working with NGO) will again help me with the visa extension process.

So . . . That brings us up to date . . . :)

All I can do is just keep taking faithful steps forward, knowing that in the end . . . Gracy will have a loving family every child deserves & a life full of potential!!!

As always, Karim/Sameer (guest house owners) keep me up on adult conversation. We go down to the lobby everyday to visit. And . . . our dear pastor friends at St Thomas Church are always near by. And . . . my attorneys have become very good friends, as well. As they told me on Friday, "This has become not just your case, but our case. We are bonded with Marina Grace, as well. We will see this through for her best interests." They offer any help they can with our stay in Pakistan. So, we are surrounded by a wonderful support group that I trust & I can truly say that the "spirit" of this trip is divine. It certainly has not turned out as planned, but I'm learning to joyfully live in the unexpected moments! Beautiful memories have been made during this unexpected "waiting"!

Take care . . . talk to you soon!

Love & Blessings,
Nancy (Mama) & Gracy

Hello, from Pakistan - District Court Appeal & Waiting for a Ruling . . .

So . . . here is another update for the last 1.5 weeks . . . We have been in Pakistan now for 57 days, 8 weeks, 2 months.

Saturday (2/26) - the 3rd hearing for the District Court Appeal. All parties were summoned to appear, however FIA (Federal Investigative Agency . . . like our FBI) did not appear. Edhi Home (orphanage) did have a representative . . . a wonderful woman by the name of Farrah (Fa-dd-ah) who I have come to know & love. The Power of Attorney for the b.family was also present . . . & of course, the petitioner . . . me. It was a very interesting hearing . . . the judge is very new to the realm of intercountry guardianship/adoption & needs some time to truly understand the complexities. She (yes, the judge is a woman, very rare here) is a tough judge & sees the complexities of "adoption" through Pakistani eyes/opinion. She is not comfortable at all with the amendment wording to the order that would comply with US immigration law. As she states, "a conflict between two country's laws . . . my oath is to the Pakistani law, not the US law." So, we will have to wait until Monday to see if/how she rules.

Sunday (2/27) – It was finally a beautiful sunny day. We went to church & had a wonderful service. After the service, we visited with the pastor in the parsonage/vicarage where the Pastor lives with his family. Once back at the guest house, it was time for mama to do the laundry (I feel like a regular Pakistani woman hand washing & air drying!). Late Sunday afternoon was nap-city . . . Gracy took a very long nap!

Monday (2/28) – A raining day of wait . . . inside the guest house . . . Up the stairs/down the stairs . . . exploring every knock & cranny of the small space. The courts close at 3:00 p.m.. So . . . waiting through the raining day for the district court ruling . . . My Pak. attorney called late afternoon . . . the district judge had continued the case until next Saturday (5th). She also asked the court reader to pull the entire court file (including the case file from 2009) and the guardianship order case file from Nov/Dec/Jan . . . & have it delivered to her home. She told my attorney she wanted to study the entire case from start to finish during the week. Also, since FIA did not appear before the court on Sat (26th), she has asked for a 2nd summons to be sent to FIA for the hearing on the 5th. Wait, wait, wait . . . All I can do is know that we have disclosed everything . . . nothing has been hidden . . . Faith & Trust takes over, at this point.

Tuesday (3/1) – Rain, rain, rain - we need some sunshine so Gracy can go outside & play. Gracy runs to the door of the terrace/balcony & begs to go outside. All toys have become very boring . . . so we go "up the stairs/down the stairs" seems to be the only interesting activity. Later in the afternoon, we go to the market for supplies (Nido formula, baby food, juice, etc.) Just getting outside of the guest house is a treat! We shop the market for a while just to stretch out legs. The market is very, very interesting! People everywhere, vendors in tiny, tiny stores trying to "sell" you everything from jewelry to carpets to furniture. I love browsing, but they want you to BUY!

Wednesday (3/2) – The weather is a bit better today . . . cool, overcast, but no Rain. We go outside for Gracy to run up/down the drive. The security guards get a kick out of seeing her come out to play. , rain, rain - we need some sunshine so Gracy can go outside & play. Gracy runs to the door of the terrace/balcony & begs to go outside. All toys have become very boring . . . so we go "up the stairs/down the stairs" seems to be the only interesting activity. Later in the afternoon, we go to the market for supplies (Nido formula, baby food, juice, etc.) Just getting outside of the guest house is a treat! We shop the market for a while just to stretch out legs. The market is very, very interesting! People everywhere, vendors in tiny, tiny stores trying to "sell" you everything from jewelry to carpets to furniture. I love browsing, but they want you to BUY!

Thursday (3/3) - Still cool & overcast . . . a peaceful day of wait & play at the guesthouse . . .

Friday (3/4) - Another visit to Dr. Rubina. Gracy's lungs are much, much healthier! YEAH! Dr. Rubina is very charmed by Gracy & loves for her to sit on her lap. Gracy "helps" Dr. Rubina write the prescriptions! Our sweet baby girl is getting stronger everyday . . . Gracy is on just vitamins now (B, D, iron, calcium & a multivitamin).

Saturday (3/5) - the 4th hearing for the District Court Appeal. We appear at district court at 9:30 a.m. where we find out our case number for the day . . . I didn't ask what our exact number was this time (I need to remember to do that for Gracy's book! It was #17.) Anyway, it was a low number because our case was heard within about 1.5 hours, so probably about 10:00/10:15 (anywhere between #15-20). It was very short today . . . the judge required the summons document for FIA. Since FIA didn't appear last Saturday (3rd hearing), the judge requested a 2nd summons for FIA to appear today . . . However, FIA still did not send a representative. But, my attorneys had all the proper documentation to support that the summons was done properly & received by FIA. We also have to show the original Public at Large Notices (they come out in the local paper). Again, my attorneys were completely prepared with all requirements from the judge. It lasted only about 10-15 minutes . . .the judge was unusually reserved about our case. She mentioned nothing about her study of the complete court files of the case she had asked for to study this week. However, a criminal case was just before our case & it was a very loud, heated discussion on bail . . . so maybe she was just worn down :). Anyway, she didn't convey how she would rule one way or the other. We will have to just wait Mon/Tues to see what is on her mind now!

After the court hearing . . . we went back to the guest house for some down time . . . a visit with Karim (owner) & Sameer (his son). They have become like family to us, along with our dear friends at St Thomas Church. Later in the afternoon, Pastor Nadeem called to see how court went . . . he always has such encouraging words.

Sunday (3/6) – It was a awesome beautiful sunny day (high 70's). We went to church & had a wonderful service. After the service, we had our regular cup of chia tea & visited with all our international friends & made some new ones. New people come to St Thomas on a weekly basis . . . some staying only a short time . . . others for many months. Each has their own unique story. There is such a big world out there with all kinds of people from different walks of life . . . so different from my daily life of oil/gas HR/PR & Oklahoma (although I love too!). But, I have always had a love of international life & consider it such a wonderful experience to spend time in other countries . . . I really do love it. I love to visit with people (as you all know . . . no one is a stranger to me!). I met a young man from DC today, doing research for his dissertation on international diplomacy. He says he will be here a month. He already looked the part with his sharwal kameez (native dress). He shared how frustrating it is with the pace of life in Pakistan . . . every appointment takes 3 levels of approval & then a week's wait. I smiled & commiserated with him. In one breath both Dalend & I said "I know! . . .". But, we encouraged him to be patient & his goal of interview appointments with top gov't & religious leaders would eventually be realized. I did mention to him, with a light hearted smile . . . to be prepared to double his time in Pakistan! We visited with Pastor Nadeem & his daughter Nayab took Gracy immediately (Nayab loves the little children & Gracy LOVES her)! Then it was home to the guest house for lunch & nap time.

Monday (3/7) – Gracy turns 21 months old today! We arrived in Pakistan 5 days after she turned 19 months old. I have had custody about 6 weeks now. In that time, she has gained 3 pounds & grown taller, about .5 inch. She will let me touch her feet to the ground now! (in the beginning, so sick, only I could touch her & she wouldn't walk). In fact, she is now a bubbly, cubby, non-stop walker/talker! Her hair no longer feels like straw. Her hair has also grown & is shiny & curly! I'm so thankful for Dr. Rubina's care & of course, God's healing touch (Mama & Uppa D helped with that too)!

The judge did not rule on our case today . . . so we wait to see if a ruling comes tomorrow.

Tuesday (3/8) – A beautiful sunny day . . . so it is laundry day. We had been having our laundry sent out to the doby walla, but to save on expenses, I have been doing all of the baby laundry the "old fashioned" way . . . by hand & line dry. If I do it every couple of days (as long as the sun shines) I can keep up with it just fine. The bright sun dries everything very fast . . . but laundry hung inside will not dry fast at all & has to be hung out in front of the space heater (very small). But . . . it works! And, we are doing just fine (although mama's fingers are a little sore!)

Today the district judge ordered to continue our case again for another hearing, Thursday (3/10). She has requested a 3rd summons for FIA. So, once again we'ill go to the district courts Thursday am at 9:30 to see what she says for this hearing. It will be the 5th hearing for our appeal to district court for the guardianship order amendment for 2 words " . . . . immigration and adoption . . .". This is a requirement for an IR-4 immigrant visa per USCIS immigration law.

Wednesday (3/9) – Another beautiful sunny day . . . all week is supposed to be very nice in the 70's. While Gracy napped, Dalend walked to the market & got supplies. He also got Gracy something special . . . a set of 1st books! Gracy loves books & the few we have, have become well worn with Gracy's "love". So, she now has some new ones! Such a thoughtful gift from Uppa D. Dalend loves to walk to the market, just a nice walk to get out & stretch the legs! Gracy is now awake so while Uppa D is reading books with Gracy, I'm catching up on emails that I wasn't able to view for a couple of days because webmail was down. That is why I couldn't send an update earlier. We will probably go to the park later & play outside. These days, Gracy begs to be outside running & playing. I get such joy watching her . . .

Gracy is quickly learning . . . she now says "Uppa D", "Thank You" (not really understandable but she shakes her head 2 times as she says it, so you know what she means!). And, the newest one this week . . . "Apple" . . . you know how the ABC book goes . . . "A is for Apple". Now everything she points to is an "apple" (lol!). It is sooooo cute!

Thursday (3/10) - will be a defining day with the court hearing . . . Dalend is really needing to return to work (never expected to be gone this long & although he is keeping up with his work, his temp office help is needing spring break off for her children). So, Dalend will leave this weekend, Sunday 3/13. Unless, we are able to get an immigrant visa by then! That is not realistically likely. Yet, this entire adoption has been a precious miracle & it is in God's timing that everything will happen . . . His Perfect Timing.

Faith & Trust guide us . . .

Take care . . . talk to you soon!

Nancy (Mama), Dalend (Uppa D) & Gracy