3 weeks now in . . . Pakistan!

Today was another Sunday here in Pakistan. We had planned on attending our wonderful little Christian church, Saint Thomas, again this Sunday. But . . . Sadeem's car broke down and he was not able to take us. In hind sight, Uppa D and I wished we would have just started walking (it is only about a 20 minute walk, 5 minute car ride). We joked that a taxi would have come by in an instant and we could have made it there in no time! The taxi is a joke because every time we go for a walk, we have at least 6+ taxis come by asking if we need a ride! LOL!

Anyway, once we knew that church was not going to happen, we changed our clothes, ate lunch and took a much needed nap . . . all 3 of us! Of course, the power went off in the middle of the nap and woke Mama up, but Uppa D and Sweet Pea slept on!

Then Mama started in on getting caught up on her blog. The last couple of days the blog has been quite. Mama wasn't feeling too well a couple of days and the power outages have been quite the challenge lately. So, while the power was on, Mama started in . . . and now we are all caught up!

Later in the evening, Sadeem came by and said we needed another outing. I think Sadeem realized that Mama "desperately needed" to get out of the guest house this weekend and experience some Pakistani culture! We went back to the wonderful restaurant in Margallah Hills Park. It was another very nice, cool evening (this time Sweet Pea was properly attired in a long "onsie" and heavy blanket!) We enjoyed the coolness of the air and scenic drive. Thank you, Sadeem!

So, now we are back at the guest house. Everyone is asleep and Mama is just finishing the last post on the blog for the weekend.

Tomorrow . . . we are hoping for the Permanent Guardianship Order! Please pray that the judge will FINALLY agree to issue the order!

I know everyone is waiting to see pictures of Sweet Pea! And . . . I would LOVE nothing more than to post them. However, the judge presiding over our case is a new judge and both Sadeem and I agree that it just is not worth the risk of adding any more reason for delays! I assure you, I will post pictures of my sweet baby girl, as soon as I can!

I thought I would post an interesting picture we recently took. A motocycle/bicycle is a very popular mode of transportation. This is how the Pakistani women sit on a motorcycle/bicycle. Riding "side-saddle"! Enjoy!


Another interesting picture of life in Pakistan . . . "Day Labor". This gentleman was looking for day work. Riding around on his bicycle . . . looking for yards to mow!


Love to ALL . . . from Pakistan!

~Hugs
Mama, Uppa D & Sweet Pea

Still waiting . . . for the Court Order!

So, it is now Saturday (10/10/09) and we are still waiting for the court order to be issued. According to the attorney, the judge took "leave" of court today and was not "on his bench" at all today. So . . . we are getting somewhat concerned about next week's return travel on Thursday (10/15/09). If we get the court order sometime on Monday (it probably will be in the afternoon, since the judge usually doesn't begin hearing cases until around 11:00-12:00), that will mean we will be able to make the 1:00 time slot for US Embassy adoption interviews on Tuesday (10/13/09). The embassy reserves that time slot (1:00 p.m.) each day just for adoption cases. We would submit our final documents, including the court order, and then HOPE the visa can be issued in 1.5 days. Yes, we would only have late Tuesday/Wednesday to have the visa issued. We are supposed to leave early in the morning Thursday to fly back home. Will we make it . . . ? we don't know. But, there is no more time and we may have to reschedule our return flights! Not a huge deal, but definitely added expense and . . . we are really ready to go home!!!

So, what did we do today? Made bottles, washed bottles, gave baby a bath, laundry, took a walk, played patty-cake, sat out on the balcony in the cool morning breeze, saw our friend Mr. Lizard, did I mention make bottles/wash bottles? - our normal daily "stuff".

In the early evening, around 5:00 p.m. Sadeem came and we went to a wonderful park. There was a scenic overlook that gave a wonderful, panoramic view of Islamabad. We could spot our guest house, Diplomatic Enclave (country embassy) and other points of interest. I guess we have been here long enough to finally get the "lay of the land"! It was wonderful to get out and walk, stretch our legs on new territory.

On the way back, Sadeem gave us a wonderful surprise! He took us to visit a couple that is wanting to adopt a Pakistani child. Bart (Belgium) and Lorain (Swiss). They are doctors that have worked for the Red Cross for 15 years. It was just a wonderful couple of hours visiting with them about their desire to adopt an orphaned Pakistani child. Of course, they oohed and ahhed over our precious Sweet Pea! The visit ended much too quickly and then we "needed to move" per Sadeem. And . . . back to the guest house we went!

Some pictures of our Saturday in Pakistan . . .

The daily routine of "making the bottles/washing the bottles"! LOL!


Sweet little hands to play "patty cake" with . . .


I love "hanging out" with my Uppa D! Mama is doing the laundry!


Yeah!, for laundry service . . . all Mama has to do is put it away!!!

Our friend . . . Mr. Lizard! Nicky . . . this one is for YOU!

Our trip to Margallah Hills Park . . .

The guest house we live in is circled in RED - Section F-7 . . .

And of course, the beautiful Pakistani children . . .

Our new friends, Bart & Lorain (Red Cross Doctors)! Also wanting to adopt from Pakistan. Sweet Pea was very, very sleepy!


Love to ALL . . . from Pakistan!

~Hugs
Mama, Uppa D & Sweet Pea