Well, as everyone probably knows by now our visa appointment went great! We were so nervous but everything went fine. The day didn't start out that great. First of all Martin tells me that morning that Michells mom said when they went to Michells medical appointment the doctor said that most kids have to have a DNA test done to get their visa approved. This is the last thing I wanted to hear. I was trying to avoid that because that would mean we would not get to bring her home. Our appointment was at 7 am. along with about 200 other people. We got to the US Embassy about 6:30 and people were already lined up. There were two lines and we didn't know which line we were suppose to be in. Martin started asking people and they told us we needed to be in the line on the left. Around 7 this girl from the embassy came out and started walking down the line to check our appointment letters. When she got to us she said you need to be in the other line. We went to the other line and asked if this was the line for the visas they said no, you need to be in the other line. Of course everyone is speaking Spanish so I'm just following Martin around. We go back to the other line and then someone says no you need to be in the other line....oh my goodness. I'm about to scream, Martin is beyond frustrated and at this point no matter what line we are in we are last!! So we go walking back to the other line when this very nice man who spoke English stopped me. He asked to see our interview letter. When I showed him he said this is the line you need to be in. Finally. On top of going back and forth this is a very scary place. It is the US Embassy but it is guarded by Honduran Police who were each carrying a huge gun around plus at least one on their hip. Walking back in forth talking in a language I don't understand. There were also people walking all around you begging for money or trying to sell you something. I just tried to stay against the wall and not make eye contact with anyone. Did I mention I was the only white person in the crowd so it's not like anyone noticed me.
Finally about 7:15 they started letting people in the Embassy but only a few at a time and of course we are at the back of the line. I didn't think we were ever going to make it to the door. When we finally did we had to go in through medal detectors and security. Once inside you take a seat and wait to be called. Luckily we brought things to entertain Michell because we knew it would be a long wait. When they finally called us to the window this really nice man started going through all of our paperwork and asking us questions. He asked me how many times have you been to visit since you and Martin were married. I told him this was the first time. He said OK well the only other thing I need I pictures of the baby with Martin and pictures of the two of you together. I handed him the album of pictures with me and Martin and the kids. Then I told him I didn't have any pictures of Martin and Michell together except screen shots from their Skype calls. He said how many times have you visited her. Martin told him he had not been here before. He said you've never been here. Martin said no. He looked at both of us took the album with the Skype photos and told us to have a seat and someone would be calling us for our interview shortly. We both walked away feeling completely defeated. I kept telling him don't worry if we have to do the DNA test it will be fine we will get it done as soon as possible. So a few minutes later we are the first ones called for our interview. We nervously walk into this little room where this lady is sitting behind glass with a microphone thing around her head to talk to us. She asked if we wanted her to speak to us in English or Spanish. We said English. She asked who Martin was and he told her he was Michell's dad. She said oh good they didn't tell me you were here for the interview. She asked Martin several questions about his relationship with Michells mom, when did you meet, how long were you together. He answered. The she asked him about us when we met, when we got married, what kind of wedding did we have. She the said it was so smart of us to take pictures of the Skype calls. She said everyone always says they Skype but we don't know if they really do. She asked us if we had a notarized letter from Michell's mom saying she could come live with us. Of course we did. I handed it to her and she said well basically your visa has been approved. Come back today and pick it up at 2:45. Then she said don't buy your plant tickets yet cause you never know what might happen just wait until you have the visa in your hand.
Well, we went back that afternoon and of course there was something wrong ours. They had Michell's marital status as Married. That is what stopped us from being able to come home and what kept us in Honduras now for another 4 days. We are so ready to get home. I cant wait until the kids get to meet her. She is excited too. Every time we see an airplane she wants to know when we are getting her ticket.
I was really worried about how she would adjust without her mom but she has been so good. The day we went for our interview and found out it was approved her mom, step dad and uncle left to go back home. She has talked to her mom everyday on the phone but she hasn't been upset or anything. The only time she has cried since she has been with us is when she bumped her mouth and busted her lip open a couple of days ago. She asked Martin one day if her mom was coming to get her and he told her no. Later that day she said "my mom is at home but she's not coming" She hasn't asked about it since. That makes me happy and sad all at the same time. I'm glad she is able to talk to her family and not be upset. She has talked to her mom, and both her grandparents and she was really happy to talk to them. I'm sure that her mom is glad that she doesn't cry too. Martin talked to Michell's grandmother the day after our interview. She said when Michell's mom got home she went straight to her room and cried a lot the rest of the day. That breaks my heart but I know that she feels like she made the right decision.
So we are pretty much held up in our apartment counting down the days until we come home. Please pray that we get that visa tomorrow!!!
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