BIG DAY FOR THE THORNLEY'S

I haven't posted  for the last week or so because it has been a hectic and stressful week. First of all, the US Embassy told us about 10 days ago that only one parent is needed for the exit interview so that it was no problem for George to fly home. SO...I made all the arrangements for George and Bella to fly home this Sunday the 18th. Then a couple of days ago he called our agency to tell them that he gave us the wrong information and that we both had to be present for the interviw (for the kids visa). Keep in mind this is a 15 minute interview. I explained why George had to leave and the expenses involved in him flying back on Nov. 27th and they said that they were just following the law. I requested to see the law and explained that this WAS NOT a Hague law and that when adopting from other Hague countries such as China only one parent was needed as long as you have a Power of Attorney from the other spose (which we have). We are also only the 3rd adoption so far... So after many friends, family, our agency, etc. contacted Senator Jim DeMent and Senator Lindsey Grahams office, as well as, the State Department...we received an email from the US Embassy here in Panama stating that they would only interview me and that George did not have to be here. Praise the Lord. It really made no sense to us since a Panamian who wants to bring their child into the US can get a visa with only one parent present and a POA but an American Citizen doesn't get the same rights??

On a good note...we had court today and it went perfectly. The children are legally ours and their names have been changed, We have Malachi Tyler Thornley (6), Ronald Venning Thornley (4) and Sophia Nellie Thornley (3). At first the judge was not happy abot us changing the kids names but after George and I explained our reasons, they accepted our request. They also gave me POA to complete the adoption here in Panama so George and Bella can go home on Sunday. It was a great day. It's looking like the rest of us will be able to travel home on Nov. 28th or 29th. WOOHOO!!

I will post a few pictures of our trip to the Panama Canal yesterday and court today!! Hope you enjoy!

                                                             Sweet Tyler and Carlee

                                                      Li-Li playing with Sophie

                                                              Haircut time...getting ready for court!

                                                               Happy Meals!

                                                      Date Night!! Great food in Panama!

                                Museum at The Panama Canal! We took the three older kids!

                                        The team! Our attorney, Jorge, is the tall man in the back.
                                               He has gone above and beyond for us!!

                             This lady is the secretary ti the judge and she played a huge part
                                   in getting our court date moved up from Nov. 28th.

Blessings to you and GoodNight!

Diana, George and Gang

Pictures! Hope you enjoy!

                                                      The crew at the Westin Playa Bonita

                                                     The view from our room

                                                                  Sophie, 3

                                                Bella (5), Ronnie (4), Tyler (6) and Li-Li (7)

                                                            Mommy with the sweet pea (15 months)

                                                      Can't wait to get home to Maura Genet
                                                                  and Thomas!!

                                                                      Pina Colada's

                                                      Look at my curls!!!

WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!

We have an update: Long story short...the courts were full and couldn't give our attorneys a definite court date. So today, George and I went with the attorneys, Tyler, Ronnie, and Sophie to the courts. While George was in the waiting room with the kids..I spoke to the Secretary to the judge and then walked over to the other building to speak with the DA. The DA could hear the case on the 12th but the judge did not have space. So...they gave us a court date of Nov. 28th...CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?? I then explained that George was leaving next weekend and that he could not stay under any circumstances...he had to take care of the other kids and work. Then they said, "So you can stay until the 28th and we can still have court then". So that backfired! I said...I guess but we really need to get the kids home...I explained that Ronnie needs his tonsils removed, that Tyler needs to start school, that I need to see my other kids...so we ended up getting the court date changed to next Friday the 16th. This means we should be home by Nov. 29th or 30th. George and Bella are leaving next Sunday, the 18th which is wonderful. I'm so glad that Maura Genet and Thomas will be home for Thanksgiving. :) SO...thank you everyone for your prayers...even thoughI will be here for 2 months by the time I get home,, I can see an end in sight...FINALLY!

Saturday, Nov. 3rd

Hello from Panama! Can't wait till I can not say that again! :)

Our paperwork went to court about 9 days early...went there last Monday. They looked over all the paperwork and all the needed documents are there...which is very good news. The bad news is that it really didn't matter that the paperwork went early because the District Attorney (DA) for the kids is on vacation till Tuesday..yes...you are reading this correctly....on vacation. The person filling in for him is unable to give us our courtdate so we will find out the courtdate next Tuesday or Wednesday. If court is before Nov. 13th...there is a great possibility that we may be home for Thanksgiving. George and I have decided that if we aren't able to be home for Thanksgiving, that he will fly back with either Li-Li or Bella so he can spend Thanksgiving with Maura Genet and Thomas. We feel that one of us should definitely fly back and hmmm...lets put it this way....George would be great at home with the kids that speak English. :)

Today after lunch we will head to the Westin Playa Bonita Resort. It is a beautiful, all inclusive resort 20 minutes from the hotel. We will stay there for 3 nights. This will be Tyler, Ronnie and Sophie's first time at a beach or pool. I think we will take them to the beach first and play in the sand instead of having 6 kids in the pool (4 of them who can't swim).

Any has been a tremendous help on this trip and I am so thankful for her positive, cheerful attitude! She is such a mature and wise young soul and I can only hope that my girls grow up with her same attitude and work ethics. We are very blessed to have her and got quite lucky!

Hope you enjoy the pictures and PLEASE pray for a favorable courtdate soon!!

                                                          Carlee Rose 15 months

                                                 Ronnie (3), Li-Li (7), Tyler (6) and Bella (5)
                                                   at the Fun Zone at the mall

                                                       Any with Carlee!!

                                                 Ronnie DID NOT like this, Tyler LOVED it and
                                           I'm not to sure about Any! LOL

 

Daddy with Li-Li and Bella (he JUST woke up)

                                               Li-Li and Bella at ice cream social at Panama
                                           International Church

                                             It took me 5 hours to unbraid Bella's hair. That's with
                                             Li-Li and Any's help!

                                                First time since Oct. 1st I wore make up

                                                    and the second time! :)

                                                   I think Carlee misses the car...she sat in her car seat
                                                     happy and content for 2 hours in the hotel room!