tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12232359750961817232024-03-04T22:34:52.991-06:00Adventures in Adopting from PeruThis blog is intended to describe one family's quest to adopt 3 girls from Peru. I hope to document what was required in order that other families can learn from our experience.Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-82101342051118678242009-01-16T13:15:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:33:47.813-06:0003/21/2007 Adoption Update e-mail - U.S. Adoption CompletedHello friends and family,<br /><br />We just wanted to let you know that today we finally had our court appointment to re-adopt the girls in Illinois. The hearing itself went off without a hitch, and only took about fifteen minutes. This re-adoption is mostly a formality. It makes it easier for the girls to get birth certificates in the U.S., and I think it makes it easier for them to acquire U.S. passports. It also officially makes their last name Brooks, rather than Brooks Wett. Wett is Andrea's maiden name. It is customary in Spanish speaking cultures for people to have both the last name of the father, which is listed first, and the last name of the mother, which is listed second. So, when they were adopted in Peru their new birth certificates and passports gave them the last name of Brooks Wett. Of course, that custom doesn't work so well here, and it even confused the judge. Most people here, when they see their full name think their last name is Wett, and Brooks is a second middle name. So, this change will make things a little easier down the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28QnFYbEOQVfavFkfjnPixOKo0GDBYfP1B_vlZKJlcDJio1lyKg5smHYZq1uOEjIUdIbEJ91uqIj9gJ3tLZ61hFdlD2K8nLWF6HJpN_PGZFb3Sjdxvhfc3nzxJQpvIKgFmdSR4fppqbs/s1600-h/2007-03-21-000-Adoption_Day-Andrea_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28QnFYbEOQVfavFkfjnPixOKo0GDBYfP1B_vlZKJlcDJio1lyKg5smHYZq1uOEjIUdIbEJ91uqIj9gJ3tLZ61hFdlD2K8nLWF6HJpN_PGZFb3Sjdxvhfc3nzxJQpvIKgFmdSR4fppqbs/s400/2007-03-21-000-Adoption_Day-Andrea_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289813113325718114" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sCgbkP0OUIqjPuflaHVfqbLjvK-Ag4-cfjbxkw9X5x7k2WqZTD53yi3x-ZigawC_jRD_fMbGaWBDBXcJRSmn8MCxk1xFgDc2WxVHYbfOuamdtO5Q2Ird5w4SeFvisTMbR5RhoK9MDVs/s1600-h/2007-03-21-015-Adoption_Day-Tim_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sCgbkP0OUIqjPuflaHVfqbLjvK-Ag4-cfjbxkw9X5x7k2WqZTD53yi3x-ZigawC_jRD_fMbGaWBDBXcJRSmn8MCxk1xFgDc2WxVHYbfOuamdtO5Q2Ird5w4SeFvisTMbR5RhoK9MDVs/s400/2007-03-21-015-Adoption_Day-Tim_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289813135878058194" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3wpavtZfcfMh4yG09vUIGVRn8J5xFNunuBd3slhpchWwPnifceN7LDKp1VrTgFulyDSR_h_7pN-owW4xF8UAP6Xz1T6r9zwMb3UgQwzyOq_xtXPuSzV_1msGBjpuL_PZAXMDEegJS_w/s1600-h/2007-03-21-010-Adoption_Day-Tim_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3wpavtZfcfMh4yG09vUIGVRn8J5xFNunuBd3slhpchWwPnifceN7LDKp1VrTgFulyDSR_h_7pN-owW4xF8UAP6Xz1T6r9zwMb3UgQwzyOq_xtXPuSzV_1msGBjpuL_PZAXMDEegJS_w/s400/2007-03-21-010-Adoption_Day-Tim_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289813129451287842" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsUWSsisl9dAckvYaGRigNpOvvRggZUgZt9Xdh_MvNnC-iIdAdaFAY2bZUg7F_O-a586c3vy9nDOI-3Ue2fZUD92yU5wFfCsYkpZtfIXA0gUFIR0C-pcV5Kl9Be3CJyDI6CiEjtidHCQ/s1600-h/2007-03-21-005-Adoption_Day-Andrea_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsUWSsisl9dAckvYaGRigNpOvvRggZUgZt9Xdh_MvNnC-iIdAdaFAY2bZUg7F_O-a586c3vy9nDOI-3Ue2fZUD92yU5wFfCsYkpZtfIXA0gUFIR0C-pcV5Kl9Be3CJyDI6CiEjtidHCQ/s400/2007-03-21-005-Adoption_Day-Andrea_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289813122665772338" border="0"></a><br /><br />It has now been just over six months since the official adoption in Peru. Everything with us has been going fairly well. We have had our first post placement visit which will happen twice a year for the next four years. These visits are required by Peru as a way of monitoring how the girls adjust in their new family and community. The girls have adjusted quite easily to the American lifestyle. They have learned quite a bit of English, but of course, have a long way to go. The boys and girls for most part get along, but there have been a fair share of brother and sister arguments, except for Andrew who gets along with everyone. School homework for the girls has by far been the biggest struggle, but that's mostly for mom and dad. Our weekday evenings are now pretty much consumed with translating and teaching. It almost feels like we are homeschooling. We are definitely looking forward to summer. Next year, we hope, will be much easier as they get a better grasp of English, and as they catch up to their grade levels in science and social studies.<br /><br />Once again, thank you for all your prayers and support.<br /><br />The Brooks Family - Tim, Andrea, Loren, Veronica, Donna, Josh, T.J. and AndrewTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-34949232855536338772009-01-16T13:10:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:33:19.951-06:0010/22/2006 Adoption Update e-mail - The last installment, but not the end of the storyGreeting friends and family,<br /><br />By now most of you have either seen us, talked to us on the phone, or have figured it out on your own, that we are all back safely in the United States. However, I thought I would back track and fill you in on Andrea's final days in Peru, as well as tell you how we are all doing.<br /><br />First Andrea's story, beginning after the boys and I left on the taxi for the airport, Wednesday, October 11th:<br /><br />10/11/2006 - Wednesday: Andrea decided to double check the documentation to be sure she had everything. Unfortunately, there was one document not mentioned in our Adoption agencies check list, that was mentioned in a letter sent to us by the U.S. embassy while we were still in the states. This form was the very first thing mentioned in that letter. So, I'll take the blame for missing that one form. Big oops! I had focused on the Adoption agency check list, and hadn't, obviously, read the embassy letter carefully enough. So Andrea was thinking "Thanks a lot Tim!".<br /><br />10/12/2006 - Thursday: The ladies went to the immigration side of the embassy to find out if they had finished the immigration investigation, and to get the missing document form. After sitting for an hour, they just told Andrea that they'd call her that afternoon. After that, she tried to go over to the consulate side of the embassy to get the missing document form, but the guard told her it was too late to get the form. He said they would have to come back at 8:30 am on Friday. Andrea called Maria Elena to explain that the guard would not budge even though she just needed to get a form. So Maria Elena was able to call a friend who works in the embassy. And the friend told Maria Elena that Andrea should come back again to get the form. However, when Andrea and the girls returned the guard still wouldn't let her in. So, she argued with the guard until he finally called the office who told him to let her come in. So, she finally got the form thanks again to Maria Elena's verbal magic. At noon, she also got a call from immigration in which they told her that the investigation was complete, and they'd be passing on the documents to the consulate side of the embassy which does the visa process.<br /><br />So having received this call, and now having all the forms ready, she followed the next step in the procedure according to the embassy letter instructions and also according to the verbal instructions from the immigration side of the embassy. That step was to call the consulate to set up an appointment for the visa interview. These calls were limited to 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm, big surprise. Andrea tried calling beginning at 3:00 pm and received busy signals for the whole hour. At 4:00 she finally got through to an operator who quickly spewed out the hours and then hung up. She called back again, and once more the operator hung up on her. She tried again and got the operator, but this time she begged the operator, saying: "Don't hang up on me, please! I've been calling for an hour, and I need to set up this appointment!" The operator put Andrea through to her supervisor who told Andrea that they don't have the paperwork from immigration yet, and Andrea needed to wait for them to call her for the appointment. So, much for trying to follow the instructions.<br /><br />10/13/2006 - Friday: At 8:00 am, Donna brang Andrea the cell phone, that the owners of the house where we were staying at were nice enough to let us use, just as it stops ringing and goes to voice mail. Andrea didn't have the voice mail code, so she had to wait until Patrizia, the owner, came home at noon to get the message. The message had been to set up the visa appointment for Friday afternoon. However, by the time Andrea called back it was too late to get the appointment for Friday, so they had to wait until Monday. She wasn't happy for another weekend delay, but at least things were moving. With this information, she went ahead and got flight tickets for herself and the girls purchased for Tuesday 12:20 am.<br /><br />10/14/2006 - Saturday: Andrea and the girls were invited to Maria Elena's for lunch. Loren had been feeling bad that morning, and by the time they go to Maria Elena's she had 101 degree fever. So with Loren being sick they spent the rest of Saturday taking it easy.<br /><br />10/15/2006 - Sunday: Loren was feeling better, so they went to a craft market with the girls in Lima. During their walk to the market, they saw some street artists, a magic show, other sites in the park (pictures attached). And for lunch they went with American cuisine and had McDonald's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH9o18N4khyphenhyphen2kTsqnxY6IY8EovkJMUQ6QW3TYDJw8IKxlaDFQLdbHz48BAOT2le2I2mPZUZ9wUGm537v_1s3KHMxM1YT4Bqicm_uB5yVk67AygXtz2h1AUBrx_ixsVqTchqJXgUO83Us/s1600-h/2006-10-15-035-Lima_Painter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH9o18N4khyphenhyphen2kTsqnxY6IY8EovkJMUQ6QW3TYDJw8IKxlaDFQLdbHz48BAOT2le2I2mPZUZ9wUGm537v_1s3KHMxM1YT4Bqicm_uB5yVk67AygXtz2h1AUBrx_ixsVqTchqJXgUO83Us/s400/2006-10-15-035-Lima_Painter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289796484751431506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />10/16/2006 - Monday: Andrea and the girls went in the morning for the visa interview. After she gave them all the documentation, they waited for an hour or so, then called her up to pay the $380 per child fee, and they waited another hour or so. Finally, they called Andrea and the girls up for the visa interview, which took all of 10 minutes. After that, they told her to come back at 3:00 pm, and the visas would be ready. The girls went home, did laundry, had lunch, then went back at 3:00 and got the visas. Hooray, they were free to go home at last! To celebrate they went out for ice cream. Just before 9:00 pm, Raul and Maria Elena came to see Andrea and the girls off on their last taxi ride to the airport.<br /><br />10/17/2006 - Tuesday: After a one and half hour flight delay, I was finally reunited with the girls in St. Louis at 12:30 pm. There, they met their uncle Ronn, my brother, Aunt Barb, and their cousins, Jeremy and Chelsea. At 5:00pm we arrived back home where Grandma and Grandpa Wett were waiting to meet their new grandchildren. They were all tired from their overnight flight and three hour drive from St. Louis. So, their first impression of our house was mostly silent observation. My impression was that they were most excited about the pets, their dolls, our trampoline and bicycles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ0TQ0dg9hBgEdVgKgcrqEVXct1I5v0_j8YRRce6B0AOfuBpWeNFW6xw42GjBH7IJzh0Mj7JCzv4UTGRNqgzCYkTUv0d-hw9U08LCNmc3EHnt6lvOVPaF-pJNp7HaJHRxZ1WTV922B-8/s1600-h/2006-10-17-005-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Tim_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ0TQ0dg9hBgEdVgKgcrqEVXct1I5v0_j8YRRce6B0AOfuBpWeNFW6xw42GjBH7IJzh0Mj7JCzv4UTGRNqgzCYkTUv0d-hw9U08LCNmc3EHnt6lvOVPaF-pJNp7HaJHRxZ1WTV922B-8/s400/2006-10-17-005-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Tim_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289796492349030002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54ncprgB6mtaEVCfU_TwJQsqciOBJrKRkFFF_oVZSiZ8T_QEUd6brZSuX7So8cG2mgHgZf82pI5pLFBDOfnsY2iI-6jtGR_tIz8HzUWfk8UbYMnj7zZZ0Eed30gGL6uiCrm7autfZJrU/s1600-h/2006-10-17-010-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54ncprgB6mtaEVCfU_TwJQsqciOBJrKRkFFF_oVZSiZ8T_QEUd6brZSuX7So8cG2mgHgZf82pI5pLFBDOfnsY2iI-6jtGR_tIz8HzUWfk8UbYMnj7zZZ0Eed30gGL6uiCrm7autfZJrU/s400/2006-10-17-010-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289796493125289378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqiEld8ezqyQ7Z5UspNbSbFuWuTmVvoO6BcUoibj4vwiCzT4sJf3ZtwTM9T3PoRalbuoVbVsZRaCP8yYsZHRkUY854K3tJFCd7tX99IzcqN31-Jy4Fh-gCI7e5R4uuaFGarZcLDvEjrc/s1600-h/2006-10-17-030-Loren_Brooks-Ebby-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqiEld8ezqyQ7Z5UspNbSbFuWuTmVvoO6BcUoibj4vwiCzT4sJf3ZtwTM9T3PoRalbuoVbVsZRaCP8yYsZHRkUY854K3tJFCd7tX99IzcqN31-Jy4Fh-gCI7e5R4uuaFGarZcLDvEjrc/s400/2006-10-17-030-Loren_Brooks-Ebby-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289796497671244962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcwHjVVJmpxowR3SiXG_1kVwGKumX4MFjTV-5PyWoHt46gxpHvRhDPhns-aw_FrY7CrRc5nesc8PlDiePFEkD9EiUlJrO5ArSqI7mMiVtutgJrNtJGjPB8LjOuGeDG3LQVrwe-tk1sw0/s1600-h/2006-10-17-080-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcwHjVVJmpxowR3SiXG_1kVwGKumX4MFjTV-5PyWoHt46gxpHvRhDPhns-aw_FrY7CrRc5nesc8PlDiePFEkD9EiUlJrO5ArSqI7mMiVtutgJrNtJGjPB8LjOuGeDG3LQVrwe-tk1sw0/s400/2006-10-17-080-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289796503594521666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMAYV1atzrH0mXRBWGi_N1wM86-ypp7U4rqvb_c76_LEZDe351AZUpRiN4GcW6FRQ3li5gv6lP0RQoI0amBnTBgr_wa0xFkrRYmedyeIXdzCkOxVI0QPW28D5RDN5c3g8VrO4pzxs4NM/s1600-h/2006-10-17-090-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMAYV1atzrH0mXRBWGi_N1wM86-ypp7U4rqvb_c76_LEZDe351AZUpRiN4GcW6FRQ3li5gv6lP0RQoI0amBnTBgr_wa0xFkrRYmedyeIXdzCkOxVI0QPW28D5RDN5c3g8VrO4pzxs4NM/s400/2006-10-17-090-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289798246092053698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpKYJ0QLlHvuSjwniqTOw3P8xAfLGFkq_TYFxE6IuGo7F_C0YKWzPs3BG_EIXOQ2b9QjXPs94XX7I-PC6bhGHTff4c_eNsW7-eKXLdFLvh1HxzVhetNbDYJ3YWF49Bkq3sheW-4l1hus/s1600-h/2006-10-17-135-Andrea_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpKYJ0QLlHvuSjwniqTOw3P8xAfLGFkq_TYFxE6IuGo7F_C0YKWzPs3BG_EIXOQ2b9QjXPs94XX7I-PC6bhGHTff4c_eNsW7-eKXLdFLvh1HxzVhetNbDYJ3YWF49Bkq3sheW-4l1hus/s400/2006-10-17-135-Andrea_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289798246846591186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WcHPv0rvv_zdO9xelTulJIrh3387K-D7bnq4FFb-4kGIucu23jIQl84_DSZF5H9rN1u9cCYK677r0JhUU9loV4TTAsebYocx_X3vBJ-RNaEb2zYmCsy6Xp-jxsoxwnFvXUVMS3O-VAo/s1600-h/2006-10-17-155-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WcHPv0rvv_zdO9xelTulJIrh3387K-D7bnq4FFb-4kGIucu23jIQl84_DSZF5H9rN1u9cCYK677r0JhUU9loV4TTAsebYocx_X3vBJ-RNaEb2zYmCsy6Xp-jxsoxwnFvXUVMS3O-VAo/s400/2006-10-17-155-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289798252602352962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7f9Zy84GnQQv00Rd5Mp_Gf8d-glYT_dH-asgl6oVqfN6kpx_5v7kLwJhIKZnPnDofcD53pamz_tdRhrmRkf1eGe3QAqARolUe3Zl2tMjSSRSi7W6SNwVohuJxkWbIx-Q8emrkQlwiig/s1600-h/2006-10-17-220-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7f9Zy84GnQQv00Rd5Mp_Gf8d-glYT_dH-asgl6oVqfN6kpx_5v7kLwJhIKZnPnDofcD53pamz_tdRhrmRkf1eGe3QAqARolUe3Zl2tMjSSRSi7W6SNwVohuJxkWbIx-Q8emrkQlwiig/s400/2006-10-17-220-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289798256510333778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ok, that's all for the nitty gritty details. The rest of this week we spent registering for school, getting physicals and shots, and shopping for clothes, playing with their brothers, and meeting and playing with our neighbor's daughters. Also, this morning at church, so many of the people who made this adoption financially possible, finally got to meet Loren, Veronica and Donna.<br /><br />Tomorrow, the girls will begin school, and we all begin learning our new routines. There are still many more things to do. We need to re-adopt the girls in Illinois and I still have paper work to complete. However, the next chapter of all our lives has already begun...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLOnWhtBdzyF3Zr8YxN812CyxhHYQfa-4zr1-xNj3dSlP3NODxbrJJXkoR6bkkyDUE-cwvS03H-2RVXJtQCWV9mOtnp-jqNQn5CwEMRwKZHnB9_X_jOcW1fLe9a-7U6DZpPdiIxCE93w/s1600-h/2006-10-18-000-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLOnWhtBdzyF3Zr8YxN812CyxhHYQfa-4zr1-xNj3dSlP3NODxbrJJXkoR6bkkyDUE-cwvS03H-2RVXJtQCWV9mOtnp-jqNQn5CwEMRwKZHnB9_X_jOcW1fLe9a-7U6DZpPdiIxCE93w/s400/2006-10-18-000-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289798265276705650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To Be Continued...<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />TimTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-50243144196570992802009-01-16T13:05:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:32:49.182-06:0010/14/2006 Adoption Update e-mailGreetings once again,<br /><br />This is the second to last installment of my updates. Here are the<br />major events from the last few days:<br /><br />10/10/2006 - Tuesday Night: I wasn't going to leave Peru without getting some<br />strange illness again. About the time we were getting everyone showered<br />and ready for bed, my hands and feet started turning bright red and<br />began itching like crazy. Within 30 minutes my whole body started to<br />feel very strange, and I broke out in hives all over my body . Once again,<br />it was good to be staying in the house of a doctor. Unfortunately, the<br />doctor and his wife, Patrizia were out that evening, but Consuelo, who<br />works at the house, was able to call them. They broke off their evening<br />out, and came home where the doctor decided it was probably a food<br />allergy, and not a spider bite, which is what I had contemplated. We<br />still don't know what it could have been because I didn't eat anything new<br />that day. Anyway, the shot worked, and by morning I was back to<br />normal. The doctor offered to let Andrea give me the shot in the butt,<br />but she declined.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Consuelo and her helper</font><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qZopNCrVhJ73rBdHMd5eUmu9qfD7mT37pYSF7bzix5LaIwoRhQTXw8ofGFpRm5-vduoBC0STcEF2UqW2JfNDLNbLDh2ASAq1Gn3PKS0xpTuZqDPjgG7FURlGWkJ8EORrIFlbPPO_5i0/s1600-h/2006-10-10-035-Consuelo-Househelp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qZopNCrVhJ73rBdHMd5eUmu9qfD7mT37pYSF7bzix5LaIwoRhQTXw8ofGFpRm5-vduoBC0STcEF2UqW2JfNDLNbLDh2ASAq1Gn3PKS0xpTuZqDPjgG7FURlGWkJ8EORrIFlbPPO_5i0/s400/2006-10-10-035-Consuelo-Househelp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289739802064104930" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Patrizia, Juan Manuel and Daniel Villacorta with </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew </span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjFQKuW-sp2STHyylPunwa03RyeUPYaMq6eBtXaX1YA9Kap_7CqrmXwLqLKFgNrM4DH80vK9i04r0Mt4sJME4Kd_dCrMxhZiPS2AU3anIQ9AVzd9bb6GekGRPSM1fRHcc98sMfoFHBPk/s1600-h/2006-10-10-055-Patrizia_Villacorta-Andrew_Brooks-Juan_Manuel_Villacorta-Daniel_Villacorta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjFQKuW-sp2STHyylPunwa03RyeUPYaMq6eBtXaX1YA9Kap_7CqrmXwLqLKFgNrM4DH80vK9i04r0Mt4sJME4Kd_dCrMxhZiPS2AU3anIQ9AVzd9bb6GekGRPSM1fRHcc98sMfoFHBPk/s400/2006-10-10-055-Patrizia_Villacorta-Andrew_Brooks-Juan_Manuel_Villacorta-Daniel_Villacorta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289786020358227426" border="0"></a><br /><br />10/11/2006 - Wednesday: We didn't get the call from the embassy, so it became clear that the boys and I would be leaving alone. We spent our last day in<br />downtown Lima where we visited a beautiful cathedral on the plaza, and<br />another cathedral which had catacombs underneath. There we saw lots and<br />lots of bones. On Wednesday night we said our farewells, and the boys<br />and I made it through all the Peru customs pretty uneventfully. Our<br />flight left at 12:20 am., and we had a whole row on the plane to<br />ourselves. Josh and T.J. each had two seats to lay down in. Andrew and<br />I had three seats in the middle to share of which Andrew used two. So,<br />suffice to say the boys slept through the night and I shifted around<br />trying to get comfortable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><font style="font-weight: bold;">The President of Peru's House</font><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMu18R1waYWQcDhwjGpdAmABSaBmFdGhcQkyBu7cjuw02VAhNv9nwJPJ0fidBA7yzqp4hoszVZKqaFciB6n_eSntu80hIGn3YDywPsWmH-luf-XB9kyu2gV1yT8u8b9g61wWLvB7Xd6M/s1600-h/2006-10-11-000-President_Of_Peru's_House-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMu18R1waYWQcDhwjGpdAmABSaBmFdGhcQkyBu7cjuw02VAhNv9nwJPJ0fidBA7yzqp4hoszVZKqaFciB6n_eSntu80hIGn3YDywPsWmH-luf-XB9kyu2gV1yT8u8b9g61wWLvB7Xd6M/s400/2006-10-11-000-President_Of_Peru's_House-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289739768550095330" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Cathedral Crypt</font><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe45cQyj0luOVVQ0RGj2dYR5aXpR4031WK-yawfDWIVWFr36jlcegKuzjCjylqHE8Nvb6yhykyYmb9Xh1RWf4cznO7zSYY0l09Yt9gD7bx4EtoQMSJ7XB36mGmKbmWQ3Cna99vWgdNEJE/s1600-h/2006-10-11-050-Cathedral-Crypt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe45cQyj0luOVVQ0RGj2dYR5aXpR4031WK-yawfDWIVWFr36jlcegKuzjCjylqHE8Nvb6yhykyYmb9Xh1RWf4cznO7zSYY0l09Yt9gD7bx4EtoQMSJ7XB36mGmKbmWQ3Cna99vWgdNEJE/s400/2006-10-11-050-Cathedral-Crypt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289739773296541154" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Cathedral</font><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGkhvXw9HgGNPZmJCHX8Rk0oa1CANILWksFmr4KM2sSQ9Aqw99DwQ-m1xvEqaYqghliR117y8wnMkHW07BN06cyxPGX0SwN2dGnaHy51vBcgjdI4BEEobhB325bXoBu3DYq05XYgVE4Y/s1600-h/2006-10-11-085-Cathedral-TJ_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGkhvXw9HgGNPZmJCHX8Rk0oa1CANILWksFmr4KM2sSQ9Aqw99DwQ-m1xvEqaYqghliR117y8wnMkHW07BN06cyxPGX0SwN2dGnaHy51vBcgjdI4BEEobhB325bXoBu3DYq05XYgVE4Y/s400/2006-10-11-085-Cathedral-TJ_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289739778330077762" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Catacombs</font><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwimAmkWT2Ndij-AIZLEb-Sa_fRU3fJW2S9e5TtCl1LPqCCZ5DbdEniid09nVYYsslY57OUueXMEptWNWOgrVpv9GjUKwxADwehtgOaZ9TJ4sqwLCRSi_ENmVa1jy5pscjbtKerxVV-4/s1600-h/2006-10-11-105-Catacombs-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwimAmkWT2Ndij-AIZLEb-Sa_fRU3fJW2S9e5TtCl1LPqCCZ5DbdEniid09nVYYsslY57OUueXMEptWNWOgrVpv9GjUKwxADwehtgOaZ9TJ4sqwLCRSi_ENmVa1jy5pscjbtKerxVV-4/s400/2006-10-11-105-Catacombs-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289739791802919826" border="0"></a><br /><br />10/12/2006 - Thursday: We made it safely to St. Louis, where I was able to learn through an e-mail, by the son of the family in whose house we were<br />staying, that Andrea had learned that we had passed the immigration<br />investigation, but had not gotten the appointment for the VISA's. She<br />said that they expected to call her on Friday to set up the appointment<br />for next week. So, she told me to just go home and not wait for her.<br />However, I was too tired to safely drive home, so I spent the night in<br />St. Louis.<br /><br />10/13/2006 - Friday: Hooray! Home at last! Andrea's mom was here to meet us, as well as all the neighborhood boys. They were jumping up trying to catch<br />a glimpse of the new sisters in our van, but they were not to be found.<br />However, they gave Josh and T.J. a hardy welcome home. I learned via<br />e-mail from Andrea that the appointment for the VISA interview is<br />scheduled for Monday at 8:00 am.. She says they should have the VISA's<br />the same day. She has already purchased her tickets for Monday night<br />(Tuesday 12:20 am). So, I'll be picking her and the girls up on Tuesday<br />morning at 10:45pm.<br />Friday was also Andrew's third birthday, and I know his mom was<br />disappointed to not be here for it.<br /><br />That's it for now. I'll send out one last letter and picture when we're<br />all home together. Please pray for Andrea and the girls to come home<br />safely.<br /><br />Chau,<br /><br />TimTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-29717531798545205502009-01-16T13:00:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:32:17.808-06:0010/10/2006 Adoption Update e-mailHola Family and Friends,<br /><br />This morning we went to the American Embassy and submitted the forms for<br />immigration. The good news is that everything was in order, and nothing<br />was missing except for a few copies of passports which they made for<br />us. They assured us that adoptions are processed first, and they would<br />do ours as quickly as possible. However, they didn't give us any time<br />line at all. So, this afternoon we canceled Andrea's ticket for<br />tomorrow. Delta gave us a voucher number to use when we actually know<br />the date we can leave. So, unfortunately, Andrea and the girls are in<br />limbo. The boys and I will leave tomorrow night for St. Louis (actually<br />Thursday at 12:20 am) as scheduled to avoid paying penalties on our<br />tickets. I hope to hear something from the embassy tomorrow before I<br />leave. Once they finish their investigation, Andrea should be able to<br />get VISA's for the girls on the same day. Once they get VISA's they can<br />leave.<br /><br />That's all the news I have. Depending on what I hear tomorrow, the boys<br />and I may stay in St. Louis if Andrea and the girls will be coming right<br />behind us this week. Otherwise, I'll have to go home, and come back to<br />St. Louis for the ladies next week.<br /><br />Chau,<br /><br />Tim<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The kids playing with Bimba in the backyard.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5SCf6RcI7cW2sCw48XqpLWUSa6gwxtBfGkp7ddMcXVm95PVQq5kaT3Wkhc2tE5fjYzIM2H7Zj3k6PYCJnyriAD1mLIqdz7hvVU_JPFQAARtE0uroXWqOBBiM7piIY7wIAjOjq0vJmB4/s1600-h/2006-10-01-020-TJ_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Bimba-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5SCf6RcI7cW2sCw48XqpLWUSa6gwxtBfGkp7ddMcXVm95PVQq5kaT3Wkhc2tE5fjYzIM2H7Zj3k6PYCJnyriAD1mLIqdz7hvVU_JPFQAARtE0uroXWqOBBiM7piIY7wIAjOjq0vJmB4/s400/2006-10-01-020-TJ_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Bimba-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289711835487300818" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Larco Mar</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oSc5xqmIRC2puHS4ND7A8ZDoSk_srXrO2Ijswn_QZH19fwJ6GC62fE5VZTfB6XW7R12DPWl8JOeRQ5gNj8L18aU6mRZLTRiCMOCwPyDJwnzcDYnRoFvNAqi-CTN947z7gtgC0luW4Tw/s1600-h/2006-10-05-015-Larco_Mar-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oSc5xqmIRC2puHS4ND7A8ZDoSk_srXrO2Ijswn_QZH19fwJ6GC62fE5VZTfB6XW7R12DPWl8JOeRQ5gNj8L18aU6mRZLTRiCMOCwPyDJwnzcDYnRoFvNAqi-CTN947z7gtgC0luW4Tw/s400/2006-10-05-015-Larco_Mar-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289711844276239250" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Larco Mar</span><br /></div> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CCfNanYxEep1MxKKNp8D_Al97Ej-eIHXbLd7sPBGJkYmfQcZnK0sCo_PCIhxx1UEehPr4DRvkkvwE0wG5IH810mcRwJl47p-ksXJfh_PB2eIn3yHUz-ZCsPsUtiitZotQeTB3k-2f9k/s1600-h/2006-10-05-020-Larco_Mar-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CCfNanYxEep1MxKKNp8D_Al97Ej-eIHXbLd7sPBGJkYmfQcZnK0sCo_PCIhxx1UEehPr4DRvkkvwE0wG5IH810mcRwJl47p-ksXJfh_PB2eIn3yHUz-ZCsPsUtiitZotQeTB3k-2f9k/s400/2006-10-05-020-Larco_Mar-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289711859269867426" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Barney at the Lima Zoo</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_qyfiDxDJS3vKe7tEF9x9tPq1i3_lDHsZtI1So53oa1baVcTkJv7yfARFvQIeAj8ZfjvZzxjGTZix_swsdTMlhTz_Qj1Vutr2eoYYNa-ZiEOhjX48rxiqCzRxDerQVpA5hVURdgAzyQ/s1600-h/2006-10-06-015-Parque_Leyendas_Zoo-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_qyfiDxDJS3vKe7tEF9x9tPq1i3_lDHsZtI1So53oa1baVcTkJv7yfARFvQIeAj8ZfjvZzxjGTZix_swsdTMlhTz_Qj1Vutr2eoYYNa-ZiEOhjX48rxiqCzRxDerQVpA5hVURdgAzyQ/s400/2006-10-06-015-Parque_Leyendas_Zoo-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289711863020355138" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">El Parque Leyendas Zoológico</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgP_PurZbru_LGHAiw_YeRZJWlOD6SN2fMpe2W6uZL0DVqaz_9IitiSPIQZFifOpPR4ShVf2FPMgrJ4ozrBpm_WtsTGEmmB3s_OdjTbNNDAZw-I3_tTi_OO4scSevtRfVqsVIUUn-qEe4/s1600-h/2006-10-06-045-Parque_Leyendas_Zoo-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgP_PurZbru_LGHAiw_YeRZJWlOD6SN2fMpe2W6uZL0DVqaz_9IitiSPIQZFifOpPR4ShVf2FPMgrJ4ozrBpm_WtsTGEmmB3s_OdjTbNNDAZw-I3_tTi_OO4scSevtRfVqsVIUUn-qEe4/s400/2006-10-06-045-Parque_Leyendas_Zoo-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289711868976161362" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">El Parque Leyendas Zoológico</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ep6VHaD04hbsMWUTTM2mvR6XBCCleCZIiiw2uXtnbQBK0Q0tohCpDdnZF_hPUtwxmI4A09wRIuKtu6c8qiSEyphLjg0zjVtu21xUIG0OzPJ_JZ1g_2X5g4dvWiQLFfJFNHAeq0gqlL0/s1600-h/2006-10-06-060-Parque_Leyendas_Zoo-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ep6VHaD04hbsMWUTTM2mvR6XBCCleCZIiiw2uXtnbQBK0Q0tohCpDdnZF_hPUtwxmI4A09wRIuKtu6c8qiSEyphLjg0zjVtu21xUIG0OzPJ_JZ1g_2X5g4dvWiQLFfJFNHAeq0gqlL0/s400/2006-10-06-060-Parque_Leyendas_Zoo-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289713546093718066" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Consuelo (the housekeeper) and T.J.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacbna4WKVUDeHPXMLJ7NpIUeAq1AZK19TDGSzjpleiccm8jDpmPvB7fKLV1hoSc8VgsjMUTs2J-kPEHzTQ__761bw8clK1gy7_VJ7u1xPYsKiiDICaRbpAlGXZkGZtVINRZgoNlsEVeU/s1600-h/2006-10-10-005-Consuelo-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacbna4WKVUDeHPXMLJ7NpIUeAq1AZK19TDGSzjpleiccm8jDpmPvB7fKLV1hoSc8VgsjMUTs2J-kPEHzTQ__761bw8clK1gy7_VJ7u1xPYsKiiDICaRbpAlGXZkGZtVINRZgoNlsEVeU/s400/2006-10-10-005-Consuelo-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289713556003607682" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Breakfast</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98oMj0ApNlNnK_Ni3JjrQleR7rTEFXCmzf7dp3YOKgPcoj84cWx1qRPVxM2T0X53eRBTXZ6VOW2RbHJZaeyijObi5aOWbEMPaghdMkUGaVuhJ9S6_ET9q4d9cN1VjnjwRpA4ff-O7cmA/s1600-h/2006-10-10-020-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98oMj0ApNlNnK_Ni3JjrQleR7rTEFXCmzf7dp3YOKgPcoj84cWx1qRPVxM2T0X53eRBTXZ6VOW2RbHJZaeyijObi5aOWbEMPaghdMkUGaVuhJ9S6_ET9q4d9cN1VjnjwRpA4ff-O7cmA/s400/2006-10-10-020-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289713558764254354" border="0"></a><br style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Maria Elena and Raul and the kids</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehks_uSKi6oeENH1_wKQzn67K4nYwUL0bTbAOVcGGfcdjK7RCQaedYE3NUpIRhQqBkgbZ9ymymAELf84hjwdDkZlvWV0yrTrdM75ND1zmvx5kcD8wJPXC6b9RedOEnWzAFueyyBnR6h8/s1600-h/2006-10-10-030-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Baldassari-Loren_Brooks-Raul_Alva-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehks_uSKi6oeENH1_wKQzn67K4nYwUL0bTbAOVcGGfcdjK7RCQaedYE3NUpIRhQqBkgbZ9ymymAELf84hjwdDkZlvWV0yrTrdM75ND1zmvx5kcD8wJPXC6b9RedOEnWzAFueyyBnR6h8/s400/2006-10-10-030-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Baldassari-Loren_Brooks-Raul_Alva-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289713563309929442" border="0"></a><br style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Patrizia Villacorta (the owner of the house) and our family</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCpS-0o-DUqtjjgdfk6ZSzXBnUp98gGeNOW6wDitrbVNv4SKR38w_IdJGxrXjVDfJG2qTdWfeI1m10u6F4NvEBNaC-vyrvCBrW-ksalSuaGB7kAGalI7wCUHxYS3TEyyWMTNrEVZ1sY0/s1600-h/2006-10-10-045-Tim_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Patrizia_Villacorta-Andrew_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCpS-0o-DUqtjjgdfk6ZSzXBnUp98gGeNOW6wDitrbVNv4SKR38w_IdJGxrXjVDfJG2qTdWfeI1m10u6F4NvEBNaC-vyrvCBrW-ksalSuaGB7kAGalI7wCUHxYS3TEyyWMTNrEVZ1sY0/s400/2006-10-10-045-Tim_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Patrizia_Villacorta-Andrew_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289714118616783298" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Patrizia, Dr. Juan Manuel and Daniel (the son) Villacorta</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht577OjxvxYWGpqEMcoismdh8WhAvRHqBAkZL6qiEeFTJdnLyHYm-XXL3-0gbcX-0eMeZTnvcrHEMTQdtMD1mGdhsQmnDF5kHaPXQY5Ed30FAoUcDJSUUtok8OY1BW1RgY9DMYPsQHEpg/s1600-h/2006-10-10-065-Josh-Patrizia_Villacorta-Veronica-Andrews-Juan_Villacorta-Loren-Daniel_Villacorta-TJ-Andrea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht577OjxvxYWGpqEMcoismdh8WhAvRHqBAkZL6qiEeFTJdnLyHYm-XXL3-0gbcX-0eMeZTnvcrHEMTQdtMD1mGdhsQmnDF5kHaPXQY5Ed30FAoUcDJSUUtok8OY1BW1RgY9DMYPsQHEpg/s400/2006-10-10-065-Josh-Patrizia_Villacorta-Veronica-Andrews-Juan_Villacorta-Loren-Daniel_Villacorta-TJ-Andrea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289713572110642194" border="0"></a>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-76184125722803701752009-01-16T12:55:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:31:48.356-06:0010/04/2006 Adoption Update e-mailHola mi familia y mis amigos!<br /><br />No news, just pictures now that I've had some time.<br /><br />Chau,<br /><br />Tim<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Our Final Goodbyes to Hogar de Esperanza.</font><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrnesoBVS1lqcN1_9c6k-wAyIn0rNQzWfH0j2N7anecLJgFs8PmWFwS39nB_A4m8bQUZHf1sWClnp2aganm-1WFdNoPgMHIpTUJjp1-mZe9TwxGGxatDc8gaqlFOwnDWUu0ZRKArtraA/s1600-h/2006-09-27-075-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrnesoBVS1lqcN1_9c6k-wAyIn0rNQzWfH0j2N7anecLJgFs8PmWFwS39nB_A4m8bQUZHf1sWClnp2aganm-1WFdNoPgMHIpTUJjp1-mZe9TwxGGxatDc8gaqlFOwnDWUu0ZRKArtraA/s400/2006-09-27-075-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289522914393005074" border="0"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Elizabeth Bernuy and Our Family<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwigROtZjDmiBxEiMo_7wH09a9GQUIhle8LEpKbn5yG9Wh2Qoj5v6-BfTAIV2BqAPbx_hgt008njz-rHpXNJiUDWRCCdGI2mhNFzqKfyHXYolFUU7oSHdlXLFxHYDsXBtoxC1hRUFGDcM/s1600-h/2006-09-27-065-Liz_Bernuy-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwigROtZjDmiBxEiMo_7wH09a9GQUIhle8LEpKbn5yG9Wh2Qoj5v6-BfTAIV2BqAPbx_hgt008njz-rHpXNJiUDWRCCdGI2mhNFzqKfyHXYolFUU7oSHdlXLFxHYDsXBtoxC1hRUFGDcM/s400/2006-09-27-065-Liz_Bernuy-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289522909592689746" border="0"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melva (the madre) with Veronica and Donna<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbdiHHK-CT1NN3a9Wzho6po-gc1mAHU4JrNq78aT0SD99I-_sjEKf-lRugqJQpskdnpLD5i_f0sfaOhWbiUop587Mky-IzBsp8gwT7o5LYta8B4DSbybwIlNUGZ-uxOKH2l53T6rhPDM/s1600-h/2006-09-27-060-Donna_Brooks-Melva-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbdiHHK-CT1NN3a9Wzho6po-gc1mAHU4JrNq78aT0SD99I-_sjEKf-lRugqJQpskdnpLD5i_f0sfaOhWbiUop587Mky-IzBsp8gwT7o5LYta8B4DSbybwIlNUGZ-uxOKH2l53T6rhPDM/s400/2006-09-27-060-Donna_Brooks-Melva-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289522900001010178" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4wEQFindVaAEZo_-1PbvtP15rGJ3MiSw0lFEyu1Ec-I5f6UlidkTQ45ZO-Zj4wwK9T-8FAE4ULA0nv8UV36Xz3y3rw4olqb4cn4yl9nlBnGg47rQcm13b9dxCl7x1ux0ouKkqHLVkgQ/s1600-h/2006-09-27-035-Donna_Brooks-Estefany-Karina-Yamelit-Ana-Loren_Brooks-Christy-Bridgette-Rocio-Araceli-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4wEQFindVaAEZo_-1PbvtP15rGJ3MiSw0lFEyu1Ec-I5f6UlidkTQ45ZO-Zj4wwK9T-8FAE4ULA0nv8UV36Xz3y3rw4olqb4cn4yl9nlBnGg47rQcm13b9dxCl7x1ux0ouKkqHLVkgQ/s400/2006-09-27-035-Donna_Brooks-Estefany-Karina-Yamelit-Ana-Loren_Brooks-Christy-Bridgette-Rocio-Araceli-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289522897771141010" border="0"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesus, Josh and Josue<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKUkRhzV03BAbfE7sLgk4Weh0XA1KIDKpBbfhHaIyF5v4DqWLXnbLYxzJRPO_Axufu_AwP2I9hsJ7roWKZdYZ5HNxREOEpabFDepmf_xfNwInyd87BT9JQnQM7wiSqAkkwLX6j66fBq0/s1600-h/2006-09-27-005-Jesus-Josh_Brooks-Josue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKUkRhzV03BAbfE7sLgk4Weh0XA1KIDKpBbfhHaIyF5v4DqWLXnbLYxzJRPO_Axufu_AwP2I9hsJ7roWKZdYZ5HNxREOEpabFDepmf_xfNwInyd87BT9JQnQM7wiSqAkkwLX6j66fBq0/s400/2006-09-27-005-Jesus-Josh_Brooks-Josue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289522891691566386" border="0"></a><br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew in our new temporary home in Lima. It's the closest thing to a bathtub we could find.<br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKb0cJhoMByxXbb6mJa6OKgJz499Wq1XupM1-e8W8J5aI8OvcV9zPcc8v5UimbT-0L286ZQO-JfGA6KpLOa2v50uspSun7DPLVAt9iy1crY0d7FqGb7IDKKW_xqqgqLw_Qf2ff-aR0Zs/s1600-h/2006-09-29-015-Andrew_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKb0cJhoMByxXbb6mJa6OKgJz499Wq1XupM1-e8W8J5aI8OvcV9zPcc8v5UimbT-0L286ZQO-JfGA6KpLOa2v50uspSun7DPLVAt9iy1crY0d7FqGb7IDKKW_xqqgqLw_Qf2ff-aR0Zs/s400/2006-09-29-015-Andrew_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289524862535261346" border="0"></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">The gated backyard complete with turtle<br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_H4m9QZkIeHYYM2O0PrrJxNa-3RBoYNET1Jf_SHVYyYAaOIvKMGMCdbt5QejnSRDCbOncWYbuNr2oQb4Qn04ySV5j6BFTnpi2K-_x_qi0hSe_lo2gsDQnv-MzByhjswK1eAztYlZs6QA/s1600-h/2006-09-28-020-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_H4m9QZkIeHYYM2O0PrrJxNa-3RBoYNET1Jf_SHVYyYAaOIvKMGMCdbt5QejnSRDCbOncWYbuNr2oQb4Qn04ySV5j6BFTnpi2K-_x_qi0hSe_lo2gsDQnv-MzByhjswK1eAztYlZs6QA/s400/2006-09-28-020-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289524860416246946" border="0"></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Escargo</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ttD8vcHqyudM-1KJWKV4dkYCnGlU7yoI_pQQwS0YwQEzgNfjHESXAlwEv03Qe4OFw8DdO_2CIoIYHG6FCzyvg7RKkgDaSAIXKlhzNd80Xw7d5bqZtjEXGTOHQSTRdor6r6MWEV3ISz0/s1600-h/2006-09-28-015-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ttD8vcHqyudM-1KJWKV4dkYCnGlU7yoI_pQQwS0YwQEzgNfjHESXAlwEv03Qe4OFw8DdO_2CIoIYHG6FCzyvg7RKkgDaSAIXKlhzNd80Xw7d5bqZtjEXGTOHQSTRdor6r6MWEV3ISz0/s400/2006-09-28-015-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289524849308154642" border="0"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Inside our little upstairs apartment<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE9j6exM4uOUdiTyvLSth3pGScA55w0qpcISMBJ0JlkayaGWX3bsz8eeOFUpBD8-s0u9zd4et_C89z73lx29Ni_e2bgWkM03FfHi8PeyQVOOO-5OMklGxIebqC6pLf-5yn-_CH429g_M/s1600-h/2006-09-28-005-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE9j6exM4uOUdiTyvLSth3pGScA55w0qpcISMBJ0JlkayaGWX3bsz8eeOFUpBD8-s0u9zd4et_C89z73lx29Ni_e2bgWkM03FfHi8PeyQVOOO-5OMklGxIebqC6pLf-5yn-_CH429g_M/s400/2006-09-28-005-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289524844239146850" border="0"></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Room for 8 (just barely!)<br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6gFpSDLMkl_AYpQz8-E-oDw4hjNauJjtn82t2_n1WnD2LEDJoIh8TZleET2fhh5G7z_2ACg8i7C3d7ybld1Lfu1emNkx43G3ZJj_SRDKHUOqiUT9vxdS4yD7HXGr9mdyp8SybgUIt4E/s1600-h/2006-09-28-000-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6gFpSDLMkl_AYpQz8-E-oDw4hjNauJjtn82t2_n1WnD2LEDJoIh8TZleET2fhh5G7z_2ACg8i7C3d7ybld1Lfu1emNkx43G3ZJj_SRDKHUOqiUT9vxdS4yD7HXGr9mdyp8SybgUIt4E/s400/2006-09-28-000-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289524847949632466" border="0"></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The kids in the backyard.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAFWgSOdxnktAx_7_oGTx6kUxEyCIIHh_-hHuwKqMRjuxSMsVUjibXB_nOio_-7jwQxASfesiTLPRqisOnul469ey_CkKfnYU1h6EmYU5PMy6Vhp_PaB4Wt3lG-RAohXIvCASpQbXULI/s1600-h/2006-10-01-005-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAFWgSOdxnktAx_7_oGTx6kUxEyCIIHh_-hHuwKqMRjuxSMsVUjibXB_nOio_-7jwQxASfesiTLPRqisOnul469ey_CkKfnYU1h6EmYU5PMy6Vhp_PaB4Wt3lG-RAohXIvCASpQbXULI/s400/2006-10-01-005-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289528833308013666" border="0"></a>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-28082309895861143742009-01-16T12:50:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:30:57.617-06:0010/03/2006 Adoption Update e-mailHola!<br /><br />Here's what's been happening the last few days, and some things I left<br />out last time. On Friday, we celebrated Veronica's eleventh birthday.<br />And since Loren's birthday has already passed, and Donna's isn't until<br />December, it should be the last birthday the girls will have in Peru.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica's Birthday</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdWZTNkLGFUvCgqxC-ykoKSoHcTgb1vvhwuaMbsLTI-iLmgtGGLdumX-mfPvhFnR0vQV7UGFxZqXMzs7Udq9QF7yobHUy6WgdRWgYvW1dhprw0qYrU_YjJGiBY_3g_3kGR6Xcf8IscCI/s1600-h/2006-09-29-000-Veronica's_Birthday-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdWZTNkLGFUvCgqxC-ykoKSoHcTgb1vvhwuaMbsLTI-iLmgtGGLdumX-mfPvhFnR0vQV7UGFxZqXMzs7Udq9QF7yobHUy6WgdRWgYvW1dhprw0qYrU_YjJGiBY_3g_3kGR6Xcf8IscCI/s400/2006-09-29-000-Veronica's_Birthday-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289525857601949138" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi603FiXbdgVaElY9y4uln2VmE8hXU-pWLY7P__GmikyxqMHgRsSi9rO3JwqoHKULjDhH5scqHCh8rnelpO-jgLW3Rf7DUCQcW7Vl0C8LsqhtQIQkvfcItlI4zLNgs59Nxn1VurApB19L4/s1600-h/2006-09-29-005-Veronica's_Birthday-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi603FiXbdgVaElY9y4uln2VmE8hXU-pWLY7P__GmikyxqMHgRsSi9rO3JwqoHKULjDhH5scqHCh8rnelpO-jgLW3Rf7DUCQcW7Vl0C8LsqhtQIQkvfcItlI4zLNgs59Nxn1VurApB19L4/s400/2006-09-29-005-Veronica's_Birthday-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289457440719043538" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Celebrating Veronica's Birthday with Maria Elena, Raul and their daughter.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuYhYg6xYNX-xvOoNNUm_tY7dBQNHRcwDjCU8eNxqmQd_ySFm-E5QREsp7K-eEaJLK1V2vnk9QHkzbwmsnzTyG4Jt4Xc4rQg3hwyOlCR0i0uuCAoV60XboTVe0ozYoaOJWGpHUydAupU/s1600-h/2006-09-30-030-Raul_Alva-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Alva.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuYhYg6xYNX-xvOoNNUm_tY7dBQNHRcwDjCU8eNxqmQd_ySFm-E5QREsp7K-eEaJLK1V2vnk9QHkzbwmsnzTyG4Jt4Xc4rQg3hwyOlCR0i0uuCAoV60XboTVe0ozYoaOJWGpHUydAupU/s400/2006-09-30-030-Raul_Alva-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Alva.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289525861847409586" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Maria Elena Alva (the daughter)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQ7k8kLhUbBlIc8ta068Uw8nz66MlYPyhskHk6WAZ51pGfLZfrpIk1ZKtVvkP8DilM6Pw3YHozNV8rSCZp5z-_wgjbIwJY_G2UQKCEOQdtCcb7naBqQrfiV-Qnbqs9D_o-GSAE4sehAc/s1600-h/2006-09-30-035-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Alva-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQ7k8kLhUbBlIc8ta068Uw8nz66MlYPyhskHk6WAZ51pGfLZfrpIk1ZKtVvkP8DilM6Pw3YHozNV8rSCZp5z-_wgjbIwJY_G2UQKCEOQdtCcb7naBqQrfiV-Qnbqs9D_o-GSAE4sehAc/s400/2006-09-30-035-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Alva-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289525870942804914" border="0"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The two Marias</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpucHHEuMPi_td8AnZbBnoiCe-bXcjdWgdrV-FqwUjpyGlIyAhz0NX1Hhlp-3kR0tOBOAFE1Ay76dgq09aBoAx9PplwK7FroZYoFgmEN1SGo6RBkYOzQQrUygz9pOhQ_6U8_7Tw-0zMnM/s1600-h/2006-09-30-040-Donna_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Alva-Maria_Elena_Alva.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpucHHEuMPi_td8AnZbBnoiCe-bXcjdWgdrV-FqwUjpyGlIyAhz0NX1Hhlp-3kR0tOBOAFE1Ay76dgq09aBoAx9PplwK7FroZYoFgmEN1SGo6RBkYOzQQrUygz9pOhQ_6U8_7Tw-0zMnM/s400/2006-09-30-040-Donna_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Alva-Maria_Elena_Alva.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289525873663873698" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica with her present.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXkJSnxhRKdJ0XC03ZMEgsQUNLl2HVghUuOD3VK4Cxf_nfHrDClxTMC2aaWPbH3keAd3rCioqgM6jGYcx9DlkFM07CrzFBiXf9mYlmgs7UIR0O3WE3KJhhe1EbeybG8ZtkM2TUYVsdGc/s1600-h/2006-09-30-045-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXkJSnxhRKdJ0XC03ZMEgsQUNLl2HVghUuOD3VK4Cxf_nfHrDClxTMC2aaWPbH3keAd3rCioqgM6jGYcx9DlkFM07CrzFBiXf9mYlmgs7UIR0O3WE3KJhhe1EbeybG8ZtkM2TUYVsdGc/s400/2006-09-30-045-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289525887237313746" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Raul Alva</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4hd4gb8evT3rqxRuUpEswux4oS5lMF8U0iydmySSgTMrn73vkKCHBXEiOViJ1BihYVKQNos1xaQ_ei_1pKnWf3PlXNwYgDQBt_YN77rp2zojhPBluZkYvDjJByfVRC5DxqdDuMWwq58/s1600-h/2006-09-30-055-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Raul_Alva.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4hd4gb8evT3rqxRuUpEswux4oS5lMF8U0iydmySSgTMrn73vkKCHBXEiOViJ1BihYVKQNos1xaQ_ei_1pKnWf3PlXNwYgDQBt_YN77rp2zojhPBluZkYvDjJByfVRC5DxqdDuMWwq58/s400/2006-09-30-055-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Raul_Alva.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289527601886946146" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica's second cake</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8v0l0lhm_YTlozSeyPa0nWCbPdkgELCFN3YtjaSubs7HjUfMRMlw2BNslyuyhI2hhpkaboOXDK5v_38ZkMxK_XTyIgYFl7hyphenhyphen8GaBNQstTXPn0zXqAmpNG0H1XjPX18Govcw8DhROC8k/s1600-h/2006-09-30-050-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8v0l0lhm_YTlozSeyPa0nWCbPdkgELCFN3YtjaSubs7HjUfMRMlw2BNslyuyhI2hhpkaboOXDK5v_38ZkMxK_XTyIgYFl7hyphenhyphen8GaBNQstTXPn0zXqAmpNG0H1XjPX18Govcw8DhROC8k/s400/2006-09-30-050-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289527595270164674" border="0"></a><br /><br />On Monday, our lawyers had the birth certificate officials correct<br />Andrea's and my age, we then went to SNA for the third and final time.<br />There we met the Chief in Lima, and for about the 10th time signed a<br />post placement agreement. Due to the limited hours that the Peruvian<br />passport agency is open, we were unable to get the girls their<br />passports, but they did take our money. :)<br /><br />This morning (Tuesday), we went first thing to the immigration<br />department of the American Embassy (which is Homeland Security). But,<br />SURPRISE, they are out of the country for the rest of the week. And<br />since they are only open between the hours of 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., on<br />Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, we can't go back until next Tuesday<br />morning. Your tax dollars at work my fellow Americans! So, needless<br />to say, I'm a little irritated and upset. Our lawyer thinks that it<br />takes roughly three days for the American Embassy to do their<br />investigation and approve the girls. After that, we then apply for<br />their VISA's which I think we can receive on the same day. At this point,<br />our best hope is that it will be finished by next Friday. Of course,<br />this means we will not make our Wednesday night (Thursday 12:20 am)<br />flight back to the states. Either Andrea or I will go home that night with the boys, and the other will stay to finish with the girls.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The U.S. Embassy</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FrpQrztY9_-RBhDIquzPzSMSLx1nuF6NROYqYs1lmzGecBr_O0X6Zzx9P8XyEK2gPo82lVRAi5Z9Rtv8IeGrUfEc_elarQHs2Oz6N77fs1CrUMkzlfwy89fqj4suxLfNSlMdZqTFmNs/s1600-h/2006-10-03-000-American_Embassy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FrpQrztY9_-RBhDIquzPzSMSLx1nuF6NROYqYs1lmzGecBr_O0X6Zzx9P8XyEK2gPo82lVRAi5Z9Rtv8IeGrUfEc_elarQHs2Oz6N77fs1CrUMkzlfwy89fqj4suxLfNSlMdZqTFmNs/s400/2006-10-03-000-American_Embassy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289459228621394834" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzzezBH77DuAfGQnnSQWpXXNVFZN4FsAmdospWZMsKoaswcoaOLSzYn_99QhWJ1KnFEIIyxGuHqrOHoIH-F9CMKENy0FCRfdsPWC8T2qed6_Qu5JHWlEDLULLVCnH5WiFjgYvt1oY-ww/s1600-h/2006-10-03-005-American_Embassy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzzezBH77DuAfGQnnSQWpXXNVFZN4FsAmdospWZMsKoaswcoaOLSzYn_99QhWJ1KnFEIIyxGuHqrOHoIH-F9CMKENy0FCRfdsPWC8T2qed6_Qu5JHWlEDLULLVCnH5WiFjgYvt1oY-ww/s400/2006-10-03-005-American_Embassy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289502587133642418" border="0"></a><br /><br />With the help of my friend, Bill Glick, I started looking into how we<br />can reschedule the one ticket for whoever is left behind, and what kind of options we will have for booking flights for the girls. Unlike my original understanding of my<br />Orbitz tickets, which I thought would only have $130 fee for<br />rescheduling, it seems that they are making me go to Delta, who will not<br />reschedule the ticket, but instead refund the remainder of my ticket after the $130<br />fee. So, I'll have to buy another round trip ticket for myself or Andrea as well<br />as the girls. At least this is my understanding as of now. It also<br />appears that, as I thought, buying round trip tickets is cheaper, but I can't<br />use one of the cheap website offers like Orbitz because they don't book<br />round trip tickets originating from Lima. And if I buy the ticket<br />originating from St. Louis, which is where we flew out from, and then do<br />not use the ticket to get to Lima they'll cancel the return tickets.<br />That leaves me with buying four round trip tickets somewhere here in<br />Peru, if not from Delta directly, which is expensive. I'm sure that was<br />as about as clear as mud... Suffice to say, I'm not sure what to do,<br />but I have a whole week to figure out. Hooray! :(<br /><br />As to the remainder of our tasks, we did manage to get the girls'<br />Peruvian passports today after this morning's fiasco. However, it was an<br />extremely stressful situation. It seems that in the passport agency, they<br />are very particular about the name on the parents passport being<br />precisely the same as that on the girls' birth certificates. At first<br />it began with a little argument about Andrea's name being different on<br />her passport. This is because of the cultural differences in how we do<br />last names. In Peru, everyone has two last names, first that of your<br />paternal parent, and second that of your maternal parent. Of course,<br />Andrea's passport only has Brooks, but the girls' birth certificate<br />required that we use her maiden name also. That conflict only took a<br />few minutes to resolve. However, it took over an hour, and talking to<br />three different agents, stacks of documentation to explain that Tim E.<br />Brooks (my passport) was indeed the same as Timothy E. Brooks which is<br />on my birth certificate and the girls' birth certificate. Maria Elena,<br />our lawyer, was very patient and eventually got it resolved. I,<br />however, was becoming quite red in the face. And I think smoke was<br />coming out of my ears. I even pulled out two credit cards, one with<br />Timothy E. Brooks and one with Tim E. Brooks to make the point that I'm<br />the same guy. Our adoption resolution even stated that it was the same<br />person, but the agent thought it should declare that "Tim E. Brooks is<br />the same as Timothy E. Brooks" instead of "Timothy E. Brooks is the same<br />as Tim E. Brooks". Little did I know when I was 16 and got my drivers<br />license with only Tim on it that it would cause such consternation to me<br />so many years later. Maria Elena worked her magic somehow to finally<br />convince the guy approve the passports. We then went and waited in<br />another line for passport photos, and then we waited about an hour for<br />the passports themselves. Today, was another lesson in why I dislike<br />bureaucracies no matter which country they belong to.<br /><br />Tomorrow, the girls go to an American doctor which is required for the<br />American Embassy VISA's. After that, we wait until next Tuesday.<br /><br />Pray that we figure out how to get Andrea or myself to the U.S. with the<br />girls relatively inexpensively and soon. A nice miracle of having the<br />Embassy rush the process on next Tuesday so that we could all leave on<br />Wednesday, would be nice too, but pretty improbable.<br /><br />Chau,<br /><br />Timoteo (a.k.a. Timothy, a.k.a. Tim)Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-56322511352543025962009-01-16T12:45:00.000-06:002019-08-09T09:09:21.697-05:0010/01/2006 Adoption Update e-mailHello everyone,<br />
<br />
Sorry no pictures this time. I just wanted to let you all know that we made it to Lima, and are doing ok. Josh and I have both gotten sick again. Probably from a potato salad. I also have a cold to go with<br />
it. We're both okay now. Luckily, the owner of the apartment we are staying in is a doctor. He gave an injection to stop the problem, and some antibiotics.<br />
<br />
We were able to get the birth certificates finished on Friday. However, they made Andrea and I a year older than we are.... problems adding I guess. On Monday we will go to SNA to sign some papers, and then apply for passports. On Tuesday we will go to the American Embassy and start the process of trying to leave.<br />
<br />
I'm a little concerned about getting tickets for the girls for our flight. We purchased our tickets through Orbitz, and Orbitz doesn't book one way flights originating from Lima. The flights are with Delta, so I may have to go directly with them. My problem is not having a phone and limited internet access. Right now, I'm in a McCafe a few blocks from our apartment. I may have to buy round trip tickets just to get the girls back home. Obviously, the tickets for the return trip to Lima would be wasted, but I think they'd have to honor the ones to the states. I'm not sure. I'll look into it more when we get the passports. I hope to be able to order the tickets early next week. I think we are on schedule to return on the date of our Orbit's tickets which is October 12th. Yet to be determined...<br />
<br />
By for now,<br />
<br />
TimTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-2970011449894704132009-01-16T12:40:00.000-06:002019-08-09T08:58:00.454-05:0009/26/2006 Adoption Update e-mailGreetings everyone!<br />
<br />
I wanted to send out another update because I'm not sure that I'll have<br />
easy access to the internet after today and tomorrow. Today we received<br />
the final resolution saying that we are officially Loren, Veronica, and<br />
Donna's parents. Hooray!!!!!! So, this means the adoption is<br />
officially complete in Peru.<br />
<br />
All that is left for us to do is get new birth certificates, and<br />
visas/passports to leave the country. Of course, that will take a week<br />
or two to complete. Tomorrow, we will leave for Lima at 5:05 pm, and we<br />
should arrive around 6:15 pm. On Thursday, we are not scheduled to do<br />
anything at this point. On Friday, however, we plan to get the new<br />
birth certificates made. Then on Monday we start the long process of<br />
obtaining visas/passports from the U.S. Embassy. They will do their own<br />
investigation to make sure the girls were truly abandoned and that the<br />
adoption is legal.<br />
<br />
Tonight, the orphanage is giving a farewell party for us and another<br />
family that is adopting a family of two boys and a girl. There will be<br />
cake and games. The girls are very excited about leaving, and yet I'm<br />
sure they are sad about leaving their friends and familiar way of life.<br />
<br />
I'm attaching a few more pictures from the past few days.<br />
<br />
If I get the chance I'll send another update from Lima when thing are<br />
getting closer.<br />
<br />
Please continue to pray for us. This next couple of weeks maybe harder,<br />
as we our going to be in a smaller place, and we will be on our own more<br />
or less with no one to translate for us. Our lawyers will be with us to<br />
help us too, but of course they have work to do besides babysitting us.<br />
Also, I'm a little concerned about purchasing plane tickets for the<br />
girls. I'm worried about making sure we are able to book the same<br />
flights for the girls that we have purchased for the rest of us.<br />
<br />
Chau for now,<br />
<br />
Timoteo<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The SNA Worker and Maria Elena with the family.<br />(The girls just finished their last day of school, and are still in their uniforms.)</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgows8ct-JgiO8CmthBM_CA3JkwyZLeifOTiIhjxEBVX70t6v2F7wNQjI8IH6PjT4mVEOqYM-WhMTpnFEOW5zOmvmHOSjwYLBGvQoAxzEXvBBc68s0fEl3ZqBvCA6YZC6zwiPjbsJym3mI/s1600-h/2006-09-13-005-SNA_Worker-Veronica_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Baldassari.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289426342867042450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgows8ct-JgiO8CmthBM_CA3JkwyZLeifOTiIhjxEBVX70t6v2F7wNQjI8IH6PjT4mVEOqYM-WhMTpnFEOW5zOmvmHOSjwYLBGvQoAxzEXvBBc68s0fEl3ZqBvCA6YZC6zwiPjbsJym3mI/s400/2006-09-13-005-SNA_Worker-Veronica_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Maria_Elena_Baldassari.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael and John Preissing with the family about to go to church.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqos1i7LpvZ6zUovTRPoz9NBZr1JchyphenhyphenF1FFywaNGtVzZhakoi-ask5_2Sa6yNljtUrre0Vj98yW3KKPR49Shn_KeOt2vKN_6pHAnA2bbzWNFvN1RpbSKoY-JdM-Rh_21RO40teZ1t2Og/s1600-h/2006-09-17-025.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289426329569876626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqos1i7LpvZ6zUovTRPoz9NBZr1JchyphenhyphenF1FFywaNGtVzZhakoi-ask5_2Sa6yNljtUrre0Vj98yW3KKPR49Shn_KeOt2vKN_6pHAnA2bbzWNFvN1RpbSKoY-JdM-Rh_21RO40teZ1t2Og/s400/2006-09-17-025.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The family with the SNA workers after just signing for guardianship.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgsso_o-p88rj2BfqovNopILrDUerPlu_X7LONlEmS6WmhnsrXRUrICQtAwJGPovEfpR2KsKT1_9XsFhmtxcUVsU2xqHH-1WapiaYYPMxjYQBT6J5k5mM4jiOP98I5EIkVt_U6Gcz04o/s1600-h/2006-09-18-065-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-SNA_Worker-Andrew_Brooks-Social_Worker-Social_Worker-Jaqueline-Donna_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289426336620729522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgsso_o-p88rj2BfqovNopILrDUerPlu_X7LONlEmS6WmhnsrXRUrICQtAwJGPovEfpR2KsKT1_9XsFhmtxcUVsU2xqHH-1WapiaYYPMxjYQBT6J5k5mM4jiOP98I5EIkVt_U6Gcz04o/s400/2006-09-18-065-Josh_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-SNA_Worker-Andrew_Brooks-Social_Worker-Social_Worker-Jaqueline-Donna_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael and Alcira (the teacher) and the students of escuela de David Miller.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToxfgGk3FhSRXe62uShETwZlI1k1FGUVNeRovLLvuyNnl4bpWcwjtB13NWI_TpjskLu5oER02Ks6PlqZiDVvMlk0I6bK-YoOhchJNK7-AKcyFIMIsPYQfXAdcKQk2-JrUlOh2NEzovSM/s1600-h/2006-09-20-000-Fiorelli-Nancy-Kevin-Michael_Preissing-Italo-Rocio-Yuliana-Vanessa-Abrahn-Alcira-Kevin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289420498205270146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToxfgGk3FhSRXe62uShETwZlI1k1FGUVNeRovLLvuyNnl4bpWcwjtB13NWI_TpjskLu5oER02Ks6PlqZiDVvMlk0I6bK-YoOhchJNK7-AKcyFIMIsPYQfXAdcKQk2-JrUlOh2NEzovSM/s400/2006-09-20-000-Fiorelli-Nancy-Kevin-Michael_Preissing-Italo-Rocio-Yuliana-Vanessa-Abrahn-Alcira-Kevin.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew and the hairless dog at the Huacas del sol y luna</span>.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB_NxX1I3gf5gHXU4hVje3gLguA7tuV0NSHjtp0iu9dBneuKPqVolnulRmrW0gBJDGHNVEqccBOn5qlMUXoxce2LycPkRPLt2UyqnmqxjGWCgOeAlXio94Bbd28hOPbmL7F71-kJxiXs/s1600-h/2006-09-20-010-Huacas_del_sol_y_luna-Hairless_Dog-TJ_Brooks-Andrew.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289420221475159618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB_NxX1I3gf5gHXU4hVje3gLguA7tuV0NSHjtp0iu9dBneuKPqVolnulRmrW0gBJDGHNVEqccBOn5qlMUXoxce2LycPkRPLt2UyqnmqxjGWCgOeAlXio94Bbd28hOPbmL7F71-kJxiXs/s400/2006-09-20-010-Huacas_del_sol_y_luna-Hairless_Dog-TJ_Brooks-Andrew.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Huacas del sol y luna</span>.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaFnK68Z55FuVHSeypSzzNILDxHTpwPGmWNyLdN7LQ76RohdtJ_9_2JOtCat5Hbj3Jt-_cG8I4cI0QgjaUDpI-_F93YThj3NFSWb9k5KxKJkjt_DAdYaeJ-SeTLVVLiU44v5kWHtoekc/s1600-h/2006-09-20-110-Huacas_del_sol_y_luna-John_Preissing-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Michael_Preissing-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289421453015821682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaFnK68Z55FuVHSeypSzzNILDxHTpwPGmWNyLdN7LQ76RohdtJ_9_2JOtCat5Hbj3Jt-_cG8I4cI0QgjaUDpI-_F93YThj3NFSWb9k5KxKJkjt_DAdYaeJ-SeTLVVLiU44v5kWHtoekc/s400/2006-09-20-110-Huacas_del_sol_y_luna-John_Preissing-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Michael_Preissing-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Huanchaco</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegJTTMKQ-jHUrN3esS6ArT6taSh2-evu0e0LnawTKy21CmZurfahcv528zr0eLKA5l_3uY4cne1ga26W_SXHC4-4_KDVpuOgH3NFbGsa2MLsfIfPFbIkQfsgW9SiAu0gZpm0i_oRGZlI/s1600-h/2006-09-20-170-Huanchaco-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289419766421449234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegJTTMKQ-jHUrN3esS6ArT6taSh2-evu0e0LnawTKy21CmZurfahcv528zr0eLKA5l_3uY4cne1ga26W_SXHC4-4_KDVpuOgH3NFbGsa2MLsfIfPFbIkQfsgW9SiAu0gZpm0i_oRGZlI/s400/2006-09-20-170-Huanchaco-Andrew_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Huanchaco</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsN1VT2w11DJkuJ33_iLkItNcL3QBelPqkkK2zKYmhpvDHqlKNySlx49fahWrg1L7LN_Sx55lbr18ZsVoD2M8-c1pPXGSB8-yKTi4j2OtmGOagdF6hhvxNjNawLgbeh8G5GjCNSfl8mU/s1600-h/2006-09-20-180-Huanchaco-TJ_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289419466126064690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsN1VT2w11DJkuJ33_iLkItNcL3QBelPqkkK2zKYmhpvDHqlKNySlx49fahWrg1L7LN_Sx55lbr18ZsVoD2M8-c1pPXGSB8-yKTi4j2OtmGOagdF6hhvxNjNawLgbeh8G5GjCNSfl8mU/s400/2006-09-20-180-Huanchaco-TJ_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Clowning around.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ygM9sPnCdUnucUIU6wQ_gAJXBHcEVSi6huidmzklTKFaidXQhDP30iNCx6fVzZ4DqgNOGEUmpCj2cuK-BITHFh1NcJJ06_dkWJJAZqMlsXxy1QDk-WCckHfZheDhq9x38iDcd7-G4mc/s1600-h/2006-09-22-025-Loren_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289419212764277826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ygM9sPnCdUnucUIU6wQ_gAJXBHcEVSi6huidmzklTKFaidXQhDP30iNCx6fVzZ4DqgNOGEUmpCj2cuK-BITHFh1NcJJ06_dkWJJAZqMlsXxy1QDk-WCckHfZheDhq9x38iDcd7-G4mc/s400/2006-09-22-025-Loren_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Popcorn and a movie.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TN1SvasK2ew9PWYmP1ZZrOYhGen31JF5xNZMgY00Qqm2bT_eOszl1Sda_kD2vHJdCnqwYGoSNWpsY-NI2LXJxVSjv5j8-yIyJGwgiMCMV9V76QizLbKiB5VxLn-zSm0KPyoCn3hoEHM/s1600-h/2006-09-22-030-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289418973693550162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TN1SvasK2ew9PWYmP1ZZrOYhGen31JF5xNZMgY00Qqm2bT_eOszl1Sda_kD2vHJdCnqwYGoSNWpsY-NI2LXJxVSjv5j8-yIyJGwgiMCMV9V76QizLbKiB5VxLn-zSm0KPyoCn3hoEHM/s400/2006-09-22-030-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Loren's Madre and kids put on a show for us.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_x5gF-wbbAo1mx09xx7bG_ZKf3Exmoz511j2_1y-9ykbNlv9skiS6fSE1lb72TGrsD33oBlAArHxEsuKmLraCNLxfRmPt0kWQtnRFEl9Y8b8-hq5W0uMbKjdhC0E_GgN2WfkLeshe-I/s1600-h/2006-09-24-090-Yamelit-Karina-Ana-Carolkine-Vanessa-Rocio-Fiorelli-Estefany-Loren_Brooks-Nancy-Araceli.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289422762155215346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_x5gF-wbbAo1mx09xx7bG_ZKf3Exmoz511j2_1y-9ykbNlv9skiS6fSE1lb72TGrsD33oBlAArHxEsuKmLraCNLxfRmPt0kWQtnRFEl9Y8b8-hq5W0uMbKjdhC0E_GgN2WfkLeshe-I/s400/2006-09-24-090-Yamelit-Karina-Ana-Carolkine-Vanessa-Rocio-Fiorelli-Estefany-Loren_Brooks-Nancy-Araceli.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Donna and her friend Nikkita</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yl_7yuC55F8VWafuYMg46umUFt0JjaG5ko2bteQO1ER3Au50EQSEzR7a4vCWO3bT1aBaw3Gy1U-6hR55FkIOliL51PiduRMgDEMs1qgXr57kefEKryYvCSmrAkTAL0KoQcQn2WnjJME/s1600-h/2006-09-26-050-Donna_Brooks-Nikkita.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289423733407520770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yl_7yuC55F8VWafuYMg46umUFt0JjaG5ko2bteQO1ER3Au50EQSEzR7a4vCWO3bT1aBaw3Gy1U-6hR55FkIOliL51PiduRMgDEMs1qgXr57kefEKryYvCSmrAkTAL0KoQcQn2WnjJME/s400/2006-09-26-050-Donna_Brooks-Nikkita.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrea and the kids at the fairwell ceremony.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVEgG6WDdgAkz8lmQMuO8v8Lehp_Jmu-R5rzO4fCxklAVcRF8Zv2glsJ3cX_eDUCfrMXxf4vM-gZtY0wwEZvL2ZCEY8RgfWVy0FeFpQAAI9FGjk-DsuSHTpIL3KMPKEXQSCRWWCqxRfY/s1600-h/2006-09-26-060-Maria-Loren_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Jesus-Josh_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289423737723843986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVEgG6WDdgAkz8lmQMuO8v8Lehp_Jmu-R5rzO4fCxklAVcRF8Zv2glsJ3cX_eDUCfrMXxf4vM-gZtY0wwEZvL2ZCEY8RgfWVy0FeFpQAAI9FGjk-DsuSHTpIL3KMPKEXQSCRWWCqxRfY/s400/2006-09-26-060-Maria-Loren_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Jesus-Josh_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Melva's expresses her best wishes for the girls. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcdlkDKUWbeea8LS5pi3-Yafraa-akTEeiSyrDr9t4MT2Nn4cO12v95wafPZ1oKuz6p_vKdMoxXgmWe9ntNwFXz1edyvMO9n7wyBc6Zr2TtHf9zZe84JQyzfQbP2Pm4PGNQd0_FLvKuY/s1600-h/2006-09-26-075-Patricia_Hubert-Laura_Hubert-Melva-Araceli-Piero-Carolina-Samir-Jhonaton-Donna_Brooks-Elias_Hubert-Rocio.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289422760078621346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcdlkDKUWbeea8LS5pi3-Yafraa-akTEeiSyrDr9t4MT2Nn4cO12v95wafPZ1oKuz6p_vKdMoxXgmWe9ntNwFXz1edyvMO9n7wyBc6Zr2TtHf9zZe84JQyzfQbP2Pm4PGNQd0_FLvKuY/s400/2006-09-26-075-Patricia_Hubert-Laura_Hubert-Melva-Araceli-Piero-Carolina-Samir-Jhonaton-Donna_Brooks-Elias_Hubert-Rocio.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">T.J. clowning around.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG6RTgtU5ZvNLBrvQrELxVyePLQasovZG8GSiN1ZTx4w4qWmsAk-ygTte1Zokl9lLpoT64R3r7HyEfkaVdmbZlvOpppOk53oxs9rwIWOJpBEz4RarPm4zl-s39tiwDoHBBC0EvnrlBTA/s1600-h/2006-09-26-105-TJ_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289422751796926210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG6RTgtU5ZvNLBrvQrELxVyePLQasovZG8GSiN1ZTx4w4qWmsAk-ygTte1Zokl9lLpoT64R3r7HyEfkaVdmbZlvOpppOk53oxs9rwIWOJpBEz4RarPm4zl-s39tiwDoHBBC0EvnrlBTA/s400/2006-09-26-105-TJ_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Loren clowning around, too.</span></div>
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA5qxAC1mD5sgeGbXoFWv4f0iuEQ7yPo_pzT48RVjwE2UUwVw-JWmgnf-ibZa3TTagDggvAqFDOA3VvDf2QOmeRARCxTQIACP1phXEyvPwV_luY7xrTH9yK4BY4HqPp_51jRM2CcWnck/s1600-h/2006-09-26-110-Loren_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289422766441896946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA5qxAC1mD5sgeGbXoFWv4f0iuEQ7yPo_pzT48RVjwE2UUwVw-JWmgnf-ibZa3TTagDggvAqFDOA3VvDf2QOmeRARCxTQIACP1phXEyvPwV_luY7xrTH9yK4BY4HqPp_51jRM2CcWnck/s400/2006-09-26-110-Loren_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">David Miller and the girls.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGZVzWkxKL7UvIEgM6eJ3yDb2g035U-X-P2Ak_lezxSJuNIr5EJ3C2swGfTkxDMVPaYkC1SlbkDyyIWDx2MoDeZrzOrUslW1orB6TYkYPl2FwMHcXI1w5SBkfrFsabru2y2N6Kdk1X0Y/s1600-h/2006-09-26-125-Loren_Brooks-David_Miller-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289422744111293026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGZVzWkxKL7UvIEgM6eJ3yDb2g035U-X-P2Ak_lezxSJuNIr5EJ3C2swGfTkxDMVPaYkC1SlbkDyyIWDx2MoDeZrzOrUslW1orB6TYkYPl2FwMHcXI1w5SBkfrFsabru2y2N6Kdk1X0Y/s400/2006-09-26-125-Loren_Brooks-David_Miller-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Hubert family that was adopting at the same time.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8q_XyrJyDlMaFT-7zbIC-eLk6PU1ns2ZwZBO0HKX0fJmhrCi7UwJv2caDtHeeydpsBsAS_WfxS8awEOztgZR1S5Qx1sk5dl83yljbA_fM7eS20fefMPaLbUeg8rQ8eX7ZeJpsM7r7txE/s1600-h/2006-09-26-130-Elias_Hubert-Laura_Hubert-Christian_Hubert-Patricia_Hubert-John_Hubert.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289423744583044082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8q_XyrJyDlMaFT-7zbIC-eLk6PU1ns2ZwZBO0HKX0fJmhrCi7UwJv2caDtHeeydpsBsAS_WfxS8awEOztgZR1S5Qx1sk5dl83yljbA_fM7eS20fefMPaLbUeg8rQ8eX7ZeJpsM7r7txE/s400/2006-09-26-130-Elias_Hubert-Laura_Hubert-Christian_Hubert-Patricia_Hubert-John_Hubert.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-59514701214736587862009-01-16T12:35:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:29:27.047-06:0009/21/2006 Adoption Update e-mailHola once again family and friends,<br /><br />We've been really busy since I last wrote. On Saturday, we took the girls to the doctor for a physical. We were not surprised by the results. Both Donna and Veronica are ok, but Loren is a underweight. When we get back to the states, I'm sure we can get her up to normal weight. Veronica has discovered peanut butter, and wants it at every meal.<br /><br />Saturday night, my brother-in-law, John Preissing, and my nephew, Michael (who was adopted from Peru 17 years ago) came to the orphanage to meet the family and to help out. John and my sister lived in Cost Rica, Ecuador, and Peru, as Peace Corps' volunteers for several years. So, John speaks Spanish very well, and was quite helpful as a translator for us. Unfortunately, he and Michael left to go back to Lima tonight, and from there they will head to Cuzco on their way to tour Manchu Picchu.<br /><br />On Sunday, we went to church with one of the workers here at the orphanage named Alex and his family, and Janie, who is a volunteer at the orphanage. Our whole family, John, Michael, Janie, Alex and his family, all piled in a micro bus which is quite an interesting mode of transportation. Afterward, we all went to Roky's restaurant which is very kid friendly, and is pretty good food as well. Later on Sunday, we took some of our kids as well as some other children from the orphanage up on the sand dunes for a hike.<br /><br />On Monday, we went to Trujillo to sign the document that would make Andrea and I the girl's official guardians. When you sign this document, you also have to put your fingerprint next to your signature just in case you wanted to deny you signed it. The girls got to sign it and put their fingerprint on it also. And since our boys were there, the SNA social workers had Josh and TJ sign it and put their fingerprints on it too. The guardianship marked the beginning of an eight day observation and bonding period. If all goes well at the end of the eight days, the adoption will then be finalized. After the big signing ceremony, we ate in Downtown Trujillo, and then visited some of the local shops.<br /><br />Tuesday, we got the first of two visits from the SNA psychologist, Jacqueline. She came to watch us for just about a half hour or more while we were bonding as a family. It was really nice to have John here since he could talk to them, and get a feel for what was going on. They seemed to be satisfied with us in the end. They will again visit us, for the last time, tomorrow morning. Tomorrow should be about the same thing as Tuesday.<br /><br />After the observation period was over, John and Michael moved on to the David Miller school, which is at the orphanage, to do an art project with the kids. My sister, Peggy who is a teacher in Wisconsin, sent down a ton of art supplies. She had had her kids from school do some artwork of animals that could be found in the states, and sent down pictures of the kids and their art. The idea was to have the kids down here do the same thing. Later in the afternoon when the rest of the kids came back from the school that they attend, John and Michael again held a giant art class in the main dining hall of the orphanage. It was quite a production.<br /><br />Once the art class was over, our family all walked over to the ocean where the kids had a fun time playing in the freezing water, and a not so fun time walking back in there cold wet clothes.<br /><br />Today we took advantage of John and Michael's last day with us, and our first free day, to got to a nearby archaeological site called the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna. It was pretty interesting, and was just long enough to keep everyone's attention. From there, we went to Huanchaco, a local fishing and tourist area, to have lunch and visit the shops.<br /><br />I'm attaching some pictures of the previously mentioned events. Sorry, didn't have time to do today's outing.<br /><br />Chau for now,<br /><br />Timoteo<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica and Donna getting some English lessons.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q03rk18HBfV4MMl_vV7O_7ZOmL8PNe2nTK76nBQjGyP3bsdHkkA_IJvc6vibdOJqzsawqivkly2lVCKmAtIUVPh70NQb7hhlJmGWo6Mt20_WrMBLidp06QiF666TW3Ju7gPFTh8pMrg/s1600-h/2006-09-14-020-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q03rk18HBfV4MMl_vV7O_7ZOmL8PNe2nTK76nBQjGyP3bsdHkkA_IJvc6vibdOJqzsawqivkly2lVCKmAtIUVPh70NQb7hhlJmGWo6Mt20_WrMBLidp06QiF666TW3Ju7gPFTh8pMrg/s400/2006-09-14-020-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406007638742258" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Donna and T.J. killing time with gameboys</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aEj6sFdG_dWMqbMBfpY6hiiw-eVQDuGzkXiiMPLFKVqt_NZTUyi8reSa-BAEIkd8BLQQqKVCH2LiV2F1P41RjmukHvLsWVmY_xqRzm5KcFJxfdmZfknlk45I6l0lsyOdI-Kedx3M2J4/s1600-h/2006-09-15-000-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aEj6sFdG_dWMqbMBfpY6hiiw-eVQDuGzkXiiMPLFKVqt_NZTUyi8reSa-BAEIkd8BLQQqKVCH2LiV2F1P41RjmukHvLsWVmY_xqRzm5KcFJxfdmZfknlk45I6l0lsyOdI-Kedx3M2J4/s400/2006-09-15-000-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406017803147090" border="0"></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew and Veronica</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYKIAu8eDB1i6K65eRkIpasew333b596m5Rmt1WydVWr6YnUHi23Zv4uM4r3w5TSXwS8Jkjl5-PJJ7NTF-F7VsNBj3Xs-upHoYckPTWP7bLqVxren-EWKKxGaEfqHDpLCAb26lwI0IIA/s1600-h/2006-09-15-005-TJ_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYKIAu8eDB1i6K65eRkIpasew333b596m5Rmt1WydVWr6YnUHi23Zv4uM4r3w5TSXwS8Jkjl5-PJJ7NTF-F7VsNBj3Xs-upHoYckPTWP7bLqVxren-EWKKxGaEfqHDpLCAb26lwI0IIA/s400/2006-09-15-005-TJ_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406021494490818" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loren watching her dad working.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR15qPaekpnxcBOVIn-QpyRFezoGHfgMeo34mYZ5LFpU4TLG6CcXhowbtQjD7zZLC-tYFiqJBCNTOoXzHX-ELia6dpIeE3uUO5erCKsaZvnVGN68gT8foYcLoG3LCGIhUgxXL0aub00nk/s1600-h/2006-09-15-010-Loren_Brooks-Tim_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR15qPaekpnxcBOVIn-QpyRFezoGHfgMeo34mYZ5LFpU4TLG6CcXhowbtQjD7zZLC-tYFiqJBCNTOoXzHX-ELia6dpIeE3uUO5erCKsaZvnVGN68gT8foYcLoG3LCGIhUgxXL0aub00nk/s400/2006-09-15-010-Loren_Brooks-Tim_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406027462161154" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim and Loren sitting on the wall.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNot3Qzd36SFCR-mFIaAQGbNFMCXVlrKOghqM-Neh2YPgGHgVjnZPfPq6eM7IXB02fP4cH_0a1KWzUq8rvXdS7cdYNsIBO5iBD7BSk3nKBrIgMr9P0w_O-_-P2iLhYlNaJObMoavzNOY/s1600-h/2006-09-15-065-Tim_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNot3Qzd36SFCR-mFIaAQGbNFMCXVlrKOghqM-Neh2YPgGHgVjnZPfPq6eM7IXB02fP4cH_0a1KWzUq8rvXdS7cdYNsIBO5iBD7BSk3nKBrIgMr9P0w_O-_-P2iLhYlNaJObMoavzNOY/s400/2006-09-15-065-Tim_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406031774005602" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Playing in the sand holes next to the orphanage.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PZDCuUG5KKn1MIn5-cIQi_veSJUsvwJb5hO2bhqYug61_ikg4XcfoBXeOfYvqQ7XcZ9znll4ngzQqXLrG6QtHULWGGWIe76KCz4e3Yuu36UuXM91Q2RvLChHzfnFCx4ea2rPo8BPdLc/s1600-h/2006-09-15-085-Maria-Loren_Brooks-Samir-Carolina-Tim_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PZDCuUG5KKn1MIn5-cIQi_veSJUsvwJb5hO2bhqYug61_ikg4XcfoBXeOfYvqQ7XcZ9znll4ngzQqXLrG6QtHULWGGWIe76KCz4e3Yuu36UuXM91Q2RvLChHzfnFCx4ea2rPo8BPdLc/s400/2006-09-15-085-Maria-Loren_Brooks-Samir-Carolina-Tim_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406763359614274" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Everyone loves to be with Andrew.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4UhQPrscdN_3dw_XjB0kiqGgNBDl9EsfrtFh0nC5jcfNuRhxGKD2_ePxv2sVJ54PysUIYaUZBKKN0_Ixy2wB30I5xsoFgqcFGw_kgq4qHqvKKSyTs51hrmgkg910CJVdeCakZetC36k/s1600-h/2006-09-16-010-Donna_Brooks-Nikkita-Maria-Andrew_Brooks-Yuliana.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4UhQPrscdN_3dw_XjB0kiqGgNBDl9EsfrtFh0nC5jcfNuRhxGKD2_ePxv2sVJ54PysUIYaUZBKKN0_Ixy2wB30I5xsoFgqcFGw_kgq4qHqvKKSyTs51hrmgkg910CJVdeCakZetC36k/s400/2006-09-16-010-Donna_Brooks-Nikkita-Maria-Andrew_Brooks-Yuliana.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406767202325698" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loren, Donna and T.J. with the lizards they caught.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHA0Djew3wMle83q0paAoYs8B3dNYtJATj5701iNdGxmP3sYMY4YSUmYsUAkMUTie8cvNrc5yUNwjotZVv_2iIXYj1JQNgFFNKYLxRF6GxRjRjpTqeWnPdqim-EKMoQ5T_sKZ_spx-iA/s1600-h/2006-09-16-035-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHA0Djew3wMle83q0paAoYs8B3dNYtJATj5701iNdGxmP3sYMY4YSUmYsUAkMUTie8cvNrc5yUNwjotZVv_2iIXYj1JQNgFFNKYLxRF6GxRjRjpTqeWnPdqim-EKMoQ5T_sKZ_spx-iA/s400/2006-09-16-035-Loren_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406779785040226" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The girls get their first physical in Trujillo.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF92RExC4V1LiVzwX3UKG3dkLjb-2jAKvnY5P4GnwEC-t5VSR1g4zbT_FVUiazL2ck4HpRQ4U1jpjRegp8ejZPTf4EcwpWXMyrgBfkNP3Jz45pIsfyxP1v0y5o-uLeRyxyRxn89zbZof8/s1600-h/2006-09-16-040-Andrea_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Doctor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF92RExC4V1LiVzwX3UKG3dkLjb-2jAKvnY5P4GnwEC-t5VSR1g4zbT_FVUiazL2ck4HpRQ4U1jpjRegp8ejZPTf4EcwpWXMyrgBfkNP3Jz45pIsfyxP1v0y5o-uLeRyxyRxn89zbZof8/s400/2006-09-16-040-Andrea_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Doctor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289406778041551490" border="0"></a>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-21696683345550680262009-01-16T12:30:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:28:51.720-06:0009/15/2006 Adoption Update e-mailGreetings Family and Friends,<br /><br />It's Friday night, and I thought I'd pass on some more pictures and information. Nothing really eventful has happened in the last few days as far as the adoption goes. We're mostly spending time becoming a family. And 6 excited kids are quite a handful.<br /><br />The day after we arrived we met with some of the SNA workers briefly. They spent most of the time speaking with Maria Elena. They worked out the time table for how things would go. Since we are staying at the orphanage, it's a little peculiar for them. And although it has been done before, there is a new Chief at SNA and the trust between these workers and the Chief is not there yet. They must write a report saying that we visited the girls for 4 days, and then that we then left the orphanage to bond as a family and assume guardianship. However, Hogar de Esperanza is unique as an orphanage in Peru. They have apartments for families to stay in. So, Maria Elena had to explain that the normal leaving the orphanage would be us moving the girls upstairs with us. Anyway, it all worked out. The other thing that they wanted during the visit was for us to take a bunch of pictures for their report some of which I've attached. Other than that, Maria Elena has done most of the work this week, and we are just kind of hanging out here.<br />After SNA and Maria Elena left, I took the kids up on the dessert mountains just outside of the orphanage. It's a lot of fun, but you end up with sand everywhere on your body even if you're just walking around because of all the wind. Of course, the kids rolled in it and were covered in sand.<br /><br />In the middle of the night, last night, Joshua came down with the Peru flu (diarrhea and vomiting). I'm not sure what he ate or drank that the rest of us didn't have. We've been very careful to only eat cooked foods, and drink bottled water. The poor guy has been pretty miserable all day. Hopefully, it will run it's course in 24 hours. Pray that he makes a quick recovery, and that no one else gets it.<br /><br />Tomorrow, we have to take the girls to a doctor for a required check up for the adoption. They'll see another one in Lima for the American Embassy. On Monday, we will officially be there guardians, but as far as the orphanage is concerned we took responsibility of them on Wednesday of this week. Monday our whole family will meet the Chief briefly. I think this is just to make sure we are acceptable people, and that is when we will assume guardianship also.<br /><br />Tomorrow night, my brother-in-law John and my nephew Michael, will be arriving for about a 5 day stay with us. Michael was also adopted from Peru 17 years ago by my sister and brother-in-law. He is getting the chance to see where he came from. We're looking forward to having the girls meet their Uncle and cousin!<br /><br />Also, today I gave the girls CD player's that Kandi Hart, who is from our church, gave us to bring down along with a Spanish music CD's by Salvador and Jaci Valasquez. Each girls spent a lot of time singing along to their own CD's. They picked up the songs pretty quickly. It was kind of funny to listen to, since none of them was singing the same song! And with headphones on they were all pretty loud.<br /><br />That's about all the news I have.<br />God Bless,<br /><br />Tim<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim and Andrea with the girls just after returning from their last day of school.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOGAr-JbUrVDdbqiKXnNqoflmm4ATPgZIghqkuaoYcPzoUd-fVF6F5UY-p7kiWjKHZNk11GJObmr2zNflc9QG0PH1xqsBLpcqHGQEKqg-0zhF8kGLhacNrNuMg2vOvXuH6E78uwXCdJk/s1600-h/2006-09-13-020-Loren_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOGAr-JbUrVDdbqiKXnNqoflmm4ATPgZIghqkuaoYcPzoUd-fVF6F5UY-p7kiWjKHZNk11GJObmr2zNflc9QG0PH1xqsBLpcqHGQEKqg-0zhF8kGLhacNrNuMg2vOvXuH6E78uwXCdJk/s400/2006-09-13-020-Loren_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289074135156843026" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Brooks Family</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IWgXJBXGTUjPdm__uElSJV5BXhKcjey1jTXHB8mDQLciW-2f2qSEJTGcPRkpGDMNG8DZP9IcHvT2J7zmjpizsuc7LPdCJpxYexxe0FtdIh2JUgDoj1tfNk6w-1by5-TDcXRahq6Cxbk/s1600-h/2006-09-13-030-Loren_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IWgXJBXGTUjPdm__uElSJV5BXhKcjey1jTXHB8mDQLciW-2f2qSEJTGcPRkpGDMNG8DZP9IcHvT2J7zmjpizsuc7LPdCJpxYexxe0FtdIh2JUgDoj1tfNk6w-1by5-TDcXRahq6Cxbk/s400/2006-09-13-030-Loren_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289072917881095874" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The girls with their madres.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviLI-vNJrRTCAmXhcPQfOAz71G5mZzVoCMRl4Y2m-hYSB_Am3Xjj2bCQDtAjC5Dlg1562L8X9djGyoo5n0ws9WBhpf8kMk7oi70BHMuIQAEeaVvdZ94_RnbuM-2Nn0RDLvlYOte6SXWE/s1600-h/2006-09-13-050-Loren's_Madre-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Melva-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviLI-vNJrRTCAmXhcPQfOAz71G5mZzVoCMRl4Y2m-hYSB_Am3Xjj2bCQDtAjC5Dlg1562L8X9djGyoo5n0ws9WBhpf8kMk7oi70BHMuIQAEeaVvdZ94_RnbuM-2Nn0RDLvlYOte6SXWE/s400/2006-09-13-050-Loren's_Madre-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Melva-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289074143341895122" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The kids</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgngEzYvCax1352EHjJDPduNhGgjxy7nqpGT1z7LoRonjsvlS5WapBH7kvV-StwdOz-mNyrwxtmfqgZ_qK-vEfjbh7AYQYCR593mmouNGDmBN7DZbiZpkm6HJsJqzvYL7Sdh28JENN38A/s1600-h/2006-09-13-040-Donna_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgngEzYvCax1352EHjJDPduNhGgjxy7nqpGT1z7LoRonjsvlS5WapBH7kvV-StwdOz-mNyrwxtmfqgZ_qK-vEfjbh7AYQYCR593mmouNGDmBN7DZbiZpkm6HJsJqzvYL7Sdh28JENN38A/s400/2006-09-13-040-Donna_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289072920933894402" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Brooks Family</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVDRtIyDGymU92kDtMIHXkBaG1kkyORvbXoMDyioE1PdCOPo-upSpRtNn8_8VsKqf_H2-g_uBhtsnYjVFYjiqU1hNGyaB8aulFJaAwom7aaaPZvfUKRKTTP_5QBrjWVdp9tV4KVZvTqc/s1600-h/2006-09-13-065-Donna_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVDRtIyDGymU92kDtMIHXkBaG1kkyORvbXoMDyioE1PdCOPo-upSpRtNn8_8VsKqf_H2-g_uBhtsnYjVFYjiqU1hNGyaB8aulFJaAwom7aaaPZvfUKRKTTP_5QBrjWVdp9tV4KVZvTqc/s400/2006-09-13-065-Donna_Brooks-Andrea_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Tim_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289074154674477106" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chillin' with a movie.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltPsvyo1pAi3pS9LY8ogviY5hXgofBsJs0Ed7rmIlQqWzrBkEWFbYiymmwXje70s0p0duPpuI_6jx6YENCJg4XC_hUU2eZa1iODr9pGMkeOg4i3fbR8z1hMJG2P87AlW9QScn7NDrXp0/s1600-h/2006-09-13-070-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltPsvyo1pAi3pS9LY8ogviY5hXgofBsJs0Ed7rmIlQqWzrBkEWFbYiymmwXje70s0p0duPpuI_6jx6YENCJg4XC_hUU2eZa1iODr9pGMkeOg4i3fbR8z1hMJG2P87AlW9QScn7NDrXp0/s400/2006-09-13-070-Donna_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289074161671747730" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew plays with his sister, Loren's, hair.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RfMQb1HiOUGv9LVM5efz32a3WxQFCFSx6z72CsVe6u9W1GJr3wLIgdO4ERBKJ0duOWQXE8K310Uy-Um8FqG8TP_0sHBXaumW30a86gC-VojawOiXJ2mpTdRtzPLIb_wSBu2PuFYitLI/s1600-h/2006-09-13-080-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RfMQb1HiOUGv9LVM5efz32a3WxQFCFSx6z72CsVe6u9W1GJr3wLIgdO4ERBKJ0duOWQXE8K310Uy-Um8FqG8TP_0sHBXaumW30a86gC-VojawOiXJ2mpTdRtzPLIb_wSBu2PuFYitLI/s400/2006-09-13-080-Veronica_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289072936753768594" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The kids on the sand dunes.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-9onsSiw7FjDIV7DY2SxAQwDhU5X68eoucV7SExMV2A1SrKUs_4DD521dv3DuEhyphenhyphen2mGXsrZLPxRu72hFxx6f1H2JG2wEuw1OE5BrZW8puftBkQ6ieqTwjywA7zeXL6OhndB2jWeFfDI/s1600-h/2006-09-13-085-Josh_Brooks-Pepe-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-9onsSiw7FjDIV7DY2SxAQwDhU5X68eoucV7SExMV2A1SrKUs_4DD521dv3DuEhyphenhyphen2mGXsrZLPxRu72hFxx6f1H2JG2wEuw1OE5BrZW8puftBkQ6ieqTwjywA7zeXL6OhndB2jWeFfDI/s400/2006-09-13-085-Josh_Brooks-Pepe-Donna_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289072946688497234" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtx0W5EwkJ_5IfAiyvmdG0OoYq0vzc9YsLBugDwByOWzqdKfuNTowIn6XMxCuGBCHomznXvZzoO1BmKh8CC6sFc-09zlOil9SjvuxPn7jFNtqhz2a8rQTq_sIFlcr8ONrgbpRQJgSroA/s1600-h/2006-09-13-095-Pepe-Josh_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtx0W5EwkJ_5IfAiyvmdG0OoYq0vzc9YsLBugDwByOWzqdKfuNTowIn6XMxCuGBCHomznXvZzoO1BmKh8CC6sFc-09zlOil9SjvuxPn7jFNtqhz2a8rQTq_sIFlcr8ONrgbpRQJgSroA/s400/2006-09-13-095-Pepe-Josh_Brooks-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289074152028175394" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Donna</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhPeVlyksU5ECCbqw27YqLasW6USNKXV8ek7CugtKBTUS_QojHFDegKSoKPcFkmKSRMIjMed2x5JMi0pTHx66DCsgbCZK00knkKMjL2FRE1VjaJbgLiTW1nixBBOCFe-ixVb2Hv4LmKs/s1600-h/2006-09-13-105-Donna_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhPeVlyksU5ECCbqw27YqLasW6USNKXV8ek7CugtKBTUS_QojHFDegKSoKPcFkmKSRMIjMed2x5JMi0pTHx66DCsgbCZK00knkKMjL2FRE1VjaJbgLiTW1nixBBOCFe-ixVb2Hv4LmKs/s400/2006-09-13-105-Donna_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289072927714885394" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Top of the hill.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s5hvQxf6E2CyBh7bSgiq43ISgjIlOueXH1ynaiFmZx42N35M6qAPUskPOF0uyWSOD867A9JzAdd36lJ24W8Wzftn6Vm0oW0CbVlG0015V3RwnhN7HfCDEZYn_h7DQhZfBiM9A1Wc2Uw/s1600-h/2006-09-13-125-Pepe-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s5hvQxf6E2CyBh7bSgiq43ISgjIlOueXH1ynaiFmZx42N35M6qAPUskPOF0uyWSOD867A9JzAdd36lJ24W8Wzftn6Vm0oW0CbVlG0015V3RwnhN7HfCDEZYn_h7DQhZfBiM9A1Wc2Uw/s400/2006-09-13-125-Pepe-Donna_Brooks-Josh_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Loren_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289077473027122786" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Looking down on Hogar de Esperanza</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6TX1ApYjok0IET8TnCR8TwK4VTi1yF1OWK07De2BpvaUhYwbTqDrIjscUJ8U9kyxJHDdgkF0_d511RL9arTXd1iIKF6Q0rlLCyjZjgYXldX2QQI3taAPm3S-7iq-4cIwYhyrvZgwAfM/s1600-h/2006-09-13-130-Pepe-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6TX1ApYjok0IET8TnCR8TwK4VTi1yF1OWK07De2BpvaUhYwbTqDrIjscUJ8U9kyxJHDdgkF0_d511RL9arTXd1iIKF6Q0rlLCyjZjgYXldX2QQI3taAPm3S-7iq-4cIwYhyrvZgwAfM/s400/2006-09-13-130-Pepe-Donna_Brooks-Loren_Brooks-Veronica_Brooks-TJ_Brooks-Josh_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289077467235273922" border="0"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica and Andrew</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oXaboeH8-rolCLyP9b1jJREggFUfRGcWzhVixktraTX73qcZG4dvIQrbC-Wnxll1HAv8HSy0rghfVcu2ebqFaJvF17fdJsqiuMi1JGFkz21Q7HNmkgInNRg_R1DvdYGYnZpR-hlJcs8/s1600-h/2006-09-13-140-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oXaboeH8-rolCLyP9b1jJREggFUfRGcWzhVixktraTX73qcZG4dvIQrbC-Wnxll1HAv8HSy0rghfVcu2ebqFaJvF17fdJsqiuMi1JGFkz21Q7HNmkgInNRg_R1DvdYGYnZpR-hlJcs8/s400/2006-09-13-140-Veronica_Brooks-Andrew_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289077708187513170" border="0"></a>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-46004286854968966172009-01-16T12:25:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:28:14.302-06:0009/12/2006 Adoption Update e-mailHola Familia y Amigos,<br /><br />Ok, things don't always go exactly as you plan, but somehow they end up<br />working themselves out. We arrived in St. Louis with out any problems<br />around 11:20 am on Monday in time to catch our 1:20 pm flight. We said<br />our goodbyes to my brother and his family who live in St. Louis, and<br />then we were on our own. As soon as we passed though security, I looked<br />for our flight on the screens. It was showing a status of being one<br />hour late. Unfortunately, that one hour is all we had for a layover in<br />Atlanta which was our one stop to Peru. We were scheduled to arrive in<br />Peru about 10:20 pm Central time. I made my way up to the Delta Desk to<br />find out what could be done. We ended up taking that flight to Atlanta,<br />but from there we had a couple hour layover to go to Miami. That flight<br />was also delayed, but this time we had no worries because our flight<br />from Miami to Lima, Peru wasn't scheduled to leave until 10:50 pm CST.<br />Yes, that's in the evening, about the same time we should have been<br />arriving in Peru! The Miami flight did leave on time and got us to Lima<br />at 4:20 am CST. And unplanned overnight flights are such a lot of fun<br />with three kids. :) However, we survived, and our adoption agency was<br />able to make all the appropriate changes for the taxi and hotel when I<br />let them know what was going on back in St. Louis.<br /><br />So, we made it to Lima and went to sleep as soon as we got to the<br />hotel. We didn't do much today, except wait to leave for Trujillo, Peru<br />which is where the girls' orphanage is at. We departed the hotel at<br />4:40 pm and our lawyer, Maria Elena, and her husband Raul helped us get<br />to the airport. We arrived in Trujillo with Maria Elena and Raul around<br />8:00 pm. We were met at the airport by the girls who were brought there<br />by a couple of workers from the orphanage.<br /><br />The boys and the girls hit it off immediately. Everyone, old and young,<br />was very happy to be together at last. I have attached our first family<br />pictures as a zip file. It's late, but I wanted to let you all know<br />that we made it safely, and everything is great. I'll write more as the<br />week unfolds.<br /><br />Chau,<br /><br />Tim<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The first family picture the evening we arrived at the orphanage.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxof5F1vmZStTSkxbMqaButQC0wR9BtYWbUG-RhId0Caawx57JtHRJzu82g7wOW56byDhGIUbgkViFPsY__LrhWLZkoE0763SeS544_Bxxaj8zR3e5Ya-e_gohCgdRGwewAEt4vLEcY_4/s1600-h/DSC03096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxof5F1vmZStTSkxbMqaButQC0wR9BtYWbUG-RhId0Caawx57JtHRJzu82g7wOW56byDhGIUbgkViFPsY__LrhWLZkoE0763SeS544_Bxxaj8zR3e5Ya-e_gohCgdRGwewAEt4vLEcY_4/s400/DSC03096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289067254238824898" border="0"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZNvzBM0BJnMlBtG40yRGn9k_JsWtRH1lWNswdgW7082sv05vtQcMFK-KssDVL2v15zdW_rUckRKfm2OrOzdFmkiiIKHaLjuRMKUduIApKs4OLnQi35SKUPMfExsdjXBAIUUFcbrTooQ/s1600-h/DSC03095.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZNvzBM0BJnMlBtG40yRGn9k_JsWtRH1lWNswdgW7082sv05vtQcMFK-KssDVL2v15zdW_rUckRKfm2OrOzdFmkiiIKHaLjuRMKUduIApKs4OLnQi35SKUPMfExsdjXBAIUUFcbrTooQ/s400/DSC03095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289067240908776914" border="0"></a>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-40982988205125437952009-01-16T12:15:00.002-06:002009-01-16T14:27:34.156-06:009/8/2006 - Adoption Update e-mailDear Family and Friends,<br /><br />Last time I wrote to you, I told you that the branch of the Peru<br />government that handles adoptions, SNA, had put off their monthly<br />meeting until this week. I later learned that the reason for the delay<br />had to do with the fact that Peru, having a new government, had two new<br />members on the council who had not been confirmed. So, after enduring<br />another week of waiting, we geared up once again on Monday in<br />anticipation of some good news. However, Monday went by with no news.<br />On Tuesday, we did get some news, but it was only to tell us that the<br />meeting to assign children to their prospective parents would be on<br />Friday, which is today. Our lawyer in Peru asked us how soon we would<br />be able to travel if we got the word on Friday. And on Wednesday, she<br />sent us the acceptance letter via e-mail that we needed to sign and<br />return, so that she would be able to present it to SNA as soon as the<br />meeting had concluded. These were all positive signs that we were<br />getting close.<br /><br />Today, of course, we greatly anticipated getting the e-mail that told us<br />Loren, Veronica, and Donna had been assigned to us, and that we were<br />free to travel. I passed the whole day at work without receiving the<br />e-mail. However, the lawyer had told us in an earlier e-mail that it<br />might be Friday evening, so we still held out hope. At 7:00 pm we had<br />arranged to have a video conference with the girls. We were hoping to<br />finally be able to answer their ever present question of "When are you<br />coming?" We had to settle for telling them it would be "pronto",<br />(soon), which has been our standard answer. They know it's getting<br />close, and told us they are very excited.<br /><br />At 8:15 tonight, we received this message from our lawyer:<br /><br />"Dear Tim & Andrea,<br /><br /> Some minutes ago SNA confirmed to me officially the designation of<br />Loren, Donna and Veronica for the Brooks family.<br /><br />[snip]<br /><br />CONGRATULATIONS!!! "<br /><br />With great excitement, we rushed into action. Our plan had been to book our<br />flights for Monday, leaving out of Peru. Well as it turns out, the<br />flight we had wanted was booked, and so was the backup flight, as well,<br />as the backup on Tuesday, and Wednesday. So, we started looking for<br />Chicago and St. Louis flights. After a few hours of scouting around, I<br />have booked tickets for Monday, September 11th out of St. Louis. We are<br />on our way!!! We'll be at the orphanage in Trujillo late Tuesday<br />night. So, after starting this process over 9 months ago, we are<br />finally going to Peru to bring our girls home. Praise God!<br /><br />Please pray for us to be safe during our travels, and that our three<br />boys, Josh, T.J. and Andrew don't go crazy during the many hours of<br />travel ahead for all of us.<br /><br />Thank you all for your support and prayers. My next e-mail will be from<br />Peru. I hope to send along some pictures of our new family as things<br />progress.<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />Tim, Andrea, Josh, T. J. and AndrewTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-13856091704466891282009-01-16T12:15:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:14:23.171-06:008/29/2006 - Adoption Update e-mailGreetings everyone,<br /><br />Have you ever felt like you were being taught patience? I just got an e-mail today from our adoption agency. However, it is not the e-mail I had expected to see. I quote:<br /><br />"The attorney let us know today that the meeting has been postponed to next week, therefore we will not have any news until next week."<br /><br />So there you have it, a huge let down! We will NOT be leaving this week. At this point, I wonder whether we will leave next week either, since they will not hold this meeting until next week, throw in Labor Day here in the states, booking flights ... well, you get the picture.<br /><br />Could they make this anymore painful?<br /><br />I'll let everyone know when the letter finally comes, and we have booked a flight.<br /><br />Pray for our sanity.<br /><br />God Bless,<br /><br />TimTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-26389419442918214662009-01-16T12:10:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:13:45.900-06:008/22/2006 - Adoption Update e-mailHola Familia y Amigos,<br /><br />For some of you this will be the first update letter that you've<br />received, and for others the second. I'll try to bring you all up to<br />speed. Since January, we have been working on adopting three beautiful<br />young girls from Trujillo, Peru. After spending several month filling<br />out paperwork, getting things notarized, getting physicals, getting a<br />psychological exam, writing our biographies, and anything else you might<br />imagine, we finally turned all the necessary documentation into our<br />adoption agency, and it arrived in Peru around July 4th with the<br />exception of one INS document. This document arrived in the mail a<br />little later, but turned out to be the wrong thing, in short, because<br />Illinois is a goofy state. After some frantic calls, we received the<br />right INS document a couple weeks later , and I was also asked to send a<br />notarized affidavit stating that Timothy E. Brooks (which is on my birth<br />certificate) is the same guy as "Tim E. Brooks" (which is on my driver's<br />license and passport). After these documents went through the<br />legalization process, we finally had everything turned into Peru around<br />the end of July. Our hope was that we might still get the call that we<br />had been approved sometime in the beginning of August since 98% of the<br />documentation had gone down early in July. But as most of you know day<br />after day went by with no new news.<br /><br />Well, I'm very please to announce that today we finally got the call!<br />Thank God! We have been approved to adopt the girls. However, we still<br />have to wait for Peru to send us the "Letter of Suitability" for us to<br />sign. This will be sent to us by e-mail, but is not expected to arrive<br />until next week. When we get this letter we will sign it, scan it, and<br />send it back to them. At that point we are free to travel! So..... It<br />looks like next week we will finally go down to Peru. It is expected<br />that the whole process will take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to<br />complete. This means we will return sometime at the end of September or<br />the beginning of October.<br /><br />It's been a very long journey, but at long last we are finally going to<br />bring our girls home.<br /><br />We will keep you informed of our progress in the upcoming weeks as we<br />travel.<br /><br />Thank you all for your support and prayers.<br /><br />Tim and Andrea BrooksTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-481159679817911622009-01-16T12:05:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:13:23.961-06:007/13/2006 - Adoption Update e-mailIt's been a long time since we've spoken to some of you. So, I felt it<br />might be a good time to let you know what's been going on with the<br />adoption. The adoption is still very much under way, however, we still<br />don't know when we'll be going to Peru to get the girls. There has been<br />a tremendous amount of paper work, background checks and exams that have<br />taken place since starting this whole process way back in January. We<br />wrapped up all the paper work about a month and a half ago, except for<br />one INS form. This form was supposed to be sent to us within 45 days of<br />our being fingerprinted. However, it ended up taking about 2 and half<br />months. We finally received it about three weeks ago.<br /><br />When we finally did get this form, we rushed it off to our adoption<br />agency only to be told that it was not right. It seems that Illinois is<br />the only state in the union that, by law, holds back the complete form<br />until they have names of the children. Lucky us... Unfortunately, that<br />is not the way Peru handles the adoption. The children cannot<br />officially be identified till we are in Peru. I won't bore you with all<br />the details, but let's just say we were in a catch 22 situation.<br />Meanwhile, certain documents were under strict time restraints to get to<br />Peru before they were three months old, and one of them has just reached<br />that time period. Also, our goal had been to have everything submitted<br />to Peru at the end of May / beginning of June so that Peru would have<br />the months of June/July to approves us which would get us down to Peru<br />at the end of July or early August while school is still out for our boys.<br /><br />Last week, the adoption agency had our lawyer in Peru submit the papers,<br />with the incorrect INS form. This was an attempt to at least get the<br />process started. Meanwhile, our home study agency got the Illinois part<br />of this straightened out, but we are still waiting for the corrected<br />form. We are not sure how SNA (the Peru adoption government agency) reacted to our<br />dossier. They may have started working on it or they may have rejected<br />it until the right document arrives. Obviously, we are still hopeful<br />that we make the end of July or beginning of August. Our understanding<br />is that it takes SNA a month to do whatever is that they do before<br />hopefully approving us and telling us to come down. We also have been<br />led to believe that they only release the children at the end of each<br />month. So, if we don't make July, it is very possible that we'll have<br />to wait until the end of August which means going down for the month of<br />September. In case you didn't know, we are told that it may take us 5<br />weeks of being in Peru to finish the adoption. However, a couple that<br />have just returned from their adoption made it back in just over 4 weeks.<br /><br />That is a short summary of where we are in the process. I'll probably<br />e-mail again when we finally get "the call", and while we are down in<br />Peru. For now, all we can do is wait and be patient and pray.<br /><br />Tim and Andrea BrooksTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-33130033037004546702009-01-16T12:00:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:12:41.962-06:003/2/2006 - Trip to Peru UpdateHello again,<br /><br />I just wanted to let everyone know things are going very well.<br />Yesterday we went and played on one of the desert sand dunes with a<br />bunch of the children. We have been working intermittently on painting<br />Salida (Exit) signs with some not so great paint brushes. Andrea played<br />with a bunch of the girls by making costume jewelry. Last night<br />Loren, Veronica, Donna and Caroline took some time to write Paul Roy.<br />After that, they asked if they could spend the night in our cuarto.<br />They were given permission by the madres. By then it was late, so we<br />read one story in English and one in Spanish. Actually, I started to<br />read in Spanish, but Loren took over for me. She reads quite well from<br />what I could tell - lot's of vocal inflection. Here are some pictures<br />again. Enjoy.<br /><br />Tio Timoteo<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3c4dO3DhS1Kd8AYc5Fis20bU6I63O8iUNWqzpR-p-_r2PZJzJVQtWS_quOHMjtX3RjDrFS9enuSYNksyi4uJb-8SHad1cLKKoyvh3si2XhJbOZ-nuLwpZZZpWG3fcxMSSU5EKsSEMZc/s1600-h/2006-03-01-010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3c4dO3DhS1Kd8AYc5Fis20bU6I63O8iUNWqzpR-p-_r2PZJzJVQtWS_quOHMjtX3RjDrFS9enuSYNksyi4uJb-8SHad1cLKKoyvh3si2XhJbOZ-nuLwpZZZpWG3fcxMSSU5EKsSEMZc/s320/2006-03-01-010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291979471908404322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pUmypPNWKR3jQDgKNj9Ztl573HxRuh3LFG3cLYmA_IXR0WlIpV3eOjU829On6NK6kV9dZ4cI5UgPu49jHaXYUVQ9XOur4sTqR2b93uNN75kmhx2J8YQ6wjTe5gaF84pAPvWjYJKPAAQ/s1600-h/2006-03-01-060-Maria_Cordova-Loren-Nikkita_Dionisio_Zavaleta-Jorge_Iparraguirre_Agustin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pUmypPNWKR3jQDgKNj9Ztl573HxRuh3LFG3cLYmA_IXR0WlIpV3eOjU829On6NK6kV9dZ4cI5UgPu49jHaXYUVQ9XOur4sTqR2b93uNN75kmhx2J8YQ6wjTe5gaF84pAPvWjYJKPAAQ/s320/2006-03-01-060-Maria_Cordova-Loren-Nikkita_Dionisio_Zavaleta-Jorge_Iparraguirre_Agustin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291979493648859218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhF7YYrpVT-NX7qu-tD2b7nYME_nAfuBtv3Cz92FTe4vbDFuojcDP7xTo1WcGuOlkMIprtBWmvk35UY_upOUqOPJ-4HBOqGeJvx5HoQdr45UmhY6BnIbrn6OD1yJgZnJ_HkAmz3VGHjc/s1600-h/2006-03-01-100-Maria-Donna-Loren-Elias-Nikkita-Veronica-Andrea_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhF7YYrpVT-NX7qu-tD2b7nYME_nAfuBtv3Cz92FTe4vbDFuojcDP7xTo1WcGuOlkMIprtBWmvk35UY_upOUqOPJ-4HBOqGeJvx5HoQdr45UmhY6BnIbrn6OD1yJgZnJ_HkAmz3VGHjc/s320/2006-03-01-100-Maria-Donna-Loren-Elias-Nikkita-Veronica-Andrea_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291979497520879522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbXH-HGPmKcELmpazSw8oRxxJmGuI8gJ90Bnj1W67TFzKMgtti8o7rflvFsZnOIJQbO5Jgx5PIdylL2U_KTPGGdpe9ZMP9xfF90-u8YIlcLnvD5qsun9DtUJXKoJvcJlcD3fsp_a9U6s/s1600-h/2006-03-01-250-Tim_Brooks-Donna-Loren-Veronica.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbXH-HGPmKcELmpazSw8oRxxJmGuI8gJ90Bnj1W67TFzKMgtti8o7rflvFsZnOIJQbO5Jgx5PIdylL2U_KTPGGdpe9ZMP9xfF90-u8YIlcLnvD5qsun9DtUJXKoJvcJlcD3fsp_a9U6s/s320/2006-03-01-250-Tim_Brooks-Donna-Loren-Veronica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291979468466018658" border="0" /></a>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-55516707564335629052009-01-16T11:09:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:11:51.203-06:002/27/2006 - 1st Day At Hogar de EsperanzaJust wanted to give everyone a quick update mostly by way of sending<br />some pictures. We did get to meet the girls today, and coincidentally<br />the lawyer (Maria Elena) for Villa Hope (our International Adoption<br />Agency) that lives here in Peru was here today to see the orphanage. We<br />had a very good meeting with her and the social worker that works at the<br />orphanage. We got to learn more about the girls' history and received<br />some encouraging incite about them.<br /><br />Maria Elena was instrumental in breaking the ice with girls and the<br />other kids at the orphanage. We got to play with everyone for a little<br />bit and look at some of our pictures from home. Andrea and I then went<br />out shopping with David Miller (the owner of the orphanage) and we ate<br />out for dinner. By the time we got back is was too late to see anyone.<br /><br />We're looking forward to mañana.<br /><br /><br />That's all for now.<br /><br />Timoteo<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anne Baldwin, Maria Elena<br />Donna, Veronica and Loren<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgDj6V8c2fDRA6vUE1PsQWk9tnBuCOl3cUGq_6Vh2109ZrfxIs705G-4cZ0y72iiWfVaWAIPWBQszIDeuGCZtPoyL5p2RHqm2zusqs2E95FIjlukT1CFLkqlv_l5e2cVDa_mxwnQiK1A/s1600-h/2006-02-27-042-Donna-Anne_Baldwin-Veronica-Maria_Elena_Baldassari-Loren.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgDj6V8c2fDRA6vUE1PsQWk9tnBuCOl3cUGq_6Vh2109ZrfxIs705G-4cZ0y72iiWfVaWAIPWBQszIDeuGCZtPoyL5p2RHqm2zusqs2E95FIjlukT1CFLkqlv_l5e2cVDa_mxwnQiK1A/s320/2006-02-27-042-Donna-Anne_Baldwin-Veronica-Maria_Elena_Baldassari-Loren.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291755439101596962" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrea and Donna<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpYNdcyK-bfV0xcnww290CG6_K2n3Be1YIw7_BYiBj-uqZIQRxWqJ2DD2Ir9bXJ5GzyQJSoTkWhUeov5GHCEFtqLTAgH87UgY-Y1TA7CJiY5Mx8XpthsXdUIrdiS9RLO3RQwzELgl5ZE/s1600-h/2006-02-27-145-Andrea_Brooks-Donna.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpYNdcyK-bfV0xcnww290CG6_K2n3Be1YIw7_BYiBj-uqZIQRxWqJ2DD2Ir9bXJ5GzyQJSoTkWhUeov5GHCEFtqLTAgH87UgY-Y1TA7CJiY5Mx8XpthsXdUIrdiS9RLO3RQwzELgl5ZE/s320/2006-02-27-145-Andrea_Brooks-Donna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291755422668758818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALYIIjj3Y_HazH7To_Vb9aWA86KsnLZU0to02k1jaw-uW893xiKodCDP7pI8tBnjQQ8kr8pJ3q5FD0yweLOCXXWIOQ8ysCUJqL4lDf9F5qp-bxvkheyENO4UsgMb9D1DtOhcSloKs4Ww/s1600-h/2006-02-27-170-Veronica.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALYIIjj3Y_HazH7To_Vb9aWA86KsnLZU0to02k1jaw-uW893xiKodCDP7pI8tBnjQQ8kr8pJ3q5FD0yweLOCXXWIOQ8ysCUJqL4lDf9F5qp-bxvkheyENO4UsgMb9D1DtOhcSloKs4Ww/s320/2006-02-27-170-Veronica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291755434943876578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica, Loren and Donna with Andrea and Tim<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-t_kSh1DSs1ZiNWBkjsV_DmwsShVxz85HSmNjnIhfNfbA00Ji-rt4lQUrTDRCsXUX__rXzJbHFq7bSqiUt3kIfBWGksvFWhDpB_2IX-h_scn0SUfmnZ1wxxm4duPQE4NxIpbXDWld8E/s1600-h/2006-02-27-195-Veronica-Loren-Andrea_Brooks-Donna-Tim_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-t_kSh1DSs1ZiNWBkjsV_DmwsShVxz85HSmNjnIhfNfbA00Ji-rt4lQUrTDRCsXUX__rXzJbHFq7bSqiUt3kIfBWGksvFWhDpB_2IX-h_scn0SUfmnZ1wxxm4duPQE4NxIpbXDWld8E/s320/2006-02-27-195-Veronica-Loren-Andrea_Brooks-Donna-Tim_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291755430065064194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica, Loren and Donna</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQgGs7Qpe0ndt9HdTw1GAdcTabjra4w4CDlX173l3lTdFPT9z2g9zUxWJnE2Nq8oWqL0NIzuUiPDkdq6nMLUG9sA_XLDHkdKq4r70BFP3qdxokRnsVUkJAFFfZFXt8dwIDkkeNrWOLZc/s1600-h/2006-02-27-215-Veronica-Loren-Donna.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQgGs7Qpe0ndt9HdTw1GAdcTabjra4w4CDlX173l3lTdFPT9z2g9zUxWJnE2Nq8oWqL0NIzuUiPDkdq6nMLUG9sA_XLDHkdKq4r70BFP3qdxokRnsVUkJAFFfZFXt8dwIDkkeNrWOLZc/s320/2006-02-27-215-Veronica-Loren-Donna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291755436828432978" border="0" /></a>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-75335530920675011612009-01-16T11:00:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:11:22.060-06:002/26/2006 - We're Here!Buenas noches!<br /><br /><br />Just a quick note to let everyone know, that we made it to the orphanage<br />unscathed. It went pretty well, considering the language barrier.<br />However, we muddled are way through. It was a very LONG trip. It's<br />11:33pm Trujillo time. We just got here after going to a local restaurant<br />after our bus ride. I'm off to bed. We'll meet the girls tomorrow!<br />Let anyone else know who I forgot to send this too.<br /><br />Adios!<br /><br />TimTim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-3891794557958092102009-01-14T20:21:00.058-06:002009-01-16T13:17:10.309-06:00TimelineWell, I think I set a record in procrastination, but I have finally finished putting together the rest of this blog. It has been over 2 years since we adopted the girls in 2006, and my memory of events has faded. However, I have done my best to go through all of our documentation and e-mails from that year in order to recreate a timeline of events. I hope this will help others adopting from Peru to get a feeling for what will be expected as far as documentation, the pace for scheduling when things need to be completed, and maybe even give you ideas for fund raising. Hopefully, you can learn from our mistakes, and from the things we did right. Keep in mind this adoption was in 2006, and adoption laws have changed since the <a href="http://adoption.state.gov/hague/overview.html">Hague Adoption Convention</a>. Also, our adoption was in the state of Illinois which has its own peculiarities. At the time, all documents had to be no older than 8 months old for the dossier when delivered to the SNA in Peru except for medical reports which had to be less than 3 months old.<br /><br />What follows is the timeline. I have tried to mark the documents according to their purpose and whether they needed to be notarized or certified. Future blog articles that follow this one will be the e-mail updates I sent to family and friends as events unfolded.<br /><br />--Tim Brooks<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 18, 2005:</span> Learned about the girls at church, and had their picture sent to me via e-mail.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 22, 2005:</span> Contacted David Miller, owner of the <a href="http://www.perukids.com/">Hogar de Esperanza</a>, to get information on adopting. He suggested coming to meet the girls and talking to other adoptive parents.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 27, 2005:</span> Ordered Andrea's birth certificate in order to apply for a passport to go to Peru to meet the girls.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 1, 2006:</span> Completed Villa Hope questionnaire from their website <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 2, 2006:</span> Contacted Illini Christian Services (ICS), a local children's services agency, to inquire about Home Study. <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE:</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> We had no idea who did home studies, so we did a lot of asking around. I had asked several people at church if they knew of an agency that did home studies. Our pastor at the time, Dave Hensleigh, got me in contact with Rick Champ, a member or our church and employee at ICS. He told me about their services and got us connected with a the agent who would do our home study. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 4, 2006:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><ul><li>Called Villa Hope for information. I downloaded their preliminary application from their website.</li><li>Contacted Hogar de Esperanza volunteer through e-mail to determine whether the girls had officially been declared "abandoned".<br /></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: Children must be declared abandoned in order to be adopted in Peru. This usually occurs after no contact has been made by a relative for 1 year.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 5, 2006:</span> 1st Home study home visit <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 5, 2006:</span> Completed Villa Hope Preliminary Application for Adoption <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 6, 2006:</span> Wrote Letter of intention to adopt to SNA<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: We were concerned that the girls would be put on the </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">“<span style="font-weight: bold;">Angeles que aguardan</span>” (</span><em style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Angels That Wait</em><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">)</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> list and another family might be trying to adopt them at the same time that we were working on adopting them. We didn't want to go through all the effort of filling out documents and the financial investment, and then end up finding out that the girls were already being adopted. So we asked Villa Hope how Peru would know that we were working on the adoption. They had us send a Letter of intention to adopt which we e-mailed to Maria Elena Baldassari along with pictures of our family, a copy of our marriage certificate, a copy of my birth certificate (we didn't have Andrea's yet) and a copy of our driver's licenses</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 7, 2006:</span> Completed ICS Home Study Application <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 9, 2006:</span> Fingerprinted For DCFS Foster Family license, an Illinois home study requirement <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 10, 2006:</span> Tim completes home study assessments <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"></span><ul><li>Autobiography</li><li>Personal Assessment</li><li>International Adoption Assessment</li><li>Parenting Assessment</li><li>Marriage Assessment</li><li>Financial Worksheet<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 12, 2006:</span> 2nd Home study home visit <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 13, 2006:</span> DCFS Application for family home license <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 15, 2006:</span> Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Authorization for Background Check <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 15, 2006:</span> Andrea completes home study assessments <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><ul><li>Parenting Assessment<br /></li><li>Marriage Assessment</li><li>Personal Assessment</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 16, 2006:</span> DCFS Foster Family Home Information <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br />NOTE:</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Many of the following documents were completed before our first trip to Peru to meet the girls. We refrained from making a large financial investment other than our flight to Peru and the cost of applying to Villa Hope and ICS. However, I decided to get as many documents completed as possible before we met the girls, so that we would be able to hit the ground running if we decided to go ahead with the adoption after meeting the girls.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 18, 2006:</span> Enrolled in Adoption Learning Partners <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 18, 2006:</span> Villa Hope Release Form <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 18, 2006:</span> Letter from Employer - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: I had to have it notarized again 2/9/06 because the notary's license expired. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 21, 2006:</span> Completed 1-600A <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 23, 2006:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><ul><li>Signed Education Requirements document</li><li>International Adoption Agreement</li><li>Peru Post Placement requirements acknowledgment letter<br /></li><li>INS inquiries</li><li>Applicant's Acknowledgment Letter</li><li>Out of state fee schedule acknowledgement</li><li>Signed Fed Ex Client Account document for Villa Hope</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: The Fed Ex Client account is used to send all the documents to Villa Hope, and Villa Hope charges to your Fed Ex accound when they send out documents during the legalization process.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 24, 2006:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><ul><li>Our Children Statement</li><li>Statement of Motivation</li><li>Financial Statement</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 25, 2006:</span> 3rd Home study home visit <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 26, 2006:</span> Tim's Physical - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE:</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Physicals are time sensitive, meaning they can't be older than 3 months old when they are submitted to Peru with your dossier. I was in a hurry to get things done, and jumped the gun on this one. Most insurance companies only pay for one physical per year. I was able to work it out with my doctor to have my physical updated later so that it met Peru requirements. However, you should make sure to ask for physicals toward the end of your process. This can be somewhat of guessing game.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 26, 2006:</span> Ordered new birth certificate for Tim <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE:</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Just like physicals, birth certificates are time sensitive. They must be less than 8 months old. While I already had a certified copy of my birth certificate, it was from 1973. I used that one to get my passport, but I needed a newer one for the dossier.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 29, 2006:</span> Andrea's autobiography given to ICS <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">January 30, 2006:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"></span><ul><li>Peru Post Placement Agreement - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Conviction Statement</span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li>Letter of Request to Secretaria Nacional de Adopciones - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">February 2, 2006:</span> Given information on adoption fund raising site run by relatives of a family at church: <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/">Lifesong for Orphans</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">February 2, 2006:</span> Received home study rough draft for corrections <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">February 2, 2006:</span> Ordered Social Security Card for Andrea <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">February 11, 2006:</span> Pictures we received from David Miller, owner of Hogar de Esperanza<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loren, Donna and Veronica</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtXgrph6LB61cr1vfVBklDI98O-x8QO6DXrhbCRYLv3gwQ4oP9dWR55LA-JEPYJA5EScuQvuLZpx9dz2mh5Vae0yFDqbhQuIAsj_DLs-ANolUkAjEZMSaNb8Cu0Wq_7Pz2lURzEhVSWI/s1600-h/2006-02-09-000-Loren-Donna-Veronica.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtXgrph6LB61cr1vfVBklDI98O-x8QO6DXrhbCRYLv3gwQ4oP9dWR55LA-JEPYJA5EScuQvuLZpx9dz2mh5Vae0yFDqbhQuIAsj_DLs-ANolUkAjEZMSaNb8Cu0Wq_7Pz2lURzEhVSWI/s320/2006-02-09-000-Loren-Donna-Veronica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291613731966461458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veronica, Loren and Donna<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOhdE3Z0JAZczqnbxBeR_t3FbVCza0ZqUwV8OrKxEdRDGg63L5gJrrKuP1w2oXDdBjevsAAGFpfungW-5-L6cX2uCi0wDr4-ml2M9N80NSskbgsIHDmRGSFc2-sTgsb8xw3t1DF3IOt0/s1600-h/2006-02-07-006-Veronica-Loren-Donna.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOhdE3Z0JAZczqnbxBeR_t3FbVCza0ZqUwV8OrKxEdRDGg63L5gJrrKuP1w2oXDdBjevsAAGFpfungW-5-L6cX2uCi0wDr4-ml2M9N80NSskbgsIHDmRGSFc2-sTgsb8xw3t1DF3IOt0/s320/2006-02-07-006-Veronica-Loren-Donna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291613730218246770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">February 24, 2006:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><ul><li>Copy of photographs of home and family - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li>Copy of Driver's License<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span></li><li>Marriage Certificate - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Certified Copy<br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">February 25, 2006:</span> Flight to Lima, Peru to meet the girls<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">February 26, 2006:</span> Bus ride from Lima to Trujillo<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">February 27, 2006:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Met the girls!</span></li><li><span>Met Maria Elena and Anne Baldwin of Villa Hope</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></li><li>Sent photos of the us with the girls to SNA to reconfirm interest and show we had met the girls.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim, Andrea<br />Donna, Veronica and Loren<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC1NJsx64nsrEztUOAr6-RCmY7ehbEgwMoaNrHcQLrUkXje8yND5Eo9xKzd_z2CDW6NxVLacAA2fpaz7dcqnz5UG3TTClHiopNNVsR-6UyTGQ7u36imFRk6dObZiPKY5wNH6aA03LpCU/s1600-h/2006-02-27-030-Donna-Tim_Brooks-Veronica-Loren-Andrea_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC1NJsx64nsrEztUOAr6-RCmY7ehbEgwMoaNrHcQLrUkXje8yND5Eo9xKzd_z2CDW6NxVLacAA2fpaz7dcqnz5UG3TTClHiopNNVsR-6UyTGQ7u36imFRk6dObZiPKY5wNH6aA03LpCU/s320/2006-02-27-030-Donna-Tim_Brooks-Veronica-Loren-Andrea_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291617594982532370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHVngt6qoJc747AN9_bBX4oHH2etRb4j_45yZZgZbmgulI99M5sQPGPnnqzSz4V01hCj4vqRu_prKpwcIM4jdQXHsvOcLoPRAIg_JTk4or-104NsG_yG188EzeI-h9XXJCfrMHAAsIUA/s1600-h/2006-02-27-035-Donna-Veronica-Andrea_Brooks-Loren.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHVngt6qoJc747AN9_bBX4oHH2etRb4j_45yZZgZbmgulI99M5sQPGPnnqzSz4V01hCj4vqRu_prKpwcIM4jdQXHsvOcLoPRAIg_JTk4or-104NsG_yG188EzeI-h9XXJCfrMHAAsIUA/s320/2006-02-27-035-Donna-Veronica-Andrea_Brooks-Loren.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291617598664144130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzMFg4NTUKSFk7vQ9_fwmd2JgBoRkaU3qVYperkTQ_V7GhdYEqEnbRITqOIDWpCDybA3HpEHl0NGYx4twhAZqkx_HQem8YX6h3FhQUWppVMzw777iOJyLHOY9TTr2_T6bOcGYOeTnvdc/s1600-h/2006-02-27-040-Donna-Veronica-Tim_Brooks-Loren.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzMFg4NTUKSFk7vQ9_fwmd2JgBoRkaU3qVYperkTQ_V7GhdYEqEnbRITqOIDWpCDybA3HpEHl0NGYx4twhAZqkx_HQem8YX6h3FhQUWppVMzw777iOJyLHOY9TTr2_T6bOcGYOeTnvdc/s320/2006-02-27-040-Donna-Veronica-Tim_Brooks-Loren.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291617604148411298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaz3zEAyV7ca0N1eVXSvqpi9q1uoTBr4asF3auXdp5v5RQAP7B6g97tH88hVkuiagdPVED8iqR5vaOitDCYEJGlY-kJxbbi4D3oDERREQjnC1ny3oIEfm9OdnZRGJXGZQW0VD9FbeafM/s1600-h/2006-02-27-065-Andrea_Brooks-Loren-Veronica-Donna-Tim_Brooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaz3zEAyV7ca0N1eVXSvqpi9q1uoTBr4asF3auXdp5v5RQAP7B6g97tH88hVkuiagdPVED8iqR5vaOitDCYEJGlY-kJxbbi4D3oDERREQjnC1ny3oIEfm9OdnZRGJXGZQW0VD9FbeafM/s320/2006-02-27-065-Andrea_Brooks-Loren-Veronica-Donna-Tim_Brooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291617613761508466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 4, 2006:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Made our decision to adopt!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 5, 2006:</span> Wrote the girls a letter telling them that we would like to be their parents. We told them that we had to leave for now because we had to finish a lot of documents for the Peru and U.S. government, but we would be back as soon as we could to come get them. I'm pretty sure they didn't understand why we couldn't take them with us right then.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 6, 2006:</span> Departed Hogar de Esperanza for Lima by bus<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 7, 2006:</span> Returned to the U.S.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 9, 2006:</span> Andrea's physical exam - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: We had to go ahead and get Andrea's physical because it was needed for the home study, and the home study was needed for INS.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: We made up our minds while in Peru that we wanted to adopt the girls, so as soon as we returned we went full speed on finishing the paper work and sending it to Villa Hope.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 9, 2006:</span> Sent to Villa Hope </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"></span><ul><li>Copy of 3 most recent of 1040</li><li>Villa Hope Affidavit of Knowledge and Acceptance of Terms - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Signed and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span></li><li>Identification Verification<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span></li><li>Dossier Registration Form (Fed Ex Account Number)<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span></li><li>Letter of Request to SNA<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li>Autobiography or previously Approved Home Study</li><li>Marriage Certificate - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Certified Copy</span></li><li>Birth Certificates (Tim, Andrea and boys) (the boys birth certificate were older than 8 months, so I had to send new ones later) - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Certified Copy</span></li><li>Deed to House - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Certified Copy</span></li><li>Fee schedule</li><li>Copy of insurance cards</li><li>Copy of passports - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Signed and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized </span><span>(We forgot to sign are passports before copying and sending them, so we had to do it again later on)</span></li><li><span>Villa Hope Release Form</span></li><li><span>Letter from Employer</span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li><span>Education Requirements document</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span><span>International Adoption Agreement</span></li><li><span>Peru Post Placement requirements acknowledgment</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></li><li><span>INS inquiries</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></li><li><span>Our Children Statement</span></li><li><span>Statement of Motivation</span></li><li><span>Financial Statement</span></li><li><span>Tim's Physical Exams</span><span> (</span><span>Had to resend physical with later date to meet the 3 month window requirement.</span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li><span>Villa Hope Peru Post Placement Agreement</span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li><span>Conviction Statement</span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li><span>Copy of photographs of home and family</span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li><span>Copy of Driver's License<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 9, 2006:</span> Sent I-600A application with payment of $685 to U.S. Citzenship and Immigration Services<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: After sending the trip and this fee, we were running out of money, so we were starting to get stressed about how to pay for all the fees.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">So, we began planning ways to fund raise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 13, 2006:</span> Guardianship Letter - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 13, 2006:</span> Received <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/">Life International</a> Matching Grant Kit<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 14, 2006:</span> Met with pastor about asking for help for funding from the congregation, and received his "Letter from Pastor" that we needed to submit to Life International (Now Lifesong for Orphans). They agreed to match our fundraising up to $4000.00<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 15, 2006:</span> 1st Background Check Letter From Police Department</span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: The Notary commission expired on the first background check before the dossier could be sent to Peru, so we had to get a second one later on.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 16, 2006:</span> Received I-600A receipt, and notice of FILING DATE </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 20, 2006:</span> Received Orphan Application Fingerprint Referral Notice (fingerprints in Hammond, IN) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 28, 2006:</span> Went to Hammond to get fingerprinted for I-600A background check </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 29, 2006:</span> Made up fund raising refrigerator magnet to be sent out with our fund raising letter.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyQPAgpYiJDyvkJAeIStDroKhzV3gTe6gellIa6GdsJmuisPuUS_7ExpN9Peji7XY0_ZuIYV8FWtujSpbqOG2ZAJVWyYYeY3H5PaNsIueeyGwxzChe-jlGGxqpzgs05DGH8v6TvCxGU0/s1600-h/2006-03-29-adoption_magnet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyQPAgpYiJDyvkJAeIStDroKhzV3gTe6gellIa6GdsJmuisPuUS_7ExpN9Peji7XY0_ZuIYV8FWtujSpbqOG2ZAJVWyYYeY3H5PaNsIueeyGwxzChe-jlGGxqpzgs05DGH8v6TvCxGU0/s320/2006-03-29-adoption_magnet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291676769092833762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 30, 2006:</span> 1st family meeting with psychologist for psychological evaluation </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 23, 2006:</span> Adoption Learning Partners Certificate of Completion </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 2, 2006:</span> 2nd </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">family meeting with psychologist for psychological evaluation </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope Dossier)<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 5, 2006:</span> Boys' Physical Exams</span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 9, 2006:</span> Began church fund raising with video testimony<br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09573923207079442 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09573923207079442 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09573923207079442 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09573923207079442 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09573923207079442 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09573923207079442 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09573923207079442 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1"></a><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Igu1zv2ZA7Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 13, 2006:</span> Villa Hope Formal Application</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span><span>completed</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 13, 2006:</span> Sent out fund raising letter</span><span> to friends and family<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 13, 2006:</span> DCFS background check finally completed. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: This was the background check that required us to get the first fingerprinting way back on January 9th. It took over three months, and we even called our congressman to try to get help with getting it completed. This check really held up our home study being completed. There was nothing</span></span><span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> we</span></span><span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> really could have done to speed this up. It was the cause of a lot of stress and consternation.</span><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 17, 2006:</span> Home Study Criminal Conviction/Arrest History Statement</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 17, 2006:</span> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Psychological Evaluation completed</span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 17, 2006:</span> Sent to Villa Hope <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><ul><li>Guardianship Letter<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li>All Physical Exams<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li>Villa Hope Formal Application</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 18, 2006:</span> Home Study completed - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 18, 2006:</span> Psychological Evaluation sent to Villa Hope - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 19, 2006:</span> ICS Home study and recommendation letter sent to Villa Hope - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">May 1, 2006:</span> Ordered new birth certificates for the boys - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Certified Copy</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">May 1, 2006:</span> 2nd Background Check Letter From Police Department - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: The Notary commission expired on the first background check, so we had to get second a one.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">May 24, 2006:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><ul><li>Copy of passports - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Signed and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized </span></li><li><span>Copy of College Diplomas</span> (Proof of Profession) - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 7, 2006:</span> Receive photos of our girls from another adoptive family that are at the orphanage completing their adoption.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Donna, Loren and Veronica</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePuIjoCRA4SqPgmEtrzAKWP3oSJn-uzNQO7EGIiiBd2_yD3cbqNwfOZP9g2xpnz_AaNfrYaQZ_MkYdcq3rvhQq3dBNLOyO_VtfJ0FXssqGJcI6hn7lS_FURe0WuYB_aRyG-9QxtXC3Fs/s1600-h/2006-06-05-030-Donna-Loren-Veronica-Yessenia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePuIjoCRA4SqPgmEtrzAKWP3oSJn-uzNQO7EGIiiBd2_yD3cbqNwfOZP9g2xpnz_AaNfrYaQZ_MkYdcq3rvhQq3dBNLOyO_VtfJ0FXssqGJcI6hn7lS_FURe0WuYB_aRyG-9QxtXC3Fs/s320/2006-06-05-030-Donna-Loren-Veronica-Yessenia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291711646802336514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 8, 2006:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Dossier Sent to Peru!</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 27, 2006:</span> Bank Balance Verification - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 24, 2006:</span> I-171H Arrives <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: However, it seems that Illinois is the only state in the union that, by law, holds back the complete form until they have names of the children. So, the wrong box is checked, but Maria Elena submits the dossier anyway while we wait for the right I-171H:</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />"YOUR ADVANCE PROCESSING APPLICATION IS BEING RETAINED AT THIS OFFICE</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 29, 2006:</span> Issue Date For Foster Parent License <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 5, 2006:</span> Requested by Maria Elena for SNA<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><ul><li>Dr. Statement that Tim was seen on April 5th, 2006<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li><li>Dr. Statement that Andrea had physical on April 16, and travel clinic on 17th<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span> - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 5, 2006:</span> Issued Foster Parent cards <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(ICS/Home study)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 13, 2006:</span> Loren's Birthday<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 13, 2006:</span> I-600A Application approved <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 15, 2006:</span> I-171H Arrives <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: This time the right box is checked:</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />"YOUR ADVANCE PROCESSING APPLICATION HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE AMERICAN CONSULATE OR EMBASSY AT LIMA, PERU." <br /><br />NUMBER OF CHILDREN 3</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 17, 2006:</span> SNA requests "Name Affidavit" stating that Timothy E. Brooks is the same person as Tim E. Brooks since my name on my birth certificate is Timothy and the name on both my driver's license and passport is Tim. - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 28, 2006:</span> Last set of documents sent to Peru (almost) <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 31, 2008:</span> Sent "Letter of Non-Employment" by e-mail for Andrea because she does not work outside the home. <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">August 8, 2006:</span> Affidavit of Support under section 213A of the Act - <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Notarized</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: This form, one for each child, is completed in Peru, but must be notarized before leaving.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">August 22, 2006:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">WE GOT THE CALL THAT WE'RE APPROVED!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">August 24, 2006:</span> Placement and Acceptance Agreement <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">(Villa Hope/Dossier)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">September 8, 2006:</span> Maria Elena sends e-mail saying "Some minutes ago SNA confirmed to me officially the designation of Loren, Donna and Veronica for the Brooks family."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">September 8, 2006:</span> Sent acceptance letter to the secretaria Nacional de Adopciones del MIMDES<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">September 8, 2006:</span> Booked flight to Peru through Orbitz for September 11th, 2006 with return date of October 12th.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: This return date was pretty much a guess. We based the time that would be required on another family who had just completed their adoption in July of a daughter and son from Hogar de Esperanza also using Villa Hope. It took them 5 weeks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">September 11, 2006:</span> Tim, Andrea, Josh, T.J. and Andrew fly to Peru.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOTE: We brought with us forms I-600 and I-864 (Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act) </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Notarized</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">one for each child. Visa fees were $380/child cash in Peru.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">September 26, 2006: PERUVIAN ADOPTION COMPLETE!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">September 29, 2006:</span> Veronica's Birthday<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 12, 2006:</span> Tim, Josh, T.J. and Andrew return to the U.S.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 16, 2006: </span>Visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Peru. Andrea pays the $380/per child fee<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 17, </span></span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">2006:</span> Andrea, Loren, Veronica and Donna come home to the U.S.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-6067676041397826672007-02-18T15:43:00.015-06:002019-08-07T14:36:13.562-05:00How It All StartedOur adoption adventure began on December 18th, 2005, the Sunday before Christmas. At that time a couple from our church had just returned from a month long mission trip to an orphanage in Trujillo, Peru. This couple had just moved to Champaign, IL from Washington D.C. around October. They had moved into the area to go back to school, but they had some time before the next semester started, and so they had a desire to work at an orphanage in Peru for a month before settling into their new life in Champaign. They had only been attending our church for a few weeks before they set off in November for their mission in Peru.<br />
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Prior to leaving they told our pastor about what they were about to do. He gave them an opportunity to speak to the congregation of our church in order to raise money for the library they were going to build at the orphanage, <a href="http://hogardeesperanza.com/">Hogar de Esperanza</a>. They raised $2000 that Sunday, and they left the following week for Trujillo.<br />
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When they returned from Peru a month later, they gave a Powerpoint presentation to the church to show us the projects they were able to complete while working at the orphanage. They also showed some pictures of some of the children that needed families. One of the pictures was of three little girls. Now, we have three biological sons, and due to my wife's painful pregnancies we were not going to have any more biological children. We had discussed the possibility that maybe in a few years we might adopt a baby girl, but it wasn't on our minds at this time. But suddenly without having any clue of what was going to happen to me that day, I found myself thinking, among other things, that "those girls could be my daughters". I was also thinking about my nephew, whom my sister and brother-in-law had adopted as a baby from Peru some sixteen years earlier, and how it would be cool for him to have Peruvian cousins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpDTKBCOjuUupmW2zaDkEHwzfmSaHJm7-2SNMUuoLoDOvFr5WAFpQCE3zWvGlC2814JUeXT0gb34SrAUVc6oS95ttL0Rsl0MqdXxwQbjWV4OK2z2CToBZjAJMBt6FfOyT4-tsjxGbr4c/s1600-h/2005-11-00-000-Veronica-Loren-Donna.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033240541534976466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpDTKBCOjuUupmW2zaDkEHwzfmSaHJm7-2SNMUuoLoDOvFr5WAFpQCE3zWvGlC2814JUeXT0gb34SrAUVc6oS95ttL0Rsl0MqdXxwQbjWV4OK2z2CToBZjAJMBt6FfOyT4-tsjxGbr4c/s400/2005-11-00-000-Veronica-Loren-Donna.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<center>
<b>Veronica, Loren y Donna<br />(This is the picture I saw at church)</b></center>
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That particular Sunday, my wife, Andrea, was at home with one of our three boys who was sick. I had serious doubts that this little spark of an idea I was having was really going to blossom into anything. However, on a whim I decided to have, Bill Glick, a member of the church tech team e-mail the picture of these girls that I had just seen so that I could show my wife when I got home.<br />
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Upon arriving at home, I reminded Andrea about that couple that had gone to Peru, and told her how they had just come back and had showed the church what they had accomplished. I then, sort of half jokingly, said, "How would you like to double the size of our family?" I showed her the picture, and to my surprise she was totally open to the idea, and told me to investigate it further. My oldest son, who was 8 years old at the time, came in while I was showing the picture. We asked him what he thought of the idea of adopting these girls as his sisters. Once again, to my surprise, he was very open to the idea, and thought it was a good thing to do. My middle son, who was 5 years old, said he didn't want any sisters at all, but we kind of discounted that as what any 5 year old boy might say. Our two year old didn't have an opinion. :)<br />
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So, the next thing we needed to do was figure out was what we should do next. Having never adopted before, we had no clue. I decided to contact the owner of <a href="http://www.perukids.com/">Hogar de Esperanza</a>, Dave Miller. Dave is an American business man with a BIG heart. He built the orphanage after seeing the many street kids begging for food on his many trips to Peru. Dave told me I should contact some other families who had adopted from the orphanage, and then we should come down to the orphanage to meet the girls to make sure this is what God wanted us to do.<br />
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We took his advice on both counts. I was able to get some good information on how to get started with the adoption process, and what we should expect as far as time and money from the contacts that he had given me. Through the advice of one of the families I spoke to, I went ahead and started the application process for the adoption agency with <a href="http://www.villahope.org/">Villa Hope</a>. And after some investigation and some help from people at church we found a local agency to do our Home Study (more on these subjects later). We also ordered tickets for our flight to Peru which would be at the end of February, 2006. This would be the first time either my wife or I had traveled out of the country.<br />
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Obviously, we needed passports. Here I will depart from my story to mention to anyone considering international adoption that you might want to start work on getting a passport if you don't already have one. You'll find that as you gather documentation for the adoption, that a lot of documentation is time sensitive. Peru has strict requirements on how old certain documents can be. Most of them can be no older than 6 months, and some can be no older than 3 months. We needed our passports right away because, not being independently wealthy, we didn't want to invest in too many of the fees for the home study or the adoption agency until we had met the girls and made sure this was the right thing to do. So, we wanted to meet them as soon as possible so we could get the process started. We got our tickets for late February because we needed 6 to 8 weeks to get our passports. You will need birth certificates to get a passport if you have one lying around use that instead of ordering new ones. You need to hold out on new birth certificates until you get your home study done and some other documentation completed, so that your birth certificate age is within that 6 month range.<br />
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Back to the story...<br />
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We arrived in Lima, Peru late on February 25th, 2006, and took an 8 1/2 hour bus ride on <a href="http://www.cruzdelsur.com.pe/inicio.php">Cruz Del Sur</a> bus lines to Trujillo on the 26th. We arrived late that night, and we were met by David Miller at the bus station. We were quite relieved to have arrived safely since our Spanish was very limited, and we were international travel novices. Having arrived in Trujillo late on the 26th, we would have to wait yet another night to meet the girls. When we woke up on the morning of February 27th, we were given a tour of the orphanage by David Alenskis who was a "year long" American volunteer at the orphanage. We were filled with anticipation to finally meet the girls. Of course, we didn't want the girls to know that we were specifically looking at them for adoption because we didn't want to get their hopes up in case things went badly. So they didn't know who we were when we happened to cross paths on our tour. It was a bit anti-climatic when they said "hola", and walked away. However, within ten minutes, David Alenskis told us that our lawyer from Villa Hope was there, and asked if we would like to meet her. Of course, we were a little shocked. We weren't quite sure who our lawyer was. It was just a nice coincidence that Maria Elena Baldassari the Peruvian lawyer for Villa Hope and Anne Baldwin, the Executive Director for Villa Hope from Alabama happened to be visiting Hogar de Esperanza on the same day that we arrived. They heard we were there and wanted to meet us. We talked about the girls for an hour, and then we all took a tour together of the children's casitas (the 4 dormitories housing the girls and boys). Maria Elena being there turned out to be quite fortuitous for us. Because she speaks both Spanish and English, and because she has a great gift with working with children, she was able to break the ice, and bring all the children out of their shells. This enabled us to quickly bond with all the children, and really started off our week long visit on the right foot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEmfg9KxyuHZZ8sZP3dPuL1I3iTRSWAqYzVIFN_QJOs0U9yYI6jRUdfRVmiNoom_br410x3Q2RgbwFCPf2RAODYYZ76laCrFgcORwcqYzooVZW0dx5a-Icjdu5GwEL36yLhusYW8YOtw/s1600-h/2006-02-27-042-Donna-Anne_Baldwin-Veronica-Maria_Elena_Baldassari-Loren.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185469491195275298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEmfg9KxyuHZZ8sZP3dPuL1I3iTRSWAqYzVIFN_QJOs0U9yYI6jRUdfRVmiNoom_br410x3Q2RgbwFCPf2RAODYYZ76laCrFgcORwcqYzooVZW0dx5a-Icjdu5GwEL36yLhusYW8YOtw/s320/2006-02-27-042-Donna-Anne_Baldwin-Veronica-Maria_Elena_Baldassari-Loren.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<b> Anne Baldwin and Maria Elena Baldassari</b></center>
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<b>Donna, Veronica and Loren</b></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89yxsfOmsc3o_qO0AGXk2z5HPCGBc4PdhY_Ri9U4pnX1bS_vdhjj2ngd5VRlUY1B-lNkv4cOQCs03vnl3fQBdYtjg8SAiEyjzVYUxR56Cbzf79xpEL5g9pBh_aqb8o7lpKRzch0AADHw/s1600-h/2006-02-27-029-Donna-Tim_Brooks-Veronica-Loren-Andrea_Brooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185470994433828930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89yxsfOmsc3o_qO0AGXk2z5HPCGBc4PdhY_Ri9U4pnX1bS_vdhjj2ngd5VRlUY1B-lNkv4cOQCs03vnl3fQBdYtjg8SAiEyjzVYUxR56Cbzf79xpEL5g9pBh_aqb8o7lpKRzch0AADHw/s320/2006-02-27-029-Donna-Tim_Brooks-Veronica-Loren-Andrea_Brooks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<b>Tim and Andrea</b></center>
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<b>Donna, Veronica and Loren</b></center>
Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223235975096181723.post-40188771049326462532007-01-28T15:24:00.001-06:002008-04-03T10:55:36.686-05:00Purpose Of This BlogI'm setting up this blog in order to lay down for posterity how and why my family decided to adopt three girls from Peru. This blog will mostly consist of the e-mail I sent out to family and friends while we were in Peru going through the adoption process. However, I will also undertake to recall everything that lead up to the adoption and hopefully give some insight into what is required to adopt from Peru. Hopefully, this blog will help others who may be interested in adopting to understand and prepare for all the documentation, waiting, and excitement they are about to encounter in their adoption adventure.Tim Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03359484149755936359noreply@blogger.com1