I-600 submitted (Sept 23)

After the passport office on Thursday, the 22nd, we left and went to KFC to eat lunch and so the kids could burn off some energy. While we were there we called the US Embassy to see when we could submit our I-600. We were told that they accept them only on Mondays from 9-11 a.m. but since adoptions are a big priority we were asked if we could come in right then. We didn't have our papers with us. They were with Marta and I think copies still had to be made. So we made an appointment for the next day, Friday at 12:30.

We met Marta, our lawyer, here at the hotel Friday morning (23rd) and were given the necessary papers and copies. After taking a picture with Marta, we said our goodbyes because that is probably the last time we would see her. We are finished with the Honduran side of things. She did say she would meet us at the airport immigration office whenever we were going back to the U.S., but our Buckner employee said that it was not necessary and that we would be alright.

We went to McDonalds for about 30 minutes then went to the U.S. Embassy. We parked in a gravel driveway across the street and the gentleman told us there were no appointments today at the embassy. Our driver told them that we definitely had an appointment because we are a couple from the United States and we are here because of an adoption so the kind man let us park.
Crossing the streets here in Honduras was actually really funny. Since there were 3 adults and 3 kids, we paired up, 1 adult to 1 kid, waited for a break in the traffic and ran for it. Hondurans are not known to give way to pedestrians. Inside we left all our electronics (cameras, cell phones, chargers, etc) at security and then we left the foyer and went inside to a lady waiting for us at a window. There she asked for each document one by one and their copies. For some reason we only had 1 copy and the original birth certificate but she needed 2. All of our hearts skipped a beat. I think she could sense the concern on our faces so she replied that it was ok, we would just have to pay for the extra copy of the birth certificate. Whew! All the other needed originals and copies were there. The only other important note was his visa picture not being big enough. She saw some 4x6 pictures in the front sleeve of my binder and said she would accept one of those pictures even though there were more people in the picture, but Justin was not in any of the photos! But thankfully she accepted our 3x3 picture. I was so thankful. She asked us for our phone number so she could call us when our I-600 is accepted. She did state that it could take 1 week-4 weeks, but i really hope they call us early next week. The U.S. Embassy process only took approximately 25 minutes. Crossing the street one more time, Madeline and Illeana screamed and ran. I don't think they were waiting for us :)

P.S.  One thing that I did not know (but Marta knew and took care of all our papers and copies) is that you have to submit the newspaper and the translation of the "ad" of you adopting your child. It lists your full name along with your child's name and that an adoption is taking place. I asked our translator why do they put your adoption in the paper and she said just in case someone were to come forward to claim the child. Fun fact I had no clue about. Surprises are around every corner with this crazy adoption.

P.S.S. The day before we had taken his visa picture at Cascadas Mall. There was a photo shop right outside the entrance, by Wal-mart. You enter Wal-mart inside the mall. We asked for pictures for a visa and they took Justin picture. After shopping in Wal-mart for groceries we returned 30 minutes later and were handed (4) 3x3 pictures for $7.00. We did not even notice that the pictures were too small. Apparently they like at least a 4x6 size.

In the our hotel lobby 

Cascadas Mall and Wal-mart