Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Quit Blogging Around!

Oh my gosh, have I told you all how addicted I am to Blogs? I have so many that I'm following throughout this adoption that it is crazy! I LOVE reading them. Good, bad, sad, happy... it doesn't matter. I truly enjoy reading about their experience and seeing pictures of their children. Did I mention I could make it a full-time job...um hum... speaking of which I had better start to refocus on my job! My mind is so not there lately. This last Saturday I went out with some of my life-long girlfriends. We had so much fun! We all dressed up for Halloween, had a few drinks, sang some bad Karoke, and even hit a house party! It had a been awhile since we'd all been out together. They can make me laugh like no others can. It is exactly what I needed, so thanks you ya bunch of goofs! My cheeks hurt the next morning, and I SO appreciate that! Sunday I took Cameron to see John's grandma in the nursing home. John's sister and her 4 yr old son Lane went with. We met for lunch, dressed the boys in costumes, and took them in see her. She loved it! We had a surprise visit from one of John's aunts who came, with her 3yr old grandaughter Emma. So all three cousins played together with great-grandma watching. It was a nice visit. Afterwards on the way home we hit the ice cream shop! Yum! Nothing on the adoption front. I emailed Adrian today to ask him for his address. I want to send him a document to put in our folder when he gives it back to PGN. Can you believe he emailed me back within 30 minutes!? In my email I refrained from asking him how he was coming on the corrections as I don't want to annoy him, but in his reply he voluntarily told me that he was working on them and hoped to have our file back to PGN next week! You go big guy!
Posted by John and Karla at 17:57:14 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Friday, October 26, 2007

An update on this past week!

First I have to give a shout out to Anna!  She is in Guatemala with her husband and two sons visiting their daughter  Libby!  I am so glad they are having a great trip, and have accomplished quite a lot on the adoption while there.  Anna is one of the women I traveled with Guatemala to in May and their family shares the same "former" agency as us.

As for us, I emailed Adrian right away on Wednesday afternoon (after Marco advised me on how to approach him) about our file being rejected from PGN.  I was polite, nice, and to the point in it.  I about fell of my chair when in less than 24 hrs I received an email back from him on Thursday!  It is was TWO entire sentences long!  Basically he said he received our file back on Wed and would work on the corrections!  Funny how something so simple bring me SO much excitement.  This it what my life has been reduced too ; ) 

I decided to give Adrian a week, since that's what Marco told me the corrections would take if he moved on them right away.  So probably on Wed or Thur morning I will email him again asking the status.  Based on that, I'll schedule a phone call to him if need be.  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  The days get harder.  We know we see an end in sight now, but it just stays out of reach.  Sometimes I let that doubt creep in and it makes it so hard.  I have to redirect myself for the purposes of remaing sane!

Thank you so much everyone for the kind words of support in the private emails I have been getting.  PLEASE keep the encouragement coming, it really helps.  I ask for those who pray to ask for Rylan's safety first and foremost, and second that some doors start to open for us.  Bring some compassion into Adrian's heart so that he can start making our family a priority! 
Posted by John and Karla at 20:09:42 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Previo Update

I absolutely have to start this post off by saying Congratulations to Terri and her family! Her son Isaiah is out of PGN! Terri's little boy is only 6 months old and her adoption has been smooth sailing ALL the way! Her adoption is exactly what it should be like. Boom, boom, boom...everything done in order and on-time. No kickouts and 8 weeks in PGN. Terri, correct me if I'm wrong but you just started this adoption in June, right? Terri still has another sweet child to bring home though - Abbie. That is how we met. We (shared) the same agency with them for Rylan. We continue to pray for Abbie to be home soon as well! You all are very deserving of this, and I know Abbie will be joining you soon. So today I was finally able to speak with Marco. I was shocked to find out that our file has 5 "corrections" that need to be submitted! To be honest, I have never heard of a file needing that much attention! On the flip side, thank goodness it was all issued on one kickout! The reviewer could have requested one correction, then we went back in. Then got kicked out again for another, then back in. You get the idea.... So even though this a lot, I am VERY grateful for that! That would have added a lot more time. So these "corrections" that need to be made in a way are actually additional information PGN wants to be satisfied. Three items have to do with birth mom information, mainly because of the Cedula error that was made before PGN. The other two are family court report items (you know the report we waited weeks for before PGN also!). Marco assured me all 5 are very easy requests and that they can be done within a week. Now, lets get real for a minute. Since they are ALL on the Guatemalan side - and we all know Adrian's track record - we most definitely know it will NOT be a week. I am praying like never before that for once we can catch a break on the legalities of this adoption. For once, something can be done on time. PLEASE, keep us in your thoughts as we again work our way through yet another issue. But I am being realistic. I can do nothing to change this situation, I can only try to deal with it the best I can. The goal is to bring Rylan home - so what was done or not done doesn't even matter. We just have to GET IT DONE!
Posted by John and Karla at 17:39:48 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Saturday, October 20, 2007

One Year Ago Today....and Good News/Bad News

One year ago today John and I signed the contract with our former agency to adopt a baby boy!  I will never forget that day, as it was the day we made a commitment to bring him into our family.  Something kept drawing me back to this little guy.  I just think that where we are, was meant to be.  The people who adopted this child needed to be strong, persistant, and able to endure anything that was thrown at them.  We have done that, and will continue to do so.  It doesn't matter what we've been through at this point, only that we reach the end - and bring him home. 
Yes, I hate to even admit I've had days of doubt.  Days where I think about what would happen if this never completes.  How would we survive knowing he would never be ours?  There is always a possiblity of something going wrong.... but I know deep in our hearts we have given our son the best start at life possible.  He is with a foster family who loves him dearly.  I trust them.  The 15 months that he has been alive have not been with me, but they have been with another mother who loves him like her own.  I can't ask for more than that.  I need to find a way to have patience, and keep moving forwards.
With that said, here is our good news and bad news!  Ok, good news first.  Corelli called late last night and said the woman from the attorney's office came to her house (they live close to each other).  Corelli got very worried and started packing up Rylan's things in a hurry.  The woman said no, no.... you will keep him.  We decided since we are this close now that we will not move him!  I am thrilled beyond words!!!!!  That is such a HUGE relief that I can't even express it.  I feel so much better for Corelli too.  It is just such a shame that something like this ever even gets to that point.  So thank you ALL for your thoughts and prayers.  They worked!
Ok, bad news.  Marco emailed late last night.  We got a previo (meaning rejected from PGN/Court to make a correction on something)  I am bummed, but not as angry as I thought I would be.  I have heard over and over that it is much better now than later on since the first reviewer moves faster than anyone. 
Ultimately this means the 1st reviewer saw something he would like fixed in our file.  The attorney will now come to get our file, fix the document, and return it.  It goes right back to the same reviewer and providing he is happy with the fix, we'll move on almost immediately to the next reviewer.  It is just one item he wants corrected....so not bad.  I also feel better because Marco told me that he heard it was an "easy fix."  He wasn't able to view our file yesterday as it was in the formal process of whatever they do to release it back to the attorney, but he will see it Tues or Wed (PGN is closed Mon).
So by the middle of next week if Adrian doens't already know about the kickout, I'll tell him.  He'll get the file, we'll fix the error, and resubmit.  We all know how SLOW Adrian is, so I sure am hoping Marco is right in that it is easy.  Sounds like I'll be back riding Adrian behind again the end of next week.  Oh joy, just what I wanted!

Posted by John and Karla at 07:30:39 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Friday, October 19, 2007

Friday Update

Thank goodness it's Friday!  Well, not really.  Nothing gets done on an adoptions when it's the weekend, but I am glad to have a break this week.  I'll be itching for Monday to come though...which is so bizzare!

We talked with Corelli by Web Cam last night and it was the best call by far that we've had!  Rylan was in a great mood - smiling and laughing.  He was even giving me the cutest wave.  He listened intently on the phone as I talked to him.  It was such a relief to see them all together!  Corelli is still upset by the events that took place this week.  Now that today is almost over I feel a little more confident that they will not be moving him.  Corelli hasn't heard a word from them since the threat on Monday.  Poor woman.  They had her scared to death!  I'm still encouraging her constantly to stay away from their office.  Only to go for her paycheck and basic supplies they give her at that time.  We'll give her anything else she needs.  Anyway, they all are doing fantastic, and I was so relieved to see them.  We talked about hosting them one night at the hotel when we come for pickup.  Corelli started that conversation by wanting to take me to lunch....I said heck, we're having a fiesta at the hotel!  She cried again!  I have a feeling we are going to have extended family in Guatemala, which is SO ok by me!!!!! 

I've not heard from Marco today about where we are in PGN.  I am praying we've passed the first reviewer with no kickouts and are now with the 2nd reviewer.  I am stressing so bad about our paperwork.  There are some really distressing stories out there about issues on the Guatemalan side of things with birth certficates and such.  I can't imagine having an issue to fix with the turtle speed Adrian moves!  I'm not seeing anything that immediately jumps out at me, but you never know.  I guess with our luck I am expecting the worst.  I promise to post the second I hear from Marco. 

No word on the end of the year law changes.  It has been pretty quiet this week.  I'm hoping that is a good sign.  Everyone is still hard at work advocating for the in-process cases.  No question about it, they need to be seen through to the end under current law.  It is unfortunate at this time that it doesn't help the children not referred to families.

I'm always keeping my other fellow Guatemala Families close in prayer.  Here is current status on them;

Terri - her son Isaiah is on the directors desk waiting for a final signature to exit PGN!!!  Her daughter has an abandonment hearing coming up in early Nov.  They need a certificate of abandonment to formally start her adoption.  This family has been through a lot.  Please keep them in your thoughts.  A link to her blog is on the bottom right side of mine.

Sonja - She is still waiting for family court to interview birth mom for her daughter Kayla.  There have been a couple missed appts, but we know birth mom is willing to come if she could.  She did the DNA, which is an awesome sign!

Anna - She is waiting for her DNA and family court to be done for Libby.  You'll find a link to her blog on mine also.  Anna has been very patient, more so than I could ever be!

Michelle - She just got on the 2nd reviewers desk with her daughter Lexie.  Her case has gone beautifully!

Wendy - She is another mom who is trying to adopt a boy from our former agency.  Her blog link is on my too.  You must read hers.  She is adopting a baby girl as well through another agency.  All I can say is that her family needs all the prayers they can get. 
Posted by John and Karla at 17:28:15 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Quick little update....

Our foster mom called Joyce (our friend who speaks spanish) twice yesterday to let her know she has heard nothing more about the move of Rylan.  She just called again now to let us know there has been no word of anything today either.  I keep praying and hoping that it has blown over!  Things can change with a flip of a switch down there, so you never know.  Bracing for the worst, and hoping for the best!

I confirmed with Marco from Adoption Supervisors today that he intends to find out the outcome of our file by Friday.  This means we will either be issued a previo (kickout) and need to fix something, or move on to step #2 which is the 2nd reviewer.  Obviously we are practically holding a vigil at our house that we move on!

Who ever came up with the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."  They deserve an award!

Posted by John and Karla at 17:10:58 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Crazy Monday

I was just talking with a couple of my best friends the other day and telling them how great I was feeling.  Almost giddy in a way.  I woke up this past Monday knowing we had 1 week down in PGN.  I just felt like this huge amount of pressure had been lifted.  Yes, I still worry about PGN and the end of the year coming with no grandfather clause to the adoption law yet.... but I just felt good.
Well, Monday morning I get a phone call from Joyce.  Corelli had called her and she was on the cell phone with her.  She was telling me that Corelli was in hysterics.  Crying and very upset.  I immediately worried and asked what was wrong.  Joyce told me that Corelli had been to our attorney's office and they a woman there told her to pack Rylan up, they were moving him to a new home!  I felt like I had been hit in the stomach!  The next few hours after that were sketchy really.  I was trying to find out what was going on, and trying to be very careful about the way I handled it.  I have to say though, it put fear in me like I hadn't felt before.
It is now 8pm our time, 7pm Guatemala time as I write this on Tuesday and thank GOD Rylan is still with Corelli.  From what I have been able to figure out, Corelli went to pick up her check from the attorney around the 1st of the month.  She gets her supply of milk and diapers then too.  She talked to the attorney and asked him for reimbursement for some medicine she bought for our baby.  He was teething and running a bad fever.  He paid her, and all was fine.  Well, he was a woman associate in his office that Corelli is technicially supposed to report to.  This woman had a bit of a power trip.  When Corelli came there again on Monday for more milk, the woman was angry.  She scolded Corelli for talking to the attorney.  She told her she was angry with her.  She also questioned why Corelli was back again for milk.  Corelli tried to explain that the baby ate a lot.  Corelli has told us this many times.  That she on occassion has had to use her own money to pay for milk.  I think this woman got mad at Corelli and threatened her.  I don't know if anything more will happen or not, but as of right now we have heard a word.
A million things went through my head.  I thought about calling the attorney, I thought about flying down there, heck, I thought about moving there!  But again, I had to be careful.  I restrained myself from doing anything.  I knew that if I contacted the attorney in way, I would cause big trouble.  The sad truth is that the attorney is Rylans legal guardian.  I have NO say so.  My opinion doesn't matter.  All I would do is alert him to the fact that Corelli communicates with me, and that is the last we need no matter what happens.  So as hard as it was to accept, whether they moved Rylan or not, I could do nothing.
I sent out a heart felt plea to all I knew to pray.  Pray not for us, but for Rylan.  The thought of him being moved when we are this close to having him, and moving him for no reason at all, broke my heart.
We also have news on the status of our "former" agency.  The had a preliminary hearing in front of judge last month who heard evidence against the directors.  He finally came back today with an answer.  He believes there is enough evidence to move forward with a trial!  The directors will now face a jury trial.  Not sure when that will begin, but needless to say many families are rejoicing that justice will be served.  It is solely them who put us in the position. 
On a lighter note and to end this long post, did I mention we have ONE WEEK INTO PGN!  Laughing
Posted by John and Karla at 20:11:38 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Friday, October 12, 2007

1/2 Ton of Bricks

It literally feels like a 1/2 ton of bricks has been lifted off my shoulders.  Seriously, I truly feel like so much stress and pressure has been lifted.  Just getting into PGN has been such a challenge.  I know we are far from finished, and sometimes this last part can cause issues as well, but I feel so much closer to completion.

Marco met with our 1st reviewer today.  He said the meeting went well and he expects to have news next week.  News meaning if we move on to the 2nd reviewer without a kickout.  I did analyze all our paperwork today (yes I was supposed to be working) and found an error that I'm not sure about.  There is a document called a "Name Affidavit."  Simply put it is a stupid document.  Really.  It is a piece of paper that list every possible configuration of your name that is used in your documents.  Well, there are a ton of documents and this paper causes the most headaches in PGN.  It is easy to have a mistake.  I found one single spot on our homestudy where the exact configuration was not in my name affidavit.  I was so ticked.  It might not be a big deal, or it may.  I choose to be proactive!  I already redid the document and sent if off to be certified by the State.  When it comes back I will sent it to be authenticated at the Guatemalan Consulate...then keep it in my hands if/when we are asked for it.  So, if we need to make the correction and get kicked out of PGN it should be an error that is fixed asap!  What did I say before?  It it is not one thing....it IS another.

I've been thinking a lot about Rylan lately.  For awhile it was like I tried to purposely put him out of my mind.  I was  focusing more on the process to try to save some of my sanity.  If I stopped to actually think about him, it hurt way to much.  For those of you have not been through this, I can't begin to express how much I miss this child.  He has the funniest personality, making the cutest faces and flirting with ladies in elevators!  He twists his fingers in his hair when he drinks his bottle.  He loved to curl into me at night when we slept.  All these things just twist into me like a knife when I dare think about them.  The overwhelming amount of love I feel for a child that I have only spent 4 days with personally, loved for nearly 1 year, but waited my entire life for is not even ddecribable. 

I love being a mom!  Yes, those of you who have seen me practically rip my last strand of hair out.....yell till I have no voice.....or shoot the evil look across the room at my 4yr old that morphed from angel to monster know that I do get pushed to the edge like every other mom.  But I love it, and being a mom is just something I waited my entire life for.  I can't wait to have Rylan home.  It is starting to feel like reality again!
Posted by John and Karla at 21:55:11 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Thank You Lord.....WE ARE IN PGN!

WOOO HOOO!  I still can hardly believe that we finally made it to PGN.  I can't tell you how exciting this is.  My heart races everytime I think about it.

It has been officially confirmed that we entered PGN yesterday afternoon!  Our file has been submitted to the only male reviewer at PGN (there are 9 other women).  I have been told this is extremely good!  That he is not so picky, but a little slow (heck I'm used to that), and that he is very, very nice.  Best possible choice were the words I was told!  How best possible choice fits with this adoption I have no idea....but I'll take it!  Well deserved in my opinion!

The latest news regarding this is that a meeting will take place on Friday about our file with this reviewer (who is an older gentlemen I guess).  At that time our special attorney "Marco" will get to browse through the file for an obvious errors, he will give the reviewer a couple pictures of us, and short statement about why we are adopting.  Marco feels that sometimes it makes the family seem more real.  Not just a file.  So then perhaps by the end of next week our file could then be moved on to the 2nd reviewer (who may be a bit more picky and take a wee bit longer).  I'll continue to update along the way.  For now, this is all I know.

We still no nothing new about the grandfather clause come the end of the year, and the implementation of the new laws.  We are still hard at work advocating.  Every major group is now behind it except UNICEF here in the States.  We still need to encourage them.

Cameron started a swimming class at the YMCA tonight....and I did too.  I take him to the youth center/daycare there while I do a water fitness class.  I loved it!  Very good workout (with some much older ladies..hehehe)!  Then after my class I run to get Cameron and bring him back down to the pool where he gets a little water safety lesson.  He is the only kid signed up for that time, which I am shocked!  They always book up fast.  We'll do this two nights opposite his 2 day a week preschool schedule, for the next four weeks.  This should help with some stress relief, some much needed exercise, and to help pass the time a bit.  Depending how Cameron does, he can advance to the next level.  So first night was good, I hope the rest are this way too.

Here is our timeline once more for those of you wondering where we are in process.....

10/07 - signed with agency

12/06 - news of agency in trouble 

1/07 - USCIS issued approval to adopt abroad

3/07 - Submitted to Family Court/Social Worker 

4/07 - Agency raided - lost agency

5/4/07 - Social Worker Interview with foster mom/baby complete

5/17 - 5/23 - Visit Trip to Guatemala!  LOVED it!

5/17/07 - Social Worker Interview with birth mom done 

5/17/07 - DNA done

5/23/07 - DNA Match

7/21/07 - Pre-approval from US Embassy

10/8/07 - Submitted to PGN

              - Exit PGN

              - New birth certificate

              - 2nd DNA Test

              - Visa

              - Pink!  (pickup trip!)

 

Posted by John and Karla at 20:33:29 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Thank You Lord.....WE ARE IN PGN!

WOOO HOOO!  I still can hardly believe that we finally made it to PGN.  I can't tell you how exciting this is.  My heart races everytime I think about it.

It has been officially confirmed that we entered PGN yesterday afternoon!  Our file has been submitted to the only male reviewer at PGN (there are 9 other women).  I have been told this is extremely good!  That he is not so picky, but a little slow (heck I'm used to that), and that he is very, very nice.  Best possible choice were the words I was told!  How best possible choice fits with this adoption I have no idea....but I'll take it!  Well deserved in my opinion!

The latest news regarding this is that a meeting will take place on Friday about our file with this reviewer (who is an older gentlemen I guess).  At that time our special attorney "Marco" will get to browse through the file for an obvious errors, he will give the reviewer a couple pictures of us, and short statement about why we are adopting.  Marco feels that sometimes it makes the family seem more real.  Not just a file.  So then perhaps by the end of next week our file could then be moved on to the 2nd reviewer (who may be a bit more picky and take a wee bit longer).  I'll continue to update along the way.  For now, this is all I know.

We still no nothing new about the grandfather clause come the end of the year, and the implementation of the new laws.  We are still hard at work advocating.  Every major group is now behind it except UNICEF here in the States.  We still need to encourage them.

Cameron started a swimming class at the YMCA tonight....and I did too.  I take him to the youth center/daycare there while I do a water fitness class.  I loved it!  Very good workout (with some much older ladies..hehehe)!  Then after my class I run to get Cameron and bring him back down to the pool where he gets a little water safety lesson.  He is the only kid signed up for that time, which I am shocked!  They always book up fast.  We'll do this two nights opposite his 2 day a week preschool schedule, for the next four weeks.  This should help with some stress relief, some much needed exercise, and to help pass the time a bit.  Depending how Cameron does, he can advance to the next level.  So first night was good, I hope the rest are this way too.

Here is our timeline once more for those of you wondering where we are in process.....

10/07 - signed with agency

12/06 - news of agency in trouble 

1/07 - USCIS issued approval to adopt abroad

3/07 - Submitted to Family Court/Social Worker 

4/07 - Agency raided - lost agency

5/4/07 - Social Worker Interview with foster mom/baby complete

5/17 - 5/23 - Visit Trip to Guatemala!  LOVED it!

5/17/07 - Social Worker Interview with birth mom done 

5/17/07 - DNA done

5/23/07 - DNA Match

7/21/07 - Pre-approval from US Embassy

10/8/07 - Submitted to PGN

              - Exit PGN

              - New birth certificate

              - 2nd DNA Test

              - Visa

              - Pink!  (pickup trip!)

 

Posted by John and Karla at 20:33:26 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |
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