Just poking in to say "hi"

Nothing new to report really. I do want to apologize for not getting pictures up yet. My laptop died a couple weeks ago and I am having trouble coordinating Ryan's laptop and getting pictures uploaded.

I will say that that updated video we got from our agency on both kids is so very sweet. Annie is walking alone and Gideon is crawling and pulling himself up to a stand. Part of me delights in seeing these things and part of me screams "no more." I hate missing my babies' firsts!

All in all though I am still feeling pretty positive about everything. Yes, things are moving painfully slow, but they are at least moving. Annie has been in PGN for over 4 weeks now. The average stay is probably 6 to 10 weeks. I am just completely praying she has no knock outs. I know KO are very common, but a recent poll I saw said that 45% of people do indeed get out of PGN with no KO's. Plus, her attorney is so good that he rarely gets KO'd because of a paperwork error on our side. As for Gideon, I am just hoping he is back in PGN now. He has already had one KO, so maybe when he gets back in, it will be a short stay.

When I first started these adoptions I really anticipated being further along at this point, but it is what it is and my optimism is really helping me pull through (thank you God for that!).

I actually bought another high chair last week. I have been extremly hesitant to buy anything until the kids are out of PGN. Words cannot describe what it was like to get back from Russia empty handed to a room full of strollers, cribs, etc. But, it was a great deal I found at a garage sale and I bought it. So, we now have 2 high chairs and I still need one more. I think I will buy one of those ones that clip to the table. I just don't want to be stuck with 3 full size high chairs in a year or two.

A couple other things I am mentally pulling together are cribs and a stroller. I am going to borrow a couple cribs from friends, so that will be great, but a stroller had me a little stumped until recently. I kind of need a triple stroller with 3 kids within 9 months, but I really do not want to have something that big, especially when I can use my single and a double when we go out as a family. I do however feel the need to have something I can use alone as I do like to venture out sometimes. So I found this:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2535057&cp=&sr=1&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2255957&origkw=joovy&kw=joovy&parentPage=search

To be honest I have really had my eye on a couple side by side double strollers, but I just think the above stroller will more meet our needs (even though it is pricier than I was thinking I'd pay).

So, I guess I am finally starting to plan a little for Annie and Gideon. I am still taking it slow and don't plan to do any of the major purchasing until they are OUT, but I am getting excited.

Oh yeah, we shoudl be doing a big room switcheroo soon that will allow me to get Annie and Gideon's room ready. Ryan and are are moving into our new room (downstairs) and Logie is getting our room (with a coat of paint) and the babies are getting Logie's room (which I do not have to do anything to). I still have the really cute gender neutral bedding that I bought for the twins, so I will us that with the borrowed cribs and call it a day. Eventually, Gideon will move in with Logie (when he's big enough for a twin) and Annie and Maddie will share a room, but that probable won't be for another year or two.

Well, this was a pretty long post for having nothing really to say. Thanks for letting me babble! I will post pictures ASAP and of course post if I have any updates!

God Bless!
Julie

Update!

Well, I got an update via e-mail today. Annie entered PGN on April 24th. So, 2 1/2 weeks are down. That is good! We had to send a new name affidavit in for Gideon and it is being translated right now. So, hopefully we will be back in PGN with him very soon! Our agency sent out our videos today, so I get to look forward to getting those.

I really want to poat some pictures, but my laptop is dead and I just haven't been able to get things working on our regular computer. Soon though, especially after I get my disc.

I got a medical update on Gideon and he is doing well, weighing 18 lbs and 4 oz. He was crying again in the pictures, but he is still such a cutie!

Well, that is it. I will try and post pictures this weekend when I have access to Ryan's laptop!

Julie

Annie is One!!!

May 9th is Annie's first birthday. When we first got her referral we were hopeful she could be home by now, but as life tends to go, it was not to be.

The kids and I got up in the morning and made her cupcakes. We used little rubber ducky cupcake liners. I made some frosting and the kids helped me make little signs for each cupcake that said "happy 1st birthday Annie." We passed them out off and on all day. I got pictures of everyone we gave one too so that Annie can have that in her baby book and know how much we all missed her on her birthday.

And, I did miss her. Sometimes it feels like getting our kids home is just a pipe dream that has no intention of coming true. I have hope, so I don't mean to sound too down, I just so badly would have loved to have her home (both of them).

I will post some pictures as soon as I get them loaded.

As for an update, well, I don't have much of one. Our agency coordinator just got back from Guatemala and sent us all an e-mail letting us know she will be handing out updates and sending out videos this week. So, that will be great. I am excited to see exactly where are cases are at. Both kids should be in PGN.

I have been seeing a decent amount of "Outs" from PGN lately. That is encouraging. Most timelines are running 5 to 10 weeks. Although I have see a rare 4 weeker. I know that Sr Barriors (the dude that does the final sign off of all cases) is on vacation, so I guess he has someone signing off in his stead. Let's hope the new guy or gal has plenty of pens!!

Another noteworthy mention is that the ADA (the adoption defense agency in Guat.) has filed a constitutional challenge against the Manual of Good Practices that everyone is so concerned about. Here's the link:

http://www.adaguatemala.org/English/news/2007/04/constitutional_challenge_again.html

Also, I have heard that the ADA is filing charges against PGN for not processing cases within their legal timeframe. I don't know if this is true or not, but they filed charges in 2003 for the same thing and did speed up PGN for a time.

Well, that is all I have. Please, please continue to keep us and our babies in your prayers. My heart is aching for this to be over with and for my family to be complete.

Julie

It just keeps getting better!!!!

I am so excited to report that we now how pre-approval again for Annie and Gideon!!! I can hardly believe it!

My agency called this morning and said we have it and she was forwarding it to our attornies as we speak! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this! Our director said that they got 14 cases approved today. All had been held up unneccesarily because of the Mary Bonn thing. I am just amazed it happened so quickly. Nothing goes that quick in this process!

I thought you'd like to see what the actual e-mail looks like:

Name of child / Nombre del menor: Ana Maria Cardona
A pre-approval was issued for the above-listed adoption case. You may pick up this
pre-approval at Window #10 at your earliest convenience. You must bring a copy of
this notification.
Reminder: Adopting parents should not travel to Guatemala prior to issuance of the pink slip
by the Consular Section, in order to avoid unnecessary expenses. Travel before pink slip
issuance will not be considered an emergency and final documents will be processed as
usual.
This office will not be giving priority to other cases over those who have complied with this
requirement.
The Consular Section has implemented an Appointment System for the Immigrant Visa.
Please do not travel until you have received your appointment date and time.
La pre-aprobación correspondiente al caso de adopción que esta mencionado arriba
fue emitida. Puede recoger esta pre-aprobación en la Ventanilla #10. Deberá presentar
una copia de esta notificación.
Recordatorio: Los Padres Adoptivos no deberán viajar a Guatemala antes de que la Sección
Consular expida la hoja rosada, para evitar gastos innecesarios. El hecho de viajar antes de
que se haya expedido la hoja rosada no se considerará una emergencia y los documentos
finales se tramitarán de manera regular.
Esta oficina no le dará prioridad a otros casos sobre los que sí hayan cumplido con este
requisito.
La Sección Consular ha implementado un Sistema de Citas para la Visa de Inmigrante. Por
favor, no viaje hasta que haya recibido la fecha y hora de su cita.
Sincerely, / Atentamente,
Adoptions Unit
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
American Embassy - Guatemala
Unit 3334
APO AA34024
Fax 011 (502) 2331-4342
A.SOLARES


Praise God! We should be in to PGN by the end of the week!

Julie

Finally a little good news!

I got a call from the director of our agency this morning, which was odd in and of itself because she is an hour behind us and she called at 8:30 our time. Anyways, she actually talked in person to Joseph Roma at the US Embassy in Guatemala. I can't remember exactly what Mr. Roma's title is, but I do know that he is the one in the know there about this situation and was exactly who she needed to talk to. This is a very big thing in and of itself. Up to that point, she had gotten zero response from the embassy, despite huge efforts.

She said they talked for like 20 minutes. In summary, Mr. Roma confirmed that all cases from our agency were indeed being "red flagged." I guess this was done somewhat in response to our director's public support of Mary Bonn. Not a support of what she did, but public support of her as a friend. Anyways, Mr. Roma said that the "ban" on our agency is being lifted. The red flags will be gone....woohoo! He said that each case (I guess referring to the ones being held) will still be looked at, but not under any increased scrutiny because of our agency.

So, it's not like we have our pre-approval again, but this is a very good thing! I know our cases will be fine when looked at and I now have confidence they will be moved through. Maybe even by the end of April??? Dare to dream, eh?

Our agency director had a peace in her voice that I have not heard in a couple months. I know this has been very trying for her also. It makes me feel better knowing that she feels things are better.

So, this has been huge for boosting my moral. I got an updated picture of Gideon last week and barely looked at it. The poor guy was bawling in every picture anyways, but......still adorable of course. Also, we get to send care pakages again because our director is going back to Guatemala April 28 (we will get updated pictures/medicals also). I finally feel like filling up my allotted ziploc bags for the kids!

I still hate that we are being delayed and I hate that the process still has a while for us, but I will take this good news and run with it. Now, if Guatemala can just stay stable enough until they come home.

Thank you for praying for us and please keep 'em coming, we still have a long way to go!

Julie

What I am hearing....

Well, not a lot, but I thought I'd share. I have heard from 2 different sources now that the US Embassy will have completed ALL investigations but the end of April. Neither of my sources have been official, so I guess I just need to take it for what it is worth. Maybe a little hope, although I think it seems a little bit of wishful thinking. I guess we shall see....

Julie

Agency E-mail

I got this e-mail from my agency today:

Dear Families:

In early February I wrote to you letting you know that AFJ severed ties with Mary Bonn as she was arrested for harboring an illegal alien. AFJ has not worked with Mary since then, but has since connected with translators and experienced staff in Guatemala and the US.

At the time of Mary's arrest, I was quite confident that as AFJ has always had a stellar reputation and has NEVER been part of or have condoned any illegal or unethical acts, that we would not be affected by any investigations regarding Guatemalan Adoptions. AFJ uses Embassy approved attorneys and I have not known any of them to have done anything illegal. Furthermore, I am under the understanding that it remains that Mary Bonn was charged with this one charge and no others. I contacted her attorney and he confirmed this for me.

The US State Department has promised more scrutiny on Guatemalan Adoption cases. It is becoming evident that they are possibly honing in on agencies linked to people of interest. What has happened is that the US Embassy in Guatemala is investigating and or reviewing many AFJ's (and several other agencies) cases. . This is very frustrating to me as I know how important having your cases finish in a timely manner is to all of you. However, I am not concerned that the investigation will uncover anything unethical or illegal, I am concerned that it will add unnecessary time to the cases.

I, as the director of AFJ, have been trying to contact anyone who will help get the embassy moving through these cases. I have contacted politicians, people in Washington DC and I have written to and left phone messages for several people at the Embassy in Guatemala. I will go to the Embassy the first week of May and see if I can do anything to move them along faster. As I feel as though I am making headway, I want to ask all of you to contact your Senators and US Congressional reps and ask them to contact the US Embassy on your behalf for information about your cases. Please include your names, the child's full birth name and the name of the birth mother. As I research this and talk to other adoption professionals and political allies, I am told that historically, political pressure will get the Embassy effectively moving along so any cases they are wanting to scrutinize will get scrutinized and not be set on a pile WAITING to be looked at. So please contact your politicians and contact them often.

At this point, the cases that are being reviewed or investigated are at the pre approval stage. Some pre approvals have not come and some were revoked (meaning when the attorney went to pick up pre approval, the embassy would not give them to the attorney). Some have gone through fine. I have two at pink slip stage that have been waiting longer than normal. However, I have had three families go on pick up trips in the past few weeks. If you received a pre approval after March 2 or so, please email me and I will double check the status of it. I have talked to most of you whom I know have been affected. I am constantly being told that they cannot comment on the investigation issue. I cannot tell if that is the investigations of the cases or any other investigation. I am trying to get some clarity with the help of the politicians. I was told by Jill Larsen, Office of Children's Issues for International Adoption in Washington DC, that they are actively investigating.

If your DNA has been sent to the embassy and it has been 45 days, please email the embassy and inquire about your pre approval. Include your full names, baby's full name and birth mother name. Once you hear back from the embassy, please contact your politicians.

I can not express enough my own dismay and concern for this situation and I know it is difficult for all those who are being affected. It is disheartening to have other people's actions affect so many. I want you all to know that when I decided to open this agency, it was to make sure people had an open and transparent adoption experience. I solicited dozens of references on Mary Bonn. They were glowing. I knew the attorneys were all embassy approved. MANY of my clients are people who came to me for their second or third adoptions and would work with no other person than Mary.

I stand behind my commitment to run an agency with honor and integrity. I have learned that their are a lot of people who make allegations based on rumors. I would like to make it very clear to all of you that A Family Journey is in excellent standing with Minnesota Department of Human Services. You can contact Mical Peterson at Mical.Peterson@state.mn.us or 651-296-3768. She is in licensing and oversees AFJ's license.

Furthermore, I want to make it clear that I have not been any part of any investigation. I have not been contacted by any government authority. If I were, I would only and always be truthful as I have nothing to hide.

Please contact your politicians. If you need to find out who they are, please google them. If you obtain contact information, please send it to me and I will send it to families in your state. Go ahead and solicit other family members to contact them as well. The more people they hear from, the more likely they will step up and help. Contact information for MN Senators follows this email as does a link to find the US Representative for your area.

I am sincerely sorry that your cases may be affected by the ongoing investigations. Please email me or call me to touch base and ask questions. If I do not hear from you, I will try to touch base with you soon. I am heading to Guatemala on April 28th. I will see your referrals and talk with your attorneys. I am doing as much as I can to help this situation.

I had a dream to help find loving families for the orphaned children from my own children's birth country. I also wanted to raise money for the needy orphaned children who will never get to leave Guatemala. I intend to follow this dream..... regardless of the road blocks.

Thank you all and I look forward to talking with each of you.


I know our agency is good and on the up and up, but I can't help but feel a little bitter toward them right now.

Julie