Mason is 16 weeks old today...

Can you believe it....16 weeks old already! It's amazing that the days of "waiting" seem to drag on, but at the same time it goes by so quickly!! I can't decide if I want the end of the year to hurry up and get here, or if I want time to go by slowly in hope of there being time for our case to be finalized by the end of the year. I could seriously drive myself crazy trying to figure this one out...but, the truth is it's not in my hands or in my time. I am praying for God's mercy and faithfulness to get us through this.

We finally received our "official" PA notice from the US Embassy on 10/22...this means it's ready for our attorney to pick up. I can breathe a little easier knowing that our PA is ready to go when we get kicked out of PGN. I was actually thinking I might hear about a kick-out this week. This past Tuesday marked 2 weeks since our PGN submission. I am hoping that we have been kicked-out and I just haven't heard yet. I am ready to get back in the game WITH PA!!

I mailed off care package #4 last week...it had 2 outfits and a disposable camera. The package will make it's way to Mason by a fellow family who is also adopting from the EN. They are going to visit their son in November. They in a different state, but we have connected via blogging and email. Our time lines are very similar, we are grateful for their generous offer to take down a care package and give our sweet boy some TLC while they are there.

I pray each day that Mason knows just how much he is loved. I pray that through the Lord's Divine intervention that Mason knows he has a family who loves him and will do whatever it takes to bring him home. My thoughts are on this child all day long. Nights are sometimes the toughest, I catch myself lying in bed thinking of him...is he asleep, awake crying, did someone rock him to sleep?? I believe he is getting the best care they can give him at the EN and I know God's eyes and gentle hands are upon him. I can't wait to rock him in my arms...and watch over him as he sleeps.

Please continue to pray for the fate of the in-process adoption cases. There is still no official resolution. Hopefully we will know more about this in November, after the final Guate elections.

O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. Psalm 83:1

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Psalm 82:3

"We have a Guatemalan on backorder..."

I really hope the title to this blog doesn't offend anyone...because that is certainly not the intent. My husband made this comment the other day, in light of all the recent "downer" news on adoptions in Guatemala. It cracked me up...and I definitely needed a good laugh! Today Mason is 15 weeks old. Word on the street is he made the "Cute Kids This Week" cut again!! I am so proud of my boy! ;)

As for any updated news...rumors of a more positive note are slowly surfacing. Apparently Pres Berger (Guate) has announced his intent to support allowing in process cases to continue. Now, with that said, it's still speculation and the Guate Congress will still need to vote (and pass) amendments for the "grandfather clause".

Yesterday I mailed off care package #4 for Mason. I included 2 complete outfits and a disposable camera...a fellow blogger/GuateMama will be traveling in November to go see her son at the home. She was kind enough to offer to take a care package for Mason with her (Thanks again Stephanie). I was notified today, by another fellow blogger/GuateMama, that I have been "tagged". So, I will now answer the following questions about myself (THANKS Whitney!). :)

Jobs I have had:
Babysitter (jr high)
Hospital Daycare (jr high)
Theater/Video Store (jr/sr high)
DQ (high school)
CNA in NH and Hospital setting (high school)
Hospital Social Worker (post college)
Hospice Social Worker/Marketer (currently)
License Real Estate Agent (currently)
"Slumlord" (currently)

Places I have lived:
Kansas City (Missouri)
Council Grove, Emporia, Wilsey& Topeka (Kansas)

Foods I love:
Mexican
Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rice Krispie Treats
Brownies
Fruity Pebbles
Pizza

Places I'd rather be In:
In Guatemala picking up our son
Any ocean beach (as long as it's warm & sunny!)

Books I love:
Honestly I am not much of a reader (how I survived grad school is still beyond me...)
I am currently reading the book of Psalms & Beth Moore's "Daniel"

TV shows I watch:
I am all about the DVR..."real TV" takes too long!
The Hills (yes, I got sucked in)
Desperate Housewives
Extreme Home Makeover
The Bachelor (another one I have been sucked into)

I am Tagging:
???

Please continue to pray for Mason and our adoption case. Pray for God's hand of protection over our file in PGN...specifically for speedy processing so our case can be finalized on the Guate side before the end of the year.

Have a good evening!

Submitted to PGN...Praise God!

Today Mason is 14 weeks old. This morning I received an email from our adoption coordinator stating our attorney submitted us to PGN on 10/09. He had to submit us to PGN without our "official" PA. Although our PA was issued on 09/29, it's not "officially ready" for the attorney to pick up from the US Embassy (Why? I don't know).

I am thrilled that we have been submitted to PGN...but we already have a guaranteed KO (kick-out) because of the PA. His reason for submitting us without PA...to keep the ball rolling and hopefully they will review the case enough that when they do kick us out for no PA, they can also let our attorney know if there is anything that needs corrected. This way when we are resubmitted to PGN (along w/ the PA) we hopefully won't have to endure any other KO's. (Is your head spinning yet?)

We also received a health update that was completed on 10/07. Mason is now 10# and 21.5 inches long. He is "doing well, happy, eats well and very attentive". Sounds to me like he is quite the little over-achiever...probably the most well developed 14 week old baby I know (I am soooo going to be "one of those" mothers)! ; )

As for the most current news regarding the fate of adoptions between the US and Guate. The amendments (for the clause allowing in-process cases to continue) was scheduled to be presented on Oct 9th. Rumor is, voting on these amendments will not occur until sometime after Nov 4th. I have not heard a peep about what may or may not have happened in Guate on Oct 9th. Is no news good news??? I sure hope so.

I pray every night (and several times a day) for the waiting families and children. I pray that God will continue to bless our adoption journey. I pray for His hand of protection over our file. I pray that those reviewing our file in PGN will be blessed with kindness and soft hearts (and the ability read through & approve our file QUICKLY!).

I must tell you... I am the emotional one in this process (who would have known....). Hubby has been the "strong" one, while caring and willing to go through this process, he just has not allowed himself to become as "consumed" (ok...obsessed) as I have. I really am grateful for this...if he was as emotional as I am, we wouldn't accomplish anything. However, the other night he made a comment that melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes (and still does). He said "I am trying so hard not to get my hopes up and not get attached. But, I just love that one picture of him. I can wait to hold him and press his chubby little cheek next to mine."

I am posting the picture he is referring to, which happens to be my favorite one too. It was taken at age 8 weeks...the day after he got out of the hospital. I can't wait to kiss those chubby little cheeks. I can only imagine what it's going to be like to finally have the chance to lay eyes and hands upon him. I pray that day comes soon.

Preapproval...Praise God!

Today we received an email from the US Embassy indicating our case received preapproval (PA) on 09/29/07. This is record time folks...as they have been taking 60 days to issue PA. Praise God! We went to our church yesterday evening to have the elders pray over us & Mason. Today's news is no doubt a result of God blessing this adoption journey. I continue to be amazed by the power of prayer and His grace. Our next step is exiting Family Court and entering PGN (final court). Family Court and PGN are on the Guatemalan side of this process.

We also received word the Hague Law (or Ortega Law) was passed by Congress today...it does NOT include a "grandfather clause" for in-process cases. I continue to cling to my faith and pray for a miracle that our case will zoom through PGN and receive final approval by Dec 31st of this year. There are many people working on presenting an amendment to this new law to include a "grandfather clause" for "in-process" cases. Whether this will be accepted or rejected and just what is meant by "in-process cases" is unknown. This amendment will apparently be presented on Oct 9th.

This new law is just a recipe for disaster for the children of Guatemala. There is currently NO formal support in place to care for these children. Care for abandoned and relinquished children is funded by adoptions. The home Mason is in has over 75 children. This home depends on portions of the adoption expense to help provide for the children...they also depend on the generosity of outside donations. It costs the home approximately $250 to provide care to one child for a month...the home as other operating costs in addition to this (such as staff, maintenance, etc). If you are feeling generous or that God has placed it on your heart to help this home...please do so. If you have questions about how you can do this, leave me a comment w/ your email...or email me directly.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. To those who signed the online petition, WAY TO GO, it currently has over 22,000 signatures!!

Please continue to pray over the waiting families and waiting children. These children deserve a chance. Also pray specifically for our case to exit Family court soon, so we have a chance to enter and finalize through PGN by the end of the year.

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you" Psalm 9: 9-10

Mason will be 13 weeks old tomorrow. We received updated pictures, which were taken last week. He is a precious little pumpkin...he looks healthy, alert and content. I think he's cute even when he's crying! Praise God for the healing he has poured over Mason.