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.

US Adoptions To Halt From Guatemala as of Jan 1, 2008

Reading this brought me to my knees. Yes, you read it correctly. This was a statement issued today by the Joint Council On International Children's Services (JCICS) and National Council For Adoption (NCFA). The following is an excerpt from their statement from the JCICS website:

"September 26, 2007 – According to the U.S. Department of State, during a recent meeting of the international community sponsored by the Hague Permanent Bureau, the Berger administration announced that as of January 1, 2008, the date on which the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption goes into force in Guatemala, all adoptions from Guatemala must meet Hague standards. This new rule affects all adoptions, including even pending adoptions filed before January 1, 2008. As of January 1, 2008, Guatemala will not process any adoptions to non-Hague countries, including the United States.

Guatemala does not currently possess a functioning Hague-compliant adoption process. Even should a Hague-compliant system be established in Guatemala by January 1, 2008, the U.S. is not expected to come into full Hague compliance until April 1, 2008 or later. If Guatemala proceeds as announced, all intercountry adoptions from Guatemala to the U.S. will therefore come to a halt on January 1, 2008, including “pipeline” cases where children and parents have been matched. At this time, the best-case scenario would be a resumption of U.S. adoptions from Guatemala on or after April 1, 2008, under a process with still-unknown procedures or timeline."


I know all of you reading this are wondering about the fate of our case...I can't answer that question. At best our case will be completed by end the end of the year, at second best our case will "stall out" next year until the US becomes Hague compliant, at worst....we lose our child.

Have I given up HOPE? Absolutely not....if I am going down, it's going to be kicking and screaming. For those of you that know me well, you know this won't be a pretty sight. There are so many families impacted by this "threat"...we are not in this alone. This means there are many people acting and advocating for the many pending cases and the many waiting children.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP???
There is an online petition....it takes seconds to sign and submit. I am posting the link....I BEG of you to please do this. Tell everyone you know to come visit our blog page and sign this petition. Click on the link below:
http://www.petitiononline.com/foafoa1/petition.html

I had the chance to visit with our adoption consultant this evening. She has assured me that steps are being taken in Guatemala to advocate for the waiting children and families too. She also said the home is in the process of becoming hague approved. At this point our case continues in process...awaiting PA, hoping to be out of family court soon. Our attorney MAY try to submit our case to PGN without PA once we are out of family court.

I am away from home this evening because of work meetings. As I paused for a moment while typing this, I looked outside my window. It is pitch black outside, at first glance I noticed the light of only street lights and passing cars. Then in the distance, a wondrous light caught my eye. There is a giant white cross surrounded by lights. It's absolutely beautiful...shining in all it's glory in the dark night.

I am reminded once again to hold on to my faith and trust in Him. He has heard my cries, He knows the desires of my heart. He is sovereign and He has great plans for my family....plans of hope and protection, not harm.

I found out this evening that another family, whose son is at the same home as Mason, received PA today. Theirs was issued UNDER the 60 time frame the US Embassy has given. Praise God!

Good night.

More Drama...

Well, this adoption journey continues to be interesting. We have been sailing along pretty smoothly since Mason was released from the hospital. However, yesterday we found ourselves in the midst of a tidal wave. This whole process is very difficult to explain, let alone the current issue at hand.

Here is my attempt, for what it is worth. I have mentioned before that the adoption process (b/t US & Guatemala) is going to change significantly in 2008...to what extent remains unknown. We entered this knowing fully well there may be delays, but were reassured we would be "far enough into the process" by end of 2007 to be "OK" or "grandfathered in". Basically we were under the impression that as long as we have "PA" by Dec 31, 2007 we were "safe"...but there could be some "delays" in 2008. We are currently about 2 weeks into our PA wait (remember this can take up to 60 days).

Well, yesterday the US Department of State issued a very stern and alarming statement regarding the fate of adoptions that are pending (meaning not finalized) after Dec 31. In a nutshell they are now stating there is no guarantee that any "pending" case will be allowed to continue EVER. There is still so much unknown and uncertainty. I can tell you many in the adoption community are FRIGHTENED, CONCERNED and ready to advocate for these waiting families and children.

So, of course upon hearing this devastating news I did what I do best....CRIED MY EYES OUT! Then I calmed down, spent time in prayer and sent letters of concern to the DOS and other US/State Reps. I have said it before and will say it again...I believe firmly that God has led us to adopt and he has brought Mason into our lives with purpose and a plan. A plan that I pray is to bring him home forever to our family.

I can honestly tell you that if we "lose" this child his innocent face will haunt me for the rest of my life. I can't even put into words how I feel about Mason...as far as I am concerned he is "our son" although there is not a piece of paper proving so. I will wonder every day what ever became of him.

Readers....this is not just about us & Mason. There are many, many other waiting families and children out there whose lives will be forever changed if cases are not allowed to continue. Just because adoptions stop, it does not mean these children will easily find other homes in their country. Guatemala is poverty stricken, they do not have the government "support" to care for these children or help the orphanages who are providing their care. I do not want to appear selfish during this time, because it is not just about me and what I want.

I have sent an example letter to many of you to email to the DOS with concerns. Thank you for those willing to act on our behalf. If you are reading this and would like to know what you can do to help, leave a comment with your email address, I will email you a letter to send. I have heard there may soon be an online petition. If/when I receive word of this I will post it to our blog.

At this point we are awaiting word/advice from our agency. We are also waiting for our September health report and case update. We are hoping they will be able to offer some insight as to what we can expect in the near future.

In the midst of all this I must hang on to my FAITH. God is my shield and He has heard my cries, He has heard my prayers. I pray His name will be glorified throughout this process. With this being said, I must also prepare myself to stand firm in my FAITH and TRUST in Him...regardless of the outcome of this.

"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

Here is a link to the DOS statement that was issued yesterday.
http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/country/country_389.html

Mason will be 12 weeks old tomorrow. We appreciate your support and prayers. OK, I can no longer see my computer screen...tears : (

Vote for Mason's middle name...

Mason turned 11 weeks old this past Thursday. There is not much new to report, so I thought I would spice things up with a poll. I already did this with our family, but have decided to take it to blogland! (For my family out there...vote again.)

We have been debating a middle name for Mason since before he was born. We were just certain it was going to be Jeremy or James. Well, that is so yesterday! As soon as we heard Mason's birth name we just knew we needed to incorporate it somehow.

So, your choices are.....(drum roll please).....

Mason Alexander
Mason Cristian Alexander

*To place your vote...click on "comments" at the end of this post. Type in your message. Click a "user identity" (pick "other") and type in your name. Then submit your comment! It's that simple!