October 19, 2007

More good news. I heard from my case worker that they have received my package for Maya in Guatemala. It only took 45 days. Wow! I am just glad to know it actually arrived. I was sure it was never going to be delivered. 44 days until I leave to see Maya. That is less time then it took for the package to arrive. :-)

October 18, 2007

I got the best birthday present ever today. I am entering PGN today!!! I am so excited. Pray for a quick "out" with no "kickouts."

October 17, 2007

I LOVE NEW PICTURES!!!

These are Maya's 5 month old pictures. She is now up to 17 pounds and looks very healthy. Nothing new on the situation in Guatemala. Rumor is that the Guatemala Congress will reveiw the proposed amendments on November 14th (after the November 4th elections). Keep praying. 48 days until I leave to visit Maya!!!

October 5, 2007

I just had to tell all of you that I was pretty down last night with all that is going on in Guatemala. It was strange because I still believe Maya will come home to me but last night was the first time I thought, "Well, maybe she won't come home to me." This made me so sad and mad. I haven't slept well the last two nights (due to coughing from allergies) so I was laying in bed, tearful, and praying that God would give me a sign that everything would be OK and Maya will be home with me. So today I came into work and got an email from a friend that was a poem (just to me not a chain poem) about how God is here and working for me. Then I just read on the JCICS website that the JCICS and the US DOS and the Hague 'people' are all supporting an amendment to the Ortega Law that will allow in process adoption be completed. UNICEF is still NOT supporting it and there are still no answers but I feel like God said to me "I am here and I am working on it. Be patient and Maya WILL be home with you."

October 4, 2007

Maya is 5 months old today! I love you, Maya!
I KNOW THIS IS LONG BUT PLEASE READ IT ALL! THIS VERY MUCH WILL AFFECT IF MAYA EVER COMES HOME!!!!
More bad news but this is REALLY bad!!! The Ortega Law was passed yesterday in Guatemala. it appears as though next week congress will go through a detailed, point by point, reading of it where ammendments can be made. It is my understanding that among proposed ammendments are a "grandfather clause" as well as a "delayed implementation date". However, no one is certain on those two items. It has also been rumored that this process will actually NOT happen next week and may not happen until after the November 4th elections. but since NO ONE thought this law would even be addressed until AFTER the election (and it has already been passed), it is important that we act now. If this law passes as is, there is NO clause in it to allow current in-process adoptions to continue. In addition, it does not allow singles to adopt. That could mean Maya will NEVER come home to me! PLEASE READ BELOW AND HELP NOW. You can also read more from last week on my Blog from September 25th to now.

The JCICS initiative called for actions next week. Next week is TOO LATE. Our information about the Ortega Law in Congress was incomplete and we believed that the Adoption Law would not be voted on before the run off on November 4. Now there are TWO THINGS which must be done immediately: ALL adoptive families in process and their supporters must be notified to contact their congressional representatives on Thursday (4th) and Friday (5th) (by email, faxed letters and telephone calls) and ask them to urge the Department of State to assure that a grandfather clause is in place which allows every adoption to be completed under the law it started under. At the same time, Senators and Congressional Reps should be aware that our Department of State has urged the Guatemalan Congress to pass an adoption law which offers no plan for (1)funding adequately (2) child care (3) services to pregnant women and vulnerable children and that the Guatemalan Congress will be discussing amendments on Tuesday Oct.9 -- the DOS should encourage - with the same energy with which they encouraged the passage of this law -- amendments which include a realistic funding plan, child care plan, and prenatal, natal and postnatal services as well as a realistic way for existing child care facilities to be able to care for the children in their care (funding). Families should call and fax the Department of State directly to urge support for amendments which could make this law more functional, as well as advocate for a grandfather clause and a delayed date for the law taking effect, so that fewer children will be at risk. There are many letters, petitions, and links to Congress and the DOS on www.guatadopt. com (under Campaign Clearinghouse)

October 2, 2007

PICTURES ARE HERE!!! PICTURES ARE HERE!!!

Maya, you are absolutely beautiful. I can not wait to see you in person. You are perfect in every way. I love you so much.

These pictures are from Maya's doctor appointment on September 1, 2007. She weighed 16 pounds and is 25.59 inches long. Her head circumference is 16.14 inches. This puts her in the 80-85th percentile across the board. She also got 4 more shots at this visit. :-(

She should have her October doctor visit any day now so hopefully I'll get newer pictures in the next week or so.