Today was yet another frustrating day. In short the attorney apparently realized yesterday that he does need a new medical letter for our son to submit us to PGN. We had hounded them weeks ago saying we were going to need this, only to be repeatedly told we didn't.... (But now we do and are delayed again, go figure.)
With that said, I had to share a pic of someone we met Sunday at ZooAtlanta. You can imagine our amusement. Hope this finds all who read it well.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
hello again...
Hi all, Sorry I haven't had much to say lately. Erin's been doing most of the informing on her blog. Fact is, I just haven't had that much to say because not much has really changed. Though they have given us a few whiffs of hope over the past few weeks, most of those hopes have only been dashed on the rocks yet again. The latest lie (intentional or not) was that the contact in Guatemala was actually on her way to submit our case to PGN when they spoke with her. Well, yesterday, her cell phone was apparently on the fritz, so no confirmation then. (Never a good sign). Then today, of course, the story becomes our attorney (who has been MIA for weeks now) is going to submit us today or tomorrow. Apparently, they had to certify the social workers report or something. Not sure if they found this out before or after she was taking it, or maybe she was never on her way to take it at all. Who knows...
This was the last straw for me. I'm not even all that upset that it didn't go in, I'm just upset that once again they've lied (or at best misinformed us due to their ignorance). So I pretty much sent them an e-mail saying I was disgusted by their constant misinfo and that it must stop. In my heart, I really do like my agency that I speak directly to. My social worker is actually awesome. Trouble is, she doesn't have much more control over anything than I do. She's not in any direct contact with Guatemala either. However, I'm not sure what's going on beyond her.
In the middle of my e-mail, I actually did get another update that the atty was going at 4pm today. However, I sent the e-mail anyway, because, as I said in it, they were supposed to have been going Monday. Until I get the receipt in hand, I'll hold my applause. Even then, there's no guarantee we'll be done. PGN could still want more. There's just no way to know.
The international program director did call me this afternoon. They like to say that the problems (not that they think of it as a problem) is just cultural differences. I really don't believe that lying is a cultural thing. To me, that is as racist as any remark you could make to say that there are no Guatemalan attorneys who are honest.
They always act like they can't push too hard or even question the Guatemala contacts. It might hurt the relationship or cause them to become angry and not work on our case. I really wonder how great a relationship it can be if constantly failing to do what they say is the norm. As far as not working on our case, if you look strictly at results, how different would that be???
Anyway, as I left it with our agency director, he's asking the other agency whether they're willing to do what it takes including pushing where needed to complete this adoption. Crazy that I have to ask, but I really feel as if I do. I assume they'll say yes, and if not, I guess we'll be seeking outside help who will do what's needed. It does exist, but it's not cheap, so we've tried to avoid it. That and they always tell us they're so close...
Sorry this is so long, but thanks for caring enough to read. Maybe one day I'll have some actual good news to post...
This was the last straw for me. I'm not even all that upset that it didn't go in, I'm just upset that once again they've lied (or at best misinformed us due to their ignorance). So I pretty much sent them an e-mail saying I was disgusted by their constant misinfo and that it must stop. In my heart, I really do like my agency that I speak directly to. My social worker is actually awesome. Trouble is, she doesn't have much more control over anything than I do. She's not in any direct contact with Guatemala either. However, I'm not sure what's going on beyond her.
In the middle of my e-mail, I actually did get another update that the atty was going at 4pm today. However, I sent the e-mail anyway, because, as I said in it, they were supposed to have been going Monday. Until I get the receipt in hand, I'll hold my applause. Even then, there's no guarantee we'll be done. PGN could still want more. There's just no way to know.
The international program director did call me this afternoon. They like to say that the problems (not that they think of it as a problem) is just cultural differences. I really don't believe that lying is a cultural thing. To me, that is as racist as any remark you could make to say that there are no Guatemalan attorneys who are honest.
They always act like they can't push too hard or even question the Guatemala contacts. It might hurt the relationship or cause them to become angry and not work on our case. I really wonder how great a relationship it can be if constantly failing to do what they say is the norm. As far as not working on our case, if you look strictly at results, how different would that be???
Anyway, as I left it with our agency director, he's asking the other agency whether they're willing to do what it takes including pushing where needed to complete this adoption. Crazy that I have to ask, but I really feel as if I do. I assume they'll say yes, and if not, I guess we'll be seeking outside help who will do what's needed. It does exist, but it's not cheap, so we've tried to avoid it. That and they always tell us they're so close...
Sorry this is so long, but thanks for caring enough to read. Maybe one day I'll have some actual good news to post...
Sunday, June 10, 2007
There's a light at the end of the tunnel...
I can't see it at all yet... but it has to be there, right? Please say yes, even if you don't mean it. Seriously, though, I do believe somehow, someway, it will work out. It's such a hard road, such a test of faith in so many ways. Early on, so many people would say 'I just don't think I could do that (adopt)'. At the time, I often thought that sure they could. However, the past few days again I guess I realize it is a calling, and not one for everyone. For whatever reason, it is our calling though. There's no way I could quit now, as many times as I may want have wanted to, just because it all makes no sense.
I mean it really makes no sense. I see families on the forums we visit who make it home in just a matter of a few months. Even families from our own agency seem to be coming home in much less than a year. Yet here we are staring at 13 months since our referral with as I said, not even a hint of the light at the tunnel's end yet. Then I also see other friends on the forum who have even longer stories than ours. Please say a short prayer as you read this for: Lori P., LEIFJACKIE, BETELNUT, CLEMSUCH, ANGEL99. They've all waited a long time, too.
The hardest part for me still seems to be that no one can give me a hard and fast reason why our case drags on forever. We met with our agency again this week, and still, nothing. They continue to assure us of their confidence in our Guatemalan attorney. Yet, I still don't see results and don't see a strong indication he's in a hurry for results either. They seem to imply that the social worker is being problematic, but they really won't say how she's being that. I would think at this point if that was the case, they be past just 'implying' that, and just out and out say it. As I'm learning though, what I would think makes no difference whatsoever. What remains pretty obvious though, is that regardless of how many times we get the 'call everyday' if we need to speech, they're still not going to ask any more of the attorney than his regular biweekly updates, and if those don't come on schedule, they don't really seem willing to push him there either.
What stinks to me is that I think I've set it up in my mind that this may be the 'breakpoint' week. They've been working on this same piece for over 8 weeks now. It just seems like if they can't get it this week after I know they dropped off the report over a week ago, that not too much is going to change by time marching on. I'm not even sure myself what I think that means, but I know it scares me a little. Maybe it's good that what I think doesn't matter on this point...
Oh well, hope this finds everyone well, and that the week ahead proves promising. Thank you to everyone who reads this for being our support.
I mean it really makes no sense. I see families on the forums we visit who make it home in just a matter of a few months. Even families from our own agency seem to be coming home in much less than a year. Yet here we are staring at 13 months since our referral with as I said, not even a hint of the light at the tunnel's end yet. Then I also see other friends on the forum who have even longer stories than ours. Please say a short prayer as you read this for: Lori P., LEIFJACKIE, BETELNUT, CLEMSUCH, ANGEL99. They've all waited a long time, too.
The hardest part for me still seems to be that no one can give me a hard and fast reason why our case drags on forever. We met with our agency again this week, and still, nothing. They continue to assure us of their confidence in our Guatemalan attorney. Yet, I still don't see results and don't see a strong indication he's in a hurry for results either. They seem to imply that the social worker is being problematic, but they really won't say how she's being that. I would think at this point if that was the case, they be past just 'implying' that, and just out and out say it. As I'm learning though, what I would think makes no difference whatsoever. What remains pretty obvious though, is that regardless of how many times we get the 'call everyday' if we need to speech, they're still not going to ask any more of the attorney than his regular biweekly updates, and if those don't come on schedule, they don't really seem willing to push him there either.
What stinks to me is that I think I've set it up in my mind that this may be the 'breakpoint' week. They've been working on this same piece for over 8 weeks now. It just seems like if they can't get it this week after I know they dropped off the report over a week ago, that not too much is going to change by time marching on. I'm not even sure myself what I think that means, but I know it scares me a little. Maybe it's good that what I think doesn't matter on this point...
Oh well, hope this finds everyone well, and that the week ahead proves promising. Thank you to everyone who reads this for being our support.
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