Kelly
I thank you for all your hard work in bringing us the information that keeps us going. I have been in and out of PGN since august just recently went back in and have been told its looking good. I just want my daughter home for the holidays. She will be 9 months old on Nov. 13th. This ordeal has gone on long enough and I was so glad to see cases are starting to come out of PGN. Is this replacement to Merida going to sign any faster or is he going to let cases sit for weeks to make us suffer some more? I sure hope they realize what they are doing to us and these inicent babies. They will answer to a higher power someday. Thanks again and lets not give up the fight our children are worth it. Terri waiting on Madison to come home soon.

Kelly,

I, for one, will never hold you accountable for what the PGN powers do or don't do with these cases. You have no idea how much your insight and knowledge mean to those of us waiting! So, PLEASE keep posting any available information even if it's only opinion. It is so encouraging to hear of any movement.

THANKS SO MUCH!
Daena

Kelly, my husband and I accepted a referral in May, more or less right in the middle of all the Hague issues, and had no idea when we would bring our daughter home (born 5/16/03). This website has been our lifeline, our primary source of information and inspiration. On November 4, we received the wonderful news that we are out of PGN, and we are going to pick up our daughter next week, a few days after her 6 month birthday. We feel extremely fortunate, and share this information in order to encourage others to stay positive, as things are moving. Thanks again for your dedication to the cause.

I,too, must thanks you for all of your efforts and accurate information you pass on to us. You really are my only source. I heck this websight so many times during the day it's crazy! You are our lifeline during this miserable wait. Thanks again!

Got out of PGN on 11/7; received the call on 11/10. Here is our timeline:

Birthdate: 1/24/03
Referral: 1/30/03
DNA test done: 2/18/03
Embassy preapproval: 3/3/03
POA registered: 3/7/03 (post 3/5)
Family Court appointment: 4/24/03
Out of FC: 5/8/03
PGN rejects acceptance of case for the second time: 8/28/03
PGN finally accepts case: 9/17/03
Kicked out of PGN with two previos: 10/14/03
Back in PGN: 10/15/03
OUT OF PGN: 11/07/03 (one of the "too many cases signed off on to be
released in one day" so notification came on 11/10/03!!)
Planning to travel 11/19/03 (Embassy either 11/20 or 11/24)

Kelly! Thank you so much for the updates. Our case came out of PGN this week, but was previoed..do you know how long cases are taking once they are back in???

we appreciate the information you give us so much and know you do not have the crystal ball but so many of us DO depend on you - whether that is right or not - for news and timely updates. I hope you know what a valuable service you provide to so many of us who crave for news - good or bad. We've got to know what's happening either way. So thank you from another waiting parent. I will never forget this whole experience and the part you played in it.
"Your reward in heaven will be great."

We certainly DO appreciate all of the updates, and we recognize that you cannot 'predict' what PGN will or won't do. We also know that you understand how agonizing this is for all of us, some of us have been waiting for 18 months or more for something that should have taken 5-7. Others are fortunate enough to be with their child sooner, some as soon as 4 months! That is amazing to those of us who have not had such luck, and yes, frustrating. I am certainly *ecstatic* for all who have gotten the wonderful news that they can now bring their baby home, it is wonderful BLESSED news! At the same time, I also understand the pangs of 'I wish our phone would ring, too'... but all of this recent activity is so encouraging! I see so many posts thanking you and everyone else working so hard to keep us all informed, and taking this issue 'to the mat' for these families. I am no different, I appreciate it greatly! I also appreciate each one of you who have posted your experiences on this site, it keeps hope alive for those of us who are still waiting! Please continue to do so, it truly does help those of us who feel 'left behind'.

Congratulations, Joel and Lisa!

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful information!! It is very encouraging to read about so many people getting out of PGN . Congratulations to all of you!!
We got our referral on April 18th. We just turned in some extra paperwork that PGN requested. (that was the first time we got kicked out). We are praying that all goes well and we are bringing our little boy home soon. He is 8 1/2 months old now -- we hope to meet him as soon as possible!! We also have a 2 1/2 year old from Guatemala, so we know that it is all definitely worth it in the end!!! -Laurie waiting for Carter

We got out of PGN on Friday as well. Our son was born on 3/31 so we consider ourselves very lucky. We also have a 3-1/2 year old daughter from Guatemala and thus know the wait is worth it however agonizing it was this time.
We thank you for being a wonderful source of information and support during this journey. You have created a community which is a very important thing to us all.

Our daughter was three weeks old at referral. She is now 20 months old. Our file went back into PGN two weeks ago and will be assigned to a reviewer this afternoon. Please pray that we get a favorable reviewer this time. I really want my daughter to get home. I have missed so much valuable time with her. Please pray for us!
GH

I got the call yesterday!
Timeline:
Daniel Born: 4/25/03
Referral: 5/07/03
DNA: 5/03
Out of FC: 7/03 or 8/03
In PGN: 9/17/03
Out of PGN: 10/07/03
Back in PGN: 11/06/03
Out of PGN : 11/11/03
Leaving for Guatemala: 11/22/03

We got the call yesterday, too, that our case was finally out of PGN after being there for five months. Today is our daughter's first birthday. We were matched with her when she was three weeks old, so we've been waiting a long time! Hopefully, we'll be bringing her home in very early December. During this long wait, this site has been my sanity-keeper!!!

We have also gotten the news today (11/13/03) that we have exited PGN. We are leaving the first week of December to pick her up and she will be 11 months old on the 8th of December. I know lots of people have said to me "Hang in there - it will be worth the wait" and I practically wanted to strangle them. But I have to admit now that we're done, it's true. Please don't give up hope. Thanks to this site and to our agency for doing all that was possible to make this happen for us and good luck to you waiting. I understand your frustration -- I really do. I'll be praying for all of you still waiting.

It is baffling to read the comments from all of the waiting parents and the wide range of age and waits that we each have endured! I don't understand why some cases happen so quickly - 6 months, and others, like ours is going on and on. Our daughter was born Dec 19th, we didn't get the referral until February. Now we wait to hear something, anything from the PGN. I hope it comes soon. It is helpful to read the stories of others who also have had difficult waiting periods, it makes us feel not so alone. Those of you who are so fortunate to have your process go so quickly - I am happy for you, you are the lucky ones.

It amazes me at how fast many cases are coming out of PGN. I am happy for those of you so fortunate, but remember there are probably more than a thousand people still waiting and have been since March-03. I called PGN and was told that there is only one PGN lawyer reviewing cases for 15 days and that no one will be signing while Merida is on vacation. Here are my time frames:
referral end of March, FC 4-12-03, CA 6/27, PGN 9/18, kicked out 11/4.... Now after calling PGN I
have been told my case is awaiting review & to expect it to be at least 25 days or so. Then I will probably go to Merida's desk and wait another 4-6 weeks or so for the signature. So to those of you getting your children so quickly, remember there are still many, many & many who have been waiting for a long time.

Susana, can you explain the reasons why some cases are flying through the process & those that aren't? Also, I think for the sanity of all of us prospective adoptive parents, we need to know if there is only one PGN lawyer reviewing cases and if Merida isn't allowing anyone to sign.

Thank you,
Stacie

I would love it if someone could help me understand the PGN process once cases are submitted. I was told a couple of days ago that our case is currently being reviewed by the PGN. Are cases submitted, reviewed and then given the final signature? Any information would be helpful; our agency has been good to work with but any questions I send them via e-mail may take 1-2 weeks to get a reply. A reason why I like all of you find this site to be such a Godsend; I can't imagine going through all of this waiting without having this site to turn to for support, hope and information.

May we continue to pray together that we will soon be united with our children.

Waiting for Tressa Anne - Norma Jean

Our case is currently being reviewed by the PGN and my best friend who is the press secretary for our state's Governor has asked if it would be helpful for her, the Governor, to send a letter directly to the PGN. She is hoping that this could possibly help speed up the process that we are all struggling through. She would need to know specific information to put in the letter and she would get it sent ASAP. Do you think this would be helpful or do you think it would only irritate those in the PGN's office. If you think it would be a good idea I would really appreciate it if someone could help me come up with some ideas or possibly even a sample letter. Our house just recently burned down and we lost everything. Because of this I have no spare time at all and am having trouble thinking straight much less write such an important letter.

Thank you for your advice and help.

I am seeing a lot of posts where people are calling PGN directly - I have looked, but have not found a direct phone number for them. Can anyone advise of the number they are calling?

The thought that we may have to wait another 2-3 months while people who got their referrals after us is quite daunting.

Sorry, the second paragraph should read:

The thought that we may have to wait another 2-3 months while people who got their referrals after us *are already coming out of PGN* is quite daunting.

I have been reading this sight for months now and have learned so many things, some good and some not. I feel I have been blessed with a very good agency. In my opinion this is the key to the time frames of some children being released and others taking more time. I have talked with other adoptive parents who tell me they have no idea what is going on with their case. I am in touch with my agency two to three times a week and am very informed of what is going on. I also am in touch with my lawyer in Guatemala who may I say is very assertive.

Someone wrote there are still over a 1,000 cases still in PGN. Are we really sure about this??? I personally don't think this is true. I have read 600 and now it is back up to 1,000.
I have also read that while Merida is off that another PGN is signing cases(which I have been told has been doing so very well).
Another bit of information I have been told is that it is not a good idea to call the PGN and bring notice to your case. I will let my lawyer take care of this.
I pray everyday for the PGN that the Lord with soften his heart. I also pray for all adoptive parents who are waiting.
We have been waiting for almost 8 months and our baby will be 10 months old. We are hoping to bring him home very soon.

Trish,

The phone number I have for the PGN is
011-502-331-1005...I have not personally called the PGN myself but I was given this number by a reliable source. I'm not sure how good of English they speak. Good Luck!!!

Donna

Does anyone have any good news from this week? I was so hoping to get the call, but no such luck my daughter was 9 months old 11-13. I am so excited to read others have gotten the call and please do not take this the wrong way, but their children are younger than my daughter and I do not see the fairness in this. I know everyone wants there child home, but please do not forget about us still waiting and our children are getting older by the day. Can anyone help us? I just want my daughter home for the Holidays, is this too much to ask for? I have done everything they have asked now its my turn. Thanks for listening all, I needed to vent. Sorry Terri