Exactly three years ago today and tomorrow. Hague survivors: do you remember? And for those of you struggling in-process today, read on to hear the story of your Guatemalan Adoption ancestry...
Guatemala had joined the Hague and since March 2003 everything had been virtually at a standstill. Even the “Pre March 15” cases that were to be completed under the old rules weren’t getting out of PGN. And no new rules had been established….
Those of us in “Post March 15” status were in limbo. All we knew was that our cases were going to have to meet some new Hague standard, though no one could say what that meant. And then a rumor spread that on the first of July the new rules would be announced.
For my wife and I, it was especially tough. We were going to visit our precious Isabel, only three months old, for the first time. We were leaving on the third and yet we still didn’t know if we’d ever be able to bring her home. What would these new rules say? If it looked bad, would we cancel our trip?
I woke up that morning wondering whether this would be the best or worst birthday of my life. Yes, it was going to be a memorable birthday for me one way or the other. The very first thing I did after waking up was run to the computer and check, you guessed it, Guatadopt.com. At the time, like so many of you, I was an avid follower of the site. It was my lifeline and only source of reliable information during this turbulent time in our adoption.
Anticipation gripped me as I logged on.
No news…
So I went on with my morning routine. Had a cup of coffee. Played with the dogs. Took a shower. As I was ready to leave for work, I checked Guatadopt.com again. There was news!
We were going to be able to adopt Isabel. DOS had made an announcement. It was the best birthday of my life!
By that afternoon, the story had changed somewhat and the news really wasn’t so great. Nonetheless, Sheila and I went on our trip and it was one of the most amazing experiences of our life. Obviously Isabel came home and 20 months later so would her bio-brother Samuel. Today, our family is complete.
To travel back to that day and read the Guatadopt archives,
DOS Announcement
The Gist of It
To all of you currently enduring your own adoption-process PGN hell, please realize that we Hague alumni empathize with you. We’ve been through the same kind of torture. The only difference is that we know the story has a happy ending. Look at this picture of my kids as testament that you will persevere!
Hang in there…
WOW! Do I ever remember the days of the Hague. We too were caught up in it. Our daughter didn't come home until March of 2004. We started the process when she was 4 months old and that was Feb. 2003, our POA was not registered prior to the Hague deadline, so we too did not know if she would ever come home. It was the longest 13 months of my life and what a roller coaster ride! (And the addition of many gray hairs and sleepless nights) We were in and out of PGN for 5 LONG months. Thankfully she did come home and now we are caught again..... this time we are still waiting for pre-approval so that we can go into PGN. It has been 29 days today since the Embassy received our DNA. Nothing has happened fast for us this time either! I know we will survive it and someday looking back it will only be a memory, but for now it's HERE WE GO AGAIN.....
Thanks Kevin for a walk back in time. Its been 2 years, but after reading your post it seems like not that long ago. The only difference is this time, there is no question about IF she (and others) will come home, its more like WHEN will they come home! Thats alot easier to accept and wait for!
Thanks again for the memory of where some of us were 2 years ago and how we survived it!
Darlene
Mom to Kristina (born Oct. 3, 2002) home March -2004
Waiting on Anna born March 13, 2006
Kevin, While Hague days seem a lifetime ago, I recall them vividly. I sent dossiers down in June of '03...smack in the middle of the halt and decided to take my chances. At that time, it wasn't a slow-down but a vulnerability that our adoptions may not have gone through at all. Daily conflicting information from multiple sources and adding documents to my dossier "just in case" were particularly difficult.It wasn't until Sept. 12 2003, when constitutional challenge was upheld, that the "if" turned to "when". My kids' cases were finished in December'03 and January '04 and were home forever february 4, 2004 at 7 months of age. When I look at these little faces now, I forget the angst. Thanks for the the memory
Annette
Thanks both of you for your encouraging posts. We are at the point where we are wondering IF we will ever be able to pick up our son. If it's just a question of WHEN then we can and will be patient but we are a little afraid that it just won't happen.
Our agency told us we'd pick him up the end of April, then they said begininning of June, our lastest e-mail said the beginning of July. Well we haven't heard anything so I don't know if they just don't know or if they are trying to pacify us. It's much easier to wait if we have the truth. I guess we have to remember that when we first started the process we were told to expect the unexpected and that delays were common. Anyway, thanks for your optimistic words, you have given me more hope.
John
Hi Kevin and Sheila,
So happy to see Kevin writing again! Where is the family picture? I was lucky and didn't have to be delayed after my referral because of the whole Hague mess, as our case came right after that and went smoothly and Anarosa came home when she was 6 1/2 months old, but I remember it very well and reading avidly every day, because I was delayed from submitting my paperwork and beginning the whole process for about 6 months due to the Hague. Looking back, I know this is how things were meant to be. Now, I have my wonderful daughter, I believe that I was delayed from beginning the process because I was supposed to wait for her specifically! My heart is with all of those who are waiting, and also with all of the children of Guatemala that will be waiting next year for forever families, and may not get them due to the whole new Hague mess about to begin in 2007? So heartbreaking.
Lizzie
Mama to Anarosa, forever with Mama since May 26th, 2004
Lizzie neighbor - pic is back up
John - I honestly that y'all will complete your adoptions. That is my OPINION. Guatemala's current legal system allows them. Even with the Hague and all subsequent legislative proposals, in-process cases have been grandfathered in.
As for your agency, they probably didn't communicate fact from opinion well. Agencies should never promise completion dates. They can say "on average", but every case varies. The PGN situation came out of nowhere, so even honest "on averages" would have been far from reality by the time some cases got into the system.
I don't know what exactly your agency told you. Some agencies are dishonest and unrealistic. Hopefully your was not one of those.
Kevin
Guatadopt.com
We'll never forget it! Our dd didn't get to come until April 2004. We celebrated her homecoming for about 3 months straight. The summer of 2003 we almost lost our dd and would have if the Supreme court hadn't over turned the ruling. 2yrs later we brought our 2nd dd home (but this time from China) and with 3 beautiful children our family to is now complete.
Hang in there! There are wonderful attorneys and advocates on the side of the adoptive parents working hard for your little ones to come home.
Blessings
Katrina Mommy of 3
DS USA
DD Magdalene dob 3/4/03 Home 4/8/04 Guatemala
DD China Home 4/26/06
What a nightmare it was for our family during the Hague treaty. We received our son's referral when he was 3 days old, May 15, 2003. I was finally able to touch him on May 4, 2004. I cannot believe it's been two years since then. I feel for all adoptive parents waiting now, it's like living the nightmare over again. May God Bless you all.
Posted by: Sandy Wilfong at July 11, 2006 01:27 PMI brought my daughter Jayden home in late June 2003. In fact, things shut down completely a day or so after we picked her up in Guatemala. I'm currently waiting in PGN (4 weeks now) to bring home twin girls who will be three this month. Here I go again!
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth at July 16, 2006 10:20 PMKevin , thanks so much for this story. I've been re-reading Guatemala info in the prospect of doing this again in the near future. I brought my daughter home at 8 months old on 1/22/04 when the Hague issues were lightening up. I was one on the lucky ones bringing home a 8 month old as remember several families in our hotel who were still waiting after waiting and still waiting longer months than myself. This article reminded me of a piece of our history, and reading it made me realize that issues like this do make you stronger. Good Luck to all currently in process... and Ruth who I remember talking to while I was in process... WOW twin girls! You never want to sleep again do you! :) Congradulations and best to all!
Posted by: Sherry at July 19, 2006 04:56 AMHello, does anyone know of a service that will help speed the process through the pgn? I heard there was something, but can´t find it.
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