Kevin,
I know that you said you would post more once you knew more, but since the ADA is not meeting with anyone from the adoption unit of PGN, do you believe that this meeting has something to do with the back load of cases? (maybe getting the head of PGN to put the pressure on the Director possibly to have the pressure coming from their own unit?) Just curious. It would be nice if that is the situation... :)
Kelly M

Lets all pray that this happens so we can get out of PGN and our babies can come home soon.

Thanks for keeping the guat adopt community updated on the current status in the pgn.

My heart and prayers really go out to the many families stuck in the pgn right now........ it's got to be very difficult, to say the least.

I feel for them and I am praying that hearts will soften in the pgn!

Blessings,
Gloria
mom to 5 Guatemalan blessings

I just wanted to relay a little information. I was recently in Guatemala and had the opportunity to learn a lot and to meet a lot of the people involved in the adoption process. Nobody is trying to hold up adoptions just to be a pain. There is a lot of valid concern about the safety of children in the adoption process and the honesty/ethical adequacy of some of those involved in facilitating these adoptions. There is another side to the hold up. And it is out of concern for the children. As frustrating as it is, gratitude just may be a feeling that you wish to include in the mix. Just FYI. Claire

I heard there was an article in the newspapper over the weekend. I didn't read it personally, but it stated that there were 4,100 cases pending in Guatemala. I didn't know there was that many cases. I'm hoping that 15 days will be all they need to get those cases moving!!! I'm scared because after waiting 2 months I still can't get a social worker report issued. Why is it taking so long to get a social worker report done??? I'll be lucky if I get my baby girl by January!!!! I hope it's not longer than that because the article also stated That the U.S. was not going to do anymore adoptions with Guatemala after the summer of 2007. I hope I have my little girl by then!!! Did anyone else read that article ? Lisa B.

Thank you so much for keeping everyone informed! We just entered PGN on July 10 and are very hopeful things will move fast!

Claire -

I do think you have a point. But I also think there is a strong anti adoption sentiment running thru the Guatemalan community and the pgn . Traditionally the newspapers in Guatemala portray intercountry adoption in a negative light. After living there last year for 8 months - I can tell you there is a lot of misconceptions held about ICA.
Unfortunately I believe that it is also apparent in the pgn. Not too mention the same negative views are held by Guatemala's First Lady.

I am all for tightening up on things that appear unethical.
I hope those working for the adoption unit in the PGN are considering the plight of these children are are not holding back cases for no due cause. If cases are being held for due reason - then perhaps the pgn could site specific cases and provide documentation so agencies can be warned of unethical attorneys and facilitators who are handling the cases.

Like I said - I agree that *if* there is due cause for the hold ups then by all mean they should look seriously at these troubled cases. I would prefer the pgn
"tighten" up things to shutting down adoptions all together.
At least things are moving - even if it seems like it's a trickle at times. My heart and prayers continue to go out to all waiting families.

Blessings,
Gloria
mom to 5 Guatemalan blessigs

Kevin - thanks for the update...it's hard to fathom that there was no discussion (after Embassy people left?) of the "silly KO's" and some direction on that front from these meetings. Did Susan L.'s source have anything at all to say about that? Working faster when you are understaffed, and being very vigilent to ensure PGN is not processing any kids that shouldn't be processed is very understandable. But the lack of communication or response or explanation about the sometimes questionable previos (i.e. requiring some other configuration of your name on the Name Affadavit, though you've never used that alias, or requiring some new form that's only asked for by a particular reviewer, etc.) seems bewildering.

I know you post what they tell ya...I wish they'd say they (PGN) heard the Embassy on this point, and are providing clearer direction to PGN reviewers.

Lisa B,

The July 29 Associated Press article stated "Of the 4,100 cases pending in Arellano's office, more than 3,000 were filed this year."

It's no wonder that things are moving slowly. At this rate, more than 5,000 case will be filed this year.

All I know is that my wife and I are tired of waiting. We're very anxiously waiting for our case to pass through PGN, where it's been for approximately 10 weeks.

Gregg (and Esperanza)
Anxiously awaiting Marilu

I have 7 cases waiting in PGN now for several months and one came out today....... yeah!!!!! So there has been a little.... movement...

I had heard that adoptions is only a small part of the responsibilites carried out by pgn. What else are they responsible for that could possibly be causing them to be delayed in the adoption unit??

When I see previos for things like ink too light on a bmom's bc,then I know there's more to it than being understaffed. So sad.

Hi. My wife and I just started the adoption process for Guatemala. I am scared by what I am reading here. How long are people waiting for the PGN. How much longer is this making the adoption process? We were told by our agency that we could bring home a baby probably at 9 months.

I truly wish the hold-ups were to benefit the children. Unfortunately, our last kick-out was because a document was missing. When my atty. opened the folder, it was right inside. Can't imagine that helping anyone!

I have just been told that the PGN has had our docmentation for a week. Is is possible it could be included in ther 15 week "clean up?" We we told it could take months from this time

I just wanted to add that in Spanish-speaking countries, people commonly say "15 days" to mean 2 weeks. Just like 1 week -- say, Tuesday to Tuesday -- is considered to be 8 days. The first and last day are both counted.

So it's just possible that 15 days here means they're intending to clear the cases within 2 weeks. Of course, 2 weeks or 3 weeks may have no bearing at all on how quickly things really get moving.

Deb
really cultivating my waiting skills, that's what I'm doing. :-)

I was just wondering if anyone has heard if PGN will be working on signing off on the cases with previos first. I know many people have been asking what date is considered your true IN date, the day you first entered PGN or the date your re-entered after a previo. Do they have a system for handling the cases that have had previos?

Greg,
In the beginning, our agency told us that we could have a baby that could be as young as 5 months old, up to 9 months old - but that it would most likely fall somewhere in the middle. They said they could not make any promises, but that it was the norm for Guatemala.

We signed our contract with our agency the first week of November'05 - got our referral in January '06 - entered PGN April '06 - were kicked out May '06 - back in to PGN June '06 - we were released from PGN last Tuesday, July 25th. We will be bringing our daughter home within the next couple of weeks. She will be 8 months old on Saturday.

PGN has been a problem, and many are held up (some with known issues & others with no information). I was informed by my agency that PGN was unpredictible, so we did not go in blind. It is all worth the wait, when you find out that your baby is coming home.

I give my agency credit for communicating the importance of consistancy with our paperwork, and being very organized, so that we always knew what to expect.

Please don't give up on Guatemala. The advantages of adopting form Guatemala greatly outweigh the possibilities of delays with PGN. Furthermore, if you have just started your adoption process - PGN should have worked through most of their issues, by the time you make it to PGN.

Prayers to you and your family,
Cheri F

Erin,

We were released last Tuesday, July 25th, from PGN. I was obsessed with tracking all the PGN outs over the past few months, and the dates were my main focuss. I had read on several occassions that the PGN resubmission date to PGN after kickouts was "the date". By viewing my tracking of outs, it had appeared to be correct.

We were resubmitted on June 8th. A week ago, last Friday, the statement was made that he was working on June 6th and moving forward, so I counted the days and prayed - and sure enough June 7th cases came out on Monday and then our June 8th came out on Tuesday. There are plenty of cases still in PGN prior to June, and I am not intending to leave you with the impression that I think there is a "true" rhyme to the reasoning in PGN, but - there does appear to be an attempt to establish some type of structure.

May God answer your prayers soon, and bring your baby home.

Cheri F

We also were PGN out last week on July 24. We were submitted June 7. I thought waiting for our case to be released from PGN was stressful, waiting for Pink is 10x more stressful, we know we are so close!
We pray that the head of PGN keeps releasing cases and gets all those babies home! We are waiting for our son's case to enter PGN now too. SW is taking her sweet ol' time submitting her report! We are told it's been done since beginning of June!!!!

Thanks Cheri for your input. I was under that impression as well. Congratulations on your OUT....what a great feeling that is for you!

Jennifer S. How long have you been waiting for a sw report for your son? How long did you wait for a sw report for your other child? I'm wondering if we have the same sw because we have been waiting since June1st. How did you find out that it was done? Our coordinator can't seem to find out what's going on? I'm wondering if we have the same lawyer. Our agency uses Bolanos and Walters. Congrats on the PGN out!!!! Lisa

Well, i have just found out that i got kicked out again after being in for 9 weeks. We went in may for the first time, Kicked out and put back in again, sat somewhere for 9 weeks and out again for something stupid. Not sure what to think right now.

Lisa,
Our sw report for our daugter only took a couple weeks. I don't know if it's the same sw that our son has. We were told by our agency that first the sw was sick and she couldn't get the completed report to our attorney, then a couple weeks later we were told she is pregnant and still can't get the completed report to our attorney. My husband told our agency to have a courier pick up the report and bring to our attorney, at our cost. They said that can't be done. Last week the sw sent the report (by courier!) to our attorney, but she mixed up our son's case with another toddler boys. So now we wait to see how long it will be before she turns in the correct report!!!!

Our attorneys name is Pedro. We do have his full name but I'm not too sure if I can post it. Our agency told us they were notified the first week of June that his sw report was finished and just needed to be handed in. We call every other day to see what's happening and now we can't get any answers!
Good luck, hopefully we'll both get somewhere soon!
Jenny

In response to Gloria's comment...yes, it is true, that there is anti-adoption sentiment that contributes to various difficulties encountered during the adoption process. Just wanted to let people know that it isn't the whole story...Claire

Hi All- After reading all these emails, it really makes you wonder what is going on here. Numerous talks seems to yield no prompt responses nor actions. We just heard that our case was ko of PGN awaiting something. This is very disheartening. We started our adoption journey Jan.05, loss two referrals after very long waits and
any delays now seems crushing. Our faith and our agency, who have been very deligent and professional throughout all of this, have carried us through this. We are planning to visit our 3 month old next month, keep us in your prayers that this little one will be able to come home soon. Our thoughts are with you all,
Marie

Hi, We got in PGN 6/18, KO'd one time for the baby's birth certificate being old??? back in 2 days later. My baby is now 9 months, I hope I can bring her home before she is one year. No word since.
Does anyone know the chain of command in PGN?
When I look yahoo web site there seems like so few outs. No one in the whole system benefits from this waiting, hope their promise is true. G

It sure sounds like good news. I keep re-reading it b/c I like good news. They're not catching up fast enough to keep me positive though at this point. I know some day my agency will call with the good news that we are out, but it's getting hard to remember that. Anyone else in since late May w/ no KO's and no news of getting out?

We'd like to seek anyone's counsel on a "working with PGN" question - specifically, is it appropriate to go there directly and plead our case?

Here's our situation: Our son is now 9 months old. We went into PGN on May 4th, received objections on June 30th, and after an attorney debacle were not resubmitted to PGN until July 31st (this was not the PGN's fault). We are hearing that it can take 4 to 6 weeks to review the objections and move us out, but it looks like that could be longer or shorter based on other's experiences/new commitment by the PGN.

Here's our question...we are going to Guatemala in two weeks to visit our son, and to see if there's anything (legally and morally appropriate) we can do on the ground there to get things moving. We are hoping to meet with the PGN with our son and give them a "face" to go with our file and ask for them to please move on our case. Our agency is advising that this could bring unwanted negative attention to our case and could cause problems.

In all fairness, we further understand that we are not the worst PGN story by far, but the amount of time all of us have been in there is really frustrating. We all want to do anything we can to plead our cases and get our kids home, but we don't want to be foolish....Any advice?

I really do not think things are moving at all in PGN!!We were told we would most likely get our baby girl by the age of 5 or 6 months of age, she will be 1 year old next month!!We have been in PGN for over 5 months with NO reason why our case is taking so long.This may be a stupid question, but does anyone think that President Bush could help us out here with international adoptions?Can "he" get a meeting with this so called PGN director?
Thanks,
Alley

Kelly, Our agency finally told us today that we are stuck in family court. Apparently there is a backup now on writing sw reports! Is there anyone I can contact to see how many reports are ahead of us? This is really testing my patience!! I'm beginning to break.!!!! Thanks, Lisa

Hello, I just wanted to mention that on the Guatemala Adoption.com forum there were a lot of "outs" this week and after waiting for my file to come out since its original submission on April 17th and then one resubmission on June 14th I definitely see this as positive and feel that PGN has picked up the pace quite a bit. I was around when PGN "outs" completely dropped off the planet in March/April so this is good news!

I originally went into PGN on April 11th. Was bounced out because of a transposed number on May 13th. Re-entered May 31st and no word at all on where I stand at this point. A couple comments I read yesterday suggested they have caught up to at least June 8th but apparently they're not entirely so since my re-entry precedes that date. I'm a single mom and have been told those cases move slower and that may explain my delay, but with all of you are incredibly frustrated and feel completely helpless.

To Alley-
Ask for the piece of paper showing the date you went in. It is given to the Attorney. I was told I went in 3/6 after waiting for four months and the hiring AS it was determined I never went in and am still not in. I got my referral at 3 months and she is now 15 months old. So I would ask for proof. Five months is a long time with no news. I don't want what happened to me to happen to others. I trusted and it did not pay.

I just wanted to share the good news with all of you. We got out of PGN last Monday I am so happy we were in since 3/24. I thought the call would never come, but it did.
We were in Guatemala visting our little guy and they called with the wonderful news and we were able to share it with our little guy he will be 9 months old soon. They say we will pick him up in 3 wks.
Most of the people we met that were picking up there babies, they were all around 9 or 10 months old. I hope you all get good news soon.

Anita, I too am a single Mom. I rec'd my referral for my baby girl when she was only two weeks old. I just went to Guatemala on the 24th of July for her first birthday!! Yes, one year old. Went into PGN on March 15th. KO'd three times for stupid things and have no idea what the status is now. Over and over again, it seems that everyone agrees, if your agency could simply communicate and have some consideration for the pain and anguish we are going through. A SIMPLE call or email to let us know what's going on. Seems they just move on signing on more clients. Good luck with your little one. Pam

Just another note for context...
Referral 7/29/05
DNA 11/11/05
DNA Results 12/7/05
Social work report 2/9/06
Entered PGN 3/24/06
Out of PGN 7/12/06 (after 2 previos)
Civil Registry complete 7/31/06
Minor issues with INS/USCIS 8/4/06
Travel expected 8/9/06

This is our second adoption from GUAT. We were caught in the Hague fiasco in 2003. This time....while the news has been sparse, there is some movement in the process and in PGN. Please keep your thoughts and prayers going. Our kids are in good and loving hands with their foster families. This has never been and likely never will be a predictable process. We all knew that going in..so hang in there.

Lisa, We have been stuck in FC since June 8th and are told over and over that the social worker keeps telling to "Come back tomorrow "when they return the next day, either the SW isn't in or she never returns. I can't believe the court system allows this to happen when it is their JOB.
Our daughter will be 10 months the end of this month & probably will not be home for her 1st birthday. Just being realistic!
Marissa

Meredith, I have to say that I think going to PGN with your son while you're in Guatemala visiting is NOT a good idea! I agree with your agency and think you should listen to them! Would it help if you called your attorney while you're there and ask what he thinks and then when he says ABSOLUTELY NOT! will you agree that it's a bad idea? I don't believe it will put a face with your case....I believe it will only hurt everyone in this process in the long run because it will further international attitude about Americans and how impatient we are and how we always think we should get just everything we ask for. I definitely would NOT do this!

I originally went in PGN 4/27 got k/o and went back in May 4th and havent heard a word since.I already visited my daughter in May and now I am going for another visit 8/9.She is now 7 months old.It is very discouraging when families who got in PGN in June are already out and just waiting for their pink slips.I am very happy for these families because I personally know them all but it makes me a little worried.What are they doing with the families that have been there before June?Sorry I have no words of encouragement but what I can say is if you havent already visited with your child then you really need to.At this point all we can do is wait.Good luck to you all and hopefully it wont be too much longer.

To Lisa who posted to Kelly,
Our agency told us the same thing,only we have been in PGN for 5 months!!! they told us that our case was probably held up because of some flawed SW reports,something about a lady who was sick and could'nt do her job well,well----it does not take 5 months to get well!!!!I think they got rid of the wrong employees a while back, and need to get rid of the new ones that do not seem to get things done correctly or on time.None of this makes any since!! and I'm at a point now that I do not believe anything that has to do with our adoption or anything they tell us anymore!!! The day I will start to believe is the day I bring my baby girl through the front door of my home. Does anyone else feel this way? Thanks,Alley

jeanne,

thanks for your comment regarding our request for advice on visiting pgn. i sense your frustration in your response and want to clarify our intentions to hopefully put your mind at ease.

we understand the advice our agency has given us, and we appreciate your counsel to check with our attorney. unfortunately our agency and our attorney seriously dropped a ball in our process and we've lost some confidence in their counsel, but enough said about that. we were looking for "third party" advice from someone who has been there, possibly had some anecdotal info about pgn, etc, primarily to provide a cross check on our agency's counsel.

please rest assured that we are not trying to ruin the process for you or anyone else. as we all know this process is incredibly frustrating - it's "the perfect storm" of wanting to advocate for your child and your family but being completely unable to do so. i'm sure you share those feelings.

thanks for taking the time to provide counsel and may God bless you and your family's process.

Alley-I feel 100% the same way you do!

Today my husband went to PGN to check our case ourselves. We entered pgn 6/13 and have not rec'd an update from our agency. He was told that we were kicked out 7/27 and reentered 7/28. I read where they were hoping to catch up but the lady at the pgn office said that reviews are taking on average 6 weeks which is how long we were in before being kicked out.

Meredith,
YOu may want to consider hiring Adoption supervisors. You can trust them 100% and you WILL know exactly what is hapening with your case.
Kim

Is anyone else out there seeing that the PGN is not the only impedement to cases progressing in a timely manner. But also responsible parties for delays are the Guatemalan Family Court system, Guatemalan social workers and state-side agencies that provide little to no updates to waiting parents, nor submit paperwork in a timely manner. One can attain from reading all the emails that there is no consistency in the way these agencies operate. The overhaul in the adoption process should not solely be on the Guatemalan side, but most importantly, also on US adoption agencies. Whining and pleading about delays and then completely forgetting about this process when one brings their child home does a disservice not only to future adopting parents, but to the innocent children caught in this system. Question: Is there any US government entity overseeing the way these adoption agencies operate?
Marie

kim,

thanks for your adoption supervisor counsel...we just learned about this option via this forum and are considering...for now, especially after reading some other's notes, it does seem that our agency has the ability (which they are beginning to demonstrate again) to be more on top of our process than other people are experiencing...we'll see....

judy,

very interested to learn a bit more about your husband's visit to pgn - how was it received by them? did he get the "ugly demanding american vibe"? what information did he need to receive his update? it sounds like they were forth coming with information. for our situation it could be a great cross-check on our attorney. did your husband have an appointment or did he simply show up? any other advice?

thanks ladies!

meredith

Hi everyone, I thought I would chime in about visiting PGN. My case has been in PGN since Feb. 8th. (most of the time in Minor's section investigation). My attorney took me there in May to inquire about the delays in my case. Everyone was very nice and they assured me the investigation was over and my case was proceeding. I think they told me that just to get rid of me, though. When I got home my attorney told me we were given inaccurate information and my case was not released from the investigation section. It has since been released, but I am still waiting to get OUT. So my visit to PGN did nothing at all to help my case!

Hi - this is my first time visiting your board...I was specifically looking for pgn info. Our case has been in since 4/21, with absolutely no word since. Our agency has told us that there's no way to get status on which phase we're in, but from what I'm reading here, that's not the case. Where do you get the info on cases coming out, and what stage we might be in? Our daughter will be 9 mos old in less than 2 weeks...Thanks!!!

Can someone fill us in on what's involved in securing an "adoption surpervisor counsel." I assume he/she is an independent agent from our adoption agency retained attorney, right? How do you contact & retain them? Are they Guatemalan or American?

I heard on another forum that PGN's computers are down until at least Friday, so there will be no more OUT's, or probably anything else until then. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, my whole week has been ruined. I look forward to each day with the possibility that the day will end with an OUT for us. If I know that it's not even possible, I don't know how I'll get through the rest of the week.

Anita,
You can find adopton superviosrs at www.adoption-supervisors.com.They are two lawyers who both live and practice in Guatemala. Edwin is a native and Manfred is originally from Germany but may be a resident. They are awesome! They will answer all your questions and are able to provide a lot of info.
Don't mix them up with adoption supervisors guatemala (they don't seem to be legit).

We just got out of PGN a couple of wks ago and I still can not believe it. I hope for all of you that your cases are released soon. It is so unfair to all of us and these babies. I think the whole system is like a black hole down there. I still wake up thinking is this a dream. I will not believe, until I have my little guy on my lap on the plane ride home then I will celebrate!

Lori-

I just received an email today from our agency with an update. Our attorney has heard from PGN that they are catching up on cases that were submitted prior to June 19th. We did not have any KO's so not sure how much that would have played a role in our process. It's hard to say. Our agency is expecting 3 of their cases to come out of PGN this week. Our agency is expecting our case to be one of them. Your agency should be able to get some update from the agency's attorney regarding your case.

Dear Friends,
The PGN released today many files. The director has now another lawyer who is helping him to review the files and that seems to be working.

Susana Luarca

I saw about 5 outs posted today on a forum, so the computer issue seems either to be a rumor or it isn't keeping outs from happening.

Just got out of PGN yesterday after 7 weeks. Maybe things are starting to move.

Has anyone heard of any updates on the challenges with getting social worker reports submitted to Family Court. We have been waiting 8 weeks with no success. Any updates would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

We hve been in PGN since June 6th. Our agency says that we could not get any information on the where we are with the process, is this true? We have also been told that we have not had any KO's, it seems that with no KO's we should of been out of PGN by now? I know some people who were in earlier in the year, March, April are still in but you don't read much about cases after May that are still in PGN that have not had a KO or a minor involved in the case. Are there some people out there with our same timeline that are in PGN still?

We too got out of PGN yesterday after 6 weeks and 5 days.

Monica-
We too have been waiting about 8 weeks for sw report. First we were told the sw was sick and now pregnant. I still got my job done when I was pregnant with my children! Anyway she FINALLY turned in the report, but when our lawyer looked it over she had mixed our child's info with another child's. The attorney expected the corrected report within a couple days...that was two weeks ago.

We'll be praying that you get your report and onto PGN as well as us!
Jenny

Thanks to those of you who are posting when you get out. I know everyone loves to hear it. It sure makes me feel better. I have only been in for four weeks, but knowing some are coming out in six to seven makes it a more barable process right now. Here hoping we all get out soon!!!!

Beth-

We went into PGN on June 13th and have had no KO's to my knowledge. My agency tells me we could be getting out this week.

Jenny,
Thank you for responding and please keep me posted on your progress. At least I feel a little bit better knowing that we are not alone. It is amazing that the new challenge seems to be getting the SW report submitted to Family Court. Hopefully there will be no other roadblocks. Our prayers are with all of the families and waiting children. Congratulations and safe travels to everyone coming home!

I am so happy to hear of the PGN outs. I was wondering if any files have come out of Minors Section, we have been in since March 15, 2006. Our son is now 9 1/2 months old. It is very difficult to wait just hear we will finally be in PGN.

Thanks,

Nina

This Question is to Kelly, Kevin, or anybody that may know the answer, My gency finally gave me an update today. It said that they were working on corrections on the social worker report and then it would be given to a PGN assessor and then it would go to PGN. I asked my gency what that meant and she said she didn't know. Can someone tell me what that means? What is a PGN assessor I thought just went to PGN after it was issued? Anybody know? Thanks, Lisa

Has anyone received any updates on the social worker reports that have not been issued? After this report is issued to Family Court do we go directly into PGN or is there another step in this process?
Thanks!

Monica, My agency told me that you go straight from soical worker report to PGN. I too have been waiting for a social worker report since June1. I find out today that the social worker made an error with the birth mother's name. How dumb can you be! Now the report has to be rewritten and reissued. I asked my agency if I had to wait another 2 and a half months. She said hopefully it would be fixed by next week!!! I hope so because i'm really pushing my waiting skills!!!! This note is to all the PGN waiters: My agency said that they had some cases released last week. They went in on June 20th. I hope that helps peolpe who are tracking PGN outs. Good luck to everyone, you are all in my prayers, Lisa

Lisa,
Thanks for the information and the update. Let's keep in touch as to when we both exit Family Court and enter PGN. Our little girl turned 4 months old this month so we have been very lucky that our case moved quickly in the beginning. It is just hard to understand how a report can take so long to be submitted, I know that you and many others understand. Who knows, maybe we both will be coming home at the same time.

Monica, It's great to know that someone is at the same place I am. You're lucky, yours has gone pretty fast. We got our referral in January, so my little girl will be turning 7 months old August 23rd. I just hope we get her home before she turns one years old. I see other people's timelines and some people are out of PGN and we haven't even entered yet. I don't understand!!!!!I just keep telling myself the Lord will give me my baby when it's time!!! I live in Virginia, where do you live? Hope you get your social worker report soon, we probably have the same slow one. Keep me posted!!! Thanks, Lisa

Hi Lisa,
This will be good for both of us. I just found out today that my SW interview took place on 7/17 versus the original date of 6/12. I feel a little bit better knowing that it is only the 4 weeks versus 9. We live in Delaware. It would be funny if we had the same agency, attorney etc...and great if we traveled at the same time. Where will you stay on your pick-up trip? We will stay at the Westin. Keep in touch! Thanks, Monica

Do not say PGN has worked out there problems. I believe there will always be problems and if you go into this process thinking PGN is Quick, you are wrong I was in PGN for months and now I am waiting and waiting for my embassy appt which seems like another black hole this whole thing stinks. Go into this with your eyes wide open and if you have no expectations than you might be pleasanly surprised. Good luck. I really do not believe I will ever recommend or do this again I will be happy with my one little Angel.

RITA,
I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL, I TOO AM DISGUSTED, BUT IF I HAD THE MONEY OR WAS A FEW YRS YOUNGER, I WOULD GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN, THIS IS MY 2ND TIME..I ADOPTED MY DAUGHTER 9 YRS AGO, & BELIEVE ME, THERE WERE PROBLEMS THEN TOO..AT THAT TIME DNA TESTS WERE NOT REQUIRED IN 1997, WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST FAMILIES TO HAVE TO GET A DNA TEST..IT TOOK 3-4 MOS BY THE TIME WE GOT RESULTS, ENTERED PGN, THEN GOT OUT, WE HAD A K/O THATS WHEN WE DID THE DNA TEST, IT ALSO COSTED $1000.00 THEN, WHICH REALLY SUCKED FOR US, WE HAD TO COME UP WITH THE EXTRA MONEY, & THEN IT HELD EVERYTHING UP, AND THIS WAS ALL AFTER WE SAW OUR DAUGHTER & HAD HER FOR A WEEKEND, THE ATTORNEY TOLD US, YOU WILL BE BACK IN 1 MOS..(FAMOUS LAST WORDS) WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS TIME TOO..(LOL) WE WERE SO FRUSTRATED & CRUSHED, BUT WHEN WE REUNITED WITH HER, EVERY BIT OF ANGER,FRUSTRATION,& DISSAPOINTMENT ALL WENT AWAY, & IT WAS A VERY EXCITING TIME FOR US WHEN WE CAME HOME WITH HER! AND I KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, & IT WILL FOR YOU TOO. TRUST ME. MY SON IS NOW 8 1/2 MONTHS OLD, & I THINK I WILL SEE HIM BEFORE HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY I HOPE!! HANG IN THERE, I KNOW HOW BAD THIS IS NOW, & HOW HARD & FRUSTRATING THIS IS..I HAVE BEEN THERE 2X'S..IT IS ALL WORTH IT IN THE END..YOUR LITTLE ANGEL WILL BRING YOU SO MUCH HAPPINESS, THIS WILL ALL MELT AWAY. EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO VENT, SOMETIMES IT HELPS TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO HAS GONE THROUGH THIS BEFORE, I KNOW I TALK TO PEOPLE WHO ALSO HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE. MY EMAIL: JORO2473@AOL.COM.

ROSEMARIE

Hi Lisa,
We just found out today that we are out of Family Court and will enter PGN by the end of this week. Have you received any updates? Keep in touch!

Hi Monica, I'm so happy for you. Your timeline has been alot faster than ours!! We also just got word that we are out of Family Court.I'm doing the happy dance!!! We had been stuck in there since June1. I'm hoping we enter PGN next week. Our lawyer says he wants to look it over to make sure there is no errors, to try to avoid any previos. Then it will go to PGN, which I hope is next week. This is great. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!!! Have you actually enter PGN yet? It would be great if we enter and exit PGN at the same time! Keep me posted. Thanks, Lisa

Hi Lisa,
According to our agency we are to enter PGN today, August 25th. We are very excited. I have done my own estimated timeframe and according to what I have been seeing we hope to have her home in November. Let's keep our toes & fingers crossed and I will keep you in our prayers. Keep in touch.
Monica

Had to share our fabulous news, our case came out of PGN today!!!!!! We entered PGN on February 20, 2006 and this website has kept me sane! Good luck to all of you waiting. Such a feeling.
Tricia

Hi Monica, My agency emailed me today and said we should enter PGN at the end of this week. I thought this day would never come!!!! I hope PGN is still moving quickly so we don't have to wait forever. I didn't realize the waiting would be so difficult!!! Have you done the baby's room yet? Keep me posted. Thanks, Lisa

Hi Lisa,
This is GREAT news,CONGRATS!!! Can I just say, I know your feelings. We are working on the baby's room now. I have the furniture and the 3 walls are painted, we are waiting for a garden mural to be painted on the main focus wall as you enter the room. The colors are pink, sage green and white/cream. How about you? We will get thru this process with a lot of prayers and patience. It's nice to keep in touch with each other. I would love if we both traveled around the same time, how fun would that be. Everday I find a positive to focus on. Keep in touch and enjoy the rest of your week! :-)

My husband & I just came home from a great trip and our third vist with our beautiful daughter who just turned one. Although we have had "The Adoption from hell" (referral at 3 wks. old.)
We have learned to make the best of it!

Our baby's 1st Birthday Party was awesome - we had it at Sirabella's at the Marriott with close friends from NY and our daughter's Foster Family, and even some Guatemalean friends we have gotten to know from our three trips.
We did everything we would have done had the party been in NY - from decorations, favors and even a Pinata!
Just received the pictures and it is obvious that all - even our baby had a great time!

In the past, we also visited Christmas time and have photos with baby and Santa! (There is a terrific Santa who walks through the Marriott and is available for pix during the Christmas Season.)

Our advice to all who have delays - Hang in there and try to make the best of it!

Good Luck to all!

Joanne & Vince (NY)

Hi
My name is Debbie
me and my husband just loss our daughter that was 12 years old and dont have to tell any one how painful this is and my daughter always wanted a sister but i have a son thats 19 years old and i can have no more kids and that hurts just the same im 44 years old so we went and adopt a child and she is 7 years old and 8 mos and at the time i adopt this child she was only 6 years old and a few mos well we went to see her and was wonderful any how just to give you a run down what i am going thought with pgn i was per proved way back in out 2006 of oct and and still not out of it and the feeling im getting is not so good i dont have no red flags up so why am i going thought this the child needs care for her teeth and i cant do any thing and i cry and cry if any one knows any thing about this pgn please feel free to e-mail me a at blue10177@aol.com
and i will be happy to write back to you on this said story i staredthe adoption way back in feb of 2006 what is going on any know just e-mail me
thank you debbie