The Good, the Bad, and the Sad

The Good

I have some news about the adoption.......we are number one on the list waiting list at our agency! We should/may/hopefully be getting a referral this week on a baby!!!! I'll keep you updated.

The Bad

There is bad though too. A few months ago some law changes were proposed in the Guatemalan government that would change their adoption rules. Those laws were shot down - and I did all that worrying for nothing.

Now the law is back and will be debated in Guatemala beginning next week. If the laws are passed it will change the entire adoption process within Guatemala, and will make International adoption a last resort for the 400 to 500 children that are placed for adoption monthly in Guatemala. It will be bad for the children as they will be stuck in hogars (orphanages) for a very long period. It will be bad for those in the process of adopting from Guatemala right now.

I haven't been worried much about this because why worry until you need to right? Well now I need to. From what I understand if you have a referral and a Power of Attorney on file then if the law is passed it will NOT affect your adoption. If you don't then you could be stuck in adoption hell for a long fucking time. Guatemala International adoption could shut down.

We need to get a referral ASAP (like 5 minutes ago) and we need to get a Power of Attorney signed and registered with the Guatemala government ASAP (like 3 minutes ago). Pray this happens fast!!! Oh, and while you are at, pray that the law doesn't pass at all because it could possibly stop hundreds of children in need of good homes from getting them. This would be devastating for them and the families that hope to give them good homes.

The Sad

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is so damn sad. Half a million people are displaced and who knows how many have died. People have lost their homes, their cars, their jobs, their belongings, their neighbors, their friends, their families, their culture - every fucking thing in their life that meant anything to them.

And all of the lost pets are breaking my heart. I pray that all of the pets who are wandering around are saved. I really hope that the ones tied up somewhere or locked in homes are saved before it is too late. And I really, really hope that all of the pets and people are reunited as soon as possible. Can you imagine someone who lost everything being reunited with their beloved pet? What an awesome thing that would be.

I am sick and tired of all the finger pointing and laying blame that is going on too. Sure there are people who did not do their job properly - but this was a natural disaster. Unfortunately natural disasters happen naturally - and really cannot be stopped no matter what we do.

Yes we need to figure out what went wrong concerning the delay in getting the help needed to Louisiana and Mississippi and deal with that - but RIGHT NOW we need to deal with helping these people get their lives back together and get their cities and homes and jobs restored. Then all the local, state, and national government can duke it out. And come up with a MUCH BETTER EVACUATION PLAN for future natural disasters.

OH - and big cheers to the state of Texas for taking in over 220,000 people that are displaced. These people are being welcomed, fed, showered, clothed, offered jobs, housing, cars, love, and a lot more by the people in the great state of Texas! I am proud to be a Texan!!

Comments

[Julie]

I've got everything crossed for you my friend. Please know that this law has come up MANY times in the past and hasn't made it through. There is no reason to think this time will be any different. The law, as proposed (from what I am told) is against the Guatemalan Constitution.

If you need a copy of the POA, let me know and I'll email it to you so you will be ready to sign, notarize, authenticate and send to Guatemala.

YAYYYYY - come on referral!

[Trixygirl]

Sending many prayers, and good wishes your way - come on, Karen's referral! And I'm proud to be married to a Texan!

[Karen]

Oh hon, I hope hope hope that your referral comes quickly and that you don't get placed in the middle of this snafu.

[KimN]

Keeping my fingers crossed that you get your referral ASAP. I've been watching the possibly changes in Guatemala myself (since we will be adopting there again in the future). I'm really really hoping this doesn't pass.

Can't wait to read about your referral.

[Melissa]

WTF?? I hope you get your referral and POA ASAP. Keep us updated.

I'm glad to be a Texan, too!

[Holly]

Hey Karen,

I will pray that the law doesn't pass and that all of your paperwork is processed soon. You all have gone through so much to complete this process and you are SO close to bringing home your beautiful baby girl! You are in my thoughts ALL the time. I keep thinking about all of the things that I will buy for you and advice I will give you! Keep us posted.
Love,
Holly

[kelly]

hi there.....I pray that you get your referral and quick! You deserve to have your baby girl...I am so excited for you....right now i am living vicariously through you :)
kelly