[DrLaura]

Seems like we have several new members recently along with some activity among those who have been here a while. Should we take a minute to introduce ourselves again and where we stand?

[DrLaura]

I guess I should go first since I suggested it!

Hi everyone! My name is Laura (DH is Andres). We have requested an infant (<2) through ICBF and hope to know a more specific age range soon. Our dossier is currently in route to Medellin.

We choose Colombia as that is where Andres is from. Most of the family still lives in Medellin so we are looking forward to spending time with them when we go to pick up our child. I have been several times and just love it down there. Am really looking forward to seeing Bogota since all of our trips have been to Medellin so far!

Our blog is laura & andres’ adoption adventure. It is mostly a blog about our adoption, but also has info on what we are doing in the meantime - including wrapping up a remodeling project at the house!

[yayacuco]

Another Laura here. Have two Colombian children (daughter almost 5 and son almost 1). Thinking about a third adoption so I check this forum to stay in the informed.

[montanagirl]

My husband Paul and I live in Montana. We have a wonderful 2 year old son (bio) and are hoping to adopt a child from Colombia. The agency we're woking with only works with CRAN, one of the casa privadas. We've been approved by CRAN's adoptions committee to adopt a girl or boy, age 0 to 2. We're currently waiting for a referral. I joined the forum for support during the long wait, and to get information and updates from others. Jody

[AdoptInMN]

Hello, I'm Kate and my DH is Ryan. We live in Northern Minnesota and are anxious to give our child the climate shock of moving here from Colombia. We are adopting through a casa privada (are approved at Ayudame and Los Pisingos) for an infant under 12 months old. This will be our first child, and we're very excited to get to spend time in such a beautiful country to learn about their culture!

[emi]

Great idea, Laura!

My name is Erin and my DH and I live with our son David (born in Guatemala) in Colorado. We have been on this Colombian roller coaster for a long time now, trying to adopt an infant from ICBF. The wait time has doubled since we first applied with our agency (we have a GREAT agency). Our dossier was just moved by ICBF to Bucaramanga (after being first on the list in Bogota for 10 weeks) and our agency "thinks" we should hear something "pretty quickly." IBCF moved us because things were moving so slowly and there are babies in Bucaramanga, or will be soon, apparently. The director there was in training last week, but is back in her office today, so we'll see how things go. I want to be hopeful, but it's hard to think that someday this really will end with a baby. Anyway, I've been having a hard time the past week, which is why I sound pessimistic! Right after ICBF moved our dossier to Bucaramanga, the family that had been next in line in Bogota got a referral! Urg. Happy for them (they are great), but mad for us!

Sorry this turned into a short story, but it has been a saga! Our timeline and blog is below.

Erin

[DrLaura]

Oh Erin...how frustrating! But think of this...you get to experience more of Colombia than if you had only gotten to go to Bogota. And perhaps things will move faster in Bucaramanga...I have heard that the court system in Bogota is very slow. Your child is waiting for you in Bucaramanga, you'll be there soon!

[emi]

Thanks, Laura! I am excited about Bucarmanga, it seems like a really great city. I have to believe that there is a specific baby waiting for us there, it's the only way I can survive right now!

[DrLaura]

I am so excited to go to Bogota...just because it is someplace new for me. I have been to Medellin (and love it) 4 times now but I am looking forward to seeing other parts of the country. One of these days we'll make it to Cartagena too. I have heard wonderful things about the coast.

There is at least one travel book for Colombia in case you are interested in things to do... Lonely Planet Colombia by Michael Kohn

Plus...if it takes you a little longer, there is a very, very small chance we might be in Colombia at the same time

[montanagirl]

Erin,
I'm so sorry that this crazy world of international adoption has got you down. I'm not an overly religious person, but I do believe that things work out for the best in the end. The child that is meant for your family is waiting in Barcumanga. I can't wait to log in and see a post from you entitled "Referral!" I'll bet it comes really soon. Hang in there!
Jody

[NashvilleGirl]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Ruth Ann and my husband, Steven, and I live in the Nashville, TN area. We do not have any children, and are adopting our first baby from CRAN. We decided on Colombia for a variety of reasons. We were really impressed with the level of care the children receive, the young age at which they are placed, and also my parents were missionaries there for several years. We honestly are having a hard time facing the long wait that is ahead of us. We are so ready to be parents NOW! But I truly believe that God is in control of all of this, and He will bring the baby that He has for us into our family in His perfect time. So for now, we are just trying to be patient and have fun doing the things that are harder to do once you have children, like travel and such! Thanks to all of you on this forum. You have been a wealth of information and encouragement. It's so much easier to walk down this path when you know that others are walking down it with you. Erin, you will especially be in my prayers. I know it's tough, but hang in there!! I'm sure your referral will come soon, and at just the right time. Good luck to the rest of you as well!

[ExcitedMomtoBe]

I'm Rachel in Virginia. My husband and I have a 2 year son, Gabriel, whom we adopted from Guatemala in 2005. At the time, I was pretty much addicted to the Guatemalan forum! Anyway, we're starting to think about #2 and are very interested in Colombia (along with Guatemala and Ethiopia). We loved our agency last time and want to stick with them. Right now, we've just been added to their Colombia unofficial waiting list... my understanding is that until they see their referrals pick back up (cross my fingers), they don't want to take more applications right now. Is that pretty standard at this point, based on how Colombia's policies have been changing? They don't want people's paperwork expiring while they're just sitting around, I'm assuming. Anyway, looking forward to learning more about people's Colombia experiences!

[MNbadgerfan]

Hi everyone,

Laura - thanks for doing this. Between traveling and starting a new job, I haven't been checking in enough! It's great to hear from everyone.

Anyways, my name is Beth and have a DH Luke. Our daughter (born in Guatemala) is 20 months old. We are wait listed with our agency for either Los Pisingos or Ayudame. We are considering dual listing with another country as well, but are dragging our feet so that we get a better sense of what is happening with the new ICBF changes.

Beth

[entropy]

I'm Wendy, currently living in Indianapolis *just moved here*
My husband and I adopted an 18 month old thru ICBF back in Nov 2005. Our beautiful daughter is now 3 and potty trained.
She's from the Bolivar region. (Cartagena)


I lurk a lot. But I read this board 3+ times a week.

[adoptcolombia]

My husband and I are in Wisconsin and adopting our first child. We are waiting on a medical clearance for him with a minor heart issue, so that has definitely been testing our patience...like one of you said, it will all work out for the best. We are applying to adopt an infant from ICBF, so our child will probably be right around 1 or so we are guessing. Can't wait to turn our dossier over...it's been a long 4 months of paperchasing!
Christy