[CarrieL]

Dear Amy,

Was just reading your chats from Nov. I lived in Nica for 9 weeks to complete the adoption of our daughter. It was so hard the first 2 weeks but after that it was a little easier. I have to tell you it was the best experience of my life! Not only an awesome bonding time with our daughter but a wonderul opportunity to really experience the culture (not just in the form of a vacation). We are in process for a second adoption if things are back up and running after the change in administration. Yes, this was the hardest thing we have ever done but it was also one of our greatest experiences. Our daughter will be 5 in April and we will have had her 2 years. The time I spent now seems like a blur!
We love Granada and especially love Hotel Cocibolca. It is very small, safe with a pool and they offer excellent rates for the month, including food. You would be very, very well cared for there!
Best of luck as you endure this adventure! CarrieL

[dawnrenee58]

Any news on annyone? You are all in my prayers!!

[ajvacations]

Just got word, we are meeting with the judge on Thursday morning! I'm guesstimating about 3 weeks after the meeting we may be done. Anyone else remember their time table after meeting with the judge?

[dawnrenee58]

Ours was only 2 weeks...maybe even a little shorter. The first time we were supposed to meet with him, the rep from Procuradia didn't show, so it was rescheduled for 1 week later. It was on a Monday, and by the following Friday, we were on the way home! You are almost there! The only thing that might take a while is getting the adoption decree. After you get that, it is just a few days more! One day to get BC, one for passport, and one for visa! We picked up the decree on Monday and on Friday were on the plane!!

I will be praying for you on Thursday! I remember being where you are and thinking that time was standing still. Get your shopping done now, because you will be home before you know it!

[KMtexas]

I am so glad to hear things are moving along for you!

How is Maryina doing? Does she seem to be adjusting better?
Did your husband and sons make it down for the visit?

[ajvacations]

Ladies thank you so much...Dawn you are right...I had being so good with the day by day thing until I got the appointment and now time seems frozen!

Margina (new spelling) is doing great. Her current name is Maryina del Carmen Espinoza. Her new name is Margina Daniella Reamer Johnson. She chose the Daniella and was ok with the spelling change.

She is still not calling me mama, says she is waiting until she moves but she drew a picture of her new family and she labeled my husband and I with Mama and Papa and not our names. A HUGE step for her!

We are supposed to check out of the apt on Tues Feb 6th so I'm anxious for Thursday also to find out more from Nubia on a possible time frame, so I know what to do, stay here, move in with friends on Tuesday...yo no se!!!

I told my husband about 3 weeks after the meeting and I'm not telling him different until I know for sure it will be less. Like you had happen, someone may not show up for the meeting etc. My return flight right now is for Feb 14th, keep your fingers crossed I can keep that appointment with Delta!

[motherofeight]

Amy,
Hang in there! You are on the home stretch. This post has been edited for Violation of the Agency Discussion Guideline. The Agency Discussion Guideline prohibits the discussion of Fee Based Adoption Businesses openly on the forums. If you have feedback/comments or Advice, please send a Private Message. To Read the Agency Discussion Guideline, click here: http://forums.adoption.com/community...ease-read.html My sincerest congratulations on your new daughter! I will be praying for you during these last few weeks. Lisa

[ajvacations]

I'm not sure what you violated You can pm or email me at amy@a-jvacations.com

[motherofeight]

Hi Amy
I sent you an e-mail!!
Lisa

[KMtexas]

Amy,

How did everything go yesterday? I hope it went well and you & Margina are headed home soon!

Kirstin

[ajvacations]

things did not go as planned. Margina got cold feet with the judge. When he was questioning her she told him she knew me, she loved me but when he asked her if she wanted to be adopted she wouldn't answer. She got upset and started to cry so we cleared the room so the judge could talk to her alone. She said she was afraid to leave the country, she didn't know what her life was going to be like. He suggested we get her some counseling to help her work thru her fears. Her case worker with the govt thought she should go back to the orphanage so they took her back the same day. It has been the roughest week ever for me. I got back to the apt without her and I felt like my child had died. I was grieving. We were doing so well together, the night before she was putting on a fashion show for me trying to pick out clothes to wear. Tried out different hair styles. It surprised everyone. My parents flew to Nicaragua to be with me and stayed with me as we waited to see what the govt was going to do. They allowed me to choose a psychologist and they are going to have the orphanage staff get her to the appt on this wednesday. Since they didn't want me to visit her and our financial situation is not too good right now with me being gone for 2 months we decided it was best I come back home until we know something. She talked with a counselor at church on the Sunday after the judge's visit and she told the counselor she wanted to come back with me but she wanted to bring one of the girls from the orphanage with her. (not a specific girl, just a girl) She said she was worried about making friends here since she doesn't know much english. The psychologist thinks it will not take too much work with her to help her thru this fear. So I flew home with my parents yesterday and I have contacts there keeping an eye on things and are going to keep me posted and I have the psychologist's email address too. They all know I will jump on a plane as soon as she is ready. Everyone agrees a lot of it has to do with her age. She is 11, almost 12, acceptance from peers is huge at this age. And since their law says age 7 & over have to consent to the adoption we can't move forward until she's ready to tell the judge yes. So we are on hold for a little bit but hopefully when I go back it won't be for very long this time! She may even be able to go to the judge without me but I may have to return for counseling with her first. We'll see....so Kirsten...I may be there with you after all!

[ajvacations]

I didn't get the email..may have gotten lost in spam

[KMtexas]

Amy,

I am so sorry to hear this; I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to leave there without her.
I hope she can work through this and get past her fears soon.

I wish there was anything I could say to make this better, I know you must be hurting so much. If you need to vent feel free to pm or email me. I will be thinking about all of you.

Kirstin

[dawnrenee58]

Oh, Amy, my heart is breaking for you. I am so sorry that this has happened. I can't even fathom what it was like to fly back without your child. Please, if there is anything you need, contacts in Nica, whatever, please let me know.

You will be on my heart and in my prayers. I just don't know what else to say. I am fervently pleading with God that this will be resolved for you soon. I hope you are forced to buy a ridiculously expensive last minute ticket back to Managua, because she is ready to go NOW!!


Dawn

[motherofeight]

Amy,
I am so sorry! Please don't lose heart! God is in control! I will be praying for you and your family.
Lisa