[Francina]

I am just fumming here! I exited PGN on Nov. 14th and I expected I would travel around the last week of Nov or the first week of Dec. NOT!!

Get this: My agency called me today and informed me that my attorney is going on vacation Nov. 30-Dec. 9th so I should not expcet to travel till the following week!!!!!!!!!!

I am just furious and cannot believe that after making us wait this long (my daughter turned 9 months old today) that they are going to take a vacation just prior to the holidays!!!!!!!!!!

I will never recommend this agency or attorney to anyone if indeed this takes place!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for letting me vent!!!

Francina
Waiting for toooooo long for Baby Tenley 9 months old!

[csw]

Hi,
That must be very frustrating. It seems that the attornies are allowed to take time off, but should have a back up plan or another attorney cover for them when they are off.
Hope everything works out, Cathy

[bennett/kevin]

everything happens for a reason!!
be happy..you are out and will have your baby home for
christmas..you are so lucky!!!!!!
my baby is almost a year by the way ..

[becky]

I am so sorry this happened...but at least your baby will be home before Christmas.

I know that we all want our attorneys to be available 24-7...but I would imagine that he/she has had a vacation planned for a while, and it certainly may not be easily changed due to your situation.

I know that it's hard for us to understand here in the US why so many in Guatemala take vacations during December (right when we are all anxious to get our children home)...but in Guatemala school children are off school this time of the year (not in the summer months like here)...so this is the time that many families take vacation.

As for whether the attorney should have someone to cover...that is not very realistic...most attorneys in Guatemala work in single person practices...not many work in large 'law firms' like we have here in the US...so when the attorney is unavailable for a couple of weeks...there is usually no one there to cover.

I know it's hard when you have been waiting for so long...but hang in there...at least you know your little one is coming home soon!!

[Addie]

Hi Francina

I am so sorry to hear this. I think we have the same agency and possibly the same attorney and I must say I feel the same way right now. I would never use this agency again. I am happy to hear you are out of PGN and I hope you get your baby home ASAP!!

Addie

[Lisa Mays]

Be thankful that you are out of PGN, don't have to worry about what previo you could get next or if someone will ever sign your file. AND, your precious baby will be home for Christmas! A year from now you won't even remember this one week delay. Enjoy your little one!!!

[Francina]

Thanks for your input!

Yes, I am very grateful that my sweet baby is coming home and I know that I am blessed! I am sorry if I sounded otherwise. It is just that the thought of another month passing is so horrible when we are so close!

It is just that this news was so disappointing because I really thought that I would travel in a couple weeks! If my attorney doesn't even return till the 9th and my agency says she will still need to do work on the case after that date..... I pray we will still have time to get the medical done as the last date is Dec. 18th I have been told!

Does anyone know when medical exams will resume after this date?

Francina

[marykate]

After waiting 20 plus months to bring my child home I have trouble understanding the reaction of one extra week and having your daughter home for the holidays. I am happy to hear of another baby getting out and the joy of having your child with you for Christmas is a real treasure,be happy

[delaware1]

Hi Francina-
I'm very sorry to hear about your delay. The last several months have been hard on all of us, so I can understand how one last disappointment seems so unfair. I hope the rest of your wait flies by, and hope you will tell us about your trip and maybe even post a picture or two when you get back.
-Kathleen

[Addie]

Francina

I think it is terrible that you have to wait over a month to go get your baby after you got the call. I have read many peoples complaints on this board over much less than this and they have not received such bitter responses. Makes you wonder.

All I can say is we can not vacation any time we like due to my husbands work schedule. In his busy time we can't think of going away. The attornies are making a decent living from all this and to vacation at this time when adoptions are put on hold is in my eyes terrible. Vent away as much as you like, everyone else does. And if you are not happy with your agency and attorney you have every right to complain and give poor recomendations. I wish I had someone fill me in before I went through a lot of needless waiting and pain.

Addie

[bhouston]

Francina
I read on another post here that it looks like others are now having to wait between 3-4 weeks to go pick up due to the large amt of families picking up their children! So even though your atty is going to go on vacation you might have had to wait anyway due to the backlog of babies coming home! I know this is disappointing for you but this is what we have all been praying for That babies get released and it does look as if that is starting to happen! Try not to waste your energy on anger over your travel dates you are going to need it when your crawling baby gets home! You are ahead of the game....enjoy it.....Beth

[crathke]

Francina: a year ago, we exited PGN on 12/6. We were ready to travel the day after Christmas but were told we had to wait a week because....our attorney was going on vacation. As a result, our pickup trip was delayed until January 13th, 2003--over a month.

Please be aware that the attorneys have had a horrible summer (and fall) as well--no referrals, no cases being released; they have been waiting just as long as the families have for the children to be released from PGN. And with no new cases, they have had no new income, either. Frankly, I feel they are absolutely entitled to a vacation!

And as far as lashing back at the waiting families, who have lived with bitter disappointment for so long....that is just unfair. I know so, so many people who have been waiting months (and years) for their children. Please put yourselves in their shoes for just one minute and I'm sure you can understand that they would give *anything* to know their child was out of PGN and they could literally count the days until their pickup trip.

I am not saying your frustration is not valid....just that there are many on this board (and others) who wish they had your "troubles".

[Francina]

I am so very sorry for all who wait and have waited for so long!!!

However, those of you who have been so quick tongued to judge my post should be careful! How do you know what I have been through, if this is even my first adoption, referral, etc. I will not air all details but I will tell you this.......No ones suffering is greater than anothers! I hope that I would never be so bitter that I could not listen to anothers concerns! Very gross!

As for the adoption attorney's in G...I am VERY aware of what they do and do not do for their money!! As with all things....some are fantastic and some are horrible! Take off the rose colored glasses folks!

(Thanks to all who pm me with nice comments. I appreciate it!)

This will be my last post and I must say after all this I will be glad to depart!

Francina

[jillbee]

There is an old Irish saying that we cannot compare people's sorrows.

I would ask that everyone be careful what you post about other's situations. We are all extremely sensitive about all of this--and with good reason. Let's try to all be that best friend that will always listen and support without judging. Isn't that the main reason we all joined this forum?

Peace,
Jill

[Lindsie]

Francina,
While I think it is awful that the wait has been dragged out even longer, I am a lawyer (not dealing with adoption) and know that it is very difficult to plan a holiday, much less take one. There are always people who are disapointed or angry as their matter has had to be put on hold while we take a break. Most lawyers are sensitive to this and try very hard to get everything finalised before going on holiday. Please remember that we are people too who have kids and families that need to have a break sometimes.