[Jack's Papa]

Here is hoping that everyone that can benefit from a Christmas Miracle and have their children home for the Holidays will recieve one (especially Memo)!

Sadly, reality has set in and there is most likely no way we will be able to bring our son home before next year. yes, today is turning into a major pitty party!

So, I am asking for help and advice from anyone and everyone that has been through this before or is going through it now...does ANYTHING help?

Trying desperately not to be a Bah Humbug...
Jason

[smr67]

When we were going through our first adoption, and hit a major event and he wasn't home, I wrote my son a letter. It really helped me. I put a copy in his scrapbook. Hope this helps.

Suzanne

[WVUMom418]

Jason,

I know it doesn't make it any easier but take a look at my timeline. I thought we would definatley have our little girl home before her first birthday and then Thanksgiving and then Christmas. They are all passing by and she's still not home, I keep trying to be thankful for what we do have but it's hard.

The person in charge of the GC civil registry has my vote for Scrooge of the year.

[Jack's Papa]

Hi Joan,

Are you caught in the "Great Annual Book Binding Scandal"? Honestly, I know we are moving along and that these things take time. My heart does go out to you and others who have had "things" happen during the process. You are on my list of "Hoping for a Christmas Miracle"...thanks for the kind words though, they are appreciated.

Jason

[AlyD]

Hi Jason,

Don't really have too many words of wisdom - I was hoping for that Christmas miracle too... Actually based on other timelines my son should have been home twice over already. Anyway I'm trying to look at it this way: Next Christmas my son will be almost 3 he will be old enough to understand what's going on and be really excited about it all and your little guy will be in the same boat - next year he is going to have SO much fun, this year the festivities would just be overwhelming - especially if they were coming home in the whirlwind just before the holidays. Every Christmas your little guy remembers will have been spent with you. Hope that helps a little - some days it helps me some days it doesn't... I'm hopng your case starts moving super fast VERY soon!

[jennandsteve]

I was miserable this time last year. We had been in PGN for close to 4 months. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas were all passing us by. I finally heard we were out of PGN Dec 16 and that helped a lot. So maybe look for some little victory you think will come before Christmas and celebrate that. Like getting the DNA results and being submitted for preapproval.

I can tell you now...even though it was so awful (I actually made myself sick with worry and stress), it is now totally behind us. This year has been amazing and it seems like Sophia has been home forever. The pain and the things I missed are just not important in the whole scheme of things and our life with our daughter. Hard to believe now, I know.

I sent cameras and had the foster family take Christmas pics of them with our baby and their tradtions. I love those and know Sophia will cherish them. I tried to tell myself that they would only ever have one Christmas with my darling (they love her very much) and we would have many, many, God willing. It helped to think that way.

Hang in there! I feel for all of you who are waiting right now. This is a hard season to get through.

[Jack's Papa]

Thanks Aly,

From what I have read the GCBC book should be back soon...hopefully that will be all you need to get moving again...I do have to smile at your sig...I too am baffled by why it is SOO HARD to get a straight answer out of people. I found myself calling the lab to check and see that they had actually recieved the DNA. Our agency does not have the report sent directly to the family so we have to wait for them to forward it to us...who works for who???(smile).

Hoping that you and all of the others get your miracle.

Jason

[Pudding]

Well from someone that has been there I know that it can be tough and seem like an unbelievable eternity. I know that this is a small help but try to keep busy with lots of other things, start a new project around the house, join a group or choir, take a class, or start a new hobby. I know that everyone is addicted to this forum, myself included but it can be very difficult to keep coming on here when you are frustrated. I consider myself an unselfish person but when I would come on here I would always compare my timeline to everyone elses. You can not help but do that and there is always someone that is going to be blessed and speed through the process. I will pray for everyone that is waiting for their little rascal because I know that it can be overwhelming. I remember feeling sick to my stomach on many occasions. There are a lot of great people out here waiting for their little ones. I can only hope that these children know how blessed they are to have such great parents waiting for them.

Beth

[praying4rlittl1]

Oh boy, I am right there too... . I am trying to focus on next year as well. Thinking maybe by next year this time, this will all be a memory. And I am praying that if our case does turn into an abandonment, that it will not drag on past next Christmas. If that happens, you will have to talk to me again about my sanity...ha. So, last night we put up the tree and today we are doing the shopping. I've cried a lot and I will cry my way right through the Holidays, but I hold out hope for next year...

[annaguat]

I try to drown myself in projects and activities. Anna

[Jack's Papa]

Again thanks to everyone for the thoughts and suggesitons. Writing the letter...but have to be careful not to get choked up at work...oh the joys of cube land! Lots of projects...Jack's room had been our office..now he gets a room and we share with the cat boxes!!! Luckily we have all been sick...strange as that sounds but when your lying in bed, feeling miserable, taking LOTS of cough medicine, the days due seem go by faster...smile.

Hard to because Christopher is going to see hie bio Father so my wife is having a double bummer season...it will get better...it is only Monday afterall! (smile).

Again thanks,
Jason