Friday, October 26, 2007

Whoever smelled it, dealt it!


For cryin' out loud. We were hit by lightning almost 3 weeks ago and yesterday was the first time I had my internet back. DO YOU KNOW HOW HORRIBLE IT WAS????? One morning I sat down and it was like someone shot a gun in my ear. BOOM! No internet, no phone, no cable, and unknowingly until this past weekend, no septic system. Replaced the phone 3 days later. Check. Ordered new receiver for cable (it was just out in our room and that really wasn't too bad) and had that within a week. But no internet? Stinko-madinko. Verizon decided they wanted to argue whether or not it was a computer, DSL-people kind of problem or a phone problem. No one wanted to come out. And then when they finally did, and it was decided that we had to replace the stupid modem(which we could have done weeks ago), they didn't order it like they said they would. After much turmoil I have my internet...yay! Now, the septic system? Our catch phrase is "The smell is the only way to tell!" Thankfully, our neighbors aren't right next to us, because we smell like we just poop in the yard with the dogs. The guy told me yesterday that the smell will go away in a few days. Fantastic (read with sarcasm).

On the Piper end of things, she is doing great. Words are finally starting to be used on her own and that is good. She can even say "I love you" and it is so cute! Her feet have grown about 2 sizes and I hope that that means she will have a growth spurt soon, even if it isn't much. She eats like a horse and even her veggies.

On a discouraging front, Camden said something horrible the other day. He said that he was ready to take Sissy back to Ethiopia because he was done with her. It broke my heart. I don't really think that he meant it or even understood what he was saying, but it told me that he was discouraged with her. She is very close to Bro and seems to be taken with him, but swats Cam away a lot. He is like a little parent, correcting her and directing her, but not unkindly, so that may be part of the problem. The boy is a stickler for rules, that is just how he is wired. I wondered if he noticed how she pushes him away a lot, and I am guessing he did, now. Other than that comment, things are the same. He still says he loves her out of the blue and tries to kiss her and love on her (even though she pushes him away). I have tried to involve him when she and I are hugging and stuff and she seems to be more open to him then. It's one of those hurdles and things to watch. Anyone else have this stuff?

Some great news, we are working on the readoption and should find out this next week about our court date to make this thing "official"! How many times has this whole adoption thing been "official"? But it will REALLY be official then.

I am going put in some pictures and then catch up on everyone, now.



Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Guatemala children and families in crisis

This was sent to me in an email from Gladney. I'd be lying if I didn't have a "whew" in the back of my head. What a tragedy for these children and their families. I can't imagine the heartbreak. Whether or not we adopted or are doing so and irregardless of the country, we can all make a difference. Please read and act....October 9th,10th and 11th...let's make it busy days:

If your e-mail program can't display this e-newsletter, view it online at: http://www.adoptionsbygladney.com/html/enews/guatemala_5000.html
Gladney Center for Adoption

Gladney Center for Adoption
Call to Action
Guatemala 5000
A Service of Gladney Center for Adoption

Dear Dennis and Rachel, the Gladney Center for Adoption is writing in support of an initiative led by the Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS), an umbrella organization of leading international adoption agencies. The request that follows comes from JCICS. We hope the Gladney community can lend their support.

***

Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has announced plans to suspend all intercountry adoption with American families on January 1 2008. The Joint Council on International Children's Services strongly opposes such a suspension and asks for your support in their efforts to ensure that all children retain the right to permanency through Intercountry Adoption.

President Berger's plans also call for the suspension of adoptions currently in-process. Such a suspension would be extremely detrimental to the children referred to adoptive parents. If President Berger's plan is actually implemented, up to 5,000 will unnecessarily remain in foster care or orphanages indefinitely.

This situation represents a pending crisis for the adoptive families who have lovingly chosen to provide permanency, safety and love to a child in need and most importantly a crisis for 5,000 children of Guatemala.

What can you do? Make five simple phone calls and send one email.

1. Call your U.S. Senator
>>You can find your Senators' phone numbers at www.senate.gov
>>Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff

2. Call your second U.S. Senator

3. Call your representative to the U.S. House of Representative
>>You can find your representative at www.house.gov
>> Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff

4. Call or fax UNICEF Headquarters
>>Ask to speak with Ann Veneman, Executive Director
>>Telephone: 212-326-7000
>>Fax: 212-326-7758

5. Call or fax UNICEF Guatemala
>>Ask to speak with Manuel Manrique
>>Telephone: 011-502-2327-6373
>>Fax: 011-502-2327.6366
Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls.

6. Send an email supporting Intercountry Adoption to guatemala5000@jcics.org
>>Write briefly or at length
>>Joint Council will use the cumulative email petition in our advocacy for Intercountry Adoption

When should you call? Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (October 9th, 10th 11th). For maximum effect, we are asking you to make these calls within a 72-hour window!

What should you say or write to member of the U.S. Congress? Speak from your heart and give them the following information.
>>Inform them that you are calling regarding Guatemala 5000
>>Ask them to sign the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) sponsored letter to President Oscar Berger
>> Ask them to sign the Joint Council on International Children's Services sponsored letter to UNICEF
>>Inform them that the Guatemalan government has announced that all intercountry adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008.
>>Inform them that President Berger's announcement also indicated that there will be no 'grandfathering' of adoptions already in process.
> >Inform them that if children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care.
>>Ask that their office get involved and sign the sponsored letters to the President of Guatemala and UNICEF. These letters ask that all adoptions in-process as of January 1 2008 be allowed to process to completion under the existing notorial laws.

>>SAMPLE STATEMENT<<

Hello,

We are calling/writing on behalf of the Guatemala 5000 Initiative. We, as your constituents, are asking that the Senator/Congressperson add their signature to two letters. First, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute sponsored letter to Guatemalan President Oscar Berger. Second, the Joint Council on International Children's Services sponsored letter to UNICEF.

As you may be aware, the Guatemalan government has announced that all intercountry adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008. Their announcement also indicated that there will be no 'grandfathering' of adoptions already in process. If children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care. Your office must get involved and sign the sponsored letters to the President of Guatemala and UNICEF. These letters ask that all adoptions in-process as of January 1 2008 be allowed to process to completion under the existing notorial laws.

Sincerely,

[your name and contact information]


What should you say or write to UNICEF? Speak from your heart and give them the following information.
>>Inform them that you are calling regarding the Guatemala 5000
>>Ask them to support the right's of children and lend their considerable influence to ensuring that intercountry adoptions currently in-process be allowed to process to completion under the existing notorial laws.
>>Inform them that the Guatemalan government has announced that all adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008.
>>Inform them that President Berger's announcement also indicated that there will be no 'grandfathering' of adoptions already in process.
>> Inform them that if children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care.
>>Ask them again for their support of the Guatemala 5000 Initiative.

>>SAMPLE STATEMENT<<

Hello,

We are calling/writing on behalf of the Guatemala 5000 Initiative. As financial supporters of UNICEF (through our tax dollars), we are asking that UNICEF lends its support and considerable influence to the Guatemala 5000 initiative.

As you may be know, the Guatemalan government has announced that all intercountry adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008. Their announcement also indicated that there will be no 'grandfathering' of adoptions already in process. If children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care. UNICEF must get involved and help ensure that all intercountry adoptions in-process as of January 1 2008 be allowed to process to completion under the existing notorial laws.

Sincerely,

[your name and contact information]

Can you explain the problem behind the pending crisis? Here is some additional information…
>>Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has announced plans to effectively stop all adoptions into the United States including those children who have already been referred to adoptive parents
>>Over 5,000 children have been referred
> >The birthparents for these children have already relinquished their parental rights. As a result, they currently have no family and the Berger suspension will result in these children having no prospect for a permanent, safe and loving family
>>The government of Guatemala currently does not have the finances or facilities to even provide housing for these 5,000 children
>> The Berger plan is a crisis waiting to happen

What else can you do? In addition to your primary calls to U.S. Congress and UNICEF, you can call the following.

SOSEP (Guatemala)
>>Director Teresa Echeverría de Bastarrechea
Office Phone- 011-502-2383-8400
>>Assistant Director- Edin Palma- Same office phone
Office Phone- 011-502-2383-8400
>>Jaime Tecu
Office Phone - 011-502-2239-0000 ext 2766
Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls

Guatemala Ministry of Foreign Affairs
>>Minister Gerth Rosenthal
Office Phone 011-502-2410-0000, 2410-0010
>>Vice Minister- Marta Altoaguirre
Office Phone 011-502-2410-0020
Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls

PGN (Guatemala)
>>Carlos Victor Hugo Barrios Barahona
Office Phone 011-502-2248-3200 Ext. 207/208
Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls

Procuraduria of Human Rights
>>Dr. Sergio Morales
Office Phone 011-502-2424-1717
Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls

Embassy of Guatemala in the U.S.
2220 R Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Office Phone 1-202-745-4952
Office Fax 1-202-745-1908
Website: http://guatemalaembassy.com/

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

This is a load alright....

I am sorry, but 2X concentrated detergent is rocking my world. Yes, there are much larger problems(anyone seen my rear?), but now I have to keep up with the times and learn how to use this new measurement, which only comes in level 1 and 2 now, rather than 3. Which one is for a small load? The one? What about medium? Two? What about Large Load (keep in mind my pants are in there)? Now what do I do? Who on earth invented concentrated detergent???? Probably the same person who invented the Swiffer. You know, because now I have to sweep, swiffer, and THEN mop. I didn't ask for the extra step! Yeah, those Swiffer people. Now I also have to Swiffer my walls with their "wand", too. BEFORE, I didn't have to do anything to my walls because there was nothing out there that told me I needed to. It's all part of the conspiracy. Which one I don't know, but it is.