Here we go again

Well it looks like we (B and the 65) are on the agenda for the KG parliment meeting tomorrow. Well, more like 'today' since they are 13 or so hrs ahead of us. Jeez I hope this turns into something good. The Yahoo Group has been a buzz with up to the minute entries from all of the news reels we watch. I have been looking too but havent seen anything that they havent already mentioned. http://eng.24.kg/ (is in English) and http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://www.kenesh.kg/&ei=RRY3SriZNYaEtwfLl_DcDA&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dkenesh%26hl%3Den is the translated link to Kenesh, one of the other news sites. I will keep you all informed when I know something else.

Since tomorrow is today over there it is also B's 1st birthday. He is a year old. I am sad to be missing this milestone but have faith that he will be here, with me, for his next birthday and every one after that. Its hard to believe it but its been over a year since I started this journey and I remember EXACTLY where I was when I got the call from J with his referral. I was so optimistic and thought things were moving so quickly. I got his referral and I hadnt even fishished my dossier! I worked so hard to get everything done and ready. When he was 3 months old (in October) I made my first trip. I though he would be home by Thanksgiving, Christmas at the latest. The delays were already beginning but the process hadn't come to a screaching halt until after my visit. We are still in the same situation waiting and waiting for something to happen. I was fortunate to visit him again in January and he was doing well. I havent seen him since but have gotten a couple of pictures. Not the same, but something. Thank you so much for all your support and prayers for me, and Porkchop and all the other kids that are waiting to come home.

This Just in:

Hello All,
I got this from one of the News websites I have been watching (along with the entire 65 group)

'Jun 23, 2009 at 14:00 pm deputies of parliament of Kyrgyzstan with the participation of lawyers from the United States will discuss the issue of international adoptions. '

Press-service of the Zhogorku Kenesh

I hope this turns out to be something good.

Ok so the news is flying

There have been numerous international articles written on the results of the DC meeting. ALL GOOD. The delegates have stated wonderful sentiments of children having better lives here than in the orphanages. Babies getting medical care that has given them new, healthier lives. The delegates that came to the meeting have become great advocates for us as we wait for something to get moving. They mentioned how we encourage and keep their heritage alive with books and stories of Kyrgyz, all things that we (the waiting families) have already committed to continuing. It really feels like positive things are happening. I still think they will wait til after the election (in July) to make any decisions so we are still waiting. J sent an email saying that our incountry source was told that things will start up again in 10 days. I am not as optimistic about that one. We have heard that before. I am still hanging in there.

I find that shopping therapy is good for the soul and I got some smokin deals at a Macys clearance center. I bought lots of different sizes of pants and long sleeved shirts to take to Kyrgyz when I go. I suppose the girls there were wondering why I bought 6 pairs of red pants (who needs 6 pairs of red pants..right?....) and sweaters and long sleeved tshirts with no regard for size. Most everything was under $3 the pants were $1.50.. cant beat it.

Not a whole lot going on

Well, its been a while since I posted and, unfortunately, there really isnt anything new to say. We are still waiting for a decision on when (or if) the 65 waiting families will be finalized and we can go get the kiddos. The meeting went extremely well and the team of families was instrumental in changing the perception of IA from negative to positive for one of the delegates. They have responded via email to one of our spokesfamilies and said they would do everything they can to reunite us with our children. The yahoo group is listing that IA is on the agenda for the Parliment in June. We dont know if they will actually decide anything or if it will just be discussed. Even if they do decide to get things going we dont really anticipate any actual progress or any ability to travel until after the presidental election in late July. I am emailing J to see if B can visit the orphanage and get some updated pics of Porkchop. I am sad that he will be turning 1 without me. June 25 is coming up fast and there is no way he will be home for it. I will post more as soon as I know anything else.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
Hugs
Beth

A successful meeting

A group of families both current and waiting spoke to the group in Washington on Friday. They posted their thoughts on the group last night and from their words everything went very well. (See B's blog) We all had very high hopes that the officials would be moved by the stories and love we have for these children. They were. They could see the love of a mother and her 8year old adopted son sleeping in her lap. They heard from that same mother the only answer, that matters to the question 'Why?' that answer - 'Because I love her'! This is the same answer we all have for that question. They saw the pictures and stories of the children that we all gave to put faces to the waiting children. The received books showing how other children, who have come home already, are thriving with their families here. I believe this will truly make a difference in getting the process moving. I hope to hear more news soon.

As far as my plunge into Domestic? I am working on my intro letter to birthparents and my blog with the rest of the 'get to know me' information. I am taking this a little slowly, because of the finance challenge and I want to make sure this is the right time for me and for B.

Meeting this week

There is a delegation of Kyrgyz officials visiting Washington this week. The waiting 65 have our own delegation to meet them. The meeting is on the 29th (Friday). The families are gathering information and families that have brought children home are helping with stories and photos. C has gotten a wonderful book together and we have all submitted stories of our children and their needs.

Familes were invited to speak on behalf of the children and the families and I am happy that T was one of them. Our group is made up of first-time adoptive parents, and adoptive parents that are on their 2nd or 3rd or 4th adoption. We are all from different backgrounds, have different experiences, different professions, single, married.. sooo different but all brought together in this little bubble of waiting.

Pray for the safe travels of the families and that the delegates open their hearts and hear the love and longing we have for these children. Our hope is that the delegates will use their voice to get the process moving.

Considering another big step

First off. I want it to be perfectly clear that in my heart I know B WILL come home, its just a matter of when. He has stolen my heart and will keep it forever. This state of limbo has given me more and more conviction and intensified my desire to be a mother. I had a wonderful day with my Mom and her unwaivering support has been a blessing. We talk and talk about what it will be like when he comes home, wonder why its taking so long, what it means for us, and how much I rely on her. She is not only my mother, but one of my closest and dearest friends. And now the punch line. I am starting to explore domestic adoption. I have always thought my little family would include 2 children. The planner in me had a schedule all figured out- B would be home in December (in time for the tax year) and I would use the credits and the reimbursement from my company to get a good chunk of the fees covered for the second. And then.... well you know what has been going on. I need to find out some things with my agency, they dont have a domestic program and I want to make sure starting a new process doesnt interfere with B's adoption. I dont know what docs I can still use or if I need to start all over. And then, where the money is going to come from is a big ? too. I am probably crazy to start this all again with the current economic time but someone out there needs me as much as I need them and I'm gonna do everything I can to find them. Just like before, I have no preference.. boy or girl. That's my story....and I'm stickin' to it.

PS.. L, told ya so.... hehe congrats