Prayers for Guatemala and My Weekly Weigh In

As an adoptive mother to a beautiful Guatemalan child I cannot hold back any longer. When our children come home people often think that we forget about those that are left behind, still waiting for the day when they will be placed in the loving arms of their forever family. I am here to say that is NOT the case. Not day goes by that I don't think about or pray for the children still in Guatemala and the families waiting to bring their children home.

When we signed with our agency the problems in the Guatemalan Adoption Process had not yet surfaced to the extreme extent that they have now. Did we face delays? Yes, we did...particularly in PGN. However, our case didn't face what cases now have to face. Shortly after bringing Mikayla home, and by shortly I mean mere weeks later, the process started taking dramatic turns and delays became something to expect rather then something to pray didn't happen. Most of the children now are coming home at 9/10 months or older, with of course the exception of cases here and there. But the quicker cases, like ours, are no longer the norm.

Guatemalan Adoption is a process fraught with all sorts of problems. I will not go into detail about the problems but believe me when I say that there are many and although we adoptive parents don't like to always talk about them....we all know that they are there and that things need to change. Change in the Guatemalan Adoption Process WOULD be a good and welcomed thing normally, however, Guatemala is using extreme force and excessive use of power to put a stop to adoptions. Not only is this heart wrenching for families who have a child still there, but is detrimental to the children waiting to come home.

In January of 2008 the US will enact what is called the Hague Treaty. The Hague Treaty was designed to basically ensure that adoptions from EVERY country are completed in the most ethical way possible. I, once again, am not going to go into details about the Hague Treaty because I would be typing away all night long. The most important thing to note is that Guatemala currently is not operating their adoption system in a way the conforms to the Hague Treaty, therefore come 2008, they will be considered non-compliant with new US guidelines concerning International Adoption. OK so what does that mean. In all reality...no one really knows WHAT that will mean. There are hopes, HIGH hopes, that all in-process cases will be completed and Visa's for those children will be issued, therefore those cases will be grandfathered in. But there is also a lot of belief that come January, referrals of children from Guatemala will cease. Basically, if Guatemala can't figure out how to become Hague compliant then adoption of Guatemalan children to US Citizens will come to an end.

So this is where the prayers come in. US citizens adopt around 4000+ children from Guatemala each year. So what becomes of those 4000 children if there is no one allowed to adopt them? Where will they live? What will become of them? Who will be there for them? No one has answers to these questions and the ones that have speculative answers are ones we don't want to hear. So please, tonight as you say your prayers, pray for the children of Guatemala and for the government to do the RIGHT thing when it comes to Guatemalan Adoptions. I can't imagine my life without Mikayla in it and the thought of children JUST like her unable to find a home is heartbreaking. Pray that positive changes will be made that will enable US Citizens to continue adopting from Guatemala and that the Guatemalan Adoption Process will become more ethical as a whole. Please pray....these children, both born and unborn, need our prayers.

Now that I have said all of that, which I had to because it was heavy on my heart, it is time for my WEEKLY WEIGH IN! Did you forget about me starting my diet this week? I actually started it last Tuesday, not Monday, but I want to do my weigh-ins each Monday.

Well I am thrilled to report that I have lost 3.5 pounds this week! I am off to a good start and feel really motivated to keep plugging away at it. I already feel better now that I am eating better! Hopefully I will continue to lose this fast:-) But who knows....as long as I lose SOMETHING then I did good.

Now...here are some pictures I tried to take tonight that ended up being a total failure. I put Mikayla in one of her new Gymboree outfits that came in the mail today and she would not sit still for me to take a single good picture. She is on the go constantly. That is why I don't post many pictures anymore...the child is NEVER still unless she is SLEEPING! I need better pictures!

What mom...you want to take my picture? Well this princess says NO!

What's in here...anything to eat? I like to eat:-)

Oh yeah...who's cute? ME! Even if I don't let mom take a picture of me.

Tried to get ALL of her in this one...but nope..she moved too quick...but at least you can read her shirt!

Alec took this picture a few days ago when I was visiting my parents and I love it for some reason...he did a pretty good job!