Our Little Princess

Visit trip #15---Still waiting for Ameera to come home after 3 1/2 years!!

2011-11-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

2011-11-16T20:06:00.000-08:00

Ameera's 3rd Birthday

2011-11-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

Ameera's 2nd Birthday!

2011-11-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

Casa de Esperanza

2010-07-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well after 2 1/2 years and just returning from our 11th visit trip to Guatemala City, we sadly still have a long way to go until we are able to bring Ameera home to the United States.

Visit trip #5

2009-08-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

2009-06-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

News about Guatemala Adoptions:

Joint Council on International Childrenâ€™s Services (JCICS) was recently in Guatemala to advocate for cases that are currently in process and to advocate for the composition of the new adoption regulations. During the visit to Guatemala, JCICS met with several organizations, including the Ministerio Publico (MP), CNA (Central Authority), PGN, UNICEF, various judges and Bienestar.

In meeting with CNA, JCICS determined that CNA continues to not accept any documentation allowing adoption agencies to register. The CNA implied that they may begin the accreditation process in late summer of 2009. However, it is unknown if this will truly take place or not as the CNA has given many time frames which we have seen come and go.

CNA did indicate to JCICS that their initial preference when registering adoption agencies was for the European countries. They would like European agencies to be the first to work with international adoptions when and if they resume.

JCICS was also able to meet with UNICEF representatives in Guatemala, who expressed frustration that the CNA has not completed the appropriate adoption regulations. JCICS believes UNICEF is encouraging CNA to finalize their regulations and to process transitional cases.
This is not promising news, but it is news that things are still being done to advocate for adoptions in Guatemala. If we receive any news of additional developments in Guatemala, we will be sure to post to let everyone know. At this time, Guatemala adoptions are not ready to reopen and may not be ready until the end of the year or 2010 at the earliest.

New pics of Ameera

2009-06-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

Well we finally have everything updated and ready to go AGAIN! Our extenision of our immigration approval will give us another 16 months to bring her home. So lets hope it does not take even close to that. We are still hoping for December. We miss her so much and can't wait to see her walking!

2009-06-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Still Waiting!!!

2009-03-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

We are still waiting to hear some news. They told us they would be ready to start again in March, but when they say March they really mean June or July. SLOW, SLOW, SLOW!! In the mean time we had to re-do our fingerprints and some other clearances that have expired because the adoption is taking so long. YUK! Hopefully it will be soon!

February Visit Trip

2009-02-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

Photo from Guatemala

2009-01-22T20:55:00.000-08:00

Today our little princess turns 13 months old! We just received this picture and an update that she is doing well and growing very quickly! Our next trip is scheduled for February and we can't wait to see her.

We have been trying to adopt Ameera since February of last year. Every day we pray that Guatemala will re-open adoptions soon and allow us to continue our case.

Ameera's Birthday Party

2008-12-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

Matt and I were very lucky to celebrate with our studio family! Thanks to all the girls for taking out some practice time to sing and eat cake!!

Ameera's 1st Birthday is December 22!!

2008-12-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st Birthday to our little princess!
We are so sad that we cannot be there to celebrate on her special day, but we are so thankful that she is in our lives. Can't wait to see her again!!

November Visit trip

2008-11-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

Closed to the end of the year

2008-09-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

Well it is official. Guatemala just announced they will close all adoptions through the end of the year. We are still trying to stay positive and take it one day at a time to get through this. Thanks for your support and all of the prayers.

Case Info

2008-08-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

New Update on our case: Guatemala is now saying that all the birth mother interviews for pending adoptions must be completed by Aug. 31. What that means to us is that they are at least trying to get the old cases out soon. Our agency had predicted that we might file in August, but it won't happen now. They need to get all the old cases out before they start the new/transition cases like ours. Keep us on your prayer list!

Ameera's foster family

2008-08-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

A lot of people have asked who takes care of Ameera in Guatemala. Thankfully she is not in an orphanage, she lives with a wonderful foster family. They love her so much!! Pictured R-L are Jorge (our translator/facilitator), the neice of our foster mom, the sister of our foster mom, and the foster mom Ana. On each visit trip they bring Ameera to our hotel and she stays with us the entire time we are in the county. The hardest part of course is when they come back to get her. But at least we know she is in a loving home.

Shining Stars

2008-07-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of my Shining Stars Students on a great job at Nationals!! We have tons of champions this year!! I am so proud of everyone and especially excited to have 2 students on the 2009 NBTA World Team. Chloe, Jillian, and I will be traveling with our families to Belgium in April for competition. I think the Guatemala worry dolls from Ameera were a big help in our success!!

Some hope

2008-07-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

A little light at the end of the tunnel. We have been waiting like crazy for Guatamala to re-open and start new cases of adoptions. It sounds like they might be moving a little closer to that. Having her home by December would be the best but if they don't get moving soon, that is not going to be a viable option for us. Keep us in your prayers!!!

Guardian angels

2008-07-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

One of the worst things about adopting internationally is that your close friends and family dont get to know your baby's personalility. Everyone likes to hear about her, but it just isn't the same as knowing her. My grandma loved to hear all about Ameera and I wish that she could have held her in her arms before she passed away. As I get ready to attend her funeral in the morning, I find some peace in knowing that grandma is looking down on her and will be among her many guardian angels. We love you grandma and will miss you so much.

Happy 4th of July

2008-06-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

As July 4th approaches, I can't help being patriotic and thinking about how many opportunities that Ameera will get as a United States citizen. We will be so excited when she gets her visa and finally becomes an American! This Independence Day when you watch those fireworks, don't forget to think about Ameera!!!

Guatemala Friends

2008-06-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

Today we wish a Happy Birthday to our friend Gina! Hopefully Andy & Gina will get some good news soon about their son Wade. Ameera and Wade had many playdates in Guatemala and we hope to have them play again soon at HOME!!!

Missing You

2008-06-26T20:39:00.001-07:00

We have only been gone for one day and all we can think about is getting back to Ameera! Our time with her goes so quickly and we pray that she will be home with us soon. Each time we visit Guatemala we have been very lucky to meet so many wonderful families who have been so supportive and helpful. It really is an overwhelming and comforting feeling to spend time with people who are going through the very same emotional rollercoaster. Many of the families we have met will become life long friends!