tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post115446018196904784..comments2023-07-07T02:33:03.901-07:00Comments on Hell & High Water: ¿Por qué estoy solo aquí?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1155059377852279192006-08-08T10:49:00.000-07:002006-08-08T10:49:00.000-07:00We chose Guatemala for several reasons. We wanted ...We chose Guatemala for several reasons. We wanted a child younger than our then-2 yr old and being 'older' adoptive parents many countries limited us to older children. We also knew we could not travel for lengthy times because of our other children. So Guatemala it is.<BR/><BR/>Wendy<BR/>http://adoptingahren.blogspot.com/Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01618979198068677569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154991302051373022006-08-07T15:55:00.000-07:002006-08-07T15:55:00.000-07:00You are not the only blogger adopting from Colombi...You are not the only blogger adopting from Colombia, my wife and I are in the process of adopting from Colombia and have been blogging for our family, friends, and anyone who might find some value in our experiences.<BR/><BR/>http://hodsonsblog.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>I've been checking in on your blog for a little while I certainly don't want you to think that you are the only ones in Blogland adopting from Colombia. <BR/><BR/>I hope that you receive your 171H soon and that your wait to be united with your child in Colombia is no longer that absolutely necessary.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15108951694276613826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154893134418111762006-08-06T12:38:00.000-07:002006-08-06T12:38:00.000-07:00Colombia, Mexico and other S. American countries a...Colombia, Mexico and other S. American countries are at the top of our list. For us, the major factor in our waiting to adopt is cost: still feeling uncomfortable with older child U.S. foster adoption, but not yet being in a place for IA. After cost, for us the next big question is comfort level. We just feel more comfortable with S. American countries. I know some people who only want to adopt from countries without orphanages, or only from places with predictable wait times, or where they can request one sex or another. For, us, we are okay with either sex, would like the option of a long in country stay versus longer to finalization, and really connect with the culture. So S. America makes sense for us. It's probably not PC to say this, but I really don't want more people to rush to Colombia and push the wait times further like China. I would hate to see it become the next "in" country in the IA popularity race. That would really suck on many levels. I read another Colombian adoption blog: Via La Colombia.chanceofbookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393065399787426434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154644185743892642006-08-03T15:29:00.000-07:002006-08-03T15:29:00.000-07:00We did consider Central and South America when we ...We did consider Central and South America when we had our big "next steps" summit in March, but (and I discuss this on my blog pretty extensively) we ultimately felt China was the best fit for us. Of course, we thought the wait was in the 8mo range back then, so we may have chosen another option had we known what we know now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154635194451439112006-08-03T12:59:00.000-07:002006-08-03T12:59:00.000-07:00I looked seriously at Colombia, actually. It's st...I looked seriously at Colombia, actually. It's still in my mind (there's a Kidsave event near me this weekend). But ultimately I decided to go with Guatemala for three reasons. First, as a single woman, I can probably only adopt a child older than 7 from Colombia, and I really was hoping for age 3-6. Second, children in Colombia are mostly in orphanages but in Guatemala they are in foster care. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the orphanages are fantastic. But the foster family is really a method of transitioning the child from the birth family's situation to that of a stable family. Third, Colombia expects 3 weeks of travel but Guatemala is 4 days. I only have 30 days off work, so I didn't want to spend almost the entire time living in a hotel. (As it turns out, I may only have 8 days leave.) Colombia is a beautiful country, and there is just so much need in all aspects of their lives. I did my masters thesis on Colombian culture about 10 years ago, and would have truly loved if their regulations were a little different for me.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06034128099645962837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154633348675715402006-08-03T12:29:00.000-07:002006-08-03T12:29:00.000-07:00When I think about adoptoin, (I've not really thou...When I think about adoptoin, (I've not really thought about adoption in a lot of detail), I have considered guatemala because of being able to meet your baby relatively early. I would be convinced that china was the answer because my husband speaks chinese, but the waiting time terrifies me. I guess we'll have to see what will happen.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there is at least one other colombian adoption blog, I'll see if I can find it for you.Thaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12125639207843989848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154612683097977692006-08-03T06:44:00.000-07:002006-08-03T06:44:00.000-07:00This is a really interesting post. We're planning...This is a really interesting post. We're planning to adopt from China (eventually). We did investigate other countries a bit, but we were leaning toward China from the beginning. I don't remember Colombia being among the countries we considered. The things that appeal to us about China are the very orderly process and the high probability of adopting a girl.Sonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03676228724944263850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154554139091953412006-08-02T14:28:00.000-07:002006-08-02T14:28:00.000-07:00I had no idea about Columbian adoption either. I ...I had no idea about Columbian adoption either. I have a friend who adopted from Kazachstan, which is growing more popular now as well. <BR/><BR/> We are doing private, domestic adoption partly because one of my husband's coworkers used the agency. I sort of feel like you because I can't find many adopters who aren't doing international. I only know one other domestic adopter in blogland and that's it!! <BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing everything!! I'm avidly following your blog, so I can't wait to see all the big milestones in your adoption!Chelsihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04749446478336645899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154553274786530842006-08-02T14:14:00.000-07:002006-08-02T14:14:00.000-07:00I did know that Columbia had a program, and we act...I did know that Columbia had a program, and we actually thought briefly of adopting from there. I have always thought that children from Central and South America are just beautiful. However, while we were making our decision, there were some kidnappings of tourists for ransom (can't remember the details), and that kind of turned us off. Plus, I have always had an interest in visiting the former Soviet Union, so that area just called to us. Originally we were going to adopt from the Republic of Georgia, but then they put their program on hold and made a bunch of changes to the process, which made Russia more appealing to us.<BR/><BR/>Part of me has always seen myself raising a dark haired boy from Central or South America though (probably due to a movie I saw as a child). So, maybe another adoption from that part of the world is in our future? Who knows? I look forward to following your adoption and learning more about the program.Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01411980588192653910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154494201663985952006-08-01T21:50:00.000-07:002006-08-01T21:50:00.000-07:00I had honestly never heard of the Colombian progra...I had honestly never heard of the Colombian program before reading your blog. Thanks for posting the information!Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02249380596928469708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154486346864972562006-08-01T19:39:00.000-07:002006-08-01T19:39:00.000-07:00After losing Peanut, I explored a lot of options (...After losing Peanut, I explored a lot of options (as you might remember). I looked at Columbia, although only briefly. Singles are allowed but, as you mentioned, only on a case-by-case basis. The "over 7" rule worked for me as that's what I'm hoping for anyway. ltimately I decided it wasn't a good fit. <BR/><BR/>Kidsave - the organization that sponsored the host program I was a part of - brings children from Columbia over. I think they might be starting a program in Peru, too...Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06956114780055557451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154484492808263862006-08-01T19:08:00.000-07:002006-08-01T19:08:00.000-07:00I had no idea Columbia had a program. None.We alwa...I had no idea Columbia had a program. None.<BR/>We always knew we would go with China....ha.<BR/>Things work out for whatever reasons. Vietnam was an easy switch for us, in terms of paperwork/emotions not soo much. We didn't consider any other seriously due to financials. (sucks)<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I am interested in how your journey will go. There are alot of programs out there that are small, my agency does panama. Although, I haven't seen a pic of a kid from there.<BR/><BR/>I am off adopting again for now but well see how that one goes. Well, I need to get the first one in the door. I can't wait for your referral!!!<BR/><BR/>I am here following you along, you know that!<BR/><BR/>later babe-JennyJennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849935046970438989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154484046465745342006-08-01T19:00:00.000-07:002006-08-01T19:00:00.000-07:00i didn't know columbia had a program, so i'm inter...i didn't know columbia had a program, so i'm interested to hear about the process and your journey.A Room to Growhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16184264258344196034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154478493153752172006-08-01T17:28:00.000-07:002006-08-01T17:28:00.000-07:00I don't think it's as high profile as other places...I don't think it's as high profile as other places...sort of like, the closer to home it is, the easier to ignore? I'm not trying to adopt, but I must say you've done a wonderful job putting this information out there... my friend who adopted had a lot of research to do--I'll bet she wished she had you as a resource!Amy Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04885706951931450373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154478430051431632006-08-01T17:27:00.000-07:002006-08-01T17:27:00.000-07:00steph - i adore how honest you are. really, i do....steph - <BR/><BR/>i adore how honest you are. really, i do. and since i love to talk about our adoption story - i will share with you and your audience.<BR/><BR/>we originally (before i was pregnant with the heir) started doing domestic private adoption. we were working with a birthmother in arizona - 21 yr old who already had 3 kids.<BR/><BR/>a month into my relationship with Whisper (yes, that was her name) I became pregs. we didn't tell our lawyer till i was 13 weeks and we knew the pregnancy was totally viable. before we had a chance to tell whisper - she disappeared - fell off the face of the earth.<BR/><BR/>fast forward - i have the heir and i finally come to a place where i am ready to have another and i feel that if i wasn't pregnant whisper would have broken my heart - and i was upset when she vanished. <BR/><BR/>my husband's friend's sister was adopted from korea -via our agency 23 or so years ago. we liked the idea that the children are in caring foster homes, have limited to no health issues, were under a year old and it didn't hurt that we didn't have to fly to korea with a 2 year old - on top of a new baby.<BR/><BR/>that being said, i must also tell you that i wasn't familiar with columbia's program. we also live in a very asian community - heavily korean. it just made sense. <BR/><BR/>now, through my homestudy experience and blogging - i am seeing families so differently then i did before. it reminds me of when dan quayle was criticizing "murphy brown." for the sitcom's view of family values.<BR/><BR/>i have grown through this experience and i would adopt more if we could and i don't think country of origin would be all that important. <BR/><BR/>wow - it's funny what you learn as you write...Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04275708537867627681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23114430.post-1154465818063831332006-08-01T13:56:00.000-07:002006-08-01T13:56:00.000-07:00Actually, Columbia is a serious thought for my hus...Actually, Columbia is a serious thought for my husband and I if we decide to adopt again. I hope you don't mind if I add you to my bloglines. I'd love to follow your adoption.<BR/><BR/>We originally went with Guatemala. Why? I have no idea. It just spoke to us. That's where our son was so that's where we went (does that make sense?). <BR/><BR/>Guatemala will not be able to do adoptions through the US after January 2007 unless some serious changes happen so we've been looking at alternatives and Columbia is high up on our list (even if it does reopen).Foxxy Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10965197890458229684noreply@blogger.com