It has been an intense couple of days with our adoption agency. It was nice that we went to Groton for 24 hours to get me away from the computer. I needed it, and so did everyone :)
Basically, our agency is a total mess. Jessica left in mid December, cases were given to Leslie (who was in the hospital during Jessica's last week) and now Leslie has resigned due to her own health concerns....she is 31 weeks pregnant and stressed out. She was in way over her head. So, if it wasn't for the fact that our DNA test was done (still checking the mail daily for confirming results) and that we are 11 days away from meeting Franklin, I would have been a mess. So after 100 emails between my AFOD friends and ultimately a phone conversation with Mary Bonn tonight (my first ever). I do trust that things are going to be OK!
It is now 2006!!! - - Ian had an hour plus long coughing fit so had to abandon my entry and I rang in the new year with him in my arms. Not a bad scenario for me but the poor little guy was really struggling. Finally the medicine kicked in around 12:30 and he got some sleep.
Back to the agency saga - - Luckliy, our facilitator (this is Mary) is on the ball and dedicated to making our adoptions proceed with or without the support of our agency. The remaining fees are all due to her and to the attorney so it is also fortunate that AFOD is not holding any of our money that is due to them. Mary is going to have greater contact with us (there are 28 AFOD clients right now) until either our adoptions are complete or until the owner of AFOD (Jen Holdren) gets her act together.
One of the nicest parts of my conversation with Mary is how she absolutely raved about Franklin. She has met him 3 times and she said that at the November meeting he came running up to her calling her "auntie Mary". She said he is the tallest Guatemalan child she has ever met :) He did not fit into the 3T pants that I sent! That was a surprise since I worried that they would be too long! Mary felt like Franklin is doing very very well and is just charming. She also feels like Franklin really seems to understand that his foster mom is taking care of him until his new Mom and Dad and family come to bring him home. Hard to believe he could really process all of this but the good news is that he is being told the truth and that he seems to understand it as best as any child his age could. I'm anxious to know if he got our letter and photos yet. Probably not with the holidays but as long as he gets it a day or two before we arrive, I have to believe it will help.
Well...2005 has been a great, busy year for this family...looks like 2006 will bring an even busier and brighter year! :)