What were your preferences?

-Two siblings (girl/girl or girl/boy--husband has 3 boys already) -infant to 5 yrs old (updated in Nov., 2003 to 8 yrs old) -any race (incl. mestizo, native Indian, or African/Carribean) -any "treatable/correctable" medical condition Rebecca.... Dossier to DNA June 6, 2003 No Referral from DNA, yet (as of Feb, 2004) Found 2 sibs ourselves Aug, 2003 Still waiting for TPR (termination of parental rights) Feb, 2004

We have requested a Latino boy around 2 to 3 years of age. That would make the perfect complement to our two blond daughters!

Finally - my dossier is on its way to Panama 2/10! It seemed to take forever - I completed the paperwork in December but then we had to wait for the homestudy & Phsy. evalution to be completed, then all the authorizations from Washington & Panama Consulate. We are waiting for a child under 2 Any sex - hispanic, indian, etc and we have been told it may take a while because of the low age. I am hoping for a referral in no less then 5-6 months. If it happens before - I'll be happy. However, judging from other time lengths here (Rebecca - etc), the number of couples ahead of me & the population of the country - it will not be quick for us. A lot of the stuff Rebecca has been told is the same stuff I'm being told - DNA does not have a lot of people and everything is at their pace. Not to discourage anyone - but I know - Faith has 9 families with paperwork in Panama ahead of me. I'm sure World Partners and Common wealth have just as many - so I'm way down on the list. Tammy

Hello, Waiting for a court date on our 28 month old toddler. When we first sent in our info we requested an infant. Later we looked at ages and time lines and decided we would want a child 3 years or younger, we recently also requested possibly adopting two children. If it all works out we would love to adopt two, if not than so be it-all in God's hands:) Gender or race is not a concern. We just want to bring our child(ren) home soon:)!!! TanyaB

We requested a boy or girl, infant to 9 years old. Obviously with such a wide range it gave Faith quite a bit of room to work with. Ysabella happen to be a toddler when we brought her home. Sounds like everyone is moving along! Great news everyone!

We had originally thought we wanted an infant but have opened up to an infant to toddler, either gender and any race. TanyaB, any timeframe for your court date?! Julie

We have emailed CAI several times and with many many questions. We are still waiting for some of the answers but they are holding firm to the April date, so we are hoping and praying for that. I am hoping to hear more by the end of the week. TanyaB

Sorry this is off-topic, but I thought everyone should know that the DNA is NOT very helpful, and this one particular social worker who has been "writing" the report to recommend abandonment for the 2 sibs we found back in July/August, STILL hasn't written it after 5 or 6 months! So our attorney is giving up on these two particular kids (you know, the ones we and our family and friends have grown to love over the past 7 months!), and yesterday she begged the DNA director to please find us a legally-available child ASAP. Our attorney said that the director "wants to help you, etc." and asked that we not give up on Panama, yet. However, after 13 months of waiting and being yanked along, we ARE going to give up on Panama if we have not received a referral and invitation to travel by May (one month before our I-600A will expire). At that time, we'll go the domestic foster-adopt route, which by itself can take up to a year. The laws MUST change for the children of Panama to benefit! Unfortunately, this won't happen in time to help our family. Hopefully it will for those of you just getting started. R