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Well we are finally here and everything is going well. We are in Boquete. Staying at Valle Escondedo. it is beautiful. We were able to get Rosa from Trisker Tues night. we are finding out we need a resolution for EVERYTHING!! we had to have one to come here, one to take her, one to leave the providence. We decided to change where we were staying, moved and our lawyer was very anxious because we had put the last place in the resolution. but she emailed me today and said all is well. they had origianally said my husband could return after the initial visit-- not so. we are hoping to have our final visit on monday, then to panama, but no promises. our att. does not want to press this judge to much. he is very meticulous, our att. is working very hard. i thought i had a clue of how difficult this is , but man, these people are really working for us here. my att. even brought her partner to make sure everything goes well. she stayed 2 nights in david, just to hand escort all documents . we brought our two boys, 12 and 14, they are having to fly home on sunday-- alittle stressed about that . Rosa is wonderful, no tears when time came to leave trisker orphanage, she was ready and came no problem, we are working out the language, she is incredibly sweet and man she is so smart!! we stayed at the contentental hotel in panama city, people are very nice and security seems good. here though we feel very isolated. few people speak english, and some of the resteraunts recomended in the books have closed. i found rosa some native dresses today, we went shoppin, i bought her a bracelet and a necklace and 2 dresses, she picked them out, and has very good taste i might add! her eyes just light up, we have gone for some long walks and i think for once there are no fences for her. her story is really sad, abandoned at 18 months very sick and malnourished at a hospital. it took about 10 months for her to rehab to a healthy enough state to go to trisker. i don{t know if they are cavities, but she has her 2 front and lower teeth with brown marks, from my nursing comm. health, i think this is from putting to bed with bottle, probably sugar water when she was cutting them. she is much the survivor, if she sees something she does not know, no screaming or fussing, she just leaves!!! bugs, horses, dogs, strange looking characters-- she is outa there!! Be prepared for the gas-- man alive. it is better today, but kim told me to be sure and test for intestinal paraistes. we brought all kinds of meds, and need nothing so far. those kids are so clean and loved. the people that work with those babies truly love them, my att. and her partner included. the children recongized them will post again soon and let you know how this final resolution goes. keep us in your prayers!! y
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Oh, Y!! So glad to hear from you and glad things are going well. How old is Rosa? Please keep us updated.
How do you get the resolutions and what are they for? Just to have permission to do this, this, and this while you're there?
I'm so excited ffor you. I can't imagine the roller coaster you and your family is on.
God bless.
Robin
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sorry this is so sparatic!! our only source of the internet is a small cafe in boquette, when it rains alot, the server goes down. the resolutions are basically giving us legal permission to do various things. today we had our 2nd interveiw with the social worker and psych. we were so worried we would not get this for many more days, but they just showed up today. i am so glad we were in, we had been taking rosa on little trips in the morning whil the weather is good. they asked many questions, with very boken english, but we survived. now we wait for them to give this report to the judge, he writes the resolution for our temporary custody to the US, then we can take her to panama city for the visa process. we will try to get her passport here in chiriqui, our att. says it would be easier here, but if we can not get it done by friday afternoon, we are moving on to panama city. my husband was only planning to stay one week, but i dont know why that was ever an option, they clearly wanted to see how she responded to both of us so he stayed another week. he would not have left me here anyway without him. Once i get to panama city, i will write up a checklist of everything that has happened, misconceptions, and changes in the plans. <I think every providence may be different, but the documentation needed to take her home will be the same. Our att. has accumulated every document possible to show Rosa s abandonement, even records showing she has not had one visit since she was left in the hospital 2 years ago. of course we have the TPR and the judges ruling and relolution, but i told my att. that we cannot stay here for 3 freakin weeks while they do another investigation, and that is what the embassy tells people. so hopefully, we have overcompensated for that.
anyway, things are good, we are just really homesick. it is amazing how we can communicate with her, without speaking alot of the same language. she had her first little tantrum regarding a nap, but we reached a compromised, and we survived. she is absolutely wonderful. after the interview today and their approval, she is starting to feel like she is ours. i cannot wait to get her to her home and her brothers!! hang in there guys, this is a very frustrating process, but when i tuck her in at night, i know we are doing the right thing. i will be in touch!!
It is great to hear from someone actually in the middle of the process. Thanks for taking the time to write about it especially while you are there. When you have the time, a checklist would be great. Even if all of our experiences are different, at least we would recognize the document name if it comes up for our situation. Thanks so much! Good luck on the next part of the journey.
Lauri
There are apparently two other court officials that must add a letter of approval to the file AFTER the judgeԴs resolution. we found this out on thursday, so that put us into this coming week still waiting for the resolution and other nec. documentation to get rosas passport. rosa and i have traveled to David, and will meet up with our att. tom. hopefully everything will get done tom. If not , i am really worried about how long the visa process will take in <panama city!! our att. has proof upon proof, documentation, and a host of resolutions to prove rosaԴs abandonment. i really hope they dont give us a hard time. <i am really ready to go home. My youngest son, busted his mouth, needing stitches the day after he returned, last Monday. <he called last night trying to hide the tears!! I am more than relieved we have rosa. but i must admit the stay here has been more difficutl than i thought. just because our family is separated. i hope i did not post this twice-- rosa hit some button a minute ago-- so if abreviated everything from the first post. One point of advice-- when you get your child-- just go ahead and treat her for lice. we did not notice RosaԴs at first, maybe the orphanagne treate her before we took her, but about 7 days later, there they were, and i think i got them too. So we brought our own RID, but we had to share. <i went to the market-- try explaining that in broken english-- I came out with a very expensive treatment for fungus-- not parasites!! If anyone is going to Boquete-- the palo alto resteraunt is wonderfull and not to expensive!! we stayed at valle escondido, kinda pricy for the villas-- but the cabins are 60 a day. when all 5 of us were there it was 120 a night, but the boys were able to play some golf-- then when they left, we moved to the cabins. Security gate, which made it easier for my husband to travel back. I will find out more about these 2 court officials, and hopefully this will not delay us anymore. <my att. did say she spoke with them on friday, and they were very happy with our adoption and would fully support it-- now just to get them to write it down. Hang in there-- good to know another family is on their way down!! yh
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WOW! I just found your posts and am astounded!!! We are adopting our little Bonnie Lee from Trisker Hogar, just outside of Boquette. I am sure we have seen your little one there, since we havd visited there often since we brought Bonnie Lee home on Nov. 6, 2000. We have moved back to Texas now, but were living in Volcan when we started the adoption. We are now paying a family in Volcan to care fro Bonnie Lee until we can get her visa, which should be soon.
Everyone at Trisker is so nice, and the home is much better now wiith the new addition. How old is Rosa? Bonnie Lee ijust turned four, but we have had her since she was 2. She is such a precious darling, I don't have words to describe how wonderful she is. We don't speak Spanish, and she had never heard English. The first few months were rough with all the diarreah from the parasites and the language barrier and all, but now you would never know she is not our birth child except that she is beautifully tan and we look like beached whales belly up!
Where do you live? I really hope you find this and respond to it. I would love to visit with you about our children a nd our mutual experiences.
Edgar Torres is our judge. Is he your judge also?
We love the social worker from his office. She is a real sweetheart and has always been very kind to us.
I really am looking forward to hearing back from you.
Is Rosa Indian? Bonnie Lee is pure Gnobe Bugle(Guyami) and we thought she might be the only one in the US.
RE: REsolutions...
Yevette.. I just wanted to reiterate here (although I already explained it to you via email) to all that are following your thread about the resolution "stuff" (for lack of a better word! LOL)...
This is one of those issues you soon forget after all is said and done, and your life resumes to normal with a new addition to your family safe and sound with you.......
I had completely forgotten about Panama's resolution-happy philosophy!! :o)
However, there is a good reason for it....... with international kidnappings more prevalent, and the public's fear of a child being taken out of the country illegally, it is necessary for the court to know where you and Rosa are at all times (which, of course, is obvious, I know)....... but the other issue is that if there is just ONE mistake, one "i" not dotted one "t" not crossed... if the Majestrates were to look over the paperwork and find that you said you were in one place, but ended up in another, and the judge did not know of the change, it could nullify everything.
It would all be bearable if Panama's system was more modernized.... when we lived there, the joke was "WAIT! LET ME GUESS! WE NEED A RESOLUTION FOR THAT, RIGHT?"
:)
In fact, sitting in the court one day w/our attorney, I said, "Will I need a resolution to get up to go to the bathroom?" She BURST out laughing......
You just have to find the humor in it. :)
So far everything sounds like it's on the RIGHT TRACK, "Y".... you just hang in there. I think everyone who is waiting for their adoptions are holding their breath for you... because if things go smoothly for you, it could pave the way for everyone else.....
Having completed our adoption during a change in Presidency there as well, I know the chaos that develops in the courts......
But you are SOOOOOOOOOOOO far out of the woods now, that I'm sure you're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
My only concern is Miss "E" at the consulate!!! Don't forget..... LOTS OF HONEY and praise......... it goes a long way with her!!!
Keep us posted!!!
~Kim :)
Bidding my time waiting on the embassy right now. Trying not to panic about the length of time they are telling me it will take, so I won{t get into that too much.
Our stay in David was much longer than expected, but nwo that we are in the city, we are happier. It is just me and Rosa still, but my husband is thinking about returning. I don{t think I will let him though. Our boys need him there. I have not seen them in 19 days and I cannot even talk about it without crying so I won{t.
Rosa is great, but this hotel living is tough on toddlers and mommies. But there is lots of shopping here. Albrook Mall is nice and has a caurosel for her to ride, big fake animals- so that is the highlight of day today. Went to the consaltat again this morning-- no news. WE only applied yesterday,but I will keep checking.
Do not go to the Bank of Boston to start the process. Go directly to the consulate, I got some screwy information at the last minute, went to Bank paid 100$ stood in line, all for nothing. They gave me my money back, But very frustrating.
Here is a list of the documents I have recieved thus far.
Several reports of Contuation -- regarding Rosa being in orphanage with no visitors. She was first in the hospital, then taken to some kind of rehab place hogar something for 11 months, to rehap before going to Trisker.
General Direction of Civil Registry-- with an ID number all the abandoned kids start the a 12 (fyi)
rESOLUTION THAT DECLARES ROSA IN ABANDONED AND LISTED AS SUCH IN CIVIL REG
PUblication of this resolution in national newspaper for 5 days
Resolution giving us permission to come for first interview
Public Prosecutors opionion of us coming (favorable)
Document from social worker at orphanage stating our initial relationship with Rosa-- favorable
this had to be in the judges hands before we could take Rosa. So like everything else he made another resolution:
Resolution for us to take her into our temp. custody
this stated where we would be staying i Boquette
About 8 days after we had her , we had a home visit. This was to be an unanounced visit. So it would be good to be expectiing this. WE did not know this, and usually we took rosa out in the morning because it rains starting about 12. They came in the morning.
The social worker and psychologist both had to write reports and give them to the judge. They asked alot of questions basically trying to judge how we were bonding. They were impressed we had baked some cakes together, bought authentic items to help Rosa understand her heritage, we showed them some videos of us around town. They we happy and left after about 1 hour.
Then they give their report to the judge
The judge wrote last resolution-- for us to take her to states for 3 month convivence, permission letter to take out of panama, permission for passport (very important)-- BUT first must give this resolution to the Prosecutor of Minor and Defender of Minors for their report. They give their opion-- then we get the resolution and can leave the providence.
These last few steps were frustrating for us, because the 2 officials have 3 days to respond, then the judge does the resolution, OUR judge wanted to wait the 3 days whether the 2 responded faster or not. That would have put us in David another weeked, delaying the visa process until the next week. But we got some divine intervention , judge went on vacation, new judge did not have a problem with us going as long as the opinions were favorable and ready.
Now we are here. The embassy is telling us 2 weeks for the child investigatio. We will see. I am hoping not. So I will wait to see how that plays out. They were happy with our file, very complete, but they say they want to check it out themselves. This really pisses off the officials here.So I would advise talking with your congressmen before you come. My husband is in the states bugging them, trying to get some pull. We will see
As far as staying in the city. Country Inn in El Dorado is great- close to the consulate, lots of stuff here, even a pet store across the street. Close to the mall and a couple of drug stores (that by the way have EVERY THING)
Trying to stay positive. Things are happening, just slow. I will keep in touch! yh
Hi "Y"...
Good to hear from you! Was surprised to see you went to the Bank of Boston.. boy, have I spent some DAYS there! But not for anything official.. our birthmom's foster mom is an executive there, so we often went there to visit.
I don't recall having handled ANY process for the Visa outside of the consulate's except for photographs, and the medical exam. I bet things have changed since then, though! Good that you're keeping everyone here informed of your process... you are a gem for doing that.
Our investigation did not take long, as I recall. Our process had delays for reasons unrelated to the VISA (had to do with birthmom). Juliana and I were stuck in Panama from July to Sept alone, with no family. So I completely understand how you feel. It was probably easier on us, though, since long separations are normal for us (being military). Just enjoy your experience there, and your time alone with Rosa - it is THE only time in your life, most likely, that you will have that kind of one on one time. As agonizing as it is to be away from your husband and children, it's a divine opportunity to bond with Rosa. She'll need that bond when she finds herself in a whole new world soon... it can be unsettling for her, and a bit scary... so she'll need you and to know that you are who she can trust most (and your husband, of course).
You never know when or if you'll get back to Panama, so soak it all in! Have you been to the Artisan center? If not, try to go... and buy a pollera for Rosa (traditional girls' dress). Don't forget all the jewelry that goes with it or the shoes! I told them I needed a dress for a 9 year old (seemed like an age where she would most likely become interested, and young enough to still want to dress up). We are SO glad we did that! I can't tell you how many times she has used that dress for school projects (and halloween)!!!
There is a photography studio there that will dress your child up in a REAL Pollera (worth thousands of dollars) and REAL jewelry, and take GORGEOUS pictures of him/her!!!!! I'm SO glad I did it!
They're in the phone book under "photographers" (except in spanish, of course)... I think the name is: TEXTAR PHOTO.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any info on things to do. Is there any chance of getting out to the zoo? Ask your attorney if she could take you there............ you will LOVE it, and so will Rosa!!! It's a nice drive as well... you'll get to see a lot of the rain forest along the way.
Be Safe!!!
~Kim
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Thanks, I know you are right. I was thinking about going to the Old Panama area- do you think that is okay during the day and to go by taxi?? I did buy Rosa a Nobe Bugle dress and another dress made inBoquette we will try for this Artesan Center-- sound good-- there are only so many pajama I can buy for Rosa ( that is her favorite) Yesterday she ate her first cup of chocolate ice cream. the way she was reacting it had to be her first time to eat that!! What an experience. I t is like having a baby or 18 month old, everything is new and exciting. The train in Albrook Mall amazes her!! And she is actually on her own saying,, train, bicycle, chair, teeth, I am hungry time to eat, and my favorite
I LOVE YOU GRANDE!!! thanks for the uplift I needed it today!! yh
hmmmmmm............ :) Look at Rosa and say, "Te Quiero Mucho".. and watch her face. :)
I wouldn't go to Old Panama alone, Y..... please see if someone can go with you (your attorney, etc). It's a WONDERFUL place, just don't do it alone. Lots of muggings (not to injure, just to rob) there RIGHT in the parking area.
Again, though, things may have changed.
If you have ANY doubts, call the consulate's office, and ask for their advice. IN fact, it will open up some friendly dialogue between you and them that is non-adoption related!! Couldn't hurt!!
:)
~Kim