PGN Clarification

I had a few people email me or ask more about the PGN process and what it means in terms of when Samuel comes home. (For those of you following the outline I posted back in May, we are at Step 16. See http://roadtosamuel.blogspot.com/2007/05/process-overview.html)

I had initially thought we would be in PGN by end of July and then moved up to hoping we would be in by beginning of July. And so to go in on June 15th is exciting!! So far then, we have moved along quicker than "average", whatever average means:) But it does seem that some cases move quickly at one point in the process and then hit bumps later...and others that have so many obstacles getting started and then sail along. And then of course ones that seem slow going the whole way through. (I am on our agency's discussion board and can attest to the heartache and uncertainty of the process, it is not for the faint of heart)

PGN is similar to an Attorney Generals office- and is the last process that our case goes through. When it is done with PGN- you will hear a big shout that we are out!

So that is great news- what is a little harder to handle is that the time frames for being in PGN vary ridiculously!! I won't even tell you the range that we heard while we were in Guatemala.

But on average, it seems cases are in 2-3 months. It is unusual for someone's case to go through without any kickouts. I believe our agency says on average a family has 3-5 kickouts (those don't have to be at separate times, we may get one kickout for 3-5 "previos"- things that need to be fixed.) There is one family on our agency's board that went through in six weeks without any kickouts. And another family that just got out last week after six months.

So let's say we go through in six weeks- that means we would be out of PGN on July 27th. And would travel about a month after that to bring Samuel home (or however long to have his birth certificate and visa issued). So he could be home end of August.

If it takes three months (or 12 weeks)- we would be out on Sept 7th (which would be his 7 month bday!!) And home mid October.

If it takes....ok I'm not going there!

Which is actually kind of reassuring to me to see that we are on track for what we posted earlier. I think we had said the earliest we could have him home would be August and that more likely Oct or Nov.

Does that help?

I wish we had a date we could say he will be here. We often get asked that...and it is hard to keep saying I don't know. But keep asking because someday I will be able to tell you- our Embassy appointment is on Wed at 8:15am!! (It does seem they are all early in the morning)

Thank you once again for praying for us and cheering us on. I cannot wait until the day when Samuel gets to meet each one of you.