Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

Funk

September27

I’m having a hard time with the newest crisis in Guatemalan adoptions. There were several during our process and I eventually became immune to them. I couldn’t get on that roller coaster every time something happened so I just waited them out. Yep, call me an ostrich. But this one feels more real than the others. Yes, my beautiful daughter is home. Our adoption is complete. Selfishly, I would like adoptions to continue so that we can have the option of Guatemala when we are ready to adopt again. But I have friends who are not home. And I know that many strangers are doing everything in their power not to curl up in a ball and sob out of fear and frustration. I know there are many of you out there having this panic hit home. I honestly can’t wrap my brain around the horrible things that could happen if Berger does his thing and the US DOS sits back and says “we warned you” without trying to help these families. Please, everyone, write, call, fax, email your senators, the president, DOS, and anyone else you think might listen. Sign the online petition. 5000 hearts out there waiting for their children to come home are breaking.

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Okay, it seems odd to continue with my stupid chattering about normal life in the face of that but I will do so anyway.

Yesterday, I had a blind date with another mom (a friend of a stranger friend) who just moved to Nashville. I wasn’t sure what to expect but we had a perfectly lovely lunch! I was pleasantly surprised (not because I doubted her…just because the whole blind date thing can be uncomfortable). We are talking about having dinner with men and children sometime in the next month or so. THEN (yes, my social calendar was full – I had actually triple booked my morning and had to cancel 2 other things), one of the mommy groups had a mommy night out (sans children and husbands). I got to leave the house without the diaper bag. I drank 2 margaritas and ate yummy mexican food without having to share with a little one frantically signing “more” to me – all while talking about a variety of topics (okay, yes poopy diapers did come up but we talked about other stuff too).

I only have 1 photo for you today. Sabrina’s favorite new thing is to stand or kneel next to her high chair and shake it furiously while laughing. I trimmed her bangs a little because Steve kept complaining they were in her eyes…doesn’t she look like a Romulan now? (Yes, that is a Star Trek reference…give me a break, I’m married to a geek.)

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posted under adoption, nashville
15 Comments to

“Funk”

  1. On September 27th, 2007 at 10:26 pm Tera Says:

    Hi Michelle. I should be headed towards bed…but I just am so shocked about the news of the day that it will be tough to sleep. You summed it up very concisely…I was shocked when I read the “5000” number in the press release…just shocked…

    God bless.

  2. On September 27th, 2007 at 11:31 pm jane Says:

    Thank you for continuing to talk about this. I’m trying to stay focused and not panic…just updated my blog to include the JCICS website with details about the Guatemala 5000 Initiative. http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm
    Both US and Guatemalan officials are learning this week that Guate-mamas are not going to run away scared!

  3. On September 28th, 2007 at 5:32 am carla Says:

    Im so there with you on the overwhelming sadness.

    almost “survivor guilt” if that makes sense.

    C.

  4. On September 28th, 2007 at 6:26 am Becky Says:

    I can see the Romulan resemblance. I’m not convinced, though, because no good Romulan looks that happy!

    We were told from the beginning of our process to adopt that “sometime in 2007” everything would get messy, but if you were at a certain point in the adoption, you’d be grandfathered in. I can’t believe that they are implementing things the way they are.

    There are so many kids in this world who get left to fend for themselves. Why do adults not hesitate to put kids in lousy positions for their own political agendas?

  5. On September 28th, 2007 at 6:39 am Beth Says:

    It just makes me smile to see a happy Sabrina first thing in the morning. Who couldn’

  6. On September 28th, 2007 at 6:39 am Beth Says:

    It just makes me smile to see a happy Sabrina first thing in the morning. Who couldn’t be cheered up from that face?!?!

  7. On September 28th, 2007 at 9:13 am Steph Says:

    The other scares were “real”. Very real. It’s just that enough of the adoption community mobilized to put our face to the issue and the DOS bailed us out. A LOT has been going on behind the scenes this last 12 months and was vetted out through diplomatic channels. I’m not trying to be snarky, but just lots of people didn’t want to deal with the other “scares” and thought b/c they disappeared they weren’t real. They were.

  8. On September 28th, 2007 at 9:14 am Julie P Says:

    Ok – I just read to the normal life part and the first time I read it I read “I just had a blind date with another man” I’m sitting here thinking – why did Michelle go on a blind date with another man? Oh wow – mommy brain does hit hard sometime. Glad it was a mom and not a man. It would take chutztpa to write about a date with another man on a public blog when you’re married!
    I hear you about the adoption scariness, its got me down too. yes I am so happy to have Ally home, but I just keep thinking about all the other children and PAPs who might not get the happy ending we have.
    LOL at the Star Trek reference.

  9. On September 28th, 2007 at 1:21 pm Bobbi Says:

    Love her haircut!! I think she looks cute. I made a star trek reference to my oldest daugher a couple of weeks ago, and she said “star what?” Feel the gray hairs!!

    I too am really freaked by this. With so many not home yet it scares me. Having a close friend in the midst really makes it that much tougher. Let’s hope our voices are heard.

    I have been feeling weird about yammering away too on the blog. But, life goes on and everyone needs cheering up. Sabrina sure helped with that!

    Wanna know a secret? I won’t be updating until at least Sunday. I am going on a Mommy weekend? Yup, no kids no husbands! Now, that will be post worthy!!

  10. On September 28th, 2007 at 1:56 pm Crystal Says:

    Michelle –you are an amazing writer——Your first paragraph is exactly how I felt and you captured it so well————-You are so amazing and Thank you sooo much for this post———It will be okay I just know it –May God reach down and pour out his love and mercy to the families and the children of Guatemala—-hugs to you Michele Thank you for your awesome and amazing writing! xoxoxo

  11. On September 28th, 2007 at 2:12 pm Melissa Says:

    I was the 7,021 signer of the petition. I had also emailed all those addresses that Tricia gave out. I hope more follow suit. It is so important. I had considered Guatemala when we were looking into adoptions. Lately, it doesn’t matter where you go, it is so hard all over.

  12. On September 28th, 2007 at 6:22 pm Kim Says:

    I think I’m with Carla – it’s survivor’s guilt…I know I’m feeling it. If this particular thing had come up one year ago – I’d be totally freaking out right now.

    We just need to pray and make sure our voices are heard!

  13. On September 28th, 2007 at 9:21 pm Stephanie Says:

    I signed the petition and will try to send off letters this weekend. A travesty…

  14. On September 28th, 2007 at 9:54 pm Jenny Says:

    I’m with you Michelle. I feel like I can’t really comprehend what’s happening in Guat… I have strong conflicting desires to read everything I can about it and to turn off the computer because I can’t bear to think about it. I’m so selfish! How are these families doing it? I guess just because they have no choice. It is the worst.

  15. On October 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pm Kathleen Says:

    http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/10/03/guatemala.adoption/index.html

    Thought you’d like to see that the crisis is actually making it onto the front page at cnn.com! Word is spreading 🙂