Our Credit Card has a 420.00 charge!! :-)

I was going to start this blog discussing the photos below, but, hold the phone, we just got DNA Authorization!!! Woohoo!!! :-o~~ What does that mean? Well it's just a small step in this never ending adoption process, but we haven't heard any updates for weeks so its very encouraging to hear our case is actually moving forward!! This means that the US Embassy in Guatemala has given authorization for a DNA test to be done to confirm that the mother is really the biological mother of Kaden. Please Pray!!! We have no reason to think this woman is not truly his mother. He was placed in the foster home at 5 days old, and in the one picture we have, you can see a definite resemblance. But please pray for this test and the results! If for some reason this failed, we would most likely lose Kaden. :(

So why the 420.00 ? Well that's just another good sign. The DNA testing costs 420.00 so the fact that our credit card has been charged is a good sign that it will happen soon! :-) As soon as the DNA test is done (and succeeds), we can plan a trip down to meet our son!!

Speaking of Guatemala, we continually hear rumors of various legislation that "may or may not" be proposed that could impede or invalidate our whole adoption process. The latest is some legislation being presented in the Guatemalan legislature tomorrow and Friday and is resulting from a Guatemalan adoption facilitator being arrested last week, (smuggling children into the U.S.). Most of what I know is very sketchy but we would still appreciate your prayers---for the protection of the children, for so many families who, like us, have followed all 1800 steps legally to get to this point, and that justice will be served. For more info, go to :
http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3147.html

On a lighter note, my brother's family graciously donated lots of their "baby stuff" to us. We moved the stuff to our house about 10 days ago and every time I walk by Kaden's room I think, "Someone needs to get in there and get things organized!"

But first, let me show you the most wonderful, special baby blanket ever!! (Okay, so my perspective may not be that objective). Our Aunt Eugenia made the wonderful blanket below. It just came in the mail this week. Isn't it great?? I love how she signed the patch on the back of the blanket and put Kaden's info there. Now I'm just debating whether I want to hang this on the wall instead of actually letting him use it!! ;-)


As evidenced in the next photo, Jim and Cyndi gave us a LOT of stuff!!! Honey? Can you put the crib together? Honey, can you start putting the folding table and toys together? Honey? Where are the batteries??

Oh, and of course I couldn't leave Fezzi out. He's a big help when it comes to cleaning and organizing! See him there? Ready to start going through boxes, especially anything he can chew or drool on.


And last but not least, in the past few cold weeks our dog has turned into quite the snuggle bunny. I think someone is going to need to let him know my lap won't be so open once Kaden arrives.

For now, its kind of nice to have a warm, soft, not-to-heavy dog in your lap on those cold nights. :)

Mike is working hard on his thesis and, yes, we are still looking at an August 3rd or 4th graduation date. We'll let you know once we hear the definite date! We are very thankful that he continues to get contacted about potential jobs. Let us know if you want us to forward a copy of his resume!

Until next time....aste luego!

Ground Hog Day and Other Musings

We received word yesterday that our son has grown to a whopping 8 lbs 12 oz!! Also, at a mere 2 months old, Kaden is already pontificating very articulately with phrases such "Goo Goo" and "Gah Gah" per yesterday's medical report. :)

We are still waiting to send off that package you see displayed in our previous post. :-\ We are on a waiting list to mail our package to a family that is making a trip to Guatemala. (Mailing packages is very expensive and there's no assurance they will reach their destination.) I know of a couple families that may be traveling soon, so hopefully this will go to our son soon!!

We are slowly-but-surely, starting to prep Kaden's room. (Eugenia, how's the baby blanket coming? ;) ). In a couple weeks we'll be moving baby furniture et al... from my brother's house to ours. I fear my enjoyment of all our "extra room" is going to be short-lived. :)

In other news, Mike got a *huge* blessing last Thursday. He's been busting his tail on his PhD work but he's had quite a few challenges with the data, wondering if he would even be able to finish his PhD. On Thursday he got the much anticipated "green light" from his advisor that what he has is, in fact, "thesis-worthy". Whew! What a relief!! Now he just has to bust his tail getting that 100+ page document written and defend it! :) And that also means that we think we finally know when he's graduating!! (I know, I know, you've heard that one before). We are now planning for a summer graduation. I have inquired with Tech to find out the exact date. I'm guessing late August, early September, but we will let you know as soon as we do!

Lastly, if anyone is totally bored, you can go to www.dogrecess.com and look at our cute doggie at is "dog day care" today. :) (Only the low resolution for Alpharetta is working correctly).

Happy Belated Ground Hog Day!!!