I already sent out this update, but in case you haven't heard, we heard this morning that the DNA test will finally be done this week! We were also told that the social worker interview (a.k.a. the "SWI" for those familiar with the lingo ;-) ), with the birth mother will happen this week. So we're praying/hoping that all goes well. We hope to hear the DNA results in the next week or two. :-D :-D :-D (Can you tell I'm excited???)
We have not received any more pictures, although I've heard rumors that we will receive a picture of Kaden with his birth mother when we receive the DNA results. I look forward to receiving that picture and sharing it with our son one day.
On a lighter note, Melanie - a friend from church - tried to show me how to use one of those sling-thingies yesterday. We're taking one down for our post-DNA trip to try out. I was impressed and yet concerned that she trusted me to wrap this thing around myself and her sweet little 7 month old baby girl. I was just sure she would slip through and her head would "fall down and go boom" any minute. Thankfully I have no injuries to report. However I think I'll revert to practicing with the stuffed bear for now. :)
Also, someone posted this on one of the forums. I thought it was quite funny. It has some "adoption" lingo but I figured those of you not familiar with the adoption world would still get a kick out of it! :)
"Accidental Adoption"
Have you ever noticed that you hear all the time about "accidental"pregnacies, but never about couples who experience "accidental" adoptions? Can you imagine:
Honey, sit down. I have some news for you.
What is it?
Well, I don't know how to say this, so I'll just come out with it. I went to the mailbox today and... well, we got a 171-H.
A what?!? A 171-H? As in, we're going to have a(nother) baby?!?
It looks that way.
But how? We've been so careful! I put away all the blank I-600A forms. Didn't you hide our homestudy update?
Of course I did, but don't forget, there was that one night...
What night? (pauses) Ohhh, that night, But it was only once. We were just messing around. I didn't print clearly. I didn't even use ink! (pauses again) But it was kind of fun. (giggles).
It was, wasn't it? I'll never forget how cute you looked getting your fingerprints.
So now we've got our 171-H, eh? But that doesn't always mean you'll adopt, does it? I mean, shouldn't you see the agency or something, make sure everything's okay?
I already did.
And?
I'm five documents along.
Five documents!
And they're all notarized, certified and authenticated okay?
Just great.
There was one small scare when the agency couldn't see the Notary's middle initial but it showed up just fine under the magnifying glass.
Thank God. And you, honey? Are you feeling okay?
I'm feeling fine. As long as I know you're happy about this.
Happy? I'm thrilled! It's always a shock at first when something like this happens, but of course I'm happy.
Author Unknown
Monday, March 19, 2007
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Our 3 month old chunk!
I can't believe it. We got video last Friday and pictures today!! Do we have the cutest chunk for a son or what? I cried when I saw this email. Now I have to figure out a way to get my brain back in gear and focused on work. They sent us 9 pics. These are the best ones.
Oh and dear ol' Dad finished transferring the video to a dvd. He will pass me "the goods" tomorrow and then I'll try to get it posted in the next day or two.
Hope everyone is doing well. I'm on cloud nine!! :-)
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
We got video, baybee!!
Friday night I was very pleasantly surprised (while taking the dog out) to find a lovely package by our door! Our agency sent us a 5 minute video of our sweet son! :) And my dear Father has agreed to get it transferred from the VHS tape to his PC. I will post all or part of it as soon as I get the digital version. :) He's about 8 days old on the tape and likes to sleep a lot, but all of his arms and legs and fingers all seem to move as they should. :)
In other good news, Georgia Tech has updated their summer graduation information:
PhD and Master's ceremony
DATE: Saturday, August 4, 2007
TIME: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: To be announced
So we still don't know where it will be but we at least know when to show up.....somewhere! :)
I also have more updates from the Guatemala - crazy - political scene. It seems that the Pres and VP are going forward with implementing some changes regarding adoption. The rumors are flying like you wouldn't believe but I do know a couple facts. 1.) My agency is not giving out any other referrals until further notice. So people waiting will have to keep waiting or change to a different country. 2.) The implementation of these changes will take time (months? weeks?) but it sounds likely that Mike and I may have to deal with some extra procedures and processes. We don't mind, that much, it would just be really horrible if these *new* procedures push out the pick up date of our son, like by months or even years. So please continue to pray...for Kaden, for the Guatemalan government, and of course for us, and other adoptive families in mid-stream--that we can bring our children home soon!
I don't have any exciting pictures to post today. Mike is sick so I didn't think he wanted me to post any photos of him blowing his nose. Maybe next time...
In other good news, Georgia Tech has updated their summer graduation information:
PhD and Master's ceremony
DATE: Saturday, August 4, 2007
TIME: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: To be announced
So we still don't know where it will be but we at least know when to show up.....somewhere! :)
I also have more updates from the Guatemala - crazy - political scene. It seems that the Pres and VP are going forward with implementing some changes regarding adoption. The rumors are flying like you wouldn't believe but I do know a couple facts. 1.) My agency is not giving out any other referrals until further notice. So people waiting will have to keep waiting or change to a different country. 2.) The implementation of these changes will take time (months? weeks?) but it sounds likely that Mike and I may have to deal with some extra procedures and processes. We don't mind, that much, it would just be really horrible if these *new* procedures push out the pick up date of our son, like by months or even years. So please continue to pray...for Kaden, for the Guatemalan government, and of course for us, and other adoptive families in mid-stream--that we can bring our children home soon!
I don't have any exciting pictures to post today. Mike is sick so I didn't think he wanted me to post any photos of him blowing his nose. Maybe next time...
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
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. :)
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!
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