LEGAL UPDATE

Hi all,
We received a legal update from Guatemala that the DNA test will be conducted on November 6th. During the test swabs will be taken from the mouth of both Joey and his Birth Mom to make sure that they match. The DNA test is typically processed in five days by the lab and then the results are forwarded to the agency, the attorney in Guatemala, the US embassy and us. The DNA match is a critical step in the adoption because it is at this time that the Birth mother will have her second and third opportunities (out of four) to change her adoption plan and decide to parent. Usually after an adoptive family finishes DNA they are in the clear regarding the birth mother changing her mind. Once we have the match and the social worker in Guatemala completes her report we will then have to wait for the US embassy to issues us PRE-APPROVAL. Basically pre-approval is the embassy's way of saying that the adoption is approved by the United States, and we will then move onto the final stage of PGN! Oh, don't worry if you are having trouble following me...I can barely keep up with this insane process. Just keep your fingers crossed that DNA goes well!

Our new pictures!! So handsome!

It is hard to believe that Joey celebrated his 2 months on this earth yesterday. We are dying to see him. Here is a link to his new pictures.

JOE CLARK

He looks so alert and really well cared for. We have complete confidence that he is really loved down there by his foster mom. We appreciate that she took the time to dress him in an outfit that my mom sent down and lay him on blankets that we sent. He is surrounded with toys that we gave him and even the photo album we filled with pictures of the people who love him. We were laughing looking at the picture that has the album in it...its our first family photo.

Things have been crazy in Guatemala over the last 48 hours. The police were raiding the medical clinics and hotels where the adoptive families stay looking for babies and their foster moms. They were detaining and harrassing the foster moms and taking the children into "protective custody" (I use that term jokingly). The government down there is really against international adoption and this was yet another ploy to frusturate and scare those involved in the adoption community. The attorney's have since rectified the situation and the government states that they have recinded the order. We will see how the next few weeks play out. We just pray that Joey can have his DNA sample taken so that we can proceed with the next step of this process. He also has a physical next week so we should have new measurements soon. At last check on Sept. 25th he was almost 8 pounds! Keep the prayers coming. You have NO idea how much we appreciate the support of our friends and family.

Yay!! Alittle progress

Well good news, we have made alittle progress. Yesterday we found out that the US Embassy in Guatemala has authorized for DNA to be done. This means that our attorney may now contact Joey's birthmom and arrange for her DNA to be matched with his. During this process she will have her second and third of four opportunities to change her mind. Most agency officials say that after DNA you are pretty much in the clear as far as the birthmom goes and once the match is confirmed we will be allowed to visit him!!! That is the best part. We are also anticipating updated photo's and a medical report this week. Our dossier is still in translation (week three of a four week process) and once that is complete we will be registered to enter family court.
Hopefully we will have new pictures to post this weekend.