DNA results were sent to the US Embassy yesterday. Now we wait for them to review them and give preapproval (saying they'd recognize Charlie as a US Citizen if the adoption completes by the rules setforth). It will be 5-6 weeks before I receive preapproval. Hopefully we'll be out of Family Court then too (birthmom interview by a social worker). Then on to the dreaded PGN (Guatemalan Atty General's office that reviews all documentation - can take MANY months and can 'kick out' for the littlest things).
I hope to get the monthly medical update (with pictures!) sometime next week. Come back to see!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
More progress!
Good news today! DNA Testing occurred on 3/22 - only two days after DNA Authorization. This means that Charlie and his birthmom went to be tested by the US Embassy to confirm that she is the bilogical mother; this is the first of many times that she confirms her wishes for this adoption plan.
In a parallel process, Charlie's birthmom has to go before the Tribunal (or Family Court). This is an interview with a Guatemalan social worker that confirms her history and adoption plan wishes. Another step.
These are really significant and are moving faster than I'd expected. YEEEHH! On the conservative side, I'm waiting to turn a corner and see tailights. Until then, let's enjoy the ride!!
In a parallel process, Charlie's birthmom has to go before the Tribunal (or Family Court). This is an interview with a Guatemalan social worker that confirms her history and adoption plan wishes. Another step.
These are really significant and are moving faster than I'd expected. YEEEHH! On the conservative side, I'm waiting to turn a corner and see tailights. Until then, let's enjoy the ride!!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Is it Good News, Bad News, or just News??
Truth be told, I don't know that it is good news. I'm hoping that this process is improved, but I don't know that proposed changes are going to do that due to issues like no funding. My concern is not just for Charlie's adoption but for all the kids and adoptive families (especially the kids left behind if things stop or are dramatically slowed).
There is an alphabet soup of players (ADA, DOS, JCICS, NCFA) in a he said / she said debate. This gives a good overview of the basics: http://www.guatadopt.com/WritersCorner/KevinsCorner/2007/03/the_current_situation.html#000603
Since the article on guatadopt.com was written, two child / adoption advocacy groups (JCICS and NCFA) have called the Department of State (DOS) to the carpet on some inaccuracies of their statements in the FAQ mentioned in the article. What is most disconcerting though are all the warnings that significant slowdowns are bound to happen. We'll have see what impacts this has...
But we keep moving!! There IS good news today - we received DNA Authorization!! This means that the birthmom and Charlie can now go to get tested to verify biological relationship. The chances of the birthmom changing her mind after DNA testing goes down dramatically. I'll take the progress - regardless of how small!
There is an alphabet soup of players (ADA, DOS, JCICS, NCFA) in a he said / she said debate. This gives a good overview of the basics: http://www.guatadopt.com/WritersCorner/KevinsCorner/2007/03/the_current_situation.html#000603
Since the article on guatadopt.com was written, two child / adoption advocacy groups (JCICS and NCFA) have called the Department of State (DOS) to the carpet on some inaccuracies of their statements in the FAQ mentioned in the article. What is most disconcerting though are all the warnings that significant slowdowns are bound to happen. We'll have see what impacts this has...
But we keep moving!! There IS good news today - we received DNA Authorization!! This means that the birthmom and Charlie can now go to get tested to verify biological relationship. The chances of the birthmom changing her mind after DNA testing goes down dramatically. I'll take the progress - regardless of how small!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Welcome to our Blog!
What a concept! This will allow me to keep everyone informed of any updates. We look forward to having Charlie home with us!
This is from a message that I sent out on March 6th to many family and friends (pre-Blog)...
There are some changes in the process that are being proposed by the Guatemalan President (Oscar Berger) that could interrupt all international adoptions in Guatemala. This means that I could lose Charlie (and the option of adopting from Guatemala); hopefully that will not occur. You may have heard that I flew (unexpectedly) to Guatemala last week ago to sign a document (Power of Attorney). My goal was to get my adoption to a state where normally adoptions would be 'grandfathered' in and thus not affected by process changes. Unfortunately, this new proposal later announced that it will not consider 'grandfathering' in adoptions that are in process. The proposed changes, while trying to deal with ethical issues are introducing new issues that will cause thousands of kids each year to wind up in underfunded institutional care (or on the streets). While Berger and his team work through the proposal implementation, we keep moving forward. I'll have more info in the coming weeks. Until then, please keep us in your prayers.
On a lighter note, while I was in Guatemala I was able to have Charlie with me for 2 days. I met his foster mom, who is wonderful. Hopefully I'll get him home!
There are some changes in the process that are being proposed by the Guatemalan President (Oscar Berger) that could interrupt all international adoptions in Guatemala. This means that I could lose Charlie (and the option of adopting from Guatemala); hopefully that will not occur. You may have heard that I flew (unexpectedly) to Guatemala last week ago to sign a document (Power of Attorney). My goal was to get my adoption to a state where normally adoptions would be 'grandfathered' in and thus not affected by process changes. Unfortunately, this new proposal later announced that it will not consider 'grandfathering' in adoptions that are in process. The proposed changes, while trying to deal with ethical issues are introducing new issues that will cause thousands of kids each year to wind up in underfunded institutional care (or on the streets). While Berger and his team work through the proposal implementation, we keep moving forward. I'll have more info in the coming weeks. Until then, please keep us in your prayers.
On a lighter note, while I was in Guatemala I was able to have Charlie with me for 2 days. I met his foster mom, who is wonderful. Hopefully I'll get him home!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
