Christmas Day!

We have had a wonderfully bittersweet Christmas as we have enjoyed having Joe home from boot camp. It has been a lot of fun with all the kids. The boys have gotten into these "Guess Who" tournaments which is a crack up watching 18, 19 and 20 year old boys actively engaged in a six year old's game! Rachelle and I have played several Pac-man tournaments with me getting a 20,000 point high score, which she proclaims has ruined her Christmas spirit! Lauren has been serenading us on her new keyboard. However, never far from our thoughts are our two other children in two different countries. Matt in Iraq and Marissa in Guatemala! We hope tomorrow brings us news that DNA was complete on December 19th and everything is moving along nicely. We couldn't help but think of what Christmas will be like for her next year in our home. We are so excited to share things like Christmas, Disneyland and all the other fun stuff all of our kids have had the opportunities to do. While we have missed many of her firsts, there are many firsts that we will be able to experience with her! How fun will that be! Merry Christmas and God Bless!

Still No Word!!

We are optimistic that DNA got done on Tuesday. However, we have not heard an answer either way. We did hear that we are OUT of family court. This can sometimes take up to two months to get out of and we are done. That is a big positive! So once we get DNA results back, we are hoping for a trip to pick up our angel in eight weeks after DNA results are in!

A big thank you to Nancy for taking down our Christmas packages to Marissa. Nancy is adopting a baby girl from our agency. We are hoping that she will actually get to meet Marissa and her foster mother next week. If so, Nancy will be sending us a DVD of Marissa opening her presents from us. We are so excited!

Poverty and malnutrition in Guatemala

Artice in paper last week explaining the situation in Guatemala.In Guatemala, hunger's often a part of growing upBy Nancy San MartinMcClatchy Newspapers(MCT)JOCOTAN, Guatemala - Three-year-old Antonio's patchy skin is thin and saggy, like that of a shrunken old man. But his cries sound more like a newborn's whine. And although his head seems much too large for his frail body, it's actually his body that is too small.Plopped on a wheelchair because he's too weak to walk, Antonio's crystal black eyes tend to wander until the smell of food penetrates the air and steaming bowls of beans pass before him. Then his mouth starts to salivate and he lets out a desperate whimper.But Antonio must wait until 10 other hungry children are set up with their meals. Only then can the nurse at the health center focus her attention on feeding the boy who doesn't have the muscle coordination to feed himself.Weighing about 18 pounds, as much as a 6-month-old baby, Antonio represents one of the worst cases of malnutrition in a country where more than one million children under 5 suffer from the condition."Cases such as Antonio's should no longer exist, but the problem remains constant," said Dr. Carlos Arriola, director of a health center in this remote village where the boy and other malnourished children are being treated. "Like Antonio, many others exist."Guatemala has the highest rate of malnourished children in the Western Hemisphere, even higher than Haiti, the region's poorest country. The Central American nation also ranks sixth in the world for chronic malnutrition.The problem usually begins in the womb of mothers who are anemic throughout their pregnancy and give birth to children with low birth weights. More than half of those babies don't make it beyond the age of 5."We have many children because we know that some of them are going to die," is a phrase often heard by indigenous families in Guatemala's rural communities, where the problem is most prevalent. The indigenous make up about 45 percent of the population in a nation of 13 million."There is no reason that this should be happening. Yet, it's been going on for years and years," said Manuel Manrique, a representative for the U.N. Children's Fund in Guatemala. "Part of our task is to make people aware that this is happening and that it is unacceptable."You can read the rest of the article at http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/world/16237634.htm

Welcome to the Adoption Roller Coaster!

Evidentally the birthmother showed up three hours late for her DNA appt so they had to reschedule for this coming Tuesday, December 19th. This will add another week onto the journey, so move the timeline into March for sure now. A little disappointing for us, no a lot disappointing.

Our latest picture of Marissa Faith Paola Reed!

Kim, the owner of our adoption agency was in Guatemala during Thanksgiving week. This was the week we were supposed to travel. However, we cancelled our flights and hotel reservations as we truly believe it is in Marissa's best interest not to visit prior to bringing her home. We want her to know that when she comes home to be with us it will be forever. Kim met Marissa for us. She said she is the sweetest little thing. She makes great eye contact with people. Marissa is picking up Spanish quickly and is adored by her foster mother! Last medical update 3 years 9 months 36" tall and 32 lbs.

In A Perfect World Timeline

DNA - Completed today 12/13/06 (we hope) - We will know for sure tomorrow
1 week to authenitcate DNA 12-21-06
3 weeks preapproval by embassy 1-11-07
5 weeks in PGN (Guatemalan Government) 2-15-07
2 weeks to travel date 2-27-07
Perfect world we would be flying into Guatemala City on Robert's birthday February 27th!!

DNA - the necessity for us to move forward

You ask what is DNA all about? Well in Guatemala one of the adoption requirements is to make sure the birthmother is relinquishing her own child and that she fully understands her commitment to placing her child up for adoption. The DNA appointment is nerve racking for all adoptive parents as it seems more likely if the birthmother is going to ask for her child back it is at this time when they have to meet. However, another twist to the DNA dimension for us is that Marissa is almost four and has been with her birthmother until her relinquishment in July. This has got to be a heart wrenching time for both of them and just more confusion for our sweetie. I pray for not only Marissa's strength and little pschye, but also for her birthmother to give her peace and trust that we will take very good care of her little girl. Picture is with Guatamalan staff

Answers to all your questions!

Finally figured out an effective way to get our adoption journey out to everyone. (Boy, do I wish I had this up and running when we were in Korea this past summer with Lauren.) Robert and I are so excited as is our entire family about adding our sweet little Marissa to our family. It seems several times a day we get asked the questions, "When are you getting her?" and "What takes so long?" It is frustrating not to be able to tell people anything concrete. So, this will be a perfect place to find the answer when you feel like asking!!! The adoption process is a very long and tedious one, not for the faint hearted I might add. While it seems like it should be so easy, it is not. We are dealing with the United States government and the Guatemalan governement at the same time. All we know is that we can not wait to get Marissa into our arms FOREVER! I will post our updates and timelines next. This picture is of Marissa in July. Thanks to everyone who is on this journey with us!