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#1
08-25-2006, 02:45 PM
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Where to start???
Well, this is my first post on here, so I'll introduce myself and tell you a little about myself and our family.
My name is Theresa, and I'm a mom to 4 wonderful biological children. My husband and I have been married for 13 years in October and our childrens ages are G-12, G-9, G-6 and B-almost 2. I've always felt deep within my heart that I want to adopt a child to complete our family. Guatemala is what seems to be calling my heart strings, so I'm guessing that is where we will be looking into. Where does one even START with the process. I looked online at waiting children and ended up in tears over a picture of about 8 toddler boys all eating lunch together at a table, and all were available for adoption. It sincerely broke my heart that they didn't have a mom or a dad to love them.  What is the approximate time line that you all have had? What forms do we need to start out? What if a particular childs picture "jumped out at us" and we wanted to inquire about him/her? HELP!! I'm at a complete loss at where to even start!! How did you find the best adoption agencies to work through? Gosh, I hope you all can help, I have so many questions!! I found so much inspiration in your avatars and stories, they are truely heartwarming and I can't wait to be one of them!! Thanks so much!!  
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Guatemala Adoption Information
Guatemala Websites
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#2
08-25-2006, 02:50 PM
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Sending you a pm. Welcome to the goup!
__________________
Rachel
Mama to:Lillian
Micah  , age 8, adopted from Liberia , age 6, adopted from LiberiaJayden  , age 3, adopted from GuatemalaAmy  , 17 months, waiting in IndiaRead my blog by clicking HERE.
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#3
08-25-2006, 02:52 PM
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Theresa,
While I can't be much help as I'm in basically the same stage you are I just wanted to say hi! And I hope as much for you and your family as much as for me and mine that everything goes wonderfully and smoothly!
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#4
08-25-2006, 02:56 PM
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Where to start
First, it's a very long process. I also want you to be aware that there is much speculation that adoption in Guatemala may be put to a stop as soon as 2007. If your heart is telling you to do it, you really need to get moving. Start researching for an agency asap, they will be able to guide you. You can be working on your dossier at the same time you are completing your homestudy. I have heard that some agency's aren't even starting new Guatemala adoptions because of what might happen soon. I wish you the best of luck. I hope our little princess is home soon. Please pm me if you would like info on our agency and more specific info on the whole process.
__________________
 
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#5
08-25-2006, 03:01 PM
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theresa, welcome to the group. Let me say that you should start by doing some research. First, check out the adoption agency thread at the top of this forum....you can scroll through and see who people are using. Check a few out. Second, join a yahoo group called "Adoption agency research" read about everyone's experiences. Third, on there, and here post a thread asking people to privately message you reccommendations on 2 or 3 agenices you are looking in to. Then, read every thing everyone tells you. My advise to you is that if 17 people tell you to run the other direction from an agency, and 2 people say, no, they are great.....run anyway. There are many good agencies out there....take your time in finding the right one for you. It is easy to fall head over heals in love iwth a baby, but please remember You will be working with this agency for a long time, so most importantly you want to be able to trust them and communicate with them. Once you find them, they will be able to help you with your paperwork. Good luck on your journey. Everyone here is so helpful, so please feel free to ask us questions about anything and everything.
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#6
08-25-2006, 03:09 PM
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Go to the website www.guatadopt.com. It has a good overview of the Guatemala process and a lot of good general information. Be sure to read the Hague section in case you are not already familiar with some of the risks with the Guat process.
You can start with the I600A and the homestudy even before you choose an agency. Take your time choosing an agency and ask a lot of questions. (I wish I had asked more). They are not all kinda the same...and the experience you have varies widely based on your agency. Good luck.
__________________
EJ 1-5-06 A beautiful baby boy is born in Guatemala 10-19-2006 -HOME!!!!!!!!!
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#7
08-25-2006, 03:11 PM
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Where to start ?
I am new so I am not sure how much help I can be because I am learning as I go.
Here is a great site that shows the process http://forums.adoption.com/attachmen...9&d=1156206764 It is off one of the other forum girl's website. Picking an agency I think is the hardest part ! If your agency does not do the homestudy then you will have to find a homestudy agency too ! Everyone already gave a lot of good advice ! I will just say follow your heart and don't wait ! There is never a perfect time to do anything like this ! You just have to go for it !
__________________
Just beginning this awesome adventure ! 8/25/06 Mailed formal application to agency
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#8
08-25-2006, 03:12 PM
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Theresa,
I too wanted to say welcome to the group, I too have 4 bio children and currently adopting a baby boy from guatemala, There are so many agencies out there you just start out by gathering info from their websites and start calling them for more information, Each one is a little different as far as things they offer. Some are Religioused based others are not some use orphanges some use foster mothers, these are all choices you and DH need to decide what is best for your family, Just remember a BIG agency doesnt always mean the Best, As well as a small family oriented agency doesnt mean the worst Listen to you heart and it will lead you in the right direction.
__________________
 BRANDEE Our Blog http://blessedtimessix.blogspot.com/ 5/30/06 I171-H recieved 7/7/06 IT's A BOY 7/12/06 Referral 8/16/06 DNA Auth 8/18/06 DNA/SWI DONE 9/6/06 Pre Approval 10/13/06 OUT of FC. 10/16/06 IN PGN 1/10/07= OUT OF PGN!!!!! 1/30/07 Home Forever 10/14/07 Princess Born 10/27/07 Referral 11/8/07 DNA AUTH 11/13/07 DNA DONE 12/26/07 SWI DONE 01/12/08 PA 01/21/08 Exit FC 02/08/08 NEW CNA registered 02/13/08 IN PGN 02/28/08 OUT OF PGN 3/17/08 Orange 3/25/08 Results at USE PINK 4/1/08 APPT 4/8/08 HOME 4/10/08  
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#9
08-25-2006, 03:19 PM
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WELCOME!!! We are catholic and they have a department that does homestudies. They were very helpful in recommending agency's for Guatemala. If you would like info on who we are using pm me. We have been very pleased. Can't say enough GREAT things about them. Although we have gotten kicked out but sometimes that has nothing to do with the agency. BUT LISTEN TO PEOPLE ON HERE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. (mommytoELIEÐAN)
__________________
02/16/06-Homestudy Complete sent to CIS 02/22/06-Carlos Johnathan is born! 02/23/06-Fingerprint Apt 03/01/06-Referral Accepted 04/05/06-USCIS Pre-Approval 05/04/06-DNA/Interview Done 05/18/06-DNA It's a match! 06/07/06-Out of Family Court 06/08/06-PRE APPROVAL OF DNA 06/14/06-Into PGN 06/03-06/07-AMAZING VISIT! 08/11/06-KO of PGN for Ratification of PA 08/11/06-Back in PGN that afternoon! 08/31-09/04 VISIT TRIP #2 09/20/06- WE ARE OUT! 10/05/06-PINK! 10/11/06- EMBASSY APT! 10/13/06-HOME FOREVER! our website/password is jlh222 http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=81495
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#10
08-25-2006, 06:05 PM
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Not much to add but want to welcome you and wish you luck on your adoption journey!!!
__________________
KRISTEN & LARRY; 3 Bio Sons...Tyler (16), Jarrod (13) & Devon (10) Decision to Adopt...2/06 Paperchasing completed....4/4/06 Homestudy complete.....May/06 ACCEPTED REFERRAL....7/13/06....YIPPIE! "Bianca Hope" DOB: 5/9/06 171-H fingerprints taken 7/11/06 and approval 7/31/06 (less then a 3 wk. wait...OMG) DNA Authorization 8/8/06 DNA/SWI SET FOR 9/4/06 and comfirmed test was done....9/7/06...WOOHOO 9/11/06...99.99% Match Visit Trip 10/1 - 10/8..Yeah! PreApproval 10/13/06 Entered PGN 10/23/06...YIPPIE!!! KO'ed on 11/13 and re-entered same day!! 11/24/06...OUT OF PGN!!! In Civil Registery 11/27/06 Being submitted to US Embassy 12/11/06....Here we come, Ms. B! 12/26...Bianca is in our arms forever!!! 12/28..Embassy Appt. 12/30..Home to NY  
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#11
08-25-2006, 06:14 PM
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Welcome to the forums. You will find a wealth of information here.
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#12
08-25-2006, 06:27 PM
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Just wanted to say hello and welcome to the forums. You'll learn a lot here and can always count on us for support throughout the process.
Seems everyone is giving you pretty good advice already...
__________________
SARA  01/10/06 IT'S A BOY!  10/12/06 Entered PGN 04/25/07 SO LONG PGN  06/01/07 PINK!!!  06/14/07 HOME FOREVER!!!  I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. --- 1 Samuel 1:27 In all things God works for my good --- Romans 8:28
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#13
08-25-2006, 06:56 PM
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Welcome!! I have 4 bio children as well (about the same ages are yours) and we have just decided to adopt #5 from Guatemala as well. We have been actively working on the adoption for about 2 months and we're almost ready to accept a referral. The first thing you should be looking into is who to do your homestudy, filing the I-600A with USCIS, and researching agencies. I have done day and night research for months and just finally choose my agency. It's a tough choice because there are some REALLY bad ones out there to avoid. I would most definitely get started ASAP if your heart is in Guatemala because of the Hague issues that may come up next year. Good luck!!!!!! And welcome!
__________________
Kelly The Cash Crew 2006 7/5 Decided on Guat Adoption  8/5 HS home visit 8/11 Homestudy complete (6 days) 8/24 FINALLY chose agency 9/1 Fingerprinted 9/22 Received 171H (in 3 weeks) 10/02 Referral -BABY GIRL born 9/19/06 10/25 Dossier & POA in Guatemala 11/29 DNA Authorization 11/30 DNA taken & Social Worker Interview 12/12 DNA MATCH - 99.81% WOOHOO 12/22 OUT of FC 12/27-12/30 AMAZING Visit Trip 2007 1/19 FINALLY PA 1/25 Entered PGN 3/9 OUT OF PGN 3/13 At Villa Nueva Civil Registry awaiting BC 3/23 Passport 3/29 Submitted for PINK 4/10 PINK 4/28 In our arms forever 4/30 Embassy Appointment 5/4 Home Forever at 7.5mo old  2008 8/6 Fell for a beautiful 5yr old boy  11/2 Homestudy update finally done 11/21 Dossier arrives at agency & official REFERRAL 2009 1/15 Received Court Date 3/23 COURT DATE 3/25 passed court 4/20 In our arms forever 4/22 Embassy Appointment 4/25 Home Forever
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#14
08-25-2006, 07:14 PM
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Thank you all so much for your information! I never would guess that they would end adoptions from a country with so many infants born and abandoned.
So very sad! I'm also very, very excited to have found others on here with biological children and adopting to complete their family! If anyone has any information that they could pass on to me, regarding this "hague" (still learning all of the terms and meanings) and the agencies that you have gone through, PLEASE pm them to me. I have received one PM right away from someone that had wonderful ideas and suggestions. I just appreciate all of the information I can get at this time. I have found a listing for 2 little boys that are siblings, and I would really be curious to see what our hearts and our options lead us to do. Thanks again, I can't thank you enough!!
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#15
08-25-2006, 08:34 PM
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I know it was already said, but Guatadopt.com is a good site and has a lot of info about the Hague treaty.
__________________
Jennie Baby boy born 3/16/06  Home 10/19/06
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