[annelisa]

Nine years ago this month, DH and I flew to Guatemala to pick up our beautiful 9 month old daughter. She has always known that she's adopted and we've talked freely and openly for years about different things in Guat. Tonight, however, we got on the subject of her birth mother( due to an episode on "Wizards of Waverly Place." ) and I found out that my daughter wants to know if her birthmom is alive and she wants a picture of her. AND, she would like to meet her in the next couple of years! My 7 year old guatling heard our conversation and she decided she wants more information, too. SO, my question for you guys is this...........for those of you who have used someone to do a search, how do I find someone like that and what exactly did you find out, etc? Please over-indulge me with as much info as possible so we can make a wise decision. I guess I knew this day would come eventually and I have given it alot of thought; I told both girls that I would help them with any questions they ever have to the best of my ability.
Please PM me! Thanks in advance!

DD #1: born 1/3/2000 home: 10/3/2000
DD #2: born 2/6/2002 home: 6/19/2004

[dac_cincy]

Annelisa-

I would encourage you to join both the yahoo groups for Guatemalan birth families- there you can find a wealth of information, from searcher identifiers (some perfer thiers names are not public) and contact info, along with stories of families who have made contact and some who have not.

I will Pm you with my story, as I am not sure exactly what more I can say here.

Love and hugs,
Deb

[mksilvermoon]

do what Deb suggests and join those groups for lots of great info and sharing

good luck!

mk

[Slatond10]

I also 2nd deb... the Guate family forum is awesome and has a wealth of information.

I used "S" searcher (can't use names on any forum) but someone can PM u the info on the searchers! She did locate birthmother. My DD was 2 @ the time is almost 5 now. So we have had contact for almost 3 years.

She is open to annual communication and will visit if we come to GC area. This is PRICELESS to me. DD has started asking some simple questions and I created an adoption story book w/ all the pictures so we have it to refer to when questions arise.

They have ask nothing of us but I do send X-mas presents each year and pay for 3 of the school age siblings to attend school thru the searcher.

I hope and pray we get the opportunity to go and visit in the near future. The stories of birthfamily visits ( on the forum recommended) are so inspiring.

Praying your journey is filled with positive information and contact.

[amymole36]

I will pm you with our experience.

[annelisa]

THANK YOU for sharing your information! I really think this is something we are going to pursue for both girls. I have to admit, I kind of have mixed feelings about it all. I did fill out the information to subscribe to 2 of the yahoo groups. Hopefully, I will feel more at ease about the whole thing once I hear more stories. Right now part of me is excited at the prospect, and part of me is equally afraid.

I'm so thankful for this site. I wouldn't have known where to even begin this journey!!

Blessings!