DNA Test

Alexander's birthmother, Maria, will be in Guatemala City on Monday. Her village is relatively small and outside of Mixco. I hope to visit it, as well as the hospital where Alexander was born when we visit Guatemala. It is out of the way, so it may be a long shot.

However, I digress. She is able to come to Guatemala City on Monday, so our attorney received authorization from the Embassy to start the DNA test. Our government requires all children being adopted by US citizens from Guatemala to have a DNA test to ensure the woman placing the baby is the mother.

When I was going through and translating the documents we have on Alexander, I realized there was some confusion on his birth date. His birthday is October 18, 2005, as opposed to September. His village is outside of Mixco. I have a street and mailing address for Maria, his birthmother. I am going to write her prior to our departure. I do not know if the address she listed is current, but I figure it is worth a try. If I were in her shoes, I would want to meet me. However, I have to remember that I am not her and do not know her entire situation, so I would prefer to try to contact her before showing up in her village. Something tells me I will not exactly be inconspicuous.

Anna and I are going to start planning our trip next week. We will make our reservations at the Casa Grande, a hotel next door to the US Embassy. We are going to book our tours with the Highland Tour Company. If our case is entered in to the civil registry by then, my dear husband may join us for two days.

Many thanks to our friends, the Berbereks and the Wrights, and family who have offered to care for and entertain our daughter!! We are reminded of our many blessings through your care and service. Rosie, a very patient friend, has been extremely helpful in proofreading my horrific Spanish business writing. Mil Gracias Rosie! Pam,Anna, Dan and Analisa have fillled out many a non-sensical form and deserve a medal for endurance. Our church family, particularly the members of Community of Hope, have offered support, interest and truly listen with the ears of their hearts. Thanks guys!!!

Boomerang!

Below is an email from our agency social worker.

Dear Natalie,

I spoke with Marilena today and she got your package. Everything is o.k except for the birth certificates! Not your fault! The Guatemala consulate wrote down the name of the secretary of state incorrectly! Which means, the birth certificates need to be re-authenticated. Yuck--I know!

Marilena is going to send these back to you via fed ex. You must take them to the consulate again. As mentioned, it was their mistake they wrote in the name on the secretary of state certificate incorrectly.

Sorry this had to happen, thing like this do happen--it is part of the process, I suppose.

Aaah! The bliss of bureaucracy returns. I guess it is "part of the process" but every part of the process? It seems pretty improbable, yet all things are possible. Oh well, time to power on to round two.

It looks like the night shift staff at our local Kinko's has a counterpart at the Guatemalan consulate. Maybe that is who they are chatting with on their cell phones while they are "working".

This experience reminds me of a favorite children's book. My mom always read The Little Engine That Could to me when I was little. The line that comes to mind is "I think I can, I think I can", That is our mantra as we chug up the hill to Alexander.