My Adoption Journey: Burning of the Devil (Quema del Diablo)

Friday, December 7, 2007

Burning of the Devil (Quema del Diablo)

Today is Burning of the Devil (Quema del Diablo) day in Guatemala. Every December 7th, to initiate the holiday season, Guatemalans drag old household items, waste paper, clothing and every other combustible thing out in front of their houses and set it all afire to represent burning the devil and to purify their households for the holy weeks ahead.

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Adoption Timeline

06/09/07 - Contacted Angel Adoptions (Homestudy Agency) to Pursue an International Adoption Homestudy
06/12/07 - Consultation with Social Worker from Angel Adoptions
06/14/07 - Application to Adoptions International (Adoption Agency) Sent
06/26/07 - Completed Massachusetts Approaches Partnership in Parenting Program (MAPP)
07/08/07 - Homestudy & Social Worker Visits Complete (Meetings with the Social Worker were Held on 6/23/07, 6/30/07, and 7/8/07)
07/26/07 - Application to USCIS for I-600A and Fingerprints Submitted
07/31/07 - Homestudy Report Received
07/31/07 - Homestudy Submitted to USCIS for I-600A Application
07/31/07 - Dossier Apostilled/Certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth
08/01/07 - Dossier Authenticated/Legalized by the Consulate of Guatemala
08/23/07 - Referral Received
08/27/07 - Referral Accepted, and Power of Attorney and DNA Authorization Completed
08/28/07 - Referral Acceptance, Power of Attorney, and DNA Authorization Received at Adoptions International and on-route to Guatemala
10/16/07 - I-600A Approved and Forwarded to National Visa Center
12/17/07 through 12/21/07- 1st Visit Trip with Grammy to meet baby Gabriella
01/10/08 - DNA Authorization
Enter Family Court
01/25/08 - DNA Taken from Gabriella and Gabriella's Birth Mother and Social Worker Interview is Conducted
02/09/08 - DNA Match
02/11/08 through 02/15/08- 2nd Visit Trip with Grammy and Grampy
03/14/08 at 11:53 AM - Pre-Approval from the US Embassy (Day 48)
03/26/08 - Exit Family Court
03/27/08 - Enter PGN
04/13/08 through 04/19/08- 3rd Visit Trip with Grammy and Tia Candace
05/08/08 through 05/15/08- 4th Visit Trip
06/09/08 - PGN Birth Mother Interview Complete
06/18/08 - Exit PGN
06/26/08 through 07/03/08 - 5th Visit Trip with Grammy
07/03/08 - Final Decree
07/28/08 - Birth Certificate
08/05/08 - Passport
08/07/08 - 2nd DNA Test
08/30/08 through 09/05/08 - Pick-Up Trip with Grammy!
09/02/08 - US Embassy Appointment
09/05/08 - Gabriella is home forever!