Dale and Amanda

Congratulations to the newest addition!

Congratulations to the newest family!

Congratulations to the newest families!

Committing to attend a future orientation and have the possibility of placement prior to it could make keeping the commitment difficult. Could admitting couples sans orientation while requiring others to attend cause issues with licensing? If there is a need to stop the orientations, then is there a way to develop the material into homework that couples are required to complete? Not that you have anything else going on!!

Congratulations Steven and Melissa! It all makes sense now, doesn' it? So happy for you. Enjoy these amazing days!

Erin, your post is on another topic that they had started. All is well!

Praying for these first families and that the right parents will know that they need to make that call!

Kristal, I think it is key that placements are made because parents believe it is what they need to do. I can't fathom all the thoughts and emotions that go into making an adoption plan. I only know what I hear from our girls' moms and a few others that have placed. Our girls' moms still have difficult moments, but they are content with their decision and are happy with the way we are raising the girls and with their decisions. From what I have gathered on the forum from the Abrazo Chicks, they tend to have families think through their reasons for placing and discourage it when it is due to feeling like they "have to." If it is a temporary issue, there are some programs that might help or family/friends that could provide assistance for a time until things turn around. I don't know how stressful a relationship would be if an adoptive parent knew that the birthparent regretted placement. There is no diplomatic way to say this--It totally sucks that adoption exists, but without it I would have such an emptiness in me. I did not want my joy at being a parent to be at another's expense. To this point, I am thankful that we are working through those issues with our girls' first families and doing our best to keep those relationships going and giving space when asked to. I appreciate your sharing another perspective of this often difficult process!

Congratulations to the newest family! Praying for all involved.

Congratulations to the newest family! Prayers for the first family as well!

I could really use some help from my forum family here. Our lead elder just returned this past week from China with the daughter they have been waiting for. He keeps making posts on fb referrng to her as his adopted daughter and my blood pressure rises every time and it grates on my last nerve. How can I best approach him online about this? They are working on bonding with her right now, so they are at home and we won't be seeing them for a few more weeks. I spoke to the church last weekend and printed up a pamphlet of positive adoption language with definitions for common terms.

Mari, I continue to be amazed at all your family has gone through and how amazingly your daughter and granddaughter are doing! I'm sure that graduation was a huge celebration!

Congratulations! So happy for you all, and continued prayers for you all as well!

Clearly Dale is better at thinking out his posts than his off-the-cuff wife!!!

I'm so thankful that Adrian knew that someone was willing to give him a chance. May he rest in peace and his daughters know of his love for them.