Runyan2002

Okay that part made me cry!!!! Welcome Sweet Emma!! We LOOOVE our newest Sticky baby!

Welcome!! Hold on tight because it's a wild ride!!

Lighting a few candles...

Bumping this topic up for Todd & Eileen....

Oh what an amazing amazing story. That would be a dream for me as an adoptive parent.

Suzi - I know with transracial adoptions, especially AA, many parents feel comforted by a child already being in the home if they are also of the same race (for example an AA child already in the home). That is what I heard though, I'm sure Elizabeth or someone might know more.

Anyone who is Catholic, and studied the religion KNOWS why the church opposes the use of condoms. Wether we agree with it or not, we know, and it stands by it's position, no matter what. I'm not sure how we can say in some instances it's okay and in some it's not when the church, it's core, says it's wrong. Condoms are always a hot button issue with my non-Catholic friends. Again, we don't believe in it....there are many reasons why. We also don't believe in abortion, no matter what the circumstances. This is one of the reasons why I respect my church also, because thier beliefs are based on a LOT of research, and it doesn't change.

I sent a KS couple your way...thier inquiry should be there any day!!

Oooooh I just felt my heart flutter!! Congratulations to the BEAUTIFUL couple and thier GORGEOUS new baby boy!!! Oh yes, and to the new big sister!!!

Funny because facilitators normally cost 3 times as much for less than services that you aren't really sure the birthmothers are getting or not. Why ANYone would use one is beyond me...especially ones out of CA...YUCK. I have no doubt less people will be able to adopt, I have friends that have to put it off because of the 20% cut in pay everyone is getting at his company. Wether or not I think more parents are placing? Maybe...but I'm not sure I buy that it is a 3-fold increase. If they take away the 10,000 credit even LESS people will be able to adopt (including us).

Congratulations to the new family! We can't wait to hear from you (hint hint) and see ALLL the pictures (bigger hint hint). Ha ha!! Way to go to a certiain faithful forumite!!!

And schedule a physical!!! Those things can take MONTHS to get in for!

Hello Erin!! I will have to say that I think every family is different, one income could mean something entirely different to another family (based on debt, payments, etc). So 60,000 could mean one thing to one family, and poverty to the next. I think if you have a way to pay for childcare when needed, and all the needs of a child you should be fine. Plus if you are really worried about it you can always wait until you get a job, then send in the inquiry. I think there are many families here who do not make a fortune, especially those with one income, but they are great parents & have been approved. So don't worry too much. Oh yes - and WELCOME!! Natalie

Congratulations Given's Family!!!!! Woo hoo!!

If you work through Abrazo (or any other agency) the birthmother can sign no earlier than 48 hours after birth. Not sure where the 60 days came from, maybe this is without an agency? I think the trips will go as following: -Trip for Orientation (arrive Friday, leave Sunday) - When you are matched with expectant parent(s) you will come down as much as you can, normally at least once before birth to meet - For the birth (arrive a few days before is best case), then stay for ICPC (total time is NORMALLY between 1 - 3 weeks from what I have seen, sometimes more) - Finalization (normally happens between 8 - 9 months, no earlier than 6 months after placement) - Come back to visit birthfamily (the MOST important part, living our promises!!) Hope this helps, I'm sure the info in your packet will talk more in depth & accurate about this. Good Luck!!!! How exciting! Natalie

Thanks!! I thought so, but was just wondering. And NO Jenny - nothing on my mind I just was curious. After the beating I got with the last one being a surprise I'd be SURE to tell yall if not! Hahaha!!!

I posted this on the Piggy back thread but thought it might be relevant here. I was a sorta-kinda-in-a-way-but-not-really tweener so don't know all the "official" rules. Do you have to have your homestudy completed before Abrazo sends calls your way / shows your profile? Don't know why this question has been on my mind but thought I'd get it out there to answer since there are about a million smart women on here that know the rules (who all rock oddly enough..maybe there is a "rocking" requirement in the homestudy for Abrazo also? LOL!) Nat

WHOA!! Double blessing and DOUBLE Congratulations!!

I lit a candle for two people I know right now that are in need of prayers. I wish for peace for both of them, especially nearing the Thanksgiving holiday.

Congratulations!! Kiss little Luke from his Forum Family!

I can't decide how I feel about about Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt....on one hand I don't get them not gettting married at all, I think especially with adoption that sort of "stability" is important for the kids. I also do wonder if she has a sort of "addiction" to adoption. Maybe being uncomfortable just being content (preferring constant change?) maybe having something to do with her background?? I know people who are constantly looking forward because it's too hard to look at the present...it's too personal. But on the other hand I also think it's very neat how they live thier life, seems to love all thier children the same...I also understand the pull, and they have the means. I think as long as they can keep a good balance then it can be a beautiful thing. My mom had 4 kids in 5 years though, so I'm not one to think you need a certain amount of times between kids to raise a healthy family. I also very much believe you can have a "pull" to a certain country, even though there are children here that need homes too, I do think you can adopt internationally for your own reasons. Honestly, I have felt a pull toward Ethiopia adoption....not that anything would ever come of it. But I also have a second cousin whose biological father lived in Africa and she is now serving in the Peace Corp in the same area as her birthfamily lives (I believe). I also would hate to say that someone with that rocky of a past cannot grow & change into a beautiful strong woman & mother. Sometime I think people with that kind of past were working through something then, and at least they worked through it (not saying that they shouldn't have counseling to be sure of that). Usually the strongest people I know have been through the hardest things in their lives. So I struggle with this....going back & forth with my opinions of them. Also - I have heard Guy wants thier son to stay with him, but didn't specify Lourdes or thier son they adopted? Not sure if it is true or not but if so what a shame. I felt like that adoption story was rushed & it didn't feel "real".

Hey cool! We are Catholic, I didn't realize this thread existed!! I am having a darned time finding a church, though i do belong one now, now that we moved. I just don't feel "home" at any yet...maybe it will take time?

Oh how incredibly sweet! I must say I got tears in my eyes also. I love it when communities come together like that.

Having already adopted once I had a LONG list of stuff that I needed our agency to be. Number 1 was ethical to the birthparents. Number 2 was ethical to the adoptive parents. Number 3 was knowledgable in open adoption because I know how much support an open adoption can take through the entire life of the child, not just pre-adoption. And so on and so on. Our past agency has had a lot of switches in personnel, and much of that personal service was lost sadly in the process, which is why we were looking for another. I must say that cost was another factor as I was not willing to pay the 30,000 that some agencies are looking for. My friend was hoping to adopt with Abrazo at the time, and told me about a "nursery note". I had just started talking about another adoption, but figured I would call anyway. I am so glad I did. Angela was so sweet, and I found such a peace talking to her. It's hard to explain except to say that I felt "at home". Is that too corny? Even if it is - it is what I felt. I talked at great length with her, calling her I think multiple times to go through the "process", she didn't tire of talking to me but instead with great patience explained it in detail. Even though I knew that nursery note wasn't for us because we hadn't even STARTED all the paperwork yet, it was then that I spoke with my husband about seriously starting another adoption. We decided to start after we moved (which was in the next months). I looked for references from others, the good, bad, the ugly. To my surprise I found nothing but rave reviews, from birthmothers & adoptive mothers alike. This was VERY important to me. Then I found the forum, and after searching all the past posts, all the help & support, I knew that this was perfect for me. I never had to feel alone on this journey again, and I had so much information at my fingertips. Being a transracial adoptive parent this was that much more important to me as my boys get older & the questions get harder. Abrazo is patient, gentle, yet do not sugar coat things. They will always be honest with you, and treat every person fairly. My favorite thing about Abrazo? They are looking for the best possible families for their children, not the best children for their families.