dnr1021

In Memphis TN. . . Our original homestudy was $600; post placement visits $250. Our update was $500; post placement visits $250. Although nothing had changed from our first homestudy to our update (except for the addition of our daughter ), we still had to complete all the paperwork, physicals, background checks, etc. for the update for our second daugher. The update was done 7 months after our first daughter's finalization. Rhonda

Congratulations Marcelo and Claudia!!!! My thoughts and prayers have been with you over the past several days. I can't count the times I have looked on the forum for this particular posting from Stork Central. Here's to all the happiness your heart may hold!!! God Bless!! Rhonda, Doug, and Alana

Melissa, Like Bobbi, I've been keeping up with your posts and very pleased to see this outcome. God always provides. Like you, we are beginning to pull things together again so we may become "againers". Our precious daughter joined our hearts and family, a little over a year ago. I doubt we will make it to the orientation you will be attending - have enjoyed reading your post and would love to meet you. Take care, Rhonda (a.k.a. Alana's mommy)

This is wonderful news. God always take care of our needs. Rhonda

Melissa, I believe your husband is covered under FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). It allows up to 6 months leave (unpaid of course) for the care of a child by birth or placed with you through adoption. Something you might want to look into. Rhonda

Congratulations Dawn - to you and your husband both. Abrazo is an excellent choice in agencies. They will be there for you through the entire journey to becoming a family. We first turned in our inquiry paperwork on February 12 of this year. Today, we are now holding our 8 week old daughter. I would suggest getting started on your home study right away. In talking with other couples in our orientation group, this appears to be the one thing which drags on and a completed/approved home study is required before you can take placement of a precious little angel. I would also suggest taking an infant CPR course and new born class. Good books to read (if you are a reader) Dear Birthmother by Kathleen Silber, the Open Adoption Experience by Lois Melina, and Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge. We found these books very helpful and still refer to them. Also, I second what We Adopted Three posted. Linlacor has the best advise and support. She was very supportive when we first began. Good luck and remember . . . Abrazo's matra is "it's not if anymore, but when"!!!! Keep us posted. Rhonda (proud AP to Alana Gail)

After reading both Lisa and Tots posts (no offense taken on either), I have to agree with both. As Lisa stated, there's no harm in a couple having a preference; but they should remain open and not limit themselves. And also like Tots posted, God has a plan for each of us and alot of times it is not what we had planned for ourselves. An analogy that comes to mind is when you are young, you have this image of what your spouse will look like. Tall, dark, and handsome. When "Mr Right" comes along, isn't it funny how sometimes he is short, with red hair and freckles. But in our eyes, he is still tall, dark, and handsome b/c this is the man God had planned for you. See, we had a preference when we were young - but remained open minded. When you adopt, you may prefer one gender - but don't limit yourself. You may be shutting a door before you even get a chance to open it. I hope this makes some sort of sense and apologize if the comparison is not clear for everyone. This came to mind and I just wanted to share. Rhonda

Congratulations Linda and Scott. Parenthood is just around the corner. Enjoy yourselves and as many "date nights" as possible. My husband and I were apart of the March 5 & 6 orientation - The Forrestears. Just six weeks later, we took placement of our daughter Alana. It is definitely not if anymore, but when. Please keep us posted. May God be with you during your journey. Rhonda

Hello everyone and fellow Forresters!!! What a couple of week's it has been. We took placement of our little girl April 21; only having attended Orientation in March. So keep the faith and hang on for the ride Sugarfamily, your dreams of becoming a family are right around the corner. Alana Gail was born on April 17, 12:19 am, weighing 7 lbs 4 ozs, measuring 19.3 inches in length. As of right now, we do not have any direct contact with her BP; but do have contact with her best friend. We pray everyday and ask that you do as well for God to give our BP the strength she needs to make it through this difficult time. We have faith and know in due time, everything will work out. Alana is the apple of our eye. She is everything we ever dreamed of and more. She loves her daddy and mama. She is sleeping pretty good at night only waking up 2 or 3 times; taking a warm bottle and falling right back to sleep. We go to the doctor tomorrow for her two week check up. I will be off work at least six weeks, maybe longer. Doug was able to take this week off as well to spend time with us - our little family. Well, I hear daddy calling - Alana has woken up and wants to see her mommy. Thanks to everyone on the forum for all the words of encouragement and support you have given us. Little did we know this past February with our first post, would our little girl be in our arms today. And a special thanks to Elizabeth and Angela. We had somewhat of a bumpy ride during the last two weeks, but do believe God has a reason for everyone. Thanks for your understanding and helping us through. Doug, Rhonda, and Alana

Welcome Julie & Rick. My husband and I were exactly where you are just a month or so ago. We sent our pre-app in Feb 9 and attended the March 5 & 6 orientation. We are now offically Parents in Waiting. May I also add - Abrazo is great. The staff are more like family/friends. They genuinely care about their clients; both BP's and AP's. While you anxiously wait, may I suggest you go ahead and begin your home study if you have not already done so. This helped us to keep "busy" and helped to get things ready. Our home study only took little over a month and is being completed as we speak; but I've been told it can sometimes take up to 6 months. For the home study, there was alot of requirements needed such as documents from employers, reference letters, physicals, back ground checks, etc. Make sure you let them know you are considering adopting in Texas. Texas has certain requirements for their homestudies. Even if you do not adopt through Abrazo, the home study will still be needed for other agencies. I hope I've helped a little. Abrazo's mantra is "It's not if, but when". Keep the faith. I am sure before long you will receivethe much anticpated phone call, and will be filling applications and jetting off to San Antoinio, for a fun filled, emotional Orientation weekend. Rhonda

Hello to all. We just got back from Orientation weekend and what a wonderful, heart opening experience. We met so many wonderful couples with stories like our own, but each was unique in it's own way. We are officially Parent's In Waiting, soon to be Parents of Tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for their support and responses as my husband and I were beginning the process; only four short week's ago. Lisa, A special thanks to you. What a wonderful surprise to meet you and hear your story in person. Thank you for taking time out of your day, to come and speak with us. Kayleigh is absolutely precious and such a sweet little girl. Your face just glows when you look at your daughter. Thanks again for sharing your experience. It was so good to meet you and put a name with a face. Rhonda

Thank you so much for you responses. My husband and I both sit here with tears in our eyes realizing our dreams of becoming parents are in the not to distant future. It was extremely reassuring to hear the quickness of Abrazo; "not letting grass grow under their feet". I love those words. We will await the phone call and the beginning of the journey/family which God has brought us to, along with the new friends we will meet along the way. Rhonda