Garden of Hope

Poor Pammy. I know the airport security had their reasons.......... Lucky Andrea and Don!! My grandmother was Clara. Beautiful name for a beautiful baby!

Dear Noah, I am sure that Jonas feels exactly the same way about you. He probably thinks you are the best big brother in the whole world and he loves being your little brother. You guys are going to be like "ham and eggs", chocolate and milk, "mustard and ketchup", or "peanut butter and jelly"! I know your parents are very proud of how you're handling your new big brother responsibilities and joys. Keep writing. I love to hear what you have to say.

A perfect beginning for the brand spanking new relationships and baby. Congratulations to everyone! Can't wait to hear all about it and see the photos.

HI Franky, You should ask whatever it is that you want to know. And you should definately talk with the TN families who have worked with Abrazo or are working with them currently as parents in waiting. Abrazo's whole philosophy is based on openness and honesty, so ask and they will answer. You can call and talk to anyone, but Angela is the adoptive parents coordinator. Elizabeth is the director and would also be great to talk to. She really tells it like it is and shoots from the hip. I am a single mom. I adopted my son when he was 3 1/2 weeks old. He will be 4 early next month. Welcome to the forum. Keep us posted! Jean

Even after your own placement--five (and a half, as Joshua would say) years later--my heart still skips a beat with every baby announcement, and I get CHILLS!! Congratulations to the newest family!! The answer is YES!! Toni, I love your new avitar!! So cute! Congratulations to the newest Fool Family! Anxiously waiting all the news and pictures.

My profile is the first part of Nathan's life book. (I wanted him to know how much I longed for him.) It's followed by a page describing the call from Kelly about him. (He was a Blessing on the Ground) and then loads of pictures of entrustment. It's all part of his story-our story--our family history!

On a positive note, the one birthmom was able to reunite with her son. I would think that would give birthmoms with closed adoptions hope. Thank you for posting the link, Lisa.

Nine times the excitment, Monica and Clyde when sweet baby Ella Lauren arrived. Congratulations to the couple who waited patiently to meet their baby girl. Congratulations on a dream come true with a birthmom and birthgrandma to add to the joy. Tiffany, Cute, cute picture of your little one!!

WOW! What a beautiful family! Congratulations to the againer couple who only got to start their orientation weekend as PIW. What a blessing! God IS good ALL the time!

Christian D'Wayne is beautiful. I love all of his thick hair. You have been blessed. Can't wait to see more photos.

Texas is a mighty wild place don't you know! Especially when the Abrazo Chicks are hosting PIW Orientation weekends. I'm sure a little ole' locked pool isn't going to be a problems at all! YEEEHA! You're going to have a blast. Have fun.

PSSSSSSSSSSSS, Martha J........Let's crash the party! LOL

Congratulations pooches and of course your "mom" and "dad", too on the birth of the newest member of your pack! I know you are wagging your tails and yipping with excitment. You will grow to LOVE and protect this new creature and will even be best friends. Tred lightly and give your mom and dad a little time to adjust. They still love you like always, but now there's a new puppy in the house and they sure are proud. Congratulations! Can't wait to hear all the details and learn the perfect name all of his parents have given him.

Oh well, Lauren. Tell hubby that taking pictures is a prerequisite to being a daddy! Just wait til your little one is home and you take multiple pictures daily because he/she is just so darn cute! I don't see why a totally electronic profile would be a problem so long as it can be printed out and then copied so that the ladies can send them to prospective birthparents for browsing.

Thanks for the "giggle", Sabrina.

The posts have left me wondering. It sounds as though everything has worked out very well for Matthew. Thank goodness BeachMama's friend's parents were supportive and she had a good and loyal friend in BeachMama. (I hope she was able to complete her education) What is happening with the other mom and kiddos? Is the family that she fell in love with interested in a toddler adoption? I know that you counseled her and talked to her about her options. Can you give us an update? My heart aches for the family. I know that her call for help has put the Abrazo angels into action and that she will be better off for having made the call no matter what she ultimately decides to do. Thank you for being there for her, Elizabeth. You're the best.

Jacquee! I've missed you!!!! Trenton looks like such a grown up guy! He's so precious. I think congratulations are in order. Please pm me and tell me all about it!!! Hugs, Jean

OH MY GOSH. Linda and Tony. Andrew is SO beautiful and SO tiny!!!!!!! J.

WOW, Linda and Tony. Your journey kept us in suspense and on the edge of our seats! Congratulations on your happy ending, rather, new beginning! Can't wait to see all the photos and hear all the details.

Welcome! Michigan is my state of origin. I still have lots of family there, too. You are making a very wise choice to travel to Texas to work with Abrazo. They're the best!!

Dear Amanda, You did your very first post exactly right! You spoke from your heart and that's what we do around here. Baby Cliff is very lucky to have Cliff and Allison, but he is also very lucky to have a loving birthmom who made a choice that will bless him for life. He will have the best of both worlds because you have chosen to place him in an open adoption. Thank you for sharing your perspective and I hope you will continue to do so. Congratulations, too, on the birth of your beautiful baby boy. Hugs, Jean

Dear Gigi and Edwin, I was 41, childless, ten years in trying to have a child, one disrupted/failed adoption plan and then, a permanently disrupted marriage! I NEVER dreamed I'd be childless OR divorced. I tell you this only to say that you are NOT ALONE. There are lots of us (more "seasoned") individuals who have/had a dream of parenting that wasn't realized down "easy street". Ours was a journey of detours, twists, turns, and dead end alleys. If you are open to a child, then there is a child for you. Abrazo is a HUGE family and we are a HUGE force so look out. By posting here, you have just been encircled by many loving arms, lots of knowledge, and a whole lot of advice and comforting. Welcome and get all that paperwork in. Continue to read and research. Log on and join in the forum mania. Never stop dreaming because at Abrazo it's not if but when. And I am living proof. Your "luck", or should I say life, is about to change. Jean, Nathan's Mommy 9/9/02

A LONG wait for the shortest Long! Congratulations to Allison, Cliff and all the other Long waiting family members! The long chapter as PIW is now closed and you can begin writing your epic LONG tale. Congratulations and enjoy your precious gift!

Dan, Thanks for taking time to let your Abrazo Extended Family know the latest and greatest on your newest adventure. I am so very happy for you, Erika, Danny and now Matthew. May God continue to bless and keep you and your precious family and you grow, love, and live as one of the most amazing families I know. Blessings, Jean

Dear Dan, Erika, and Danny, I am SO excited that your placement became reality on the tails of the most glorious weekend in recent memory. It was such an honor to meet the actual family who is in nightly prayers at the Henry house. No one deserves this placement more and no one could be happier for you than your entire Abrazo family and Nathan and I who cheered a little late on that Saturday, but cheered with full and happy hearts none the less. I can't wait to see the pictures and read the accounts AND I am looking forward to meeting the newest member of your family at camp next year!