BDP21

Congrats to all! Welcome baby Alex!

Sending prayers for all of Kay's family.

We are so excited for Judy, Chris, Kayla and baby Joshua!! Can't wait to see pictures of this beautiful family! Love and prayers to all!

So glad you finally got it!

Definitely check around. We had to do the whole thing again, based on Virginia laws, but we shopped around and found an independent social worker who would do it for much less than we would have had to pay our original agency (and much less than we paid them originally).

So, so heartwrenching! Not adoption related, but there is a local story about a 15 month old killed so the dad could collect life insurance he'd taken out on the child. All these children who die far too young just break my heart and to hear of multiple on the same day....

I agree - The pictures are such a testament to how wonderful open adoption is! I love them all!

Such wonderful news! So happy to hear this update, Mari!

Sending prayers for both of you tomorrow! Hope all is well!

Congratulations to Monica, Gary and Garrett! Welcome to the world sweet Madelyn! Prayers for all who love this precious girl!

Ooh! Have fun this weekend!

Monica, thank you so much for sharing your fears! I could've written quite a bit of what you wrote (especially that fear of not being chosen just laying dormant, worries about the calls and our profile - irrational yes, but still there). Know that you are definitely not alone. And, thanks to everyone else who posted in support, your words helped this anxious againer as well

Happy Birthday Sloan! She is one very blessed little girl to have so many who love her so much!

Thank you so much for posting this, Elizabeth! Hannah is right - it is very helpul and encouraging. As someone who is currently waiting (somewhat unexpectedly), I do find myself keenly aware of the fact that most expectant moms are looking for childless couples and am trying to get my head around settling in for another long wait. We know that whatever wait we have it will be all be worth it to have another very special little one and their first family join our family.

What a beautiful announcement! So happy for all of Jayden's family! We love you all!

Praying for everyone!

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Congratulations to Scott, Jocelyn, and Landon! Welcome baby Micah! Prayers for his strength to grow each day and for the friendship among all his family to grow each day, too!

WOW!!! Congratulations to all who love this precious baby girl! Welcome baby Jordyn!

Suzi, Thank you so much for all of this information and helpful examples! I think I may finally understand (most of) the ins and outs of this.

If I remember correctly (and I defer to Suzi if she knows differently), if you/we (since we're in the same situation) haven't finalized in 2012, we could claim expenses from 2011 but not 2012. You can claim expenses from the same year if you finalize in that year, but otherwise, the expenses must be claimed from the previous year. So, when we filed in 2011, we claimed our expenses from 2010 but we couldn't claim any of the 2011 expenses until finalization (or until this year - the same for us). I don't know if what I've typed makes sense. It's very complicated. I would love to know if we could count the expenses paid in our failed match as an attempt but whether that's possible I don't know. I think it would be difficult to do, if even possible, since you have to have a SSN or adoption ID# for a child to claim it as far as I can tell.

Prayers for this family and all who loved her!

Congratulations Kama, Elva, and B on your beautiful baby boy!!!

Beth, I loved the opportunity to meet you and your beautiful family in person.. Your little tyke is adorable.. He warmed up to me, just didn’t want to make it too obvious to others .. but I caught him playing peek a boo several times.. How could he not warm up to you?! Joseph can be very picky about adults but he really liked both you and Lauranda!

Mari - I just wanted to say how wonderful it was to meet you and Lauranda today! Joseph really loved those lights! And he definitely warmed up to you both by the end of lunch