Stork Central

When the second of our two Mighty Paisanos couples of the October 2013 orientation began their adoption journey, they could not have known all the twists and turns their voyage would take in the nine months to follow. But God knew, and God had a very special plan in store for them. God knew of a special mother-to-be who was going to need a family who could embrace not just her baby boy, but her, as well, and God gave them time to get to know each other and build a much-needed trust between them. Two days ago, they welcomed a precious new son into the world, a child much-loved by them all. Tonight, they signed the paperwork that makes them family forever, and we couldn't just couldn't be happier for each of them. Blessings, all!

Things are moving verrrry slowly lately for our couples with children... unfortunately, the majority of expectant moms we're seeing lately are adamant about wanting to look only at profiles of childless couples. Stacy has tried her darnedest to slide other profiles under their noses and talk up our couples with kids, but to no avail. Not to worry, though; these things run in cycles and this, too, shall pass! (Sing along with Fiona: "the WAITING! the WAITING!"* if you need a spot of comic relief.) And in the meantime, just try to keep yourselves busy and remind yourself that when it's "supposed" to happen, it will! (No doubt about it!) *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqfz6Kc2al8

Sadly, we lost an expectant mom today who'd been coming to group for several weeks but only wanted to place with a childless Hispanic couple. We had none to offer her, so she is moving on to another program. If anyone knows of Hispanic couples without children who are hoping to adopt, please send them to Abrazo, so that other prospective birthmoms of Hispanic descent coming here can find families who look like their own, if that's what they're looking for... Thanks!

You were not long for this world but you were already loved in this world. Your mama wanted so much more for you than she could provide so she'd been coming to Abrazo to make loving plans for your future. She called us just Monday to say she'd chosen a couple to be your future parents, but it was not to be. Yesterday morning, you came too early and the angels took you Home to be with God instead. We celebrate your place in God's kingdom & we lift you, your family on earth & those who hoped to be family in our thoughts & prayers. You are not forgotten. Rest in peace, little one.

"To everything - turn, turn, turn There is a season - turn, turn, turn And a time to every purpose under heaven..." WORDS FROM THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES, GEORGE ABER ADAPTATION AND, PETE SEEGER In June 2011, a brilliant East Coast couple returned to Abrazo for a second orientation weekend (and becoming the inspiration for the "Believe Us, We're Normal!" group name.) Having two fine sons already, their lives were full already, but they came back in hopes of meeting the needs of a loving birthmother who felt she needed to make a second adoption plan. Plans changed, however. So they opted to make themselves available to other expectant mothers in need of a great family, and plans change again. And then again, and this was the beginning of a wild ride that may have dissuaded a lesser couple, had they known in advance all the twists and turns their journey would take. After awhile, like any sane folks, these faithful againers grappled with decisions about whether to continue the adoption quest or let that dream go? They put their file on hold and loved on their boys and focused on their careers but (as we say in Texas) they "got back up on that horse" and though the ride was rough at times, through it all, they never gave up. And what a blessing that fortitude has proven to be, for this spring, a beautiful young mother came to Abrazo for help. She'd endured a disappointing adoption experience elsewhere, and was needing to make (yes...) a second adoption plan, but this time, with people who could be trusted to keep their promises. It was, truly, a match made in Heaven. They all joined us for Camp last month, and they're together again this week, to celebrate their new baby girl and the beginning of their new, improved lives as a "forever family." We wish them every joy, and we thank each of them for having trusted in this purpose and having waited for this season. Blessings, all!

"For this child we prayed; and the Lord hath given us our petition which we asked of Him: Therefore, also, we share her with the Lord; as long as she lives she shall belong to the Lord as well." 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (KJV/Abrazo version) Theirs was a prayer that began years ago, when they met and fell in love and dreamed of building a family together. God heard that prayer, throughout all the challenges that seemed to befall them-- as she conquered cancer, as they dealt with infertility, as they approached adoption. They first attended Abrazo's orientation in late 2012 but soon realized they weren't financially prepared for such an undertaking. So they put their adoption dreams off a bit, yet found themselves blessed by the support of another orientation group member whose family offered them financial support and by a community that put on a softball tournament to help raise needed funds. They came back and joined the Fiesta Under the Bus orientation of April 2013 and continued their prayer, as their popular adoption profile attracted the attention of numerous mothers considering placement. They endured disappointments as plans failed to come to fruition, yet found themselves blessed to learn more about the needs of birthparents, and to have time to focus on other personal quests in the interim (such as job changes and even a successful audition for the American Ninja Warrior competition.) Throughout it all, they remained faithful to their dream of parenthood, and their faith was the answer to another young mother's prayers last week, as she delivered a baby girl who'd been unexpected by her, yet who was clearly very much expected by God. She chose this couple, they chose her back and today, we all lift a joyous and collective "Amen!" as this precious baby, so very loved by all, goes home in the arms of the parents who prayed for her, and waited for her, and now know beyond a shadow of a doubt why God's timing is (always!) best. Blessings, all!

Abrazo has been saddened to learn of the deaths of two of our birthfathers-- the untimely passing of Christo's birthfather Ivan V. last year, and yesterday's tragic death of David V., the birthfather of Jordan. David attended birthparent support group faithfully with his girlfriend Monica, and we remember him fondly. We lift both these young men and their families, as well as their placed children's families, in our prayers.

When they first called about placing their coming baby for adoption, they knew little of open adoption. Yet the prospective birthcouple was open to learning, and fell in love with the adoptive family they chose, folks too wonderful to ever lose touch with! The two couples built trust with each other over time. They eventually elected to include the birthfather's parents in the adoption plan, and the parents-to-be (graduates of our Ibbity Dibbity orientation of 7/13) were feted at a cookout the birthfamily held earlier this week. By the time this birthmama delivered her beautiful baby boy, she was educating the nursing staff, as well as her own siblings, about the benefits of openness. We celebrate their launching of this lifelong relationship! We welcome this tiny angel who is already so very loved. We congratulate the child of each couple, both of whom became older siblings this week. And we commend all the parents for the courage and wisdom each have committed to this process, and for the grace, honor and selflessness with which each have conducted themselves. (You've done this agency proud.) Blessings, all!

Her life had not been filled with many certainties, when she looked backwards. Yet when she found herself unexpectedly expecting, with precious few resources, there was one thing she knew: the baby's name had to have Hope in it. For hope was the one thing she's always had, through all the ups and downs: an abiding sense of hope that better days do still lie ahead. That certainty sustained her when a friend who'd placed a child for adoption encouraged her to turn to Abrazo for help. It lifted her as she met other moms in the same predicament. Hope buoyed her spirits as she learned about open adoption. And indeed, meeting and getting to know the againers she has chosen to raise her sweet baby girl has given her renewed hope in humanity. Today, these three parents have joined hearts and hands in a ring of love around a child who embodies all their greatest hopes for the future. Blessings, all!

"No hay mal que por bien no venga." Given the respective trials each had already endured, their lives would likely have never crossed paths, had it all merely been left to chance? The single mom of two with such limited family support could so easily have never ventured across town to explore positive alternatives for dealing with her unplanned pregnancy. The East Coast couple who'd already endured a failed adoption plan elsewhere could have so understandably given up on their dreams of ever adopting, anywhere. Yet there was a Higher Power at work, leading that young mom to want a brighter future for her baby, and inspiring that tentative couple to attend Abrazo's Ibbity Dibbity orientation of July 2013. Both came willing to learn, and to trust, and to grow. Both overcame fears and doubts along the way. Both had faith that past sorrows didn't have to limit their future joy. And tonight, all are reveling in the precious newborn daughter that each can forever now call "ours." We just couldn't be happier for this child, who is so very loved by all.

The best of literature is rarely that with the most predictable storyline... think about it! Indeed, the books that keep us reading tend to be those in which multifaceted characters find themselves tried by countless twists and turns, yet eventually learn to treasure life's journey and where it leads them. Abrazo's latest placement has had all the elements of the best of any good story: an engaging plot, fascinating characters, unpredictable conflict, a loving family theme & a western oiltown setting. Today's chapter of this pageturner unfolded with the heroine (a hardworking single mom) making a very sacrificial choice that answers the fervent prayers of two againers from Abrazo's Ibbity Dibbity orientation weekend of July, 2013 (and makes a big brother of their first Texas-born tot.) We celebrate the precious baby girl they now share and we hope this will be one open adoption story that forever offers happily-ever-after endings for all involved. Blessings, y'all!

Sometimes, if we age the bill out, they'll offer up to a 40% discount (depending on how desperate the provider is?) This does necessarily delay finalization sometimes, however. The only other discount sometimes offered is a pre-payment plan, which we do not do, since the agency does not accept responsibility for hospital bills in advance of relinquishment (which happens no sooner than 48 hours after birth.)

We got it today!! Hope we can maybe get them into next month's orientation...

Againers-to-be, please remember: you don't have to submit the inquiry form when you come back for Number #2 (or Number #3, or...) The inquiry form is ONLY for first-timers, so save that $35 this time, folks. Just download and complete the Application Form, send it off and we'll gladly get you on your way to more sleepless nights and glorious baby kisses!

The first time they adopted with Abrazo, they'd had a lengthy match, but handled it with grace. They used the time to advantage, building a relationship with their son's birthparents that thrives today. They proved to be great parents, just as we knew they would be. Then they loyally returned the very next summer for Camp Abrazo, so it was our pleasure to welcome them back when they decided to adopt again. They attended our Phi Celtic Dungarees orientation of December 2013 (weathering a fierce storm to get here last!), so it seems somehow fitting that a couple who have so often gone the extra mile are now the first in their group to meet their newest family member, a precious newborn baby boy. We wish them every joy as they grow as a family of four, and we thank them for setting such a fine example as folks who talk the talk and walk the walk! Blessings, all!