Stork Central
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Abrazo's next orientation weekend is coming up in May, and we have a large demand right now for childless couples and for Texans, so if you're either (or both) and you have concluded fertility treatment and you're ready to devote all your efforts to adoption instead, please apply now! Contact Martha at Abrazo (210-342-5683) if you need additional information or have specific questions after reviewing our website.
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"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." -- John 16:22
Somehow, after all the darkness and cold of winter, it seems only appropriate to mark the first day of Spring with the placement of a(nother) beautiful baby girl!
She was born a month ago, but her proud new parents didn't even know it, at the time. These Abrazo againers had just rejoined our program a month before, after suffering the loss of a daughter to cancer last year, and they surely weren't expecting their nursery to be filled by Easter.
But this being the season of resurrection and rebirth, the Good Lord surely heard their prayers, and answered them bigger and better, as only He can. God sent them a child already-born, and ready to join their loving family without delay-- thanks to the courage of a birthmother who put her child's needs even before her own, and even without her own parents' support.
We celebrate with (and for) this beloved Abrazo family, and we wish them a long and happy life together as a family of four, once again.
Happy Spring-- and a very joyous Easter to all!
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Today’s placement was actually foretold by the adoptive mother’s recent dream, yet nothing could possibly have prepared these Happy Endings (2/17) graduates for all the twists and turns in their latest adoption quest. They may undoubtedly have gotten discouraged at times, but they never (ever) gave up hope, and we’re so grateful for the trust they invested in the process, for it ultimately led them to the precious baby girl who became theirs tonight. We wish this newly-expanded family every joy in their life together... blessings, all!
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Just over nine months ago, an excited and artistic couple who had survived years of infertility and still longed to become parents joined us for our May 2017 orientation weekend, 15 Seconds in Partick, Arkansas.
They couldn't have known all the hills and valleys their journey would entail, but they knew in their hearts they were meant to be somebody's mom and dad. So they did all the necessary paperwork and jumped through all the required hoops and entered into a match that sadly was destined to end in disappointment.
They could've given up then, of course. But they didn't. (And that has made all the difference.)
For just miles and months away was a young couple who would need someone just like them; approachable, caring, open-minded, and longing to parent.
The birthcouple would have dearly loved to raise their baby girl themselves, but they knew they were not able to do so. Still, they wanted the best for her. They knew their child's future could best be shaped by an adoptive family, and they realized the best family for their child was this one remarkable couple-- whose adoption journey, ironically, spanned the entire duration of this pregnancy. (They couldn't be happier about that, now.)
Today, the placement paperwork is official, and they now share a beautiful baby girl, as a result. We wish our newest forever family every joy in their lives together, and we hope their darling daughter always knows how very loved she is-- by all of them.
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Our beloved friend and AbrazoMom Susan M. (wife of Bill and mother of Tasia and Electra) needs our fervent prayers, as does her family, as her ovarian cancer has returned, just about the time that her dear mother passed away. Bill, Susan, Tasia and Electra, please know that the Abrazo community stands behind you and sending our condolences and our healing wishes your way, and we continue to lift each of you in our prayers.
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Abrazo is saddened to learn of the death of adoptive mother Theresa Meuer, who died of heart problems at the young age of 49.
Theresa and her husband Mark were members of our Parents-R-Us orientation class of April 1996.
We wish her family peace, comfort and healing as they mourn the loss of their beloved Terry...
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The best possible reason to miss out on Abrazo’s Parents of Tomorrow weekend is because your prayers were already answered, meaning the baby of your dreams found you before you could find yourself at orientation... and so it is for a San Antonio couple!
They were to have attended orientation later this month, but being proactive, they’d expedited their admission already by having Abrazo do their homestudy and background checks in advance. So when a mom who’d long considered this option for her son decided she was ready and that only a Texas couple would do, they were ready, as well.
We wish them all peace and comfort as they adapt, and may the Super Bowl always remind them of this precious boy, undoubtedly the champion of all their hearts!
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She knew what she wanted for her baby’s future. Yet a hurricane interrupted her plans, and then there was family opposition to contend with, and host of other complications to overcome.
Many states away, unbeknownst to each other, there was a couple who knew what they wanted for their family’s future. Yet the abrupt closure of their national adoption agency interrupted their plans, and then there were financial ramifications to overcome, and a couple of other failed opportunities along the way.
What is mean to be, however, has a way of coming together, however. And today, by the grace of God, both families’ dreams came together, for the love of one adorable four-month-old boy.
May he grow up strong and sure, and be forever blessed by their shared commitment to his future.
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He wasn't a staff member, exactly, but somebody who had been a "behind-the-scenes" support to the Abrazo staff passed away this past week, and we want to honor him by remembering him here.
Guillermo ("Willie") Arellano was the building engineer here at Abrazo's office building, and had been for many years.
He was a magnificent human being; someone who lived his faith daily and who went out of his way to help others, but especially, the AbrazoChicks.
It didn't matter to Willie if it "was his job" or not; if the Abrazo staff needed his assistance, Willie always found time to be here for us, and time and time again, he went above and beyond the call of duty to support Abrazo in its mission.
Willie, who was a beloved father and grandfather, went home to Mexico over the New Year's holiday to see his relatives, and on the evening of January 2, Willie was unexpectedly felled by a stroke at the young age of 52.
Our hearts hurt for his widow and his family, because we know how very much he will be missed. May you rest in eternal peace, Willie, knowing that your work is done at last, and may we all follow the extraordinary example of selfless service which you so clearly set for us.
Vaya con Dios, amigo.
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An extremely young but mature teen contacted Abrazo about making an adoption plan for her coming baby, and with her parents' support, she perused profiles and selected a childless couple with whom she felt at home. That couple, graduates of our 15 Seconds in Partick, Arkansas orientation group of May, 2017 were more than happy to return to San Antonio on short notice, and as a result, this is sure to be one Christmas they will never (ever) forget, because it's going to be their first in Texas, their first as parents, and their first spent as a family of three. Merry Christmas, indeed!
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Even the devastation of the recent hurricane could not distract this loving Houston mother from doing what she felt was best for her comng baby. She knew she could rebuild her home and continue to provide for the children already in her care, but she felt the new baby would need a new home with two parents able to provide for his every need. She found the family of her dreams in our Keep It Quiet (Tried Twice in the Morning) orientation class of August, 2017, and today, they gratefully added this precious newborn baby boy and his birthfamily to their forever family circle. Blessings, all!
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It took a trio of angels to help our newest angel find her way to her new parents.
One was a prospective birthmother last year who chose not to place, and two were Abrazo birthmothers who didn't know each other.
But all three were instrumental in guiding their mutual friend, who was pregnant and unable to parent, to Abrazo.
She knew she wanted the kind of life for her coming baby that she herself had never had.
She knew she wanted for her child to have adoring, stable and devoted parents who could secure her future as she herself could not.
And she found the family of her dreams in one childless couple from our 15 Seconds in Partick, Arkansas orientation group of May 2017.
They are adorable. (Check!) And stable. (Check!) And devoted to being family to this precious new daughter of theirs (check!) and to her birthmama (bonus check!)
We couldn't be more thankful for this baby girl, for all her parents, and for the three special angels who helped her find her way home for the holidays. Blessings, all!
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Having come through our Keep It Quiet (Tried Twice in the Morning) orientation of 8/17, these newest new parents isn’t have much time to prepare, but fortunately, they came ready. They quickly matched with a beautiful expectant mom who fell in love with them (as they did with her) and as a result, the precious newborn son they now share will surely grow up knowing (and loving) the best of all of them. Blessings, all!
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Lo que debe ser, siempre encontrará su camino.These againers from our Keep It Quiet: Tried Twice in the Morning orientation group of August, 2017 probably never imagined that they would be the first of their group to return to Texas to take placement just two and a half months later.
(After all, the first child they adopted through Abrazo had come to them rather quickly, and you don't expect that kind of good fortune twice.)
Plus, they had a specific gender requirement this go-round, and adoptive families can tell you the lecture they get from adoption agencies about how long the wait may be, when they arbitrarily elect to eliminate nearly half their placement possibilities by specifying that they will only accept a child of one certain gender.
But they knew in their hearts they really, really wanted a girl this time, and they were willing to wait, and they're really good parents who have been really good about keeping their open adoption promises, so they sent in their profile and their homestudy update and hunkered down for a long, patient wait...
...Only to be chosen very quickly by a mother in her final trimester, who saw in them people she could trust, and the parents she wanted for her baby girl.
So this weekend, the baby was born, and today, the paperwork was completed, and for the rest of her life, this tiny daughter they all love so will know she is precious and treasured by all. Blessings, everyone!
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"Climb ev'ry mountain, ford every stream... follow every by-way, 'til you find your dream."
-- Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein
When they came to Abrazo by way of Colorado, our newest adoptive parents (from our 15 Seconds Width Partick, Arkansas orientation group of 5/17) could never have imagined the role their home state might eventually play in their adoption story.
Yet for one hospitalized physics student who'd previously attended college in Colorado just to experience the landscape and snow, the thought of her beloved newborn daughter growing up amidst the Rocky Mountains with fun, active parents who enjoy sports as she does was nothing short of magical.
And so it is that a couple who began the week with no idea that a return trip to Texas was in their immediate future are ending this week as the proud new parents of a beautiful baby girl... less than half a year after their adoption journey with Abrazo first began.
We wish them every joy as they grow as a forever family, and we celebrate the precious child whose life has brought them all together in the most amazing of ways. Blessings, all!
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They might never have guessed how drastically and how beautifully their lives would change, between the weekend of their orientation and Labor Day, but the newest new parents from our 15 Seconds Width Partick Arkansas (May 2017) are snuggling their newborn son already, and loving every minute of how their journey to parenthood turned out! Blessings, all.
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We need to hear from any homestudy-ready families within Abrazo's program who may be interested in an Anglo-Caucasian baby boy due soon, who will have something called Left Heart Syndrome and possibly double valve intake and other related issues. This infant will likely be delivered early, and will need extended hospitalization and corrective surgeries; Abrazo mat be able to apply for a separate Medicaid policy for this child, to help offset medical costs. (The prospective birthparents are in agreement about the adoption plan and do not feel ready for openness at this time.) The case will qualify for Abrazo's special needs program fees; additional state subsidies outside of Texas may also be available. Contact Abrazo for further information if interested: 210-342-5683.
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Please say a prayer for the mother-in-law of our staff member Dawn and the entire Gonzales family.
Her husband Mike's mom appears to be nearing her final days and we ask God to be with her as she transitions to the Life Everlasting.
We know their matriarch's life has been long and full, but these are surely bittersweet days for the family she will leave behind, so we want them to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them all.
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It's a momentous day for our 15 Seconds Width Partick Arkansas orientation group of May 2017, as the entire group moves 1/8 of the way closer to completion, which will mean that the entire group then has their new children home.
It's a momentous day for one very fortunate couple from that group, who have the distinction of being the first to take placement, and having that their entire case develop within a matter of three short weeks.
It's a momentous day for one very courageous birthmother, who set aside her own needs and wants for love of her child.
And it's a momentous day for one much-loved baby boy, who entered the world just two days ago and yet already has a fan club that numbers in the hundreds.
May he always (always) love and respect the three parents who surround him with love today, and may he always feel confident in their love for each other, as well.
Blessings, all!
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Just as the Halloween treat buckets from the month in which last fall's orientation occurred are sometimes filled with surprises, so is the adoption process! The couple who left our Candy Cornholes (10/16) orientation dinner early to meet a prospective birthmom didn't end up taking that baby home with them (although another family did.) Yet a fortuitous connection through Abrazo's director's high school classmate led them to match with another mother, and now, as a result, they are the proud parents of another beautiful baby boy. They would never have found this case had things not happened the way they did, so we join them in celebrating this happily-ever-after ending.
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Some of life's sweetest surprises are also the most unexpected ones, and this definitely describes one beloved Abrazo family's reaction to the news that their fourth child's birthmom was having another baby and wanted to place again. They'd thought their family was complete, until they learned that it wasn't, and we couldn't be happier that they said "yes!" Congratulations to the proud parents of our newest baby boy, his new big brother and beautiful big sisters! Blessings, all...
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She's a hardworking and loving mom, but when she left her ex and took the kids to start anew, she didn't realize she was again expecting.
She knew her own limits, and while there was plenty of love to go around, there was precious little of everything else. So like her own mama, she turned to adoption as an option.
She chose a couple who reminded her of an aunt and uncle, graduates of our Candy Cornholes orientation of October, 2016, who had weathered a failed adoption plan just months ago-- and today, thanks to one selfless birthmom, they are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl.
Blessings, all! May your forever family blossom and flourish as the years go by.
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Please, Abrazo prayer warriors, keep little Veronica in your prayers.
She has been battling brain cancer for more than half of her young life, and has gotten the best of care, but the prognosis is not good.
Join the Abrazo staff in lifting Veronica, her parents, her brother, and her birthparents in your prayers, that they might each somehow find peace and comfort amidst this lonesome valley. We hope for healing; we trust that God's plans are always greater than our own, for God can surely see around the corners that block our limited line of vision.
We know that God has this child and all who love her in the palm of His hand, and that our Loving Parent leaves nothing to chance.
We give thanks for the faith and courage of Veronica's parents, and we ask that their forever family be granted every possible mercy as they face whatever lies ahead. In God's name we pray... Amen.
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We talked, at our February 2017 Happy Endings orientation, about the likelihood that the precious children who would go home with these couples were likely "out there" somewhere already, as their expectant mothers were still trying to figure out their plans and as their future adoptive parents contemplated all the major life changes still awaiting them.
It may have seemed like a distant dream to these folks, and especially to one young couple from Tennessee who had big hopes and many questions. Just ten weeks later, though, they found themselves in a Galveston hospital nursery, meeting the beautiful baby girl born to a single Texas mother who saw them as her ideal, and today, they officially became first time parents-- just in time for Mother's Day!
We wish this forever family every joy, and we send love out to this little angel and all three parents who worked together to secure her future. Blessings, all!
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What is Open Adoption?
in Considering Adoption?
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If you've never seen Abrazo's video channel, here's one of our little videos about open adoption... enjoy!
Open Adoption Means "You're Invited!"