suebee

Excellent point Kristal.

He's gay??????? Really? He was my childhood DREAM watching all those doogie howser episodes. I feel like I just learned about Santa. *deep exhale* Too funny! How I Met Your Mother is totally misleading (or ironic) too because he plays a huge womanizer. Believe it or not someone had to tell me that Elton John was gay - and George Michael for that matter - and I was twenty-something! Okay Elton John and George Michael I knew...but Doogie! Had no idea. The article I just read said "via surrogate."

Wow, Elizabeth, I didn't realize your ex was 73! I mean...if you're just 29! Not trying to make light of a very important topic...thanks for bringing this up as I have never thought about teaching Joshua what to do if something were to be wrong with one of us and the other parent isn't around.

Maybe once they bond, he will drop the "adopted" part. I would probably give them some time and then if he still says it, I would say something. Just curious, do they have other children?

Well, yes and no. We did try to achieve a pregnancy on our own and then did some fertility treatments, but once IUI, one surgery, and medication didn’t result in a pregnancy, we started looking at adoption. I got so excited about adoption that it was not difficult at all to realize that adoption was what we wanted to pursue. Not more IUIs, not IVF, not additional surgeries, not surrogacy. At the point we started our paperwork to adopt Azucena, I was so gung-ho about the prospect of adopting a baby that I would have actually been disappointed to find myself pregnant. I feel the same way now. If I were given the choice of “What would you rather have happen: a. You get a call from your doctor saying you are pregnant, or b. You get a call from your adoption agency saying you’ve been matched with a birth parent," I would absolutely choose B! Well said, Erin, I agree!!

Good thing I haven't put my mascara on yet this morning! This announcement and then Kenny's touching words on his blog...not to mention the photos that capture the joy and awe of Carter's new parents...have me wiping tears of joy and gratitude from my eyes! I am remembering the hopeful couple who drove many miles to meet new friends in Memphis this past August, heard reassurance of "this time next year," and then dared to believe! I am so happy for you guys and so grateful to God who does all things well! I'll be among the Abrazo aunties standing in line to meet Carter at this year's picnic! :wub:

If their rights are already terminated, then legally they have no grounds to protest the finalization. If an exception were made, it could set a precedence and open a can of worms!

From the article... Bullock tells People in the exclusive interview -- hitting newsstands on Friday, April 30 (we got an advance copy) -- that she hasn't had two full nights of sleep since the baby was born. "You wake up, you feed, you burp, you play, you do laundry," she says in the interview. I took this to mean that she was very involved in raising her new son. Of course, that is assuming I believe everything I read.

I'm in!!

I'm proud of you too!! Together you and I will educate all of North MS okay?!!

Wow Bill and Tara...we are neighbors!! We live in OB and adopted our son through Abrazo nine years ago! We also have a 2 1/2 year old daughter who we adopted locally! Would love to meet you and journey with you through this amazing (and often difficult) process! I'll pm you my contact info if you want to get in touch!

My niece, a college freshman, is writing a persuasive speech about open adoption for her speech class (Yes, I'm very proud she chose this topic!) She e-mailed and asked me to share some of my perspective, which I was very glad to do. I thought I would post it here as it gives a brief summary of why we chose open adoption for our family. Both of our adoptions are open meaning that we have regular contact with their birth families through pictures, letters, e-mails, phone calls and visits. We believe that open adoption is beneficial for the child in that they can know the family they came from. That family is a part of them, and they can know who they look like, where they get certain characteristics, health history, etc. They can also ask questions directly to their birthparents (I'll abbreviate BPs) about their adoption decision. Most importantly they can know that their birth families love them. They do not have to feel like they weren't loved or wanted. They can know that their BPs were not able or ready to take care of them at that point in their life, but it's not because they didn't love them. We never wanted our children to have to wonder these things or to have their birthfamilies be a mystery. We didn't want them to have to go searching for their birth families one day. We wanted them to always know them and always have them be a part of their lives. Open adoption is beneficial for the BPs in that they get to choose the adoptive family for their child. They also have ongoing contact to know that their child is happy, healthy, and doing well. BPs don't just forget their child and move on. This is a very painful and traumatic decision that requires great love and courage. While seeing their child with his/her new parents may open some wounds, most BPs share that it is helpful for them to have a relationship with their child and to see for themselves that their child is doing well. As for the adoptive parents, open adoption helps us to raise our child as a whole person, knowing all aspects of their story and history. It helps us to understand and appreciate them and the unique characteristics they have because of the family they came from. We enjoy the friendship we have with their BPs, and are grateful to them for the choices they made. It does not make us feel any less of a parent to our child. Our kid's BPs don't tell us how to raise them, they don't correct or discipline our kids, they don't "interfere" in our lives. They chose us and entrusted us to be the parents. Knowing them takes away the mystery, the secrecy and sometimes fear that can accompany a closed adoption. Our children are not confused about who their "real" parents are. (I don't even like the words "real" because in a sense, we--parents and BPs--are all real. We are not imaginary! And both sets of parents are important in who the child is and becomes) But as far as knowing who Mommy and Daddy are, they are not confused. As they grow, they are able understand the roles and relationships of lots of people in their lives....grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, and BPs...and no one relationship takes away from the other. Also, they are able to love and receive love from lots of people. No one can have too many people who love them, right?!

Congratulations on the birth of your precious son! Sending loving thoughts and prayers to his first mom...may she find peace and may your relationship continue to bloom.

I am so sad to hear this news, and my heart aches for you and Emily. You are so right...life is not fair. There are so many, many things that we will never understand in this life. While we may not understand why, we can trust God and cry out to Him in our pain. I'm praying that God will give you and Shelley's family peace and comfort as you mourn the loss of a special woman.

Bumping this up...

Can't wait to hear more!! The new family (including birthmom) are in my prayers.

Patty, My heart breaks for you. Reading your post really hits home (I am 43). Life is so fragile. I can only begin to imagine your and Rebecca's loss and grief. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Susan

Melissa, I have both these books and many others that you are welcome to borrow. Don't think I could get them to you before your trip, but could certainly try to meet up with at some point later. Susan

Erin, My two-and-half year old daughter does the same thing!! Susan

What an amazing Christmas blessing!! Congrats Brent and Lynn. Also, remembering in prayer your son's birthmother.

Me too! In spite of her setbacks, Rebecca has always been an encouragement to others on their journey to parenthood. I'm praying that her journey is smooth sailing these days.

It's okay Jill...we're all still learning! I actually had an older lady I've known for years through church ask me that same question in front of my son one day when I ran into her at Costco!! :o It's been several years ago, and I don't think he heard her, but I said pretty much what you said, and then I lowered my voice and asked her to please think before she asked a question like that in front of my son again.

Amanda, That is awesome. I'm very excited for you and will pray that a relationship develops.

We know that Grace Ann has some real power in those prayers, Melissa!!! I think, this would be a great group. Sign me up... I may need Grace Ann to pray for my hubby. He's an only child... I have a total of 5 bro/sis!! I want to do this again .... like sooner than later. I want to be a mommy prior to 40; I'm 39!!! Lydia was born when I was 40! Go for it Dyna. I may not have the pull Grace Ann does, but I'll be praying for hubby to get on board! Go Paula, go!!!! And Tina!!!! The only drawback is that our newbies wouldn't benefit from the wonderful wisdom and presence of an againer in their group. But I think an againer group would ROCK!!

So true! Congratulations Andy and Jill! Rejoicing with you that your faith is now sight!