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Elaine

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Everything posted by Elaine

  1. Congratulations, Terri and Paul!!! Welcome to the world little fella!!! We look forward to seeing your sweet face proudly posted in the gallery! Prayers go up for this new family and their brave birthmom.
  2. I am a it more bold when it comes to positive adoption language now. I think when we were first entering the process I noticed when others used neg. adoption lang, but I sometimes was almost embarrassed to lovingly correct them thinking...It isn't like I am an adoption expert or anything! I don't feel like that anymore. I still realize I am by no means an adoption expert, but if I can help educate others, then that is my responsibility. I cringe when someone makes a comment or uses neg .adoption lang. in front of the girls. This actually just happened at church on Sunday. Although, the girls are still young...I don't need to wait until they are "big girls" to start taking seriously what others choose to say in front of them. Sunday was our first day at church with Angel. For the most part it was just lots of hugs and congratulations. There was one lady that was full of nosey questions and used negative adoption language. I lovingly corrected her and told her that Angel's background information belongs to her and no one else. I did this with a smile on my face and walked away!!! Each time I am put in this position it gets a bit easier. Practice makes perfect...I guess!
  3. Elaine

    Home Study

    Ewwww...nursery decorations!!! Talk about fun...that is so much fun!!! I LOVED decorating our girls' rooms!!! I look forward to hearing what decorations, colors, etc you come up with. Sounds like you all are well on your way to becoming parents!!!
  4. Elaine

    Home Study

    DITTO to what Beachmama said!!! Keep a copy of everything. Not only will it help you in case something gets lost and needs to be resubmitted, but someday you (or your dear child) may want to look back over all that was done to bring that special soul home. I have keep everything and put it in a huge file. I can always reference back to it if need be. More than anything though, I just like knowing it is there. It is a diary of sorts that helps us to remember the journey we have been on. Best wishes with your homestudy! Keep us posted!!!
  5. Elaine

    INQUIRY

    Hi, Shelly! Glad to see you on the forum. My name is Elaine. My husband and I live in TN. with our two beautiful daughters. Best wishes with baby #2. We look forward to following your story! We adopted our first daughter through Abrazo in the Spring of 2005. We just adopted our second daughter last Friday. She had been in foster care in San Antonio. We have been doubly blessed! Having two is a lot of work but more importantly it is a lot of fun! Again, welcome!!! We are glad you have joined us! Elaine
  6. Friday when Angel came home everyone was excited and exhausted! It had been a long emotional day for all involved. That first evening Angel started jumping up and down saying over and over,"I MADE IT...I MADE IT!!!!" grinning from ear to ear. It just melted my heart. I thanked God that she HAD "made it" and that we had too!
  7. Elaine

    INQUIRY

    Andrea and Andy, OMG...you all are from White House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a CRAZY small WORLD!!!!!!!!! My husband and I lived in Greenbrier for 5 years. We moved back to West TN. last summer to be closer to family. Nice to meet you, neighbor!!! I look forward to following your story. We adopted Makayla while we still lived in Middle TN. Abrazo rocks!!! Your Friend, Elaine
  8. (`*)...(`*)..... Me turning flips!!!!!!!!! Congrats on your sweet darling daughter, Don and Andrea!!! We are so happy for you!
  9. Wonderful news!!!! Praying for this blessed new family!!! Enjoy your precious baby girl!!!! I have been watching for a new announcement...
  10. God, PLEASE send these precious children their forever family and PLEASE help their forever families eyes be opened...let your WILL be crystal clear!!!!!! Let these children be loved and nurtured not only by wonderful nurses but by the hands of their forever family!!! Amen
  11. Hey, Franky! I see you are from TN too...cool! There are a lot of Volunteers represented here in Abrazoland! The forum is a great place to start. It has a wealth of knowledge. My husband and I applied for adoption through Abrazo in Jan. 2005. We attended their Parents of Tomorrow Prientation weekend in March 2005 and had our sweet little girl by April 2005. Sometimes people place quickly and sometimes they do not. But the right baby is out there for each and everyone of us...so being first or being last doesn't really matter! What matters is that you find the baby that you are supposed to find. Go under the "Looking to Adopt" and "Parents in Waiting Threads". That should give you a lot of the info you are looking for. If you are interested call Abrazo (210-342-LOVE) and speak to them about your interest in adoption and let them tell you what they are all about. Good luck on your journey! We are all here to help one another out!!! Elaine
  12. There are so many things that you have to consider when deciding whether to do the domestic or international route. I think some are called to adopt from overseas and some from home. I think there is no right or wrong answer, but instead you just have to see which route works best for what you (are what you are looking for). There are tons of children in our own backyard that need forever families as well as children overseas. My heart goes out to each and every child that is in this situation! Some people are completely sold on USA adoption(s) while others swear only by international. It is like anything else...everyone's got their own opinion on it. Whether you adopt from the US or whether you adopt internationally... it warms my heart to know a child in need is finding his/her forever family!!!! Every child regardless of nationality, color, etc. deserves to have a forever family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you figure out where it is you are supposed to adopt from and take the plunge! What an exciting time for your family!!! Best wishes~ Elaine p.s. Some countries do require you travel to them at least once (and I believe Russia requires two trips there), but a couple of countries do not require travel at all. If I remember correctly, Korea and Guatamala (sp?) did not require travel...it was optional. You could either go pick up your child or a nanny could fly your baby to you. Seems like China had a 2 to 4 week trip you had to make. Every countries requirements differ.
  13. I pray God finds the perfect homes for these special babies!!! It hurts my heart to think of so many that are in need of homes. May God comfort their birthfamilies as well.
  14. Congratulations on your sweet baby boy! I can't wait to see a picture of the newest family!!! Hugs, Elaine
  15. Baby Ella is BEAUTIFUL!!! Check out the gallery! She looks like a sleeping angel...so precious!
  16. Congratulations, Clyde and Monica!!! What a blessing this little bundle of PINK is going to be to your family. Good things do come in small packages!!! Enjoy your 5 lb 8 oz miracle!!!!
  17. Get out!!! This is WONDERFUL! Congratulations on your little bundle of PINK! I knew the Abrazo girls worked fast...Phew! That was quick!!!
  18. Michelle, Look at those little lips...awww, so kissable!!! He is precious...so sweet!!! Congratulations!
  19. YAY!!! Congrats Darrin, Michelle, and the Three 'Furry' Amigos!!! Your family is very blessed! Hug and kiss little Christian every chance you get. He won't stay little for long!
  20. Amen! Wow, Lisa! I am teared up after reading your heartfelt post. I KNOW your testimony is bound to help others!!! You are an inspiration to all women. Elaine
  21. Gigi, Some wait and some do not. I guess it is your call to make. We had a very quick shower right before going to get our daughter (a B.O.G.) and then a few when we returned home with her. Some people are superstitious having showers before the baby arrives (biological or adopted children). It just depends on what you as the parents want and/or need to do. If you do not know the sex of the baby, then you will have to go with neutral clothing...but you could stock up on diapers/wipes, blankets, sheets, toys, books, and other basics you are going to need. When ready you could go fill out your baby registry so that others would have a better idea of things you desire/need. Remember it's not if but when. You may get the call when you least expect it! Elaine p.s. We got "the call" so suddenly (exactly one month to the day after our orientation) that we did not have our nursery, baby registry, or anything else done. That was VERY STRESSFUL!!! My suggestion is be as prepared as you can be and do as much as you can BEFORE the baby comes. You never know when Abrazo may call you....
  22. Oh, Elizabeth! That is heartbreaking!!! I can't imagine the courage it would take to go against the wishes of your family when making the decision to place your child for adoption. How sad that she needed support and acceptance (from her family) so desperately, and didn't get it. For Abrazo and that particular adoptive family to have stuck in her mind all of these years says something. I pray that she can find help for her and her children.
  23. I grew up in a tiny little town and moved upon getting married. Mickey and I wanted to get a taste of big city life. What we got was the best of both worlds. We bought a house that seemed to be out in the country, but it was only a 25 minute drive to downtown Nashville. Anyway, when we became homeowners we were not parents, just tired school teachers. So when the first Halloween rolled around I was shocked (and very saddened) that MOST of the children in our area no longer Trick-or-Treated!!! I just couldn't believe it (still can't)... Almost every big church in the area (and some local high schools) would have a Trick-or-Trunk where kids went around (with their parents) to fish candy out of car trunks. I am just so naive. Mickey and I had no idea things had gotten so out of control (as far as safety issues for our children). I am not that old, but even when I grew up and went Trick-or-Treating my parent NEVER went with us (except when we were tiny tots). We were dropped off or allowed to roam around many many city blocks with no adults. As irresponsible as it sounds, there didn't seem to be much of a need for adult accompaniment in my tiny hometown. Everyone knew one another...many of us slept at night without thinking to lock our doors. Just a sleepy little town full of trusting souls. Halloween was a night full of cool Autumn air, colorful leaves rustling leaves, the smell of wood burning stoves, and a town crawling with little spooks and goblins eager to count their candies. Since moving back to my original little hometown, I have noticed that change has crept in. Parents still allow their children to go door to door but Mom and/or Dad are close behind. There is no way I would let Makayla go out Halloween night without me. It saddens me that parents feel like they can not trust others, but it saddens me more that they are justified in being suspicious of others. Every week (it seems) I get a new email alerting me of a new sex offender that has moved to my zipcode (or surrounding area). :angry: I just wish people would behave...and children could stay innocent a little longer. Those were the "Good Ol' Days"...
  24. It saddens me to hear of Robert's untimely death. His loving family is in my prayers. May he rest in peace.
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