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MarceloandClaudia

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Posts posted by MarceloandClaudia

  1. You know, I hadn't thought of it before, but this story is a strange twist on "the girls that went away"... who were often forcibly taken by their parents to maternity homes or adoption attorneys or agencies to "give up" babies their parents didn't think they should have... :huh:

    Sounds like they might have devalued that child even more because of the color of the its father's skin. Disgusting people.

    It's a sad truth, but it happens in adoption every day, when babies of color wait in foster care for a family "willing" to adopt a child labelled "special needs" merely because of his/her racial background... and when (in a world full of infertile couples longing to adopt), birthmoms expecting black or biracial babies find so few "parents-in-waiting" willing to match with them because of their baby's skin color...

    I just had to reply because as much as it is sad to label a child special needs because of color, Marcelo and I look at it like, Wow we are the lucky ones. Being able to adopt over and over at a less cost for the child we REALLY want! Ouir children of COLOR will NEVER be special needs in our eyes that's all I can say. And, for the rest of my life I will preach how unique our diverse child Dante is and how he taught us to see COLOR in a different light!

  2. Even though I posted our Yard Sale results on our family thread, I thought I would mention it here as well in order to get those prospective AP's motivated. We got the idea of a family and friends yard sale from many of you on the Forum. We gave out a personal letter to our family letting them know we would be starting our second adoption early 2007. In the letter, I noted that we would be having a yard sale with proceeds to help with the adoption expenses. I just asked if they had any goods they wanted to rid their house of, we would appreciate the donation and be glad to pick them up. We also told close friends and co-workers. We never expected the return! Long story short, we made almost $1,000.00 in one day! Maybe, it's not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but I can think of many expensed it COULD cover. It's definately well worth it if you can get some help. Good luck on your journey!

    Claudia :P:D:lol:;)

  3. Marcelo and I haven't even opened up for business... for the Yard Sale that is and we already made $100.00. My sister, future brother-in-law, sister-in-law and friend bought stuff. I gave them a discount of course, but they also insisted and me not going too cheap! My sister-in-law and I priced a lot of stuff last night and will continue tomorrow evening. So far, it looks good, but we'll see how the weather holds up. I'll let you know how it goes!

    Claudia

  4. The preemie in the Valley has had several interested families call to inquire; at present, we are waiting on paperwork and homestudies before setting up calls with the birthmother. Please keep this little girl in your prayers, y'all! She is holding her own, but has a long way to go before any plans will be made to discharge her from the hospital. (Thanks go out to the Abrazomoms who are visiting the baby periodically on the agency's behalf! The hospital reluctantly consented to let a couple of our alum with nursing backgrounds into the nursery for contact visits, so they are playing the role of "fairy godmothers" until this little angel has a family all her own to be there for her.)

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    Just stopping by this thread to see if there were any updates on these little angels!

    God must be watching over this "jewel"... I'm sure of it! ;)

  5. Elizabeth,

    Thank you for sharing the poem. It is a reminder of the pain and joy adoption brings everyone... also a reminder that every child DESERVES a home regardless of color or background.

    With gratitude.

    Claudia

  6. Gigi,

    Wow, what a success your sale was! Marcelo and I are having a Yard Sale on Sept. 16, and hopefully we will have a good turn out. We have already had donations from so many friends and family and yes, it is such a humbling feeling to know that so many people care. Marcelo finally got just as excited as me about the sale when his co-worker brought him some donations. I told him if you just share our story, people will rally around to help. I think it's human nature to want to do good!

    ... And November will be here before you know it, so get ready. It's not if, but when and we are living proof of that one!!! :P

  7. I believe you can spoil a child with hugs and kisses! Do you know that in this entire year that Dante has been our son, we have only bought him one real toy. The rest of the toys were given to him for his Birthday... and that's because we asked, no gifts please. I buy him clothes at Target or Marshalls, but for special occasions, I'll get him something that tends to be more expensive. I want him to enjoy life, but not because it is dependant on an expensive toy, video game etc. I think my parent's did a fine job of instilling in me the value of a dollar and how to respect having "anything". I think if we continue to note in our minds what we are instilling in our children then we will be alright.

    Claudia

  8. For all of you that have had garage/yard sales as a fundraiser, I ask your help. Do you have any suggestions for me? I plan to put up a sign that says something about why we are having the sale. I figured that would also allow people to see that if the prices were not dirt cheap, that's why. At the same time, I don't want to over price things. I think yard sales can be kinda fun. I thought I'd also sell some soda's in case people were thirsty. It's very hot here!

    We have also applied for some grants and plan to apply for some more. My only concern is that they will assume because we are both employed that we should have enough funds for the adoption. A lot has changed in the last few years, moving into a new home, adopting our first child... whew that took a lot out of us.

    Third, hopefully the adoption tax credit from Dante's adoption will help us too! We are banking on that one!!

    Looking forward to hearing your ideas,

    Claudia

  9. Ellouise,

    Don't worry, we are all here for you to help in any way we can. Adoptive Parent is correct, or once you have signed up with Abrazo, you are a Parent in Waiting. The mother of the baby is Birthmother and father, Birthfather. We use "place for adoption" and not baby was given away or given up. Hope this helps and feel free to ask anything.

    Hope you are able to attend orientation in September. We'll be there sharing our story as Adoptive Parents or parents now!! We have a 14 mo. old who we adopted in June 2005.

    Best wishes,

  10. My heart just went out for this little "Valley" baby. I wish, wish, wish we could just adopt all the little ones needing a home. Back to reality Claudia! I hope and pray these little ones find a loving, nurturing, safe home very soon.

  11. I was reading this topic and began to think about how and why we chose Abrazo. At first, I requested information about many adoption agencies. Like anything else when you are shopping and you really don't know much, I looked at cost and time. Honestly, I really didn't know much about openess vs. closed vs. semi-open etc. All I knew is that Marcelo and I were having difficulty having a child and we knew we didn't want to go through invitro... point blank.... but then.... we came across Abrazo! We were so fortunate to find an agency that seemed to have everything we needed and were very patient to educate us on why openess is so important for our child. Fortunately, we overcame the fears that were in our heart. Now, I know it sounds strange that we chose and agency that is open when we really didn't even know what it was and how it worked. It felt right in every way and it felt right to want to learn. I think when you are first starting the process and learning about adoption period, you don't always think the "politically correct" way. You just have to be open to learning.

  12. Dan and Erika,

    Having kept up with Danny's Days made it so special to finally have the honor of meeting you in person. You may not know it, but Marcelo and I admire your family very very much. Your strength has taught us so much. We look forward to the next log that will include your new precious baby boy. Best wishes and enjoy every minute!

    Your friends,

    Marcelo, Claudia and Dante

  13. I was wondering how others found a Liscensed Social Worker to do their Home Study? I live in the State of Georgia. Thank you for any recommendations or information that you could give!

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    I found our Social Worker through calling a couple of Hospitals and asking if any of the Social Workers were Masters prepared and were experienced in doing Homestudies. The Social Workers put me in contact with someone who could be of assistance.

    Best Wishes

  14. Elizabeth, Lisa and Martha,

    Points well made! I have such a hard time with all this. I agree that women must make choices for themselves. I just become very sad for all involved. I feel for the woman making these difficult decisions, the baby and on and on. As much as I wish this world did not have so much suffering, if it had not been for Dante's Birthmother having gone through what she had, Marcelo and I would not be parent's to this extroardinary child that is sleeping in the next bedroom. All I can do is have faith that God is with each and every person in their time of need. Life is so difficult as it is... never simple. It is amazing how through suffering an answer can be found... for Birthmother's and Adoptive Parent's. Things in life find a way of working themselves out don't they?

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