MarceloandClaudia

CONGRATS, TIM AND AMY! HAVE A GREAT ONE. CLAUDIA

It took Marcelo a while to complete the application for that reason. We didn't always both feel as open as we do now. I now see our insecurtities were all founded on false beliefs... that we wouldn't be able to offer a child out of our ethnicity their cultural background or that they would be criticized by others. Maybe there are real tough challenges to be faced, but with our faith set strong on the foundation that God will never leave our side, we will endure it all. I truly believe that if you allow God to freely work in your heart, he will open it up to endless possibilities. That is what happened to us. Marcelo and I sat down way before we ever completely filled out the application and because we could not come to a decision that made us both feel good, we put the application away. Then one day I sat him down and explained to him my deep feelings about adoption. I shared with him that not being able to conceive and bear a child, was very painful, yet I knew it was meant to be. I felt like God knew what he was doing and how could we ask him to bless us with a child, but only ask for what we thought "fit" us. Little did we know that God knew so much more about us than we knew of ourselves. Look at us now, constantly in awe of our richly diverse baby boy called Dante Christian. Who would have known? Thank GOD he has worked in our lives so diligently to get us where we are today. We couldn't be more blessed than we are TODAY! Claudia

CONGRATS TO OUR FELLOW CLOUD NINE FAMILY ON THEIR NEW ARRIVAL. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU ON YOUR WAY! WE LOVE YOU, MARCELO AND CLAUDIA

Happy Birthday, Camille! Congratulations Nita and Walker. Your friend, Marcelo and Claudia

I called different agencies that were listed in the yellow pages. When I spoke with a friend that was a Social Worker, she highly recommended Abrazo. We couldn't be any happier with the Abrazo chicks!

Jen and Kyle, Welcome to Abrazo Land. I replied to your message. Hope the info helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. Until next time, Claudia

I'm glad this post came up. Marcelo and I have been talking about when we will adopt again. We think we would like to start the process when Dante is 3 yrs. old. Maybe I can work on Marcelo agreeing to even starting when Dante is 2 yrs. old. We'll see! We are already planning financially on how we will be able to adopt again. We are excited for all the future has in store for us with Dante and his possible siblings. We are enjoying being "Mom and Dad". It's a great feeling. Of course, we would like to have the pair of a little boy and girl, but we too don't want to mess with God's plan. We will be very blessed no matter what happens. Claudia

Marcelo said it so well yesterday. He shared with my sister that if everything had not occured just as it had, Dante would most likely not be in our lives. He said it would only take one minor change in the course of our lives to have changed the present. We too are so happy things turned out the way they did. It sounds kind of strange to be happy about losses, but that is the only way we grow as people. Claudia

Windycity, We are so happy for you. We look forward to meeting you and your children at Camp Abrazo. Can't wait to see your darling little girl. Enjoy your addition to the family! Claudia

Hi Pam, Our prayers our with you in your decisions about your carreer. I know it's not always easy, but I think we know what is best for us and our family! Go with your heart everything will fall into place. Your friend, Claudia

Hi Cloud Nine, We are sooooooooooooooooooooooooo... happy! Congrats. Your story brought tears to my eyes. God bless you on your new journey. Your baby needed you just as much as you have waited for them! Love Your Friends, Marcelo and Claudia

Marjory and Bob, Congratulations! Best wishes to you and your family. It makes us so happy to hear about other families being completed. God Bless, Marcelo and Claudia

Thanks everyone! We feel so at peace and so blessed to be part of Abrazo and part of our BP's life. Little Dante is truly is blessing! God is good no matter what and we are honored that he chose Dante to be part of our family! We look forward to many happy moments together. Love, Claudia P.S. I'll get Marcelo to post pictures soon.

I found Abrazo through the yellow pages. Since I worked as a nurse at one time in a Hospital, I knew the Social Worker's pretty well. Along with contacting Abrazo through the phone book, one of my Social Worker friends highly recommended their services. So here we are! Claudia

Sherrrie, I just read the awesome news! Congratulation and best wishes. Enjoy you summer! Claudia

Elaine, Sorry, I just realized that I was mispelling Makayla's name. Claudia

Elaine, I am sorry that you have had to endure all of this hurt regarding your family. When Marcelo and I first started talking about adoption very seriously, we felt like our families may not be so supportive especially about the openess. At first my mom said that we should not adopt out of our own ethnicity for the well being of the child. Even Marcelo was a bit uncomfortable with the situation. As time went by and we all together realized that it is about starting a family and loving eachother no matter what. Everything just seemed to fall into place. I remember telling Marcelo and our family that how could we ask God to bless us with a child and then be so picky about it. I felt like it was so ungrateful. The feelings of uncertainty on my mother's behalf just faded as her love for the idea of a new grand-child grew. I don't want to live on guard about who approves and who doesn't. I just want for people to respect that we are responsible adults living our lives as we feel God planned. That is what you are doing. Time heals all wounds which I have discovered. Don't get me wrong, I carry resentment about certain issues in my life, but I don't let it run my life and stop me from doing the things I have been called to do. I ask God for peace, that is all! We are human with many blessings of emotions and they are real... nice or not. Elaine, I will pray that God will bring you peace about this whole situation and HE WILL pour his peace and guidance over your family. Mikayla will bring your family much love and joy and maybe just maybe she was meant to be the healing bond. Love, Claudia

Marcelo and I did not go the IVF route. I have learned to "never say never" though. At this time in our lives, adoption feels right! I don't disagree with IVF, but I just feel like you can't push something on yourself that just doesn't quite fit at the moment. Adoption is something that we feel very strong about and we want to do this before anything else. Who is to say that we may feel differently in a year or two about going through IVF, but for now, we look forward to gazing upon the precious baby that will be with us very soon! Thanks for asking, Claudia

Congratulations to The Tremdous Ten on their new arrival. Claudia

My plan for when the baby arrives is to take 4 weeks off of work. My younger sister who turned 24 yrs. today will be the Godmother. She has offerred to help Marcelo and I out during the summer months once I return to work. Since, she is attending school in Austin and will be gone through out most of the year, she really loves the idea of bonding with her God child! I'm still going to compensate her since this will be her summer job. I also looked into several day cares and found one in the same business complex where I work and they have an opening for the end of the summer which will work out great. Claudia

Mac, Have you already attended orientation? I was just wondering because they will give you a hand book which includes some positive adoption language. Marcelo and I had a hard time at first making sure we were using positive language. It was very important to us, so that our family would pick up on it. Whenever you are speaking of adoption just try to keep in mind how your BP would feel if she was listening and I think you'll be alright! Good luck and God bless you on your journey! Claudia

Congratulations Ben and Adina. Have a blast!!! We'll be thinking of you. Claudia

Yeah for the Dandy Dozen Stork Jackers!!! I just love to see NEW ARRIVALS knowing that all those babies have such loving homes and families!! Claudia

Hip Hip Hurray for Cloud Nine. Congratulations you lucky couple. Come out, come out wherever you are and let us know the details. See, it's not if, but when!!!!!! Claudia

You know, I really did not answer Elizabeth's question directly. Sorry. Marcelo and I would love ongoing contact with our birthmother. Unfortunately, at this point it does not look like it would turn out that way. Who knows, maybe in the future things will change. My biggest concern is how this will affect the child. I want to be able to have some answers to those big questions I know he will have some day. Even if it's knowing those little things our birthmother loves most. Anything! I want him to know that her decision to place him was because that is what she felt was best for the situation and for his wellbeing. I hope that I will be able to give him some sense of peace about the whole thing. Yes, Marcelo and I would like contact forever and ever because it would help us, Dante and I know it would help our birthmother. I feel like if she never knows how he feels about adoption and her, she might feel enormous guilt. I don't know that I can spare her of that, but sure would like to do everything in my power to do so. Claudia