TeddyRae

I loved that article! It brought tears to my eyes. I only wish we can see from the adoptive childs point when they get older.

WOW! Congrats to everyone! Camp Abrazo weekend always seems to turn out and the answer to so many prayers.

Congrats to the growing family! Can't wait to see everyone at Camp.

Wow! Congrats to all the new families. I can't wait to look through the gallery!

Brain and Cathy - I would have to agree with the Stork, you need to get out and interview agencies. Don't get me wrong, Abrazo for us was the right decision. But, we interviewed 10 before we made the decision that would ultimately change our lives. Take it slow, of course maybe not as slow as us, 10 months, but make sure the decision is right and understand everything you are committing too. This is not just for you and your husband but also for the child you are raising and openness is a commitment that works for some but not for all. We love openness and would not pick anything else, but it is not the same for all. Enjoy your ride and can’t wait to read all that happens.

Wow! Congrats to all families. The strength and the love will take everyone so far.

Wow! Congrats to the all families. Where are the pictures??????

Wow - I hate when the media does things like pulling freedom of speech off a web-site especially when it isn't anything outside of the truth. Good statements, but I could not find them on E.

WOW! Congrats to all the families. The pictures are wonderful. Many blessing and prayers out to all of you.

Wow! Congrats to Dante the big Brother, may your new little sister forever be protected by you. Congrats to the big family.... Enjoy your time together.

That is so hard to read! It breaks my heart everytime I see things like this in the news, especially knowing that there are so many loving couples out there waiting for a precious child to come into their lives. The worst part is the fact that the female allowed the man to convience her that he was good, and the fact that he blamed in on being drunk. You can still pick right from wrong even when you are drunk.........Just my opinion!

Elizabeth - Does that mean if we wanted to update our homestudy if we wanted to be an againer we would need to do the entire thing again, physicals, etc. And, would we need to have Tyler go through everything since he is in the house too.

Can't bet that post! Nice.

Congrats to the newest family! Your picture of the big family looks fab!

I have thought a lot about this, especially since at work we are promoting older child adoptions and there is a huge push through Tennessee for the same thing. I think as time goes on we would do an older child adoption. I have an employee in Law School right now that was adopted one week before her 18 year old B-day. It really brought adoption together for me when she told me her story. I fell so hard that I offered her a job! I never realized how many kids are stuck in the system and can't get out because people are so scared to consider older child adoptions. And, the even more amazing thing is most of the kids are good kids that through life, parents sick, grandparents sick, etc. they didn't have any place to go. And even worse, their foster parents love them so much, at least you would think they love them, but they don't want to give up the monthly check to adopt them. I guess thinking of older kid adoptions you really think of dirty laundry, but really this isn't the case and good homes need to see that and be more willing to miss thoses first and think about the other first. Like the wedding, home from school for christmas, maybe their first real family christmas, thanksgiving. I don't know, speaking with this person made me realize that I don't have to do just the infant thing and I could consider other thingw and still be happy as a family.

Congrats to the newest baby boy! Blessings to everyone during this time.

I think it should be when the Birth Family wants to involve them. And, each situation is different so you just have to trust the decision of the Birth Family. I know at times we, as an adoptive couple, may resent the fact that these inidividuals are involved. But, really it is the best thing ever. In some cases they are the ones that are trying to crush the adoptive plans, this happened to us. But, now they tell us that we are the best thing that has happened to this family. I love them like I do my own family.

What a wonderful story. Congrats to the H3 group. See when you have faith and continue to believe, miracles happen. Blessings to everyone involved, Birth Family and the new parents god is with you today as you go through this together.

Go Queen Latifah! I love it when people make the choice to go Domestic. I think at times our society would prefer to help internationally then domestically. I was surprised when Idol decided to raise money for poverty, and they picked the US as part of that. I was trilled, especially when so much focus is always on Africa we forget the US has the same problems……

Congrats to the newest Abrazo Family! Boys are just so much fun!

Congrats H3's on the newest members of the Abrazo family. Can't wait to see some wonderful pictures.

Wow! Congrats to the family of four, may your house be filled with lots of running little men and mom gets everything she wants......

Hey all you Tennessee Folks - towards the end of last year they changed the Tennessee Bonding Law to include Adoption. So - if this policy in your hand book covers use of sick time for maternity - it is suppose to cover adoption. The law was passed in October/November to include all Adoption and Paternity leave. It is a separate policy from FMLA – or you can look at it as though it is Tennessee’s version of FMLA.

Lauren&Chuck - It is hard to say when especially when you look at your husband and just to know what a biological child would look like from the best looking man (in my mind) in the world. IVF is very hard and very invasive. But, I agree, try it, try it a couple of times, try it until you are ready to not try it again. You will really know when that time comes. I am not a President like you, but I will tell you when my when is and you will know what I am saying when you go through your first round, or second round, or third round. It was every time the "NO, you are not Pregnant," and the tears would just rush down at work and then I would have to call my husband and tell him the same thing at work. There is nothing like having all your personal business show up at your place of profession. Especially when the President (like you) is right around the corner from your office, or your employees are knocking on your door to get information from you. The emotions for IVF are TWENTY times stronger while going through treatments then they are when you can get pregnant naturally. When is hard but again, you will know when the time is right to stop and look at a different plan. Of course, you never know. You might beat the odds, especially since IVF is getting to be more and more successful every year. Good luck with it, the Billig’s will be praying for the best successes ever! I personally love hearing about when IVF is successful than discussing the failures!

Congrats Payton Cassidy - Your Parents are so proud to have you home.....