tksimmons02

Congratulations! What a loving testament to his first mommy. Amazing story. Prayers for both families as they transition.

Congratulations! Baby girls are so precious! Prayers for healing for her incredible first family.

Ellen, I love it when you get on a soapbox! Good stuff chicka!

Pie in the sky. Adopting from foster care IS cheaper, but it is still expensive (around $10,000 for legal fees in this state). While I can understand how this would make an adoptee fee "icky", it's unreasonable to assume that just because someone is infertile they have piles of money laying around to afford to expand their family. It's not reasonable or ethical to suggest that infertile folks should give their resources away so that other families can "stay together". There is no way to ever prove that giving funds to others will increase their own ability to parent. It's not always about

I wanted to add another fundraising resource that I have come across. http://www.147millionorphans.com/ This website sells merchandise at discounted costs and allows potential adopters to use the funds raised toward their adoptions. I know that the term "147 Million Orphans" applies to International adoptions, but they also sell really cute jewelry that was made by Haitian artisans. So, by purchasing their jewelry you can help Haitian artisans, help 147 Million Orphans fund medical clinics globally, and raise money toward your own domestic adoption. Everyone wins!

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/christian_resources.html I found this link last week, and I LOVE the resources it has for children. My daughter is almost 7 (hard to believe!), but she enjoys learning Bible verses in songs. I just printed the Easter links. It's a great resource for kids from toddlers up through early elementary.

Oh my goodness! I could just squeeze those precious cheeks to pieces!

Elizabeth, I spoke to her about talking to Makenzie. We are planning some "play dates" in the future so that Makenzie will become more comfortable around her. Her son is a year younger than Makenzie, so it shouldn't be too hard for them to play together. She offered to speak with Makenzie, and I am going to let her. I think Makenzie needs a physical reassurance that she really was loved very much. I hadn't thought of inviting her to Abrazo, but I'm going to do so now. Thanks!

Last night we attended our homegroup (a small group of people from church). Our current study is about knowing who you are in Christ. One of the exercises was to tell your children every day for a week that they are fearfully and wonderfully made just as they are. The wording of it reminded me very much of proper adoption language, and some discussions we have been having with Makenzie lately about where she came from. She has mentioned that she "misses M" (her first mom) and that she "wishes she could've come out of my tummy." I tell her that M misses her too, and that I am glad she didn'

I must admit sometimes it is hard to be on the Forum and read all the excitement from the PIW. I have wanted to expand our family for awhile, but He had other plans; Plans that were far different from mine, but still better. I too wonder if we ever really lose that desire for more children in our homes. While I would love to have more, I sometimes struggle with feelings that perhaps I can't handle more than 1 (energy and time demands expand exponentially). For now, I am letting go and letting God.

I LOVE the name Alejandro!! What a sweet family story! Many blessings to the new family and prayers for this precious one's first family.

Many blessings to both new families!

Um, this reminds me of the story Elizabeth told us at our orientation about the couple that wanted a child from a "virgin" birthmother. They didn't want to raise a child from "that kind of girl". I can only imagine the stupidty lurking behind such ridiculous exteriors. Jesus said that we are to be examples of HIS love to the world. I doubt that Jesus would refuse to adopt someone from one of "those kinds of people". I read the Bible to say very clearly that we are to be Salt and Light to an otherwise dark world. That means LOVING "those kinds of people", not just loving those who are lik

Pink is a lovely color! Excitement abounds for some lucky couple.

Hearty congratulations to the Segura family! Prayers of healing and peace to the precious first family.