tksimmons02
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Posts posted by tksimmons02
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Congratulations to BOTH wonderful new families!!
Enjoy these precious days with your new princesses!!
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Tina,
Wanna hear something crazy? Once we decided on adoption, I said I was completely done with keeping track of the monthly cycle. And I really did. I was so done with it all. Now since I don't keep track whatsoever, I never know when my friend may be coming for a visit. So, at least every month or every other month, I think to myself "I bet I'm pregnant". And I'm not sad or disappointed when my friend comes, I'm just amazed that I still even think that. I guess "it" never completely goes away. But I now feel so much more trusting of God's plan -- whatever that may be.
Toni,
That cracks me up! I don't keep track of cycles anymore either. I only get in trouble when I go to the dr. and they ask when my last one was and I go "I don't know". Then I have to sit and try and figure it out (SUCH A PAIN). They always ask "could you be pregnant?" and my answer is "Could be, but I doubt it". They don't find any humor in it by the way. I was chastised last time and told to keep up just in case there is a problem. (You mean like I can't get pregnant???
).I told Jay the other day if I ever do get pregnant, I will probably be several months along before I figure it out. Who can keep up while trying to take care of a little one?!?!?!?
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Claudia,
Thank you so much for your candor. I completely agree. Most of the time I don't ever want to think about fertility treatments again, but I do have my moments when I wonder "what if..." It makes me feel much better to know that I am not the only adoptive mom that still thinks that.
I think we (as couples that have struggled with infertility) know better than most that God is completely in control of this decision. We can plan all we want to, but God will decide. I feel comfort and peace knowing that I don't have the final say. It is easier for me to rest in His guidance and let him take control of the whole situation. If I get pregnant GREAT! If not, I will be calling Abrazo again in about 2 years. Either way, we will expand our family with a precious child that couldn't be more loved.
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Congratulations to both families on their joyous new additions!
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I saw the Oprah interview this afternoon as well. I don't know what to think about it. Madonna might actually have done the right thing this time. She did say she had a social worker and that she had completed a homestudy. I will give her the benefit of the doubt on that card. However, I HATE the attitude that people adopt to "save" children. We did not adopt our daughter to "save" her. We adopted her because we desperately wanted children and her birthparents could not provide the home they wanted for her.
I deplore celebrities thinking that adoption is all about "saving" a child. If they want to be humanitarians they should donate their millions to some reputable charities and save the child the heartache of living in a spotlight.
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She could come home with us if Makenzie was older than 6 months!
I pray this little angel finds her forever home very soon.
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I think it's because Madonna is a lightning rod for controversy. She loves to be the center of attention. People assume because of past behavior that her current situation is also questionable.
Angelina is much less known for being controversial purposely. It also helps that Angelina is gorgeous! I never knew that either of her adoptions were questionable until I read the links provided.
Personally, I am much more offended by the trend that Angelina has set. I have seen interviews with several startlets talking about how much they admired Angelina. They further commented that they wanted to bring home babies from poor countries too (to be humanitarian). Children are children no matter where they come from. They take hard work and a lot of love and attention. They are not fashion statements or the latest do-gooder accessory. I hate the terminology that has entered their language due to Angelina's actions.
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Reading stories like that makes me appreciate the gravity of our Social Worker's position and the delicate balance you ladies have to make with each PIW.
Going through the homestudy/adoption process felt very invasive. I was really upset about all the personal questions and suppositions made about our characters. I am a very private person by nature, so discussing everything from my own childhood to our marital intimacies with strangers was in the least distasteful to me. It never occured to me that there was a good reason for all these invasions.
The world is a much darker place than I give it credit for sometimes.
Thanks girls for being so careful!
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I have been reading about these "designer babies". One of the stories I read (Sorry, I can't remember where so we can't all send hate mail.
) stated that biological parents wanted the same "freedoms" given to adoptive parents. It posited that because adoptive parents can choose gender, race, disability, etc. that biological parents should be given the same opportunities. They worded it like it was discrimination to interfere with biological parents "natural right to choose". I got so angry I'm pretty sure I didn't finish the article (might have been on line). Anyway, I think babies are gifts no matter where they come from or how they arrive. I personally felt very overwhelmed and underqualified "choosing" the characteristics of our future child. I felt much more comfortable staying open to what God had in store (His plans are ALWAYS so much better than mine anyway!). I think society today is too much into appearances. Live and Let God worry about the details!
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Congratulations to the new family! You look absolutely radiant!
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Congratulations on expanding your family exponentially!
She sure is one lucky little girl!
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Congratulations on your sweet baby girl!! Many blessing to both families!
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Congratulations on your new bouncing baby boy!!
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Two girls means two times the fun!! Congratulations!!
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Congratulations on your new bundle of pink! Girls are too fun!
Big prayers and hugs to the courageous birthfamily. May your life become more like the "Hollywood Movie" you so richly deserve.
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I haven't had a yard sale to help fund adopting a child, but I have had several to help fund pet rescue organizations. We always sell water - it sells almost as much as the other stuff we are selling. Buy lots of liquid refreshments (coke, water, etc.).
We decorated the area with signs explaining why we were having the yard sale. We put up pictures of the animals we had already adopted - you may chose to put up a picture collage of your family with an empty seat.
We had a pretty good turn out both years we have done this. Be careful not to get your hopes up though. We have had things stolen from us both years and some people don't care what the cause is, they just want a good bargain (something for nothing). Put your armor on and let me know how it goes! I'm thinking of trying it to help with #2.
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I would further suggest that you start banking that $600 a month now. We budgeted for Makenzie too, but we had no idea how much it actually cost. We have a "cushion" that has helped when expenses ran over with her (she had bad allergies and we were in the doctor's office a lot, plus she needed LOTS of toys
, and diapers are WAY more expensive than we thought). Anyway, you can't be too careful. Bank what you think you will spend until the baby comes home. If nothing else, you can take a nice vacation after finalization!
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That is a good point. We were really lucky because another couple from our orientation group got a "BOG" call the week before we did. They suggested buying gifts for your birthparents NOW so that if you do get an unexpected call you are ready with something. Start thinking of sentimental gifts that your birthfamily would appreciate. I found a pretty wooden box filled with photo albums. I wrote a heartfelt note to our birthparents with promises to fill the albums with many photos of our precious child.
I am SOOO GLAD I had that. We had 12 hours to be in TX to pick up our daughter. It was really nice to know that I already had something to express our gratitude to her BP's and let them know how committed to openness we were.
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With Abrazo it is NEVER too soon to start thinking about nursery stuff!!
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Welcome Dog Momma!
I was a dog Momma to two before Makenzie came home. Being her mom is certainly more challenging and rewarding!
I look forward to hearing about your journey.
I third what the others said about keeping up with stuff. The only thing I would add is start organizing it all now. You will be inundated with paperwork and deadlines through-out this process. Get yourself some kind of system in place now so you don't lose stuff. Our "file" is so full of junk we can't find anything in it. I wish we had organized this stuff sooner (I don't have time to do it now).
GOOD LUCK!!
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We entered the fertility maze well informed and already decided where our boundaries would be. We knew what treatments were available and which ones we would consider and which ones we wouldn't.
We have unexplained infertility (VERY FRUSTRATING). We were told for YEARS that as soon as we adopted we would get pregnant (even our Social Worker told us that). It held us up from adopting for at least 3 years as we continued to wade through the cesspool of infertility.
For us, the hormones just weren't acceptable. The breaking point came when I started crying hysterically (very uncharacteristic) and told my loving husband "I hate you and worse I HATE ME! I HATE THE WAY I FEEL!" He very calmly looked at me and said "Then we are finished with this junk. Let's find an agency." I have never felt more relieved in my life.
Four months later we found Abrazo. Three months later we were holding our precious daughter.
Would I consider infertility treatment again? Absolutely NOT. I cannot imagine loving my daughter any more. The after effects of fertility treatments are still around (my monthly hormones swings are much worse than they were before...but getting better). I am glad we stopped when we did. I am thankful we never experienced a miscarrage. I am thankful I never took daily shots. I am BLESSED to have a precious daughter.
If you are considering adoption, I say just go for it. If you are already considering it means you are having doubts about your treatment options. Don't let the doctors push you farther than you want to go (they make a lot of $$$ out of our desperation). Family is not about biology, it is about love.
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CONGRATULATIONS LINDA AND ANTHONY!!
WELCOME baby Andrew! We are thrilled you have joined our ever expanding Tot family! We can't wait to meet you precious boy!
Love you all,
Jay, Tina and Makenzie Simmons
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Congratulations Scott & Sandi!!
I am SOOO EXCITED about ANOTHER GIRL!!!
YAHOO!!!
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Congratulations!!!!
She is a real cutie pie! I can't wait to meet her!!!
INQUIRY
in Looking to Adopt
Posted
Happy Birthday Kristin!
My birthday wish last year was to be a mommy too! I got my precious wish 2 1/2 months before I turned 31. Abrazo is the place to be! I can't wait to hear about your journey!