Paul and Michelle

I have fielded so many comments like, "How much did your children cost?" Part of me wants to respond, "not bad, I had a coupon." But I resist...my head says, "Now is your time to educate." And then I go on to say things like, "Nothing. The legal and agency fees are typically where the cost is." (This is only if they are truly interested in adoption...) The reason why we chose Abrazo??? Children are Abrazo's first priority and they will not make a placement they do not feel comfortable with!! Thanks Abrazo!

Praying for this birthmom and baby!

I have to respond... Background...Paul and I have one child who is(was at the time) an Abrazo-babe. Paul and I decided to expand our family. I called Abrazo and they were not ready for us. We decided to adopt through another agency in San Antonio...and they were NOT Abrazo! One day, our angel...Angela...called to tell us that Abrazo was ready and we left the other agency behind and tearfully hugged Elizabeth while she welcomed us home... If I had to do it all over, I would have worked harder, been more patient...and worked only with Abrazo. There are no other people like the women at Abrazo and I am proud and can yell from the roof-tops, my babes are Abrazo-babes. My point? Really evaluate what your family looks like in the future! Be honest with your expectations regarding open adoptions, scenarios you would be willing to consider, and the people who you would work with. Being honest doesn't mean trying to meet others' needs, it is how you vision your family! Can you live with a lifelong commitment to your child(ren)'s birthfamilies? Do you really believe that openness is for your child, not to have a child in your home? Can you comment appropriately when people ask you, "Where is he/she from?" Do you really believe that God really has a master plan? If you are accepted into Abrazo, congratulations. If not, take the time to understand the issue and check to see if they really do fit into your expectations and vice versa. Good luck all and God Bless!!

20 now burning!!

Good news!! I reached out to Chloe's birthmom again and she sent me an e-mail...Yeah!!

My advice... 1) Trust your instincts If something doesn't feel right, ask questions If it does feel right, don't fight it!! 2) Be honest to others. Tell people how you are feeling. The general public does not understand open adoption fully so don't second guess your commitment to open adoption based upon advice from others. 3) Believe...don't compare yourself to others. Your child will find you in his/her due time... 4) Have fun with your spouse! Good luck and God bless!!

Lighting a candle today for Chloe's birthmom...it has been quite some time since we heard from her - the longest since Chloe was born. Please please please contact us soon...we miss you!! Lighting a candle today for Carter's birthmom...wishing you peace and love and if you ever want to meet us, we would love to!!

I look in the gallery and still get "choked up" with the miracles that happen every single day! Congratulations to the newest families!

lovefaithhope, Welcome to the Abrazo forum. We chose Abrazo because they gave us hope...We worked with another agency and the second time, they gave us faith in the adoption process. We worked with another agency and there is no comparison. What is different? They aren't placing children...they are building families. What this means to me is that they really look for the best overall match between birthfamily and adoptive family, a child to his/her forever family. This is their highest priority is making sure to watch out for the best interest of everyone in a Christian and loving way! That is the difference...(In my mind).

I have been waiting anxiously for the first baby of the new year! Congrats!!

My prayers go out for this little boy!!

How fabulous - you should be so proud of her!

When we found out that we had a son, Carter had been in the hospital for 5 days...Thanks to the Abrazo angels and the very loving hospital staff, I knew he was loved. I wish I lived in San Antonio so I could go rock this little boy and tell him there is a whole community who loves him and his mommy and daddy will be there soon.

Christmas miracles...Congratulations on your bundles of joy!!

Prayers for this baby...

<!--quoteo(post=120666:date=Dec 15 2007, 05:30 PM:name=sugarfamily)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sugarfamily @ Dec 15 2007, 05:30 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=120666"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=120647:date=Dec 15 2007, 11:38 AM:name=Paul and Michelle)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Paul and Michelle @ Dec 15 2007, 11:38 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=120647"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Last night I was thinking about these posts while I was watching my daughter and her school perform the play "The Drowsy Shepherd". The overall message of this play is "all is possible with Christ". Anyway, I was sitting next to my husband and I started thinking about our daughter. She was singing her little lungs out loving to perform in front of the entire audience. I started thinking about what was God's will - I see it so clearly now but I wonder why...and here is what I thought about...Maybe God wanted me to cherish moments like these in a different way than others...maybe he wanted me to share with others the joy of open adoption...maybe he wanted us to appreciate different cultures...maybe I am thinking too hard about this...=) God's will was for me to be a mom to 2 wonderful and amazing children...and to help others understand and appreciate the joys of open adoption...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I agree. The Bible clearly states that God allows us to go through trials so that after we have endured them in faith, we are then able to help others going through similar trials of their own. I know that I could not have made it through our adoption process without the love and support of my friends here on the Abrazo forum who shared their own strength, hope and experiences with me. I have also in turn been given the opportunity to educate several preschool teaching staffs about adoption and how to be more supportive of adoptive families. Every day I look at Jenna, she is so beautiful, and I am amazed that God chose me to be her mother. I am SO blessed to be right where I'm at, no matter what pain it took to get me here! You said it so perfectly!

Last night I was thinking about these posts while I was watching my daughter and her school perform the play "The Drowsy Shepherd". The overall message of this play is "all is possible with Christ". Anyway, I was sitting next to my husband and I started thinking about our daughter. She was singing her little lungs out loving to perform in front of the entire audience. I started thinking about what was God's will - I see it so clearly now but I wonder why...and here is what I thought about...Maybe God wanted me to cherish moments like these in a different way than others...maybe he wanted me to share with others the joy of open adoption...maybe he wanted us to appreciate different cultures...maybe I am thinking too hard about this...=) God's will was for me to be a mom to 2 wonderful and amazing children...and to help others understand and appreciate the joys of open adoption...

Well said girls! I realize people are afraid for us more than anything else. Our loved ones have struggled with/for us for many years during our family building. I guess we just feel that it has become our duty to raise awareness about the many benefits of open adoption. We so want our children to know ALL of the people who love them dearly and to have every single one of their questions be answered as they grow. As our families and friends see that we are very comfortable with open adoption, they have come a long way in their thinking as well. So true...

Paul and I frequently talk to people who are struggling with infertility and are contemplating adoption. This weekend, we met a wonderful young lady and she asked me, "Is open adoption really that popular? Aren't you afraid of what could happen?" My response was, "Yes, we were afraid of what could happen and that is why we chose open adoption. We were afraid our children were going to ask, "Where did I get my eyes from? What did my birthmother like to do? Why did she/they make the choice they did?" And I knew that if I chose closed adoption, I could never answer those questions."

Also a candle for Benji and Caroline...May God help you through this difficult time and bring your precious son or daughter home to you quickly! Another candle for fellow Wisconsinite Patti and Steve, may God bring your little blessing home to you quickly. God Bless everyone with a heavy heart during this holiday season.23 candles...

That remark sounds familiar... =) Prayers to this beautiful baby girl.... "With6yougetchikn"...congratulations on your bigger family...I wish upon you God's blessings!!

Our prayers for this brave person and those beautiful children who have been in our hearts...God Bless!!

What a day! Congratulations!!

A few ways to finance adoption.. 1) Tax credits will really help to alleviate some issues. 2) Home equity loans may be an option... 3) There are places you can go on-line to apply for an adoption loan or receive a grant. 4) Cut things out of your budget... 5) If need be, utilize checks attached to your credit card - sometimes they offer 0% or a very low rate loan. 6) If all else fails, ask your family for some support - they are also very excited to add children to the family as well. 7) Check into an adoption benefit at your company - this came in handy for us. 8) Check to see if driving is cheaper than flying. God Bless the family in this situation...

There are now 15... =)