tami
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Posts posted by tami
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I have a question..... We have a friend of a friend who is beginning to explore the prospect of transracial adoption. They are particularly interested in adopting from Ethiopia or Liberia. This couple does already have three biological children of their own but are feeling the "call" to adopt transracially. Anyways, does Abrazo accept families for their domestic transracial program who do not have documented infertility? There is such a strong need in Abrazo for families open to race, I would LOVE to send them your direction.
Let me know....
Thanks,
Tamra
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A great big CONGRATULATIONS to the newest arrivals. Enjoy the first days with your little bundles of joy and spend all the time you can with the birthparents. These are special days....
Love from Idaho,
Tamra
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It's funny because we didn't fing Abrazo, they found us (literally!). We had been working briefly with a local Idaho agency who networks with out of state agencies for those families open to transracial adoption. Anyways, Abrazo received our profile the exact same day our daughter's birthparents came into the office with their already born daughter (she was 2 weeks old) and wanted to make an adoption plan. Abrazo had our profile as well as first and last name, but no phone number. It was after office hours here in Idaho and our networking agency was closed so Abrazo had no way of getting our home phone number. Elizabeth did some "detective" work, called my husband's office number (he's a dentist) got the answering service and they relayed the message onto us to call Abrazo immediately. We did, and 2 days later our beautiful baby girl was in out arms.
We had a lot of adoption experience (too much I think at times!). In becoming the proud adoptive parents to our three beautiful children, we have worked directly with 6 (counting Abrazo) agencies- the local agencies as well as three different out-of-state agencies. Abrazo is by FAR the most superior agency we have worked worth. Their professionalism as well as kindness can be compared to none. My only regret is that we didn't "find" Abrazo sooner (or them find us). We would have loved to have three Abrazobabes. I keep telling my husband that it's time for #4 but he has not only told me no, but ABSOLUTELY not!! Oh well. My hands are full (for now anyways!)
Good luck as you begin your adoption journey. Have faith that the baby that was meant to be in our family will be a member of your forever family!
Tamra
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Elizabeth, your post about not delaying contact between adopted children and their biological parents is inspiring. It IS our job and responsibility to our children to keep these doors open. However, it's not always so easy..... In our family, our doors, and arms, and phone line, and mailbox has always been open to all three of our childrens birthparents should they chose to contact and develop a closer relationship with their biological children/our family. We've fulfilled our promises to send letters and photos. We yearn for more contact, but it's just not happening. I guess we can just never stop trying to reach out!
Just my Thoughts,
Tamra
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I, like all of you, get tired of trying to explain and justify open adoption to people who are just plain ignorant. For the couple at your church, maybe share your own adoption story along with suggesting that the couple reading some books on open adoption. "The Open Adoption Experience" by Melina is a good one to start with. I think that people in general are afraid of the unknow. Open adoption can be frightening especially if they see the birthparents as a threat. However, even with its ups and downs, open adoption is the BEST option. By embracing our childs first family, we are accepting all aspects of our child including their "roots"/biological origins.
Just my thoughts,
Tamra
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I've been thinking a lot about the above mentioned situation and it just breaks my heart. It makes me sad for the birthmother who has perhaps lost her faith in the adoptive parents she chose for her first child. Shame on them for letting her down and being too "busy" to talk and "forgetting" to call her back. There are no excuses great enough. We're all busy, with work, children, household chores, outside responsibilities, but we should never, ever be too busy for those who we love and care about. After what she had given them....a chance to become parents. It makes me sad for the biological siblings that they won't be raised in the same home. Thank goodness she still has faith in Abrazo and is willing to give adoption another chance. I wonder if the entire situation (her wanting to chose another adoptive family) could have been avoided if both parties involved would have been clearer about their expectations and communicated better. Let this be a lesson learned for all of us, BE THERE FOR YOUR BIRTHPARENTS! Many of them have been through so much in their lives and we need to be a source of stability, encouragement, and unconditional love for them- NO MATTER WHAT!!!!
Thanks for letting me vent!
Tamra
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Wow! Every time I log on it seems there has been another placement! How exciting for all those involved. Hug thoses babies tight. They'll grow and change before your very eyes!
Tamra
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Ashleigh (and anyone else who may be new to the forum
),Welcome to a wonderful online community. I am a "vetran" adoptive mother of 3 wonderful children, all brought into our family through adoption. We have A LOT of various adoption experiences. Although each of our children was brought through agency adoption, we worked with three different agencies plus a networking agency here locally in Idaho (plus a couple of other agencies where we experienced failed matches). All that I can say is that Abrazo is by far the BEST agency we have ever worked with. I would totally, completely, 100% reccommend then to any aportive parent considering pursuing adoption. We have been impressed with their professionalism, completeness in paperwork, and committment to their families AFTER they are placed with their child.
Again, welcome to a great community and congratulations on finding an INCREDIBLE agency!
Tamra
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Congratulations to all of the families who have recently welcomed their little bundles of joys (and birthfamilies) into their lives. May they bring you much happiness. Take lots and lots of photos. They'll change right before your very eyes! All this excitement make me want to do it all again (just kidding- our house is full- 3 kids, 2 dogs, and a husband is about all I can handle- for now anyways
Tamra
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What great advice everyone has given about the profiles! I wish I would have had such wonderful advice as I was starting our profile with adoption #1. I completely agree, the photo profiles are VERY important. They are one chance you have to give birthparents a glimpse of who you are and why you would be wonderful parents.
Our profiles got progressively longer with the adoptions of our first, second, and third children. I guess we just had more to "show off"
We never included a wedding photo (we've now been married 14 years), but we did include lots of photos of Devin and I together, having fun. We did put in a photo of our two dogs (labs) as well as a photo of our house. We were torn about whether we should put in a photo of our house since we didn't want to seem conceited (we live in a very nice,large home). After much debate, we did include a photo of our home. Birthmothers told us they liked that fact that our kids looked so happy and that we obviously did so many fun family activities.Good luck to all of you as you begine this very exciting journey!
Tamra
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Wow! Some of the things that people say. Ugh...... Infertility is hard, no matter what anyone says. I think that some people deal with it easier than others. I know what made me and my husband accept our "unexplained infertility" (we're a medical mystery to all the doctors) was the realization that everything happens for a reason. Chance/fate/luck brought our children ito our lives through the absolute miracle of adoption and reaffirmed our belief in a higher being.
Just my thoughts,
Tamra
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Cameon,
I am the proud momma of three adopted children- ages 6, 4, and 9 months. We used different agencies with all three of our children. Our youngest, Olivia, is an Abrazo babe.
In regards to your question about domestic adoption with "larger" families, I don't persnally think that family size should impact your being chosen by a birthmother. Some birthmothers may like their child to be the first in the adoptive family, but some may prefer the experience that a "seasoned" parent may have. Some birthmothers may like the fact that their unborn baby would have an older brother and two big sisters at home. You never know what about you/your family may appeal to a birthmother. My advice to you is follow your heart. If you feel that someone is missing from your family, the time is now to fulfill your dream of child #4. If it is in God's master plan, it will happen.
Good luck!
Tamra
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A great big CONGRATULATIONS to Lance, Lisa, Kaleigh, and baby Brennan. How exciting for all of you! Enjoy this incredible time as you welcome the newest member of your family. This is proof that dreams do come true!
Meg, may God grant you peace and acceptance in your decision. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Tamra
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Congratulations on your precious baby girl! We're so happy for your beautiful family. God works in mysterious ways
Have fun dressing your princess in lots of PINK!Tamra Stampfli
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Wow! What a great topic, Claudia. It stimulates a lot of thought for me as far as birthparent loss/grief/pain/ect. As others have said, I don't think that we'll ever be able to grasp the pain and emotions that birthparents experience as they deal with their adoption decision. Don't we all wish we could wave our "magic wands" and make everything all better for everyone?!?!
I am continually amazed at how much information I gain from reading the posts on the forum. What a great resource for those of us who have adopted and those in the process of adopting.
Tamra
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Congratulations and welcome baby Nala!!!! What a wonderful picture and story.
Congratulations to the newest IDAHO Abrazo family! What a fantastic surprise. Enjoy your little princess!
Tamra
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What an interesting topic! When I think back to almost 6 (oh my gosh) years ago that my husband and I were anticipating our first adoption, I shudder to think of what would (or wouldn't have) happened if we had not been willing to "check the boxes" and allow a child of any race into our family. I honestly believe that had we not been open minded as to race, we would have missed out on our three precious children. They have blessed our lives and made our lives more complete than we even thought possible.
Please, if you are a parent in waiting and have any questions/concerns about what it means to be a transracial family, don't hesitate to PM me. The unknown is scrary, and I know we still have many "unknowns" in front of us in regards to racial issues/prejudice. I do believe that God will not give any of us more than we can handle. Just have faith that the child meant to be a part of your forever family will be lovingly placed in your arms.
I thank God every day for our three miracles with their light brown skin and sparkling brown eyes.
Tamra
Nursery Notes
in Looking to Adopt
Posted
I can just imagine who beautiful this little princess is going to be- Haiwaiian and AA- gorgeous! Hoping the perfect match is found for this special little girl.
Tamra