Dale and Amanda

Bill and Tara, welcome! We are also in Memphis. We have an almost 4 year old that was placed locally and our 2 1/2 year old is our Abrazobabe. I look forward to following your journey!

How exciting! Congratulations to the newest family!

Congratulations, Krulls! Continued prayers for you all!

Leigh, glad you heard about Abrazo! Jeanna is amazing!

Mimi, my dad lives out in the middle of nowhere, and had a party line up until about 10 years ago. I am all too familiar with one...and am thankful that he isn't on it now! Welcome to the forum. We don't always agree on things, but we do care about and support one another! I hope to meet your Melissa soon as we also live in Memphis.

I lit a few candles this morning...it was the first time I had been there and there were none burning.

Wow! Congratulations to the newest family! Continued prayers for you all!

Prayers for all involved!

With the continued question of "real" family, why wouldn't a couple exhaust all efforts to have a biological child? I know of (extended) families that don't accept an adopted child as a true part of their family. I know that the homestudy scared the tar out of me. What if a social worker thought I didn't deserve to parent???? That fear paralyzed me for a while and halted our adoption plans. What if an expectant woman didn't choose me? Another very real fear! I have said many times that adoption is not for the faint-of-heart. I tell people that they did everything but a rectal exam when talking about what we had to go through to be paper-pregnant. Because ours were both BOGs and happened in a total of 16 days for the two of them, many in our life act as if adoption is easy. Not at all, regardless of the time frame! As for the "customary laws of adoption," we go with the flow. I am still struggling to get into contact with Arianna's mom. She has expressed the desire for contact, but I think it terrifies her. With Nichole's mom things are up and down. All I can do is continue to do my BEST to maintain contact and that openness. Right now I defer to their first moms. Later, I will factor in each girl's feelings. Letting D know that Arianna really wants to see her might help, but since Arianna doesn't really get it just yet, it might not have as much impact. Arianna knows that we see C and her son...and asks why she can't see her mom and siblings. I continue to tell her that D is not ready, that it is still difficult for her.

Mari, what a beautiful expression of your love for this precious little one! Praying blessings for you all this special day!

Welcome home to this special little one! Enjoy these first days as you know they go by so quickly!

So very happy for these families!

I do not think that open adoptions mean that adoptive parents are any less "real," or any of the parents less authentic, but I do believe that the fact that as a society we don't necessarily want to share impacts the way some feel about adoption.

Congratulations Chris and Judy! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!!!

So happy for this newest family! Christmastime placements have an extra special place in our hearts as Ariannacame home just three days before Christmas! Hoping for more holiday surprises while we are out of pocket!!!

Jada, when we had our homestudies done, we had cats, and the sw just wanted to see how they were with people. Usually once they see that after a couple of minutes the animals warm up/chill out, it is fine. Good luck and keep us posted on how it is going!

Congratulations to the newly formed families!

I'm hoping that she is feeling so great that they aren't hanging around, but are out having a great time!

Oh my goodness! That is plain garbage. I cannot believe that people don't take issue with her for it!

I knew that this thread was around here somewhere. I just have to share as I am SO VERY EXCITED!!! Many of you know that the agency we used for Arianna's adoption had their license revoked earlier this year and were shut down. I was terrified that we would never be able to contact Arianna's mom, as we had no good information on her. I have been reading this blog where people have shared their (mostly negative) experiences with the agency. Today I went to read it, and SHE WAS THERE!!!! I don't mean to be shouting, but I have been laughing and crying since I first read her post. I replied quickly on there and then e-mailed her at the addy given. Can you tell I am excited????!!!! Arianna is so sensitive and it has always been difficult with only sending pics and letters through the agency as that was all she wanted. Now there is no go-between, so please pray that she is open to dealing with us on a more regular basis. I love having access to Nichole's family and hope to have that with Arianna's as well!

Congratulations!!! Pink is a wonderful color!!!

Ric and Teresa!!! So happy to see this announcement. You guys have stayed in our prayers that everything would work out, and we are so thankful that they have. Enjoy these first sweet days as PARENTS!!!!

Congratulations Mark and Erin! Can't wait to hear more and see pics!

Interesting. I can see where there could be difficulties in many areas considering their situation. Right or wrong, their marriage will be an issue for some. Adopting a 14-month-old at the age of 62 does increase the chance of a second loss in the not-so-distant future. I do think that the possibility of remaining more in touch with the country of origin would be possible with someone of decent wealth. I can certainly go to Texas at least yearly easier than I could China! Maybe the Ukraine is truly putting children's needs first rather than taking payment from prospective parents (especially ones with certain wealth)?

Welcome, Stephanie! Good luck and I look forward to following your journey. It isn't for the timid, that is for sure!