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Dale and Amanda

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Posts posted by Dale and Amanda

  3. INQUIRY

    in Looking to Adopt

    Posted

    Pam, one of the best things you can do to see what life with Abrazo is really like is to read through the forum. There are many topics under the adoptive parents section that will knock your socks off. The road to placement isn't easy, but the end results are beautiful! There are books that you can read to understand the impact of adoption on children. You guys take some time to do some soul searching as the questions regarding what races/health issues you could work with can really impact you and your world views. (We were originally not open to any AA child and now we have two beautiful AA girls!)

    Abrazo "specializes" in open adoptions and greatly supports the families in that. This forum can help you see how amazing and challenging it can be to live it out to do the best for your child.

    Lastly, take this time to deal with infertility and take an emotional rest. If you are accepted into Abrazo's program have gone quickly for some, and have been a difficult journey with wonderful endings for others.

  4. Putting up a Praise!!!

    in Abrazo's Chapel Potluck

    Posted

    Yay Nathan! I love trout fishing in Arkansas, but with the two little ones it has been put on hold for a while. I got to do it for a little bit last August when my sister and her family were in town. Before the girls, I went to my moms several times a year to go fishing with her.

  5. INQUIRY

    in Looking to Adopt

    Posted

    Glenn just purchase his season tix for UT. Anglea could have a "tale gate" orientation or better yet a bus tour to UT Austin. Go HORNS!!! :lol:

    I was looking at the OU site today, and noticed that ABC has already picked up the game for 11 a.m.!!!

  6. INQUIRY

    in Looking to Adopt

    Posted

    Hello,

    Does anyone know if there is a spot on this forum to show upcoming orientation dates? We sent off our inquiry almost a month ago. So we will probably hear one way or the other regarding a formal application soon. I can always give a call next week, but if anyone knows the answer already, I'd appreciate your time.

    Thanks!

    Jenny G.

    I haven't seen anything yet about the next one. The last was just a few weeks ago, so it will be July or August probably. Things have been busy around there, so hopefully you will hear something soon!

  8. Who Birthmoms Are

    in Considering Adoption?

    Posted

    Dale and I are starting to really struggle with comments that people in the girls' lives are making about birthparents. It hasn't been directly about either of theirs, but I am sure that now that Arianna is really beginning to grasp things, once she really gets that she and Nichole have moms other than me, she may project those thoughts onto her situation and take them to heart.

    Has anyone come up with a statement or a way to handle these types of situations? Our girls have to deal with enough without adding unnecessary comments from those that love them. We were thinking of maybe sending a letter to our families letting them know what our decisions are regarding open adoption and what we want for the girls through it. We thought that maybe letting people know in advance that disparaging remarks even about a birthparent from a news story or someone else they know will be dealt with because they don't know the situation and are basing their remarks on assumptions.

    Does this even make sense? I feel like I know what I am trying to say but I may not be communicating it effectively.

  9. APPLICATION

    in Looking to Adopt

    Posted

    Needing some extra motivation to get through that stack of paperwork called the "application"?

    CLICK HERE if you're a registered member of our Forum... it's sure to inspire! ;)

    This would inspire me!!! My husband and I made "a game" of our homestudy - we treated it like a scavenger hunt. In fact, I had to buy him an expensive dinner because he was done with his list before I was!!

    :D

    Michelle, that is great!

  10. APPLICATION

    in Looking to Adopt

    Posted

    Danette, a completed home study is not required, but once everything is done, you can start taking birthparent calls. There is so much to do to prepare for placement, but it is SO worth it...even if you only have a couple of days to get it ALL done! Enjoy the process, because your life surely changes forever...in an amazing way.

  15. Putting up a Praise!!!

    in Abrazo's Chapel Potluck

    Posted

    We did get a call from Nichole's birthmom today letting us know that she is ok. It did open up some dialogue for us, and in that way I do think that her trust in us is building. What an amazing thing for us to be a part of!

    Another praise is that the closer we get to being able to finalize, she continues to say that she looks forward to meeting us and seeing Nichole!!!

  16. Designated Program

    in Looking to Adopt

    Posted · Edited by Dale and Amanda

    I've been considering doing the business card thing. I think my only hesitation has been that I tend to get obsessive compulsive with these types of things and I get to worrying about maybe I didn't put them in THE right places, or who has gotten one, when are we going to get a call, or maybe I should take some here and there. (This sounds like a really stupid reason not to do this as I am writing it so I am just going to do it). Do you suggest we put Abrazo as the contact person or a personal designated e-mail address or something else?

    I think that whatever method you use, the right birthparent will contact you at the right time. Maybe that will help you not be so anxious about the when and where with them?

  21. When Agencies Turn People Down

    in Looking to Adopt

    Posted

    I certainly don't agree with the caller's philosophy or their apparent behavior, I am so very grateful for the education that I have received from Abrazo that has done wonders to open my mind in open and transracial adoption. Maybe this call was the beginning of educating this couple. I understand their desire to be parents...no matter how long it takes. Thank you ladies of Abrazo for standing your ground and giving those less brilliant people (myself included) something to think about.

  24. INQUIRY

    in Looking to Adopt

    Posted

    the REAL fun begins with two! LOL

    Meanwhile...did anyone do anything to prepare for having two versus one? I find myself being SO excited but then a little part of me is scared...will it be too much? Will it make me too busy for my kids?

    Amen!

    We didn't have time to prepare ourselves for #2, much less prepare Arianna, so I can't help you there, but I will say that there is more than twice the work with two children. One of the biggest issues was sleep in the beginning. Arianna was 15 months when Nichole was placed, so she was on a toddler schedule when Nichole was eating every two to three hours. I was up all night and all day for several weeks, so that would be the main thing I would prepare for. If you can have someone that is willing to watch your children so you can take a nap...priceless!

    Good luck and please do enjoy spending time with your son (not that you wouldn't otherwise). There is very little jealousy with our children at this point, they are fascinated by one another and I hope that once Nichole starts crawling, they will be able to play together more.

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