triciamom Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Hello, Maureen, and welcome to the forum! We live in Ohio and adopted through Abrazo a little over a year ago! Let me just tell you that the Abrazogals were wonderful throughout our whole adoption journey and I, personally, can't imagine ever going through this process without them!!! I'm sure that there are many different homestudy agencies in Maryland that you can go with....just do your research and find one you're comfortable with. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that as long as the social worker has a masters degree and will do the homestudy to Texas' guidelines you can use anyone you're comfortable with. We found out about our homestudy social worker via "word of mouth"....one of the ladies that I work with was going through the adoption process and recommended her. She actually works at an adoption agency, but we just used her for the homestudy - not the adoption. Good luck and God bless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshG Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Hi, All--I have been lurking here off & on for a couple of months. (Seems to be theme here, huh?! My husband and I are seriously considering Abrazo for our second adoption and I have enjoyed reading along with the many journeys represented on this forum. We have one son, John Mark, who we adopted from Guatemala. He is now 15 months old and absolutely the light of our lives. He is so loving and adventurous...we can't wait to see him become a big brother! We are hoping to adopt a child of Hispanic descent. Gathering from what I've read, "againers" have to wait a while to get going, and that is okay by us. We are doing some follow-up paperwork for John Mark's adoption and trying to get things in order for a domestic adoption at the same time. Hopefully, things will come together for us to get started with Abrazo early 2008! Even though we have done the adoption thing before, the domestic/open process is new to us. We have lots to learn and we're excited about the journey. Ashleigh, Michael & John Mark in Arkansas (anyone else here from AR???) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tksimmons02 Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Welcome Ashleigh! There is at least one family from AR and a HUGE Memphis contingent. We'd love to have you at one of our MAMS meetings if you live close (see the United States of Adoption section of the Forum. It lists all the regional groups.) Good luck on your new journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtteacherinsa Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 We are so glad you're here! Welcome. Feel free to ask any questions. That's why we're here! Daryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry&robin Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Welcome Ashleigh, Michael, & John Mark! Glad you have joined us on the forum! We adopted our daughter in 2004 thanks to Abrazo and are also hoping to be againers soon. So happy to hear that you are considering Abrazo, as we think there is no better place. Welcome and we look forward to hearing more from you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshG Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 I am SO thrilled to hear of a Memphis gang...we are just an hour west of the bridge in Jonesboro. Memphis is where we go to do major shopping or out-on-the-town playing. That is fantastic news to me since we did our first adoption mostly alone (with the support of a very nice online community, of course!) Well, keep me posted about any get-togethers you have on that side of the river! --Ashleigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tami Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don&Andrea Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Welcome Ashleigh, Micheal and John Mark! I'm not from Arkansas but I do have a nephew named John Mark! Best wishes on your second adoption journey! Glad to have you here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Welcome Ashleigh! As a hopeful againer also I look forward to hearing about your journey! Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teena & Joe Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 yes, welcome, ashleigh!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian and Cathy Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Hi, All--I have been lurking here off & on for a couple of months. (Seems to be theme here, huh?! Hopefully, things will come together for us to get started with Abrazo early 2008! in Arkansas (anyone else here from AR???) Welcome Ashleigh and Michael and, of course, little John I, too, lurked for a few months before I joined the Forum. However, I never did introduce myself but jumped right in. A bit late for me to introduce myself at this point Hopefully you'll be able to get everything together so that everything can come together so we can follow your journey with Abrazo. It's a great place with great Abrazochicks Cathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliem7 Posted October 20, 2007 Report Share Posted October 20, 2007 I wanted to introduce myself too...my name is Julie and I have been learning about agencies over the past four months. Today was a big step for me and my husband. I sent off our inquiry packet! I have spent time reading posts on this website and getting a feel for the Abrazo community. I am overwhelmed with how much positive support you all give one another!! This forum was a huge part of our decision to pursue adoption with Abrazo. As I mailed the packet and was watching the lady at the post office print the postage, something strange happened...tears started to well up in my eyes. But the great part was they were tears of excitement and hope that soon we would be parents. After so many years of heartbreak and frustration with infertility, it was wonderful to feel that optimism. Now the anxious wait to find out if we are accepted begins! Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidiK Posted October 20, 2007 Report Share Posted October 20, 2007 Welcome Julie ( and Husband ) The journey starts with those magical 1st steps - an envelope, paperwork and a prayer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted October 20, 2007 Report Share Posted October 20, 2007 Welcome Julie and thanks for letting us share in your special day!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlw Posted October 20, 2007 Report Share Posted October 20, 2007 Welcome to the forum and to Abrazo Julie!! We are so glad you are here and can't wait to follow your journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian and Cathy Posted October 20, 2007 Report Share Posted October 20, 2007 I wanted to introduce myself too...my name is Julie and I have been learning about agencies over the past four months. Today was a big step for me and my husband. I sent off our inquiry packet! I have spent time reading posts on this website and getting a feel for the Abrazo community. I am overwhelmed with how much positive support you all give one another!! This forum was a huge part of our decision to pursue adoption with Abrazo. Julie Welcome Julie and mysterious husband My husband is also known as the "mysterious" one I, too, spent a few months lurking out here before I contacted Elizabeth with my specific questions before making the decision to go with Abrazo. The Forum has been a great wealth of information for me. I feel like it is part of my extended family and have since my first post I look forward to following your journey. Hoping to learn that you'll be attending an orientation session in the not too far future. Cathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissamerritt Posted October 21, 2007 Report Share Posted October 21, 2007 Welcome Julie!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don&Andrea Posted October 21, 2007 Report Share Posted October 21, 2007 Welcome Julie! I bet you're not the first person to get weepy at the post office! I think I cried at the post office, Office Max while waiting on a fax for some adoption paperwork, Target registering for baby stuff, airports, hotels, you name it! It's an emotional ride but so worth the trip! Best wishes as you two take the next step to becoming three............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathews Posted October 21, 2007 Report Share Posted October 21, 2007 Welcome Julie, We adopted in 1996 from ABRAZO. I have been a forum member since 2001. This forum is a great place to gather information and gain support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry&robin Posted October 21, 2007 Report Share Posted October 21, 2007 Welcome Julie to the forum and to Abrazo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonycpa and Linda Posted October 21, 2007 Report Share Posted October 21, 2007 Julie, Welcome to the forum and the Abrazo family. There are pretty wonderful people here that have gone through the same things and totally understand. I congratulate you to making the first step to being parents. So join in on converstions. You are welcomed with open arms. PS - We welcome everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliem7 Posted October 21, 2007 Report Share Posted October 21, 2007 Wow! Thanks for such a warm welcome. I am so excited that I learned about Abrazo! I can't wait to keep you all filled throughout this process. PS My husband's name is Jon He would think it is funny that he is being called mysterious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian and Cathy Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 PS My husband's name is Jon He would think it is funny that he is being called mysterious! If he's like my husband, he might prefer it that way Cathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissamerritt Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Bumping this up for someone that I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with today. Now it is your turn, introduce yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jallwein Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 My wife and I wanted to say hello (from the Houston area) and share our story with you all. We've been married since 2003, with our 5 years coming up in July. Boy does time fly! Since the day we married each other, we wanted to start a family of our own. We tried on our own for two years, with no success and then decided to start treatments with a fertility specialist. My wife has a bad history of cysts and abnormalities with her ovaries. She's had two laproscopic surgeries in the past 3 years and she still has problems. Anyway, much like a majority of the people on here, we spent thousands of dollars with no results and it got to the point where we would be spending a ton of money on bigger treatments, all of which our insurance would not cover. We lived in PA at that time and there is no state regulation to cover infertility procedures. A few months ago, my wife was offered a huge promotion with her job and we moved from the Harrisburg/Hershey area all the way down here to the Houston area. About a year ago, we started the internation adoption process through China. We filled out all of our paperwork, only to find that we would have to wait until January 30th (my wife's 30th b-day) to send our information. We started to find out little things like this (income requirements, marriage requirements, height/weight requirements, etc, etc, etc.)while researching international adoption. Well, we still decided that we could endure the 2 year wait period until we adopted a child. We've waited almost 5 years already...what's two more??? A few months ago, our social worker with the agency had told us to expect the wait time to significantly increase and it would be another 3 years until we would have a child. More heartache. Now to the good part! The woman who completed our home study here in Texas had suggested that we should look into domestic adoption. Keep in mind that we had attended domestic adoption seminars with an agency back in PA and we were kind of turned off by the state regulations and the red tape that one would have to go through in PA. So we did some research and kind of stumbled across Abrazo's website. I was immediately taken back by the whole vision of Abrazo...families adopting newborns, while still keeping contact with birthmothers and celebrating with people they went to "orientation weekend" with. There is a certain heart-warming feeling you get when you read the stories on here and read the articles about individuals making strides to promote open adoptions. But to make a long intro short, we submitted our initial "I want to hear more" application and hope to be one the many blessed couples that have experienced adoption through Abrazo! Suggestions on a 30th b-day gift would be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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