Adam & Beth Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Hi Melissa, Welcome to the forum! Thank you for sharing your story with us and we wish you all the best as you endeavor to grow your family through adoption. The forum is full of folks who have unique stories as well and everyone here can relate to challenges that we have faced to have children. So, please know you are in good company with understanding people. The good news is, the open adoption process works and if Abrazo is the right fit for you, and vice-versa, you could be on your way to being a new mommy very soon Peace be with you, Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott & Char Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Welcome to the forum Melissa, thank you for sharing your story with us and I hope to follow your journey to parenthood. Char Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissamerritt Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 It is so exciting to "see" all these new families on the forum! Welcome to all. I can't wait to follow each journey. P.S. It is kinda nice to see another Melissa around these parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Ortega Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Thank you all for the welcome. As I read through the forum I am getting so excited. How long does it usually take to hear from Abrazo after the inital inquiry is sent in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissamerritt Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 It just depends. They are getting an orientation group together for this weekend I believe so they will be very busy leading up to the orientation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest julie Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 How long does it usually take to hear from Abrazo after the inital inquiry is sent in? Melissa, I had the same question. I figured that there was probably no great answer for it. I also figured that with an orientation weekend this weekend the staff would probably be a bit busy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runyan2002 Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Everytime I call they are AWESOME about answering...but I have a big tendency to get impatient and call too much (oops...). Must be my sultry voice I called them about our inquiry and I didn't realize this, but you have to be 25, my dh and I are both 24 (he is turning 25 this weekend and I am turning it May 31 though). So we have to wait until May 31. I'm actually TOTALLY okay with this though because it gives us more time to save and to unpack into the new home. After that it is fair game though and I will be READY I'm sure!! LOL I was wondering why I didn't use them the first adoption though and I forgot about that rule! Good luck though to everyone! I can't WAIT to get started again (though I am getting very anxious / nervous about the whole process again)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Ortega Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 It just depends. They are getting an orientation group together for this weekend I believe so they will be very busy leading up to the orientation. I actually called last week to talk to Angela but she was busy. She did call me back a few days later but I missed the call. I haven't called her back since I know that she's busy with orientation. I just keep checking the mail hoping for something from them. I guess I can wait a little longer. I saw that there is an orienation scheduled for May 16th. I think it was a current post anyway. Maybe we'll both get invited to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Ortega Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 How long does it usually take to hear from Abrazo after the inital inquiry is sent in? Melissa, I had the same question. I figured that there was probably no great answer for it. I also figured that with an orientation weekend this weekend the staff would probably be a bit busy!! Sorry, my last post was meant as a reply to Julie I actually called last week to talk to Angela but she was busy. She did call me back a few days later but I missed the call. I haven't called her back since I know that she's busy with orientation. I just keep checking the mail hoping for something from them. I guess I can wait a little longer. I saw that there is an orienation scheduled for May 16th. I think it was a current post anyway. Maybe we'll both get invited to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest julie Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 I saw that there is an orienation scheduled for May 16th. I think it was a current post anyway. Maybe we'll both get invited to that. I hope so!!! I think that their orientations depend on their needs at the moment. ie: if they have lots of first time parents still waiting and not very many "againers", then it is my understanding that the next orientation will be geared more for those coming back for their 2nd/3rd adoption. So i guess it just depends on the needs of the agency. I hope I understood that and explained it correctly. I'm sure if I didn't someone will correct me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen&scott Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Welcome Melissa... aka Ms. Ortega! No worries, Abrazo will get back with you. So many of us can relate, that even alittle patience right now is extra hard, when you are sooo ready! I can remember our first orientation back in 1995, somehow we missed the July date (by days) because it got filled up. I was crushed. The next one wasn't until October. I can remember sitting in the room (at orientation...finally) thinking we were the ones who had waited the longest to get there, how unfair was that? There was no need for us to feel rushed (or delayed) because our daughter was born Dec 6, 1995 and the rest is history! Keep the faith. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRACEB Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 I agree, I too watch the mailbox for the application to fill out. But, I do realize they are busy-busy. But I'm sure once those applications get to us all, that we will be busy trying to get everything done. I wish all the the New Orientation couples lots of luck and hope they have a wonderful weekend. Can't wait to hear all about it. Tracey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Welcome Melissa... aka Ms. Ortega! No worries, Abrazo will get back with you. So many of us can relate, that even alittle patience right now is extra hard, when you are sooo ready! I can remember our first orientation back in 1995, somehow we missed the July date (by days) because it got filled up. I was crushed. The next one wasn't until October. I can remember sitting in the room (at orientation...finally) thinking we were the ones who had waited the longest to get there, how unfair was that? There was no need for us to feel rushed (or delayed) because our daughter was born Dec 6, 1995 and the rest is history! Keep the faith. Karen I too would like to welcome you Melissa! And I agree with Karen. I know how hard it is to wait, but I am sure that Abrazo will get back to you as their schedule allows. I too was one of those ansy people who kept calling when we were sending in our application in 2005, and in fact I think I drove the Abrazo gals a little crazy! but once we got to orientation and then started to watch what was happening daily through the Forum, I realized all that the Abrazo gals have on their plate everyday! When we then went through our adoption journey with Abrazo, and they were there for us in the middle of night (on several occasions) and at a moment's notice, I realized all that they do. And the funny thing is that Tasia came into our life right at the perfect time.. I know how hard it is to wait when you are so ready. Know that we are all here for you. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian and Cathy Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Welcome Julie, Melissa, and TraceB. Hang in there! I know it's hard to be patient--been there, done that! Look forward to following each of your journeys! Cathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethAnn Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 I just keep checking the mail hoping for something from them. I guess I can wait a little longer. I saw that there is an orienation scheduled for May 16th. I think it was a current post anyway. Maybe we'll both get invited to that. As a point of clarification, only the Milagros (full-service) program requires orientation attendance as a prerequisite (and this program is not an option for those who can get pregnant, since it's only open to those with documented inabilility to conceive.) So the good news is that you shouldn't have to wait on that May orientation, if you are accepted for either our designated or special needs placement programs. Get that application and send it back in, launch your homestudy, submit the information necessary to complete FBI/criminal/CANRIS checks, and you'll be off and running in no time! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam & Beth Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Welcome Julie, Melissa, and TraceB. Hang in there! I know it's hard to be patient--been there, done that! Look forward to following each of your journeys! Cathy It's nice to see the new mommy posting! I'm so happy for you guys. -A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry&robin Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Hello everyone!!! My name is Melissa and my husband's name is Danny. We are from New Mexico. We have been together for 10 years now and have been married for 3 1/2 years. My husband is an elementary PE teacher and I am a business manager. We moved to NM from AZ 9 months ago to be closer to family. I was fortunate enough to keep my job and I now work from home. I go back to Phoenix for a week every 3 to 4 months. We started trying to have a child about a year after we were married. We knew we would have to use a fertility specialist since my husband is a paraplegic. He was hit by a drunk driver when he was 19. Our first round of invitro was unsuccessful but 3 months later I got pregnant with a frozen embryo transfer. Unfortunately, I miscarried at 9 weeks. I did another frozen transter 4 months later but it didn't work. So, 8 months later I did another IVF and hyperstimulated. I ended up in the hospital for a week but fortunately, they were able to harvest 3 embryos. So, the embryos were frozen and 4 months later 2 were transferred and I got pregnant. The pregnancy seemed to be going well until I went in for my first ultrasound at 19 weeks. The baby had anencephaly, which is a neural tube defect and there is no survival rate with this defect. I was given the choice to either induce or carry on with the pregnancy and go into labor naturally. In either case, the baby would not have survived outside of the womb. So, we decided to induce and after about 40 hours of labor, I delivered a baby boy. It was really tough but fortunately, we had a lot of family support. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him. My husband and I had considered adoption from the get go but we wanted to try to have our own biological child first. We have one embryo left but we feel that adoption is what we are meant to do. It has been a long journey and this is where it led us. My cousin has a friend that adopted through abrazo and she is the one that sent us to abrazo.org. We sent in our inquiry 2 weeks ago and are hoping to hear from them soon. I read that there is an orientation this weekend and I wish we would have sent our inquiry sooner so we could have made it. San Antonio is about 8 hours away so it's not that far. I am so happy to be here and look forward to our journey. Melissa WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!! Someone else from New Mexico! Melissa and Danny welcome to the forum! My husband, Jerry and I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter we adopted through Abrazo and we went to our second orientation in Nov. 2007 and are praying that our new angel will join our family soon. There's not many Abrazo folks from New Mexico that I am aware of. Where in NM do you live? We live in beautiful Las Cruces. Hope to hear more from you soon. Good luck on your adoption journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don&Andrea Posted March 6, 2008 Report Share Posted March 6, 2008 New Mexico is beautiful..... Welcome Melissa and Danny! So glad you introduced yourselves and thank you so much for sharing your story! You guys have been through alot in your journey to parenthood; I wish you all the best and hope you'll share as your story continues to unfold! It's great to have you here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garden of Hope Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 I just keep checking the mail hoping for something from them. I guess I can wait a little longer. I saw that there is an orienation scheduled for May 16th. I think it was a current post anyway. Maybe we'll both get invited to that. As a point of clarification, only the Milagros (full-service) program requires orientation attendance as a prerequisite (and this program is not an option for those who can get pregnant, since it's only open to those with documented inabilility to conceive.) So the good news is that you shouldn't have to wait on that May orientation, if you are accepted for either our designated or special needs placement programs. Get that application and send it back in, launch your homestudy, submit the information necessary to complete FBI/criminal/CANRIS checks, and you'll be off and running in no time! Good luck. Isn't that GREAT NEWS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Ortega Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 (edited) I just keep checking the mail hoping for something from them. I guess I can wait a little longer. I saw that there is an orienation scheduled for May 16th. I think it was a current post anyway. Maybe we'll both get invited to that. As a point of clarification, only the Milagros (full-service) program requires orientation attendance as a prerequisite (and this program is not an option for those who can get pregnant, since it's only open to those with documented inabilility to conceive.) So the good news is that you shouldn't have to wait on that May orientation, if you are accepted for either our designated or special needs placement programs. Get that application and send it back in, launch your homestudy, submit the information necessary to complete FBI/criminal/CANRIS checks, and you'll be off and running in no time! Good luck. We would fall under the Milagros program so unfortunately, we will have to wait for the orientation. We have started our homestudy already though and hopefully we'll have everything complete by the time we do go to orentation. Edited March 7, 2008 by Ms. Ortega Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don&Andrea Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 But fortunate for those who do get to go to orientation, because it is an event of a lifetime and you will meet friends for life that will go through the same journey with you! Hooray! And the orientation you go to will be the perfect one for you guys; somehow it just works out that way. All the groups are great but I can't imagine being anything other that a 'Ten' and talk about perfect timing.....Clara was born three weeks after orientation!---Another great reason to be homestudy ready when you do go I'm excited for you that you are getting that ball rolling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Ortega Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Yes, I am very excited to be on this journey. Thanks Andrea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest julie Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Hey Elizabeth, Can you be in both programs? I'm pretty sure that my doc will write us a letter seeing as we've been trying for almost 3 years with NO success (We are not interested in fertility treatment at this time). And we are open to ALL races including full African American and some mild special needs cases. So, I'm not really sure where that would put us... Thanks for the help, Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc&saint Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Hey Elizabeth, Can you be in both programs? I'm pretty sure that my doc will write us a letter seeing as we've been trying for almost 3 years with NO success (We are not interested in fertility treatment at this time). And we are open to ALL races including full African American and some mild special needs cases. So, I'm not really sure where that would put us... Thanks for the help, Julie Thinking about all of the newbies at orientation this weekend........may you have agreat journey !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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