Although my pregnancy wasn’t the dream I had for myself… I know, I know, it’s shocking not to feel like young, single and pregnant wasn’t my fairy tale ending, right, but I wasn’t ready to be a mother. I didn’t have a job, a stable home, or a good man who could take care of me or a child, nor a plan for the future.
“Family isn't always blood. It’s the people in your life that want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and love you no matter what.”Author Unknown This quote sums up how I see my children’s Birth Parents, at least the ones we are able to have relationships with. They are family, they love not only the child
Many years ago, when Brad and I were dreaming of starting a family, I had big plans. I, of course was going to be the perfect Mom and my kids would be incredible. Here we are, married twenty years and many of our "big plans" have changed to meet reality. Turns out I am not a perfect Mom but I do have
It is that time of year many of look forward to (some even plan for) all year long! Christmas is filled with sweet smells, family gatherings, cards to friends, beautiful music and twinkling lights. Christmas is a time for celebrating and memory making, a time for reminiscing about the past and being thankful for today and the future. While we are enjoying everything that brings Christmas to life
Erma Bombeck stated: "There is nothing sadder in this world than to awake on Christmas morning and not be a child." For a couple battling infertility, the statement could read: "There is nothing sadder in this world than to awake on Christmas morning to a house empty of children." I know this is true for me, because I have lived it. When you are a couple
Thanksgiving is a special time of year when families gather, memories are shared and new memories are made. Many families take turns sharing what they are most thankful for as they sit around the table filled with savory dishes waiting to be devoured. Having the attitude of gratitude is an important gift we can give to the children in our lives. November brings a great
Is There Joy in This Journey? It seems no matter what situation you find yourself in you can now go online and find someone who is, or has gone through, the same struggles, fears, or trials you are going through. I feel as if the internet is full of information that can overwhelm you with knowledge, a lot of the time that can be a wonderful
November is just a few days away and we are seeing the sights of the upcoming holidays as we visit retail shops or go online to read blogs, visit Pinterest or shop amazon. But November brings another reason to celebrate. November is National Adoption Awareness month. A whole month dedicated to the amazing work of adoption. It seems so fitting to have adoption month come
HELPS FOR THE FIRST TIME ADOPTIVE COUPLE You just got home from your first meeting with your adoption caseworker. Your mind is full of the list of things you need to accomplish in order to get approved to adopt a child. One item on the list is writing a letter to prospective birth parents. This letter will be used by your caseworker and/or agency to help
Adoption Terms Adoption assistanceFinancial or medical assistance given on a one-time or on-going basis to an adoptive parent on behalf of an adopted child. This subsidy may be provided through federal, state, county and/or local resources. (See itle IV-E.) Adoption services Any activity/procedure designed to facilitate the entire legal process of adoption including intake, pre-placement activities and planning, adoptive placement of the child, post-placement activities, and post-legalization (or