3/29/11
Scholarships 4 Birthmothers
Scholarships 4 Birthmothers is now accepting applications. I think this is a GREAT organization. I always pass this information on to our adoption agency. Please pass the word so birthmothers can benefit!
3/27/11
Back to the Real World
Our week away was fantastic. We started out a little rough with our plane ride to Florida. Two year olds were not meant to fly. We were able to make him happier and more comfortable (on Mom's lap) for the trip home which was smooth sailing.
We stayed a week at "Mickey Mouse's house" according to our boys. They loved it. Although we may have traveled a couple thousand miles and their favorite parts of the trip were the hotel playground and swimming pool. Oh and Brice loved the chocolate ice cream. He ate chocolate ice cream everyday. Our skinny bean pole of a child might have packed on a few pounds. As did those of us who didn't need to.
Brice loved meeting all the characters and getting his photo taken with his favorite movie stars. Rogan was happy to stand back and see the stars from afar. We rode rides, saw animals, dinosaurs, Disney favorites and traveled on planes, trains and automobiles.
The boys were great. They did well waiting in the lines and riding the shuttle buses from here there and everywhere.
We slept in our own beds last night. A real treat.
We came home to an almost finished kitchen renovation. We have dust all over and some work is left to be done this week but it is looking good. I cannot wait to post some before and after photos.
Hope everyone is enjoying their spring break. We came home to freezing temps and dreary weather. We sure looked silly stepping off the plane in our shorts and flip flops. We are back to sweat pants and sweatshirts.
The laundry has piled up and Brian is back in the office today. We are back to the real world. Vacation over.
In case you do not follow me on Facebook here are a few of our photos...
We stayed a week at "Mickey Mouse's house" according to our boys. They loved it. Although we may have traveled a couple thousand miles and their favorite parts of the trip were the hotel playground and swimming pool. Oh and Brice loved the chocolate ice cream. He ate chocolate ice cream everyday. Our skinny bean pole of a child might have packed on a few pounds. As did those of us who didn't need to.
Brice loved meeting all the characters and getting his photo taken with his favorite movie stars. Rogan was happy to stand back and see the stars from afar. We rode rides, saw animals, dinosaurs, Disney favorites and traveled on planes, trains and automobiles.
The boys were great. They did well waiting in the lines and riding the shuttle buses from here there and everywhere.
We slept in our own beds last night. A real treat.
We came home to an almost finished kitchen renovation. We have dust all over and some work is left to be done this week but it is looking good. I cannot wait to post some before and after photos.
Hope everyone is enjoying their spring break. We came home to freezing temps and dreary weather. We sure looked silly stepping off the plane in our shorts and flip flops. We are back to sweat pants and sweatshirts.
The laundry has piled up and Brian is back in the office today. We are back to the real world. Vacation over.
In case you do not follow me on Facebook here are a few of our photos...
3/26/11
3/18/11
Adoption Costs and Wait Time
I know we are officially on vacation, but when I receive beneficial information I cannot help but to pass it on.
I just received the results from the Adoptive Families survey regarding adoption costs and wait time.
I just received the results from the Adoptive Families survey regarding adoption costs and wait time.
Latest Adoption Cost and Wait Time Data from AdoptiveFamilies.com
3/17/11
Waiting Children
I receive the following emails through an adoption list serv. I do not have personal experience with the agencies or facilitators. Please practice due diligence and research the postings.
___________________________
Name & Due Date: Ebony – April 2011
Sex (If Known): Girl
Race: Afro American
Location: Mid-South Region - AR, KS, OK, TX
Health: She does smoke and has used Marijuana - she drank before she found out she was pregnant but stopped when she found out. She is healthy.
Other Info: Would like an OPEN adoption.
Total Estimated Fees: $ 15,000 - $ 17,000
Case Worker: l
IF YOU ARE PAPER READY AND INTERESTED, please contact Sarah sarahjdalia@gmail.com (sarahjdalia @ gmail.com - No spaces) or Adamadambodily@gmail.com (adambodily @ gmail.com - No spaces)
We are looking for families to match with our birth mothers.
****NOTE**** We have many Hispanic, Afro American and Biracial situations. We are working with several birth mothers and are looking for families to match them with. – If you are interested and paper ready Email Sarah sarahjdalia@gmail.com (sarahjdalia @ gmail.com - No spaces) or Adamadambodily@gmail.com (adambodily @ gmail.com - No spaces)
You may also go to our webpage WWW.Adoptionadvertising.org, download the adoptive parent intake form, fill it out and email it to adambodily@gmail.com(adambodily @ gmail.com - NO SPACES) Adam will call you after he gets the intake from the web page. It is important that you also email Adam or Sarah because the link from our web site that sends us your intake is not always reliable.
OTHER NEEDS – Right now we need UTAH families that are interested in adopting AA children.
Kathy Finch kathrynmfinch@hotmail.com
"Adoption Advertising" Adoption Administrative Assistant
WWW.Adoptionadvertising.org
_________________________
LXS is a boy born January 2005. He is currently living in a foster family that includes a mother, father, and older sister. His foster dad is his favorite person and he doesn't have any pets at home. His favorite things to do are kick balls, watch TV and dance. His favorite animal is a rabbit and bananas are his favorite food. His caregivers say that his eyes are the only thing affected by his special need (low brain density) and they dart back and forth. He can see about 10 feet in front of him, but can't see very clearly beyond that distance. They also say that he has normal mental development compared to other children his same age. There is no fee or obligation to see his whole file contact FamilyFinders@wacap.org
His ID: JH5.LXS.0105.31309.01 and he is part of the Special Focus group.
1.Who can adopt: SINGLE women and couples may adopt & there is no fee to receive the complete file.
2.Financial Aid: For qualifying families, total adoption costs may be reduced up to $9,450 for this child (including reduced WACAP fees, WACAP Promise Child grants, orphanage donation reductions, waived application fees etc.)
3.Tax Credit: Please ask about the over $13,000 in adoption tax credit/refund and about private grants to apply for.
4.Exceptions:Couples can easily get exceptions if they do not meet the requirements to adopt from China.
5.Options:Please ask if you want to adopt 2 children at the same time or if you would like to reuse your dossier
6.Contact: FamilyFinders@wacap.org or Ckids@wacap.org or call 1-800-732-1887 WACAP (www.wacap.org) is a non-profit adoption agency.
3/14/11
3 Year Old Twin Boys Need Family
I receive the following emails through an adoption list serv. I do not have personal experience with the agencies or facilitators. Please practice due diligence and research the postings.
___________________________
Today I was visiting with our social worker and she ask me to pass on some info about twin boys! They are in Texas in CPS or CYF(dunno what its called down here). One twin has down syndrome the other has CP. They both are talking and walking. They also both have feeding tubes but do not use them and should be without within the year. She really wants to see these kids adopted as do I. The boys case worker says NO LARGE FAMILIES! Shame on him. They live in a foster home or group home with 12 kids. He considers large more than 5. I am hoping he changes his mind, but thought I should put it in there. Also there are no fees to adopt these boys. Please consider this and if it is the right situation for you you can contact Tanya Houk of Gladney in fort worth texas. Her number is 817-922-6000
Be blessed
Ashlee
Vacation
As I have said before, we never do anything easy. We invite chaos into our lives. So since we have scheduled a family vacation to begin on Saturday we decided to up the ante. We have thrown a kitchen renovation into the mix.
While we are visiting the happiest place on earth our kitchen will be torn to shreds and hopefully restored and renewed by the time we return. Fingers and toes crossed.
So this week, I will be spending my time packing a family of four, organizing the delivery of appliances and donation of the old, making the house available for countertop templates to be made, stopping the mail, alerting the neighbors, and making sure our contractor has everything he needs to get the job done.
It is going to be a busy week. Expect little of me when it comes to blogging. Instead, I'll see you when we get back. Hopefully I'll be tanned, rested and ready to blog!
See you soon!
While we are visiting the happiest place on earth our kitchen will be torn to shreds and hopefully restored and renewed by the time we return. Fingers and toes crossed.
So this week, I will be spending my time packing a family of four, organizing the delivery of appliances and donation of the old, making the house available for countertop templates to be made, stopping the mail, alerting the neighbors, and making sure our contractor has everything he needs to get the job done.
It is going to be a busy week. Expect little of me when it comes to blogging. Instead, I'll see you when we get back. Hopefully I'll be tanned, rested and ready to blog!
See you soon!
3/10/11
Home On The Range
I do not set up photographic moments. I rarely ask my kids to pose for pictures. I prefer to catch them in action. I learned a long time ago it is much easier to just start clicking. I spend a lot of my days with my camera in hand following them around or sitting off to the side snapping photos.
My boys are complete opposites when it comes to what they like. Rogan likes cowboys, tractors, trucks and Mickey Mouse. Brice loves Power Rangers, superheroes, dragons and dinosaurs. Somehow they make it work.
Here the cowboy faces off with the Power Rangers...
My boys are complete opposites when it comes to what they like. Rogan likes cowboys, tractors, trucks and Mickey Mouse. Brice loves Power Rangers, superheroes, dragons and dinosaurs. Somehow they make it work.
Here the cowboy faces off with the Power Rangers...
Apparently when you are a real cowboy it is important to take time to howl at the moon before hunting down Power Rangers.
I just stand by and watch. It is better than television.
3/9/11
Ethiopia Adoptions
Ethiopia adoption alert... http://adoption.state.gov/news/ethiopia_alert.html
Sign the petition by the Joint Council Emergency Campaign for Ethiopian Children.
Adoption News
Birth certificate access is a civil rights issue, NewsOk.com
We have copies of our sons' original birth certificates. We have the first and last names of their birth parents. We had access to this information because my husband, an attorney, had full access to the legal documents as their adoptions were finalized. We never wanted our children's biological past to be a hidden mystery. It is their past, they have every right to know.
Legislation needs to be changed. Records need to be opened for adult adoptees seeking answers to their biological history.
We have copies of our sons' original birth certificates. We have the first and last names of their birth parents. We had access to this information because my husband, an attorney, had full access to the legal documents as their adoptions were finalized. We never wanted our children's biological past to be a hidden mystery. It is their past, they have every right to know.
Legislation needs to be changed. Records need to be opened for adult adoptees seeking answers to their biological history.
3/8/11
Mommyhood
As a stay at home mom, I miss very little in my children's lives. I hear almost every disagreement, see them wrestle each other to the ground to sit on the other's chest to torture them. You may remember this recent post. As an only child, I missed out on this trauma sibling love.
Every once in a while I see them forming their brotherly bond. I hope they will be close. I pray they will grow up being best buds, taking care of each other.
Today, instead of laughing at his brother for being klutzy Brice helped his little brother up after he fell down. He gave him a hug and patted him on the back asking him if he was okay.
As if this wasn't enough for me to beam with pride and feel that I may be doing something right as their mother Brice took the opportunity to invite his brother to sit down and listen while he showed him a book about crocodiles. I was even included. Brice told us both to sit on the floor while he sat in a chair towering over us teaching us about crocs. Showing us the pictures and explaining that the babies ride in the mommy crocodile's mouth into the water.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to see my boys grow and walk through their phases of childhood. I am thankful their birth mothers chose life. I am thankful their birth mothers chose us to be the parents of their baby boys.
Excuse me, this blissful moment of motherhood has passed. I hear an argument ensuing over a helicopter. Back to the real world of mom/referee.
Every once in a while I see them forming their brotherly bond. I hope they will be close. I pray they will grow up being best buds, taking care of each other.
Today, instead of laughing at his brother for being klutzy Brice helped his little brother up after he fell down. He gave him a hug and patted him on the back asking him if he was okay.
As if this wasn't enough for me to beam with pride and feel that I may be doing something right as their mother Brice took the opportunity to invite his brother to sit down and listen while he showed him a book about crocodiles. I was even included. Brice told us both to sit on the floor while he sat in a chair towering over us teaching us about crocs. Showing us the pictures and explaining that the babies ride in the mommy crocodile's mouth into the water.
(On a recent museum trip, Brice teaching his brother about dinosaurs)
Excuse me, this blissful moment of motherhood has passed. I hear an argument ensuing over a helicopter. Back to the real world of mom/referee.
3/7/11
Reassurance
When you are a family in waiting you have to let your social worker/agency/facilitator know whenever you will be traveling, providing them with contact information. You never know when the call is going to come in.
We have booked our trip to Disney. We made sure all travel arrangements are refundable or transferrable. I notified our agency we would be out of state for a week, making sure they had all our numbers.
Of course they have our numbers, they have had all our numbers for over 5 years.
I received an email response from the local social worker letting me know the information was appreciated and she would not hesitate to interrupt our trip if necessary.
That is all I needed to hear. A slight glimmer of hope. A little reassurance we are not out there twisting in the wind.
Knowing your agency has not forgotten about you means the world. We all know they would not forget us, but it is nice to hear.
Keeps us motivated, reassures us it is just a matter of time.
Now, my focus is turning to how to keep a 2 year old happy on an airplane. I will be packing a backpack of snacks, activities and time occupiers.
I am not sure which is more anxiety producing...waiting to be matched or air travel with kids. It's a toss up.
We have booked our trip to Disney. We made sure all travel arrangements are refundable or transferrable. I notified our agency we would be out of state for a week, making sure they had all our numbers.
Of course they have our numbers, they have had all our numbers for over 5 years.
I received an email response from the local social worker letting me know the information was appreciated and she would not hesitate to interrupt our trip if necessary.
That is all I needed to hear. A slight glimmer of hope. A little reassurance we are not out there twisting in the wind.
Knowing your agency has not forgotten about you means the world. We all know they would not forget us, but it is nice to hear.
Keeps us motivated, reassures us it is just a matter of time.
Now, my focus is turning to how to keep a 2 year old happy on an airplane. I will be packing a backpack of snacks, activities and time occupiers.
I am not sure which is more anxiety producing...waiting to be matched or air travel with kids. It's a toss up.
3/4/11
Adoption Fundraiser
My friend Mandy is fund raising to support adoption in celebration of her daughter's adoption anniversary. The funds she raises will be donated to an adoptive family to help with their adoption costs. To support her cause visit https://mandycampbell.scentsy.
3/3/11
Awkward Pause
We talk openly about adoption in our home it is just the norm. Sometimes, I forget that some people may be taken aback to hear our kids are adopted. Our theory has always been if adoption is openly discussed our children will never be made to feel uncomfortable or different for being adopted. Adoption will simply be the story of how our family came together.
Now, I do not jump out and volunteer our personal information but if the only response that is appropriate or can explain something is that our kids are adopted I just say it. For instance, at a birthday party last weekend another mother and I were discussing how her son's arm was injured. She proceeded to tell me it was an injury received during his delivery and the conversation continued. At some point, a question was asked of me and I responded that our kids were adopted. She paused awkwardly then said, Oh I didn't realize that.
I didn't mean to make her feel awkward. She probably never had an open discussion about adoption. I think I caught her off guard. Perhaps the next time she will think nothing of it, no awkward pause necessary.
Not everyone is open about their adoption. There are people who work hard to keep it a secret, that's too bad. Adoption should not be a secret. Adoption is not something to hide. Talk about adoption. Discuss adoption, doing so educates and makes people comfortable with it. I would love to take that awkward pause out of a conversation.
Now, I do not jump out and volunteer our personal information but if the only response that is appropriate or can explain something is that our kids are adopted I just say it. For instance, at a birthday party last weekend another mother and I were discussing how her son's arm was injured. She proceeded to tell me it was an injury received during his delivery and the conversation continued. At some point, a question was asked of me and I responded that our kids were adopted. She paused awkwardly then said, Oh I didn't realize that.
I didn't mean to make her feel awkward. She probably never had an open discussion about adoption. I think I caught her off guard. Perhaps the next time she will think nothing of it, no awkward pause necessary.
Not everyone is open about their adoption. There are people who work hard to keep it a secret, that's too bad. Adoption should not be a secret. Adoption is not something to hide. Talk about adoption. Discuss adoption, doing so educates and makes people comfortable with it. I would love to take that awkward pause out of a conversation.
CO & WY Adoption Conference
Families Supporting Adoption, register now for the Colorado and Wyoming area conference. One of the keynote speakers will be Kelsey Stewart, author of The Best for You. I have given away copies of Kelsey's book here on AM2 and as I have said before her book is fantastic. Click here for registration and conference dates.
3/2/11
Family Needed
I receive the following emails through an adoption list serv. I do not have personal experience with the agencies or facilitators. Please practice due diligence and research the postings.
____________________________
LOOKING FOR an Afro-American Family for a baby due in May --- Code: Shawnika – May 2011
Name & Due Date: Shonika – May 2011
Sex (If Known): Unknown
Race: Afro-American
Location: Southern Region - AL, GA, NC, SC
Health: No smoking, alcohol or drug use. BM and her family are health.
Other Info: She will ONLY consider full Afro-American couples. She wants an open adoption.
Total Estimated Fees: $ 8,500 plus NC legals
Case Worker: bet
IF YOU ARE PAPER READY AND INTERESTED, please contact Sarah sarahjdalia@gmail.com (sarahjdalia @ gmail.com - No spaces) or Adamadambodily@gmail.com (adambodily @ gmail.com - No spaces) Email Adam and Sarah if you are interested and then take the time to go to our webpageWWW.Adoptionadvertising.org, download the adoptive parent intake form, fill it out and email it to adambodily@gmail.com (adambodily @ gmail.com - NO SPACES)
Adam or Sarah will call you AFTER they get the completed intake form and take a look at it. You will need to fill this out before we show any information about you to the BM.
Kathy Finch kathrynmfinch@hotmail.com
"Adoption Advertising" Adoption Administrative Assistant
WWW.Adoptionadvertising.org
Helpful Adoption Articles
Click here for the 10 Most Popular Articles for February from Adoptive Families Magazine. The articles discuss topics such as getting support while you are waiting, raising a moral child, diagnosing ADD, adoption costs and wait time, open adoption throughout the years and much more. I encourage you to subscribe to their email list if not the magazine itself. It is always full of helpful articles and information.
Please know, I do not receive anything in return for recommending this magazine or their website. I recommend Adoptive Families Magazine because it has become a valuable resource to me and I know it could benefit many of you.
Please know, I do not receive anything in return for recommending this magazine or their website. I recommend Adoptive Families Magazine because it has become a valuable resource to me and I know it could benefit many of you.
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