February 28, 2019 dossier, February 2019 Feature - The Paperchase, homestudy, I'm Ready to Adopt, Lifeline, What To Expect 0 Comments

I have been a licensed social worker practicing in international adoptions for over six years now, and I must confess that I absolutely love paperwork! I recognize that I am probably in the minority. I tell families that the beginning of the adoption process might feel like you are trying to sip from a fire …Read More

February 26, 2019 Attachment, attachment activities, co-sleeping, night terrors, parent-to-child attachment, Sensory Processing Issues, Sleep issues, speech delay 3 Comments

Tonight I rocked my baby to sleep for the first time. Ever. Yes, he may be four and he may weigh 43 pounds, but I rocked him to sleep in my arms. To most moms this is usual occurrence. However, to an adoptive mom, this can be far from usual. In fact, it can be …Read More

February 23, 2019 ASD, February 2019 Feature - Heart, Heart System, pulmonary atresia, pulmonary stenosis, VSD 0 Comments

Honestly, I don’t feel like I quite fit in the special needs community. Or even the adoption community. Our lives at one point were very much impacted by both of those things, but now it looks very normal. I drive my four kids – all in school – and I drive them all over creation. …Read More

February 20, 2019 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Ember is an adorable little girl, born in January of 2010, who lives with a foster family. Ember is very close to her foster grandparents and to her teachers. She plays well with the siblings in her foster family and the other children in her class. Ember likes blocks, puzzles, and games. She loves to …Read More

February 18, 2019 advanced heart failure, complex heart defect, end stage cardiac disease, February 2019 Feature - Heart, Heart System 0 Comments

Dear Heart Warrior Mamas, Before we adopted our daughter, who was born with congenital heart disease (CHD), I didn’t know so many things. But you and my daughter have taught me.. I didn’t know what it meant to advocate for your own child. I have watched you learn medical terminology. I have witnessed your brave …Read More

February 15, 2019 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Landry is a beautiful girl, born in February of 2011, who is described as generous and thoughtful. Landry enjoys listening to music, playing with stuffed animals, and playing outside. Her caregivers describe her as energetic, extroverted, and occasionally a bit obstinate. When she is unhappy, Landry’s caregivers comfort her by giving her gifts or holding …Read More

February 13, 2019 2019 Features, advanced heart failure, complex heart defect, February 2019 Feature - Heart, Heart System, heterotaxy, large families, malnourishment, pulmonary stenosis, single ventricle heart disease, terminal diagnosis 0 Comments

Have you ever received news that was so hard to hear you actually felt like you were having an out of body experience? The afternoon of Evelyn’s heart catheterization, the day that doctors and surgeons came into a small room to explain to my husband and I that our little girl was more critical than …Read More

February 9, 2019 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Urgent waiting child Rupert was recently recalled to his orphanage; he has a $5,000 Bright Futures Agency Grant and up to $10,000 Older Child Grant with Reece’s Rainbow! Smiley Rupert, born in July of 2007, had been in care of Bethel for the blind since he was two years old. Tragically, Rupert was recalled to …Read More

February 5, 2019 adopting again, dossier, February 2019 Feature - The Paperchase, homestudy, referral, waiting for referral, waiting to travel, What To Expect 3 Comments

What often scares people away from adoption? The paperwork. Guess what scared me away from adoption? Among other things, the paperwork. There is a cloud of dread that hangs over prospective parents when the topic of adoption comes up because they have “heard” about the extensive amount of grueling paperwork involved. And to be honest, …Read More

February 3, 2019 adoption community, advanced heart failure, complex heart defect, Family Stories, February 2019 Feature - Heart, Heart System 0 Comments

It is with great joy that I share that Madison Adoption Agency is offering an adoption grant in honor of our daughter, and forever hero, Ivy Joy. For those of you who are new to our story, our precious Ivy Joy went home to Jesus on March 20, 2017. Ivy had a complex heart defect …Read More