Right in the Middle…. A Perfect Fit
April 17, 2016
adopting out of birth order, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, older child adoption
In 2007 with four boys already at home ages 10, 7, 2 and 1, we started the process to adopt from China. What had been a desire for quite some time in our hearts was finally coming true. We submitted paperwork to adopt a as young as possible non-special needs daughter. We expected to be …Read More
Adopting Out Of Birth Order… Times Three
March 26, 2016
adopting out of birth order, adopting two at once, age assignment, large families, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, older child adoption, virtual twins
Sometimes I look around at my kids and think how did this happen? How did I deserve to have 10 amazingly perfect children? We struggled in our marriage, we worked it out, and promised God that where He led, we would follow. And He has not disappointed. He continues to bless us with his amazing …Read More
And 2 Makes 9
March 25, 2016
adopting a boy, adopting out of birth order, adopting two at once, aging out expedite, Family Stories, large families, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, older child adoption, should we adopt?
Where do I even start? Our family began our first adoption in 2004, a few years after the birth of our third son. We thought it would be our first and last adoption. We always had the heart for adoption, but surprised ourselves as we actually went through with our heart’s desire. My husband, Russ, …Read More
The Beginning of Surrender
March 24, 2016
adopting later in life, adopting two at once, Down syndrome, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, medical waiver, older child adoption, waiver request
“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us …Read More
Qualified?
March 19, 2016
adopting again, asset waiver, income waiver, large families, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, waiver request
Our adoption journey started while my husband and I were still dating, though we did not know it. At one point, we had discussed family size – three children sounded about right. Then my husband-to-be said, “What if we can’t have kids?” My quick answer: “Then we’ll adopt.” That subject did not come up again …Read More
A Tale of Two Stubborn Wills
March 18, 2016
Attachment, Down syndrome, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, Trust Based Parenting
This is a tale of two stubborn wills – one refusing to accept new and unfamiliar love, and the other refusing to stop giving it. In May of 2013 my lifelong dream of adopting a child with Down syndrome finally came true. I was 110% sure that this was the right thing to do. My …Read More
Not One Waiver, But Two.
March 14, 2016
asset waiver, income waiver, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, waiver request
We were once a family of six. Comfortable and content. Completely sure we were done having kids. Ready to start our next stage of life. We always knew we wanted to adopt, but that was in the distant future. When our four small kids were older… or so we thought. Just like God does, He …Read More
A Baby Sister But Six Months Older: Adopting Out of Birth Order
March 3, 2016
adopting out of birth order, adoption realities, Attachment, Family Stories, first year home, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, parent-to-child attachment, virtual twins
Adoption has always been on my heart. Always. China? Not quite as long, but still in 2014 we found ourselves traveling around the world to meet and bring home our daughter from China. But before we talk about homecomings, siblings, bonding and all, let me back up a bit. When we found that getting pregnant …Read More