Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A Leap of Faith
I have tried hard to put myself in Kate's shoes, imagining that seeing with my own eyes where my baby is going to grow up, where she or he will attend elementary school, seeing what her/his home is like, how many kids are in the neighborhood, etc., that seeing all these things in person would provide me with a certain measure of comfort. Further, how important seeing these things would be to me. So, in the end, after conversations with our adoption advocate and Kate's adoption advocate, we've decided to take a leap of faith, something that isn't easy for us. Yes, our worst fear is still having her show up on our doorstep unannounced and inviting herself into our family life, but we need to trust her. We need to trust she is not going to want to disrupt her child's life, that she is going to want only the best for her or him-- and in the end we do. Sometime in the near future Kate will be coming to visit us.
Some might wonder if we are compromising what is important to us in order to get a baby-- and I have asked myself that same question during this past week. The answer is a resounding "No". I know what desperation feels like, I know what it feels like to think I would do anything to have a baby, those feelings were all too familiar and common during my infertility treatments. Not once did even a hint of desperation creep into me last week. This isn't about our desire to have a family this is about trust. Trusting a person we do not yet know very well, trusting a person who for reasons we still do not completely understand, chose us to place her child with-- if that doesn't require us to take a leap of faith, I don't know what does.
Soon, George and I will meet Kate in person. Soon, Kate will be able to see the house her child will come home to, she will be able to see the nursery we are creating, she will meet the dogs her child will grow up with, she will see the elementary school her child will go to and the children her child will play with and I do hope these things provide her with some measure of comfort as we move forward together on this journey.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
More Tough Stuff
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Is 2011 the year?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Active!!
Yikes!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Owner's Manual on Babies-- Check.
FBI Clearances-- check
Adoption Profile Created-- check
Masses of paperwork submitted- check
Holy crap. This is going to happen. I mean this thing is REALLY going to happen. Some time next week we are likely to be activated-- meaning our profile will be available to birth mothers. Sure, it could still take several months, but the focus over the past few months has been on the process-- getting our home study complete, getting our clearances and other background checks complete, creating our profile, etc. Process, process, process. So much so, there has been no thought to actually having a baby. But this week I started thinking-- "Holy Shit, I better get some books-- I'm not going to know what to do!!" Next week is a milestone. Next week we start to wait. Next week we better start reading!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Dear Birth Parents
Dear Birth Parents:
Thank you for taking time to learn about us, we are George and Angie. Although we have tried hard to imagine how difficult this decision is for you, we know we can’t ever fully understand. But please know this, should we become a part of your decision, we will honor your courage and selflessness and make sure your child knows of this and of your love for him or her.
We met the week of 9-11 while living in Washington, DC. We became great friends and even gave each other dating advice. A year or so later, we started dating and have been together ever since. We moved to Colorado in 2005 and married in 2006. Our relationship is built on a foundation of friendship and love. We are best friends and know each other better than we know ourselves. We look forward to sharing George’s generosity and compassion and Angie’s enthusiasm and strength with your child as he or she grows and matures.
In our home, your child will be surrounded with warmth and love. Our friends and families have wanted this for us almost as much as we have—and together we will provide your child, with the love any parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle gives their child, grandchild, niece or nephew. We will love your child even before we meet him or her. We will shower your child with hugs and kisses, he or she will even get puppy kisses from our dogs Happy and Porter. Your child will not want for affection.
In our home, your child will be provided with endless encouragement. We want your child to know no bounds to what he or she can do. Growing up, we were both taught the value of hard work and education. Every success we’ve achieved can be credited to our hard work and pursuit of education and it is our intent to teach this same value to your child. Whether ballerina, President of the United States, Olympic Athlete or nuclear physicist, we will do everything in our power to help him or her realize their dream.
In our home, your child will know fun and laughter. Humor and fun have played an integral part in our lives and we love to make each other laugh. We will live for the sound of your child’s laugh. We will play games and read books. We will play catch in the yard and build forts and imaginary castles. We will play hide and seek and throw the ball for Happy and Porter. After a day playing in the snow, we will curl up by the fire to warm our hands and toes. We will play and swim in the pool and cool off during hot summer days by eating ice cream. We will hike and camp and enjoy the beautiful Colorado outdoors. Most importantly, we will cherish our time spent together as a family.
Our journey to become parents was one filled with challenges and heartache but ultimately led us here and for that we are grateful. We are honored and humbled at the opportunity to parent your child. We will love, support and nurture your child unconditionally. We are excited to start this new chapter in our lives and watch each other become Mom and Dad.
If you choose adoption and choose us—your child will know of your strength, courage, love and selflessness. We look forward to keeping you involved in your child’s life by sharing milestones and stories with you through photos and letters. It is a privilege to be considered in this important decision and hope this letter is able to provide you with some measure of comfort.
With all our hearts,
George and Angie