Man, I need to reformat the blog, update pics and so on. If you are following us on Facebook- you have more of an updated version of our family and adventures. Our community page is
Brandon and Corrine- Party of 9.
Find us and read on. Even that needs updating too.
A few things have kept me away from writing and rightfully so. These adorable little blessings are certainly worth it but, now they are 14 months and it's time to continue to open up, share and be vulnerable with ya'll who read or who are connected to us personally or through mutual friends.
Adoption is HARD, life is Hard and all of us have hard things we are going through. I am often asked a few different questions to today, I will put these ?'s to rest...
Are you guys going to adopt MORE?
How did you get 4 birth moms/dads to pick you guys?
What can I do to get chosen by an expectant mom / what advice can you give me?
Q#1
Well, I think our Quiver is pretty full guys and 7 is a LOT OF KIDS! We did not renew our adoption home study and do not have plans to do that either. But, Every time I've told God and the Universe my PLANS- there has always been different ones in the works so, I think if the right situation came along and it was absolutely destiny- then well will have to think about it, of course.
But, as of now- We are content and not seeking to adopt at all.
We know that our ministry isn't done in regards to adoption and fostering and we have big hopes and desires to serve through becoming Respite Foster Parents in about 4-5 years and also to work closely with orphanages and orphan care overseas in countries who are in dire need of help.
( So, far we are looking to help in Peru, the Philippines and Cambodia/ Vietnam) Who knows where God will continue to lead our hearts and where our family will go. I can see us overseas in 5-7 years doing work in those countries and beyond. Our oldest kiddo has 5 years before she graduates and our next is the year after her so, I think time will tell.
In the meantime, we are caring for our kids, hopeful adoptive families, expectant moms and adoptees however we are led.
Recently, we had an expectant mom reach out to us Asking us If We would consider adopting her unborn baby. Of course it was through SM so I wanted to see if she was legit. ( I FB stalked her profile/ searched some things she had said she had done/ been etc. and she said she had placed before back 5 ish years ago.) She WAS legit. I found the family she placed with, their company, the agency and care center she worked with and I was having wonderful honest convo with her. I prayed about her and the situation and was led to tell her over the phone that
we aren't the family she's looking for and that we are still in over our heads with 3 in diapers!
She was sad for a bit but, I of course, had some families up my sleeves. I sent her over 3 family profiles and two profiles on FB and she has a wonderful deep connection with one couple who have a SOUL connection and this sweet couple has been through two failed adoptions already. Things are going well with them and I am grateful to be an instrument in God's Hands to help connect, inspire and uplift those in my sphere of influence. I truly have had quite a few things like this happen to me over the last 10 years or so.
I Know this is where God wants me to serve His children right now. All the Glory is His and His Alone. It's awesome to see how just a matter of a few simple words, a post about a situation, a phone convo , a longer relationship or quick instance, can change someone's lives forever. I don't need to name names or say how many times I've helped people- God Knows those things ( and I kind of lost track now) and that's all that matters. I am doing Enough and Am Enough and He is using Me as I Am, right now.
Don't ever think you aren't Good enough or Worthy enough to Serve those that are in your path, community and sphere of influence. You are Right where you Need to Be- Right Now. And Yes, Striving to be our Best is a good thing but, not if you are blind to who you are now and what you are doing now. Progress over perfection! One Day at a time, one step at a time.
As for the Future and us - We will see as it unfolds and Hope and pray for all those in our lives.
Q#2
I bribed them!!!! No, just messing with you! I Actually, think that timing, authenticity and God and the Energy we put out into the Universe, have everything to do with our short waits and when our children's birth mothers and fathers found us. With only 2 different agencies involved and our last ones where we were just applying to situations- I truly was Prompted in my Heart to move when all things lined up.
Yes, our profile books and pictures looked good, honest and Real. Yes, our content was FULL of rich details and we are super transparent ( we even told them our last name in the EP letter;) and we try to be as raw and vulnerable as we can on the daily anyways.
I couldn't tell you why they picked us and why our waits were relatively short but, i can tell you that when things line up, it feels right, you get chills down your back to move forward on something- DO IT. Do not wait for a giant wave to knock you over- Move when you need to move because standing still just feels wrong!
If you are waiting for an anvil to drop on your foot before you fill out adoption papers, apply to certain situations, opening your hearts to maybe think outside your checked boxes on your search/match criteria - It may Never come!!!
I had one gal tell me bc her adoption agency shut down " Well, I guess we are only having one kid then!" She has since regretted closing that door. To those who don't feel like giving up and giving in but, do it anyways- YOU ARE NOT BEING REAL AND TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE and YOU chose to GIVE UP- that's on YOU! It's not GOD's fault - your agencies fault etc. There is no FAULT- you just decided to throw in the towel and shut the door. And that is Your Decision. End of Story...
I'm going to tell you though- Had you kept the door opened for maybe a bit longer, saved more money and decided the wait would be worth it- I'm am certain your story would be different by now.
I know this might sound like a slap in the face for some and i will surely get some responses like " we spent 40k in IVF and lost 15k in a failed match etc- I get it- IT SUCKED - It's not cool to loose that much money and time and it's awful. I hate that this is part of your journey- but, its just that PART of your Journey. It's not the End- You didn't die. And We all have Free Will to choose whatever we want. So, if that's what you want to do- DO IT and do not say it was bc of other things- You chose to give up and My heart breaks for you and your families and what might have been. Never forget that you can fund raise, apply for grants, have bake sales, auctions, craft sales, gofundme or youcaring accounts, work extra hours, take out a HELOC, save for another year or two and be strategic in your every day spending. And in lieu of a baby shower gifts- ask for donations to pay back or pay off your adoption account/ debt. Ask the agency if you can do bulk payments if placement happens faster than you were ready for too.
Q#3
What can you do to get chosen by am Emom & Edad?
Well, Present your Most Authentic Self- ALWAYS! Share your story, your hearts, lead with love- not your infertility. These emoms are choosing placement bc parenting isn't the best option for the baby and themselves/ families etc. Be honored you are in the waiting pool and able to save up or afford adoption.
You can open up all windows and doors to finding the right path for the child or children to come to your family. Look into other agencies with low flat fees, expand your search, update your profile if its more than a year old, bug your agency workers, send out positive vibes into the Universe for your future birth parents. ( I did pretty much every time and honestly, i felt the connections before our kids came- each and every time. Call it prophecy or intuition but, i could feel they were close, not too far off and very connect to the expectant moms of our kiddos. - more on that later. )
Lastly,
Spend your time WAITING- doing something GOOD during this Transition!
YOU ARE WORTH IT- THE WAIT IS WORTH IT- The Process of Transformation is worth it and I'm Praying for YOU and sending Good Vibes your way!
Till next time ~CC
#openadoption #adoptionblogs #birthparents #birthmom #adoptionhelp
