The Christian Crew

I have had a few couples reach out to me lately and ask me a few questions I didn't know the answers to. You'd think after 4 home studies, 5 adoptions, involving 3 different states, that we'd KNOW IT ALL.... But, Alas, we DON'T so, the next logical thing to do was ASK .... I'm putting the answers BELOW: Here's what Lutheran Family Services said: When thinking about adoption or foster care, many people have questions or even anxiety  about whether they are eligible.  There are a few disqualifying things such as : you must be 21  and  have no felony criminal or child abuse history. For adoption, every agency may have different requirements around religion, same sex couples, single persons or age. International adoptions have many criteria based on the country and can include age, BMI, medication for mental health issues.  The important thing for all agencies is to place children in homes that are safe and nurturing.  Agencies are not looking for ...

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 KID...

We recorded the adoption story of the Twins on Adoption Now Radio podcast so, go listen now! LISTEN to it HERE!!! It's been too long since I've posted so I will make up by posting some FUN pics of these cuties. As of late, We went to Maui in January and the babies came too! We are prepping to buy a new home and met an wonderful Lady, Victoria who we will be buying her giant house later this summer. She is an amazing person, even if we weren't buying her place. It's a cool story that I will share in the future as things play out. The kids all got a cold over the Break and now everyone is better and life is starting to find a new normal all over again. It changes every time the babies sleep more throughout the night. My kids are hilarious with sleep right now but, Hey, We wanted this and it's only Temporary, right? Ok more pics now...   Best Road side stand EVER on the Road to Hana!   Uncle Josh and Daddy are SOOOO funny!   O...

Hey Hopeful Adoptive Couples!😀  You know, I'm totally FOR you adopting a baby or child, right? Good, because I want you to take some loving and fun POINTERS from this Momma who has adopted (or has been matched) 4 times in under 6 months each time! First adoption was 10 days, second was just about 6 months and third was 2 months till we were matched and 9 weeks later Cece was born . With the Twins adoption, we had ZERO wait- we weren't even really ready but, our digital book was  and it was chosen over 10 others bc It was RIGHT for HER and RIGHT for US too! 8 days later we had twins!!!  ( learn more about our adventures by checking out our pages or our PODCAST on the Adoption Now Radio Show)! SO, I'm giving these pointers as a play on this awesome Dr. Laura Book SO, take this in a Light Hearted way. If you know me- you know I'm a bit funny and jest here and there a bit.   ( there is also a MEN's version of the book too)   Mostly I'm writing this ...

I'm going to try and NOT be mean to my own kind here ( adoptive couples/hopefuls) but, I want to give you a bit of RAW advice. It's nothing new or something that hasn't been said before by someone else- It's just time for a reminder- a reminder to your HEART... START with your HEART, listen to it, find a peaceful place to meditate and listen to your spirit as it connects to your heart and enlightens your mind on  this somewhat of a heavy topic... WHY are YOU PICKING and CHOOSING, When GOD and the UNIVERSE are trying to line things UP for you to be blessed with a child? Here's a bit of what I WROTE for Premier Adoptions Newsletter published back in February... " To Hopeful Adoptive Couples - I have been in your shoes- I have suffered 5 miscarriages, 2 almost adoptions and brought back a foster baby. This is a tough spot to be in but, It’s WORTH IT! Every time you think you are losing Hope- turn it over to that Higher Power. Open yourself and your h...

This amazing Gal I Know has been a friend for about 5 years now! BIG TOUGH GIRL! Please consider donating or purchasing some cool swag for your adoption peeps! She runs an incredible company called Check out her whole site and her goal of Lifetime Healing! Did I Mention she is also a birth mother , mother of two and married to a big teddy bear hunk? YEP! She owns it where ever she is! Love her realness and kind heart! She is a woman of GOD too:) Thank you Ashley for Supporting adoption and healing and Owning Your Story. You are a life changer in Every way!

As you know I help run the local CO chapter of United For Adoption .  I do not make any money but, get paid in positive energy and love! Helping families, expectant moms, birth parents and adoptees connect and have a sense of community is so needed and a HUGE part of my heart! Here's what on the Horizon for MAY... Here's this YEARS Birth Parent Retreat too!   If you are reading this and want more information on any of these events- leave a comment of message me! Adoption support and community is so important to all involved and we are blessed to be surrounded by many adoptive families here in Evergreen, where we live. In my kids' school classes there are at least three-5 adopted kids in EACH class- its pretty awesome and pretty normalized here.  Have e wonderful SPRING! til Next time!

Oh My Word - this has to be one of the hardest things for most of us to do. Like how often do you meet someone you want to impress and just unload all things private and sacred in your life on them? Practically Never! The same goes for Being In the Adoption community/world. It's a HARD space full of judgement on all sides. And most of those things we all judge each other on, are irrelevant in nature! Who Cares if you are a stay at home or work at home mom or if you cook dinner ever single night for your kids with 3 different tastes. Who even cares if the expectant mom is living on a diet of kool-aid and Cheetos.  The THING I've learned through adopting 3 times is that YOU have to LET things GO that don't matter and you have to LOVE someone where they are at! You can't wish someone better or change the fact that the Adoptive parents let the kid read Goosebumps at age 9 when you think they are too young. Just Stop it. Let's focus on Building each other UP and se...