Look what I found by the side of the road.

Well, not this exact little fella, but one that looks much like it. Minus a collar, so we had no way of knowing where he lived. Plus a super-friendly wagging tail and the sweetest little black eyes you've ever seen. He was standing in the road and wouldn't move, and when I stopped he ran under my car. I opened my door...and pop - inside.

I drove up and down the country road, looking for missing posters and hoping to come upon his owners, but no such luck. "Daddy's gonna kill me," I muttered.

"Can... more

When ever you adopt an older child who has memories of their birth families. You must also think about the pain of loss that they feel when the time for family holidays approach us.

Knowing that it is never the child's fault for the loss of their birth parents and that the children are often so young they do not understand the "Why" of their Termination of Parental Rights. They often feel a great guilt and loneliness during their birthdays or other personal family holiday moments.

It is very important to be respectful of your adopted child and to allow them the time and space to grieve their losses. It is also just as important to remind them that time changes all things.... more

There have been several recent happy news articles about Russian adoption - I supposed because of Thanksgiving, National Adoption month, and perhaps the lack of unhappy news articles to report on (a little snarkishness, sorry).

Here's a nice one: "From Russia With Love - Sisters are Reunited" A Utah couple has adopted 4 siblings, all girls, from Russia. First they adopted the younger girls, then, when they found out about the older girls, they adopted them as well.

Here's... more

When you tell your family and friends that you are pregnant, you probably are going to be bombarded with well intentioned opinions and advice. You may also deal with some anger, disappointment, and shock from family members.

At times, the opinions and advice of friends and family may become overwhelming. Everyone seems to know what you should do and what is best for you. But, only you know what is best for you and your unborn baby and only you can make this decision. They may or may not be supportive of whatever option you choose whether it be parenting or placing your baby for adoption. At some point, you will have to put your foot down and let friends and family know that you appreciate... more

Since Ukraine isn't accepting dossiers right now (they will be accepted in Jan 2007)...

and since Ukraine has draft legislation making single adoption illegal (who knows if it will really pass)....

and I want to adopt another child...

I have been exploring other options. I completed foster care training almost a year ago. I was told it would take 1 year to 3 years to never to be matched. So far I haven't been matched.

So I started researching Haiti adoption about 3 months ago. Because of this research I... more

Today I am thankful for a bunch of testosterone known as the Munchkin's many brothers. She has three older brothers and two younger brothers. (One of them being Nicholas.) She is, as my grandparents would say, a rose among many thorns! Well, they're not that thorny. They're actually quite awesome.

In searching for parents for the Munchkin, I wanted a family who had other children. It was not of my concern at the time whether they were biological, adopted or aliens... more

In the Beginning- I600A and Fingerprints

Fairly early in the adoption process you’ll want to pick up a copy of the I-600A. This is a BCIS form requesting advance permission to bring an orphan into the US. You can pick it up at your local immigration office--locations listed here. You can also print it off at this website. If you print it off the internet, it is a good idea to... more

This week we’re chatting with Melodie Fleming, an adoptive mom of two who co-wrote The Dance of Restoration: Rebuilding Marriage After Infidelity.

Part 1: Melodie’s Adoption Story

Part... more

What makes a good foster parent? What makes a good foster-adopt parent?

Perhaps you want to 'give back' to the community?

Foster care (and foster-adoption), seems like a glorious notion to give back, yet this isn't reason enough to become a foster parent.

It just won't be enough.

You run the risk of becoming a martyr, angry and let down by the very children you were hoping to help.

So, what makes a good foster and fost-adopt parent?

You... more

I am thankful (and lucky) that during my pregnancy I had good, knowledgeable, and caring doctors.

With my first son, Noah, I had a very complicated pregnancy, health wise. I ended up in the high risk unit of the hospital on bed rest for almost five weeks until he was born, six weeks early, with lots complications.

Because of all the complications with my pregnancy with Noah, I was automatically considered “high risk” with Charlie’s pregnancy and any subsequent pregnancies. Adding to the dilemma of my pregnancy with Charlie, I did not find out... more