“I was unable to carry biological children. ‘WHY NOT ME?’ I’d see news stories of child abuse, neglect, and murder. I’m not a very patient person. My heart was forced to explore other options.”
‘I didn’t want kids anyway.’ I put on a show. I was bitter. No amount of training could’ve prepared me for this.’: Foster-to-adoptive mom ‘thankful’ for infertility, ‘My eyes were opened’
‘Homeschool isn’t crayons displayed in cute pails, three-tiered cubbies, or $100 globes.’: Mom’s open letter to new homeschool parents is a sigh of relief
“Beware, newcomer. Pinterest is DESPERATELY going to try to convince you what your homeschool ought to look like.”
‘Do you want to be pregnant or to be a mom?’ Fear set in. ‘Get here now!’ We just stared at each other.’: Woman describes love for son’s birth mom, ‘We are forever tied together’
“We were fueled with fear and anticipation. I was reminded that adoption is not a natural process. There we were, both his moms, welcoming him.”
‘I found pictures. ‘You can leave now.’ They went to cut off the ‘mother’ bracelet. We prayed for a miracle.’: Woman describes adoption scam, ‘We are trusting in God’
“I asked if she thought she was for sure going to give her child to us, and she hesitated. ‘Come quickly!’ Things were going fast, and she didn’t want us to miss it. ‘She wants you to meet the baby.’ I stood outside the room bawling in my husband’s arms.”
‘Is my baby okay?’ The doctor said, ‘Ma’am, you mean to tell me no one from your family contacted you yet?’ Everything went silent.’: Mom shares plea after son’s drowning
“His dad took him to his car. I waved bye-bye and said, ‘Mommy loves you so much.’ That was the last time I held, saw, and kissed my one-year old son.”
‘He craned his neck, trying to see me as they drove away. Every day, he wondered where I was.’: Foster parents help create law after separation from foster son, ‘We are so thankful for this victory’
“We fought for his rights and best interests. We were the only family he had ever known. I will never ever forget the caseworker driving him away. It was the most heartbreaking, excruciatingly painful thing. As soon as he left our home, we were working to change the laws.”
‘I think it’s best to move them into a 2-parent home.’ I had failed. They were concerned I wasn’t committed to their care.’: Single mom of 5 shares adoption journey, ‘These girls are my world’
“I got the call. ‘Can you take in your adopted daughter’s biological sister who has just been born?’ I hid in the bathroom and just cried. I sobbed to the CPS worker: ‘I know what my answer needs to be, but it’s going to be so hard!'”
‘Is that BIG bed for ME?’ Her eyes grew wide. She ran to say goodbye to child services. I cried myself to sleep.’: Single woman becomes foster mom, ‘I couldn’t possibly love her more’
“The reality that this child was now my responsibility and would be staying for an indefinite amount of time started to set in. This was it. I was a mom! That night I cried happy tears once as I watched this little girl sleep in the room next to mine.”
‘PLEASE take her with you. I can’t watch her go through this.’ She vomited and lost weight. We watched helplessly.’: Parents of special needs daughter forced to leave US, ‘We hold on to hope’
“Her medical team was alarmed and upset. ‘You CAN’T leave. She needs to be here. I’ll write to whomever I need to for her to stay.’ We watched as she regressed.”
‘He will bite. He’ll take years to pick up skills others get right away. You’ll hear about Jolene trying to take Dolly Parton’s man 5,000 times.’: Special needs mom pens letter to future caregiver
“But seeing his smile when the concept clicks will be the most rewarding win you’ve ever experienced. Please, I beg you, never stop trying.”