quote.

This is a quote I used in the stake conference talk I gave last month.

"As part of Heavenly Fathers plan of redemption, you experience adversity during mortality. Trials, disappointments, sadness, sickness and heartache are a difficult part of life, but they can lead to spiritual growth, refinement, and progress as you turn to the Lord."

Whether you are a religious person or not, the point of this quote is quite true. Challenges, when faced head on and solved correctly can make you a better person.

I think this pertains to everyone involved in the world of adoption.

Samantha turns 5 in less than a month. Where did the time go? She'll be in school at this time next year! Man, I love that kid.

Hoping To Adopt

There is a couple I blog stalk and so far they are unable to have children.
I will, of course, leave out their names for the sake of their privacy.

My heart goes out to them.

These are two of the cutest people. I love to read about them. They're interesting and funny and fun. They deserve a family, just like so many others out there who want kids.

I don't know if adoption is an option for them, but I hope they have or will consider it at some point, because they would certainly be wonderful parents.

I realize that adopting can be expensive, and that's why a lot of the couples who adopt are in their late 20's to late 30's before kids come into their lives.

I was wondering...has anyone come up with a way to raise the money for adoption? Some kind of "fundraiser" if you will? I'm curious...I've had ideas flying through my head but I don't know if any of them are possibilities. Or if this is do-able? Or if it would be tacky?

Please Please Please, if you read this post, comment. I need your ideas!

Questions?

Are there any questions I can answer for you?

I know a variety of people read this blog from time to time. New Birthmothers, Old Birthmothers, Adoptive Couples, Hopeful Adoptive Couples, Friends, Family, etc.

Do any of you wonder anything about adoption? Me? My feeling about my couple? About my daughter? Anything at all?

Feel free to email me, comment me, facebook me your questions. I'll do my best to answer openly and honestly.

You Will Be Okay

Lately I've been reading quite a few birthmother blog posts about how hard it is sometimes.

I agree.

It's been almost 5 years since I placed my beautiful little girl into the arms of another family and some days I still miss her so much I think it will tear me apart. Samantha is smart, she's beautiful and she has this incredibly infectious laugh that I just can't get enough of.

She looks like me.

Her skin turns brown in the sun, she never sunburns. Just like me. She's easily frightened. Just like me. Her eyes are such a dark brown they're often called black. Just like me.

She's mine.

But not like she's theirs, she belongs with them. She fits perfectly into their little family mold, she's exactly where she's supposed to be.

And sometimes that hurts.

Especially as I watch my gorgeous four month old grow up. As she passes each new milestone I can't help but wonder how my oldest reacted to these same situations. Did she make disgusted faces at her first taste of rice cereal? Did she giggle all the way through bath time. Did she love to sing along with her parents too?

What else did I miss?

But then I think of how good it is. How good it is that she has a sibling near her age. How good it is that she was able to be sealed to a Mom and a Dad. How good it is she was given everything she needed, from a roof over her head to all the clothes she could ask for. How good it is she's happy, and she's loved and she's safe.

It is good.

I hope those birthmothers know that feeling sad and alone and empty is normal for most of us. I hope they realize that it will get easier, even when that dosen't seem possible. I hope they are aware of how much they have touched others lives.

You will be okay.