Can You Relate?

I thought I would be able to sneak through the holidays in one piece. It's so busy and fun and wonderful. I LOVE Christmas and everything that goes with it. I was so sure I would breeze through upbeat and cheerful and was mostly concerned about what I would feel like on January 1st. But I didn't escape. It's the day before Thanksgiving and my heart is so sad, my arms so empty, it's hard to be thrilled about doing any of my favorite things....I just want a baby. Link to a former waiting adoptive mother's blog, http://rebekahpinchback.blogspot.com, to read the rest of the story.

Thanksgiving in Disguise

From small glimpses of God to being a part of grand performances orchestrated by Him, I have seen God and come to know God more this past year than any other time in my life.  When I reflect on why this is, I notice that I have had trials and an aching heart and fear of the unknown like no other time in my life.  During this Thanksgiving season I find myself thankful for trials (what, really?) because it has brought me closer to the One who gives me a hope and a future.  I hope you, too, can claim this promise for yourself this Thanksgiving season.

Host Care - continued

One of our AAI families recently met their "dream come true" and welcomed home a precious baby girl after a two week stay in host care.  Link to Lynette's blog to hear an adoptive family's perspective on host care:   

davidlynnetteadoption.blogspot.com

OCTOBER unites eight families

Adoption placements were falling into place throughout October.  Eight more babies were united with their mom and dad in October.  Four were expecting their baby's birth; four received a surprise phone call about a baby ready to meet them.  Two families found their own birth mother, while the other six were matched through profiles.  Seven of the babies were born in Michigan and one was born out of state.  Four babies went home with their family through temporary placement and four were cared for in host care before joining their families.  Each experience unique; all of them a fall blessing!

Be Our Guest

If difficult or unusual legal circumstances warrant host care to be a part of your adoption journey, you can rest assured that your little one is embraced in love and spoiled with undivided attention from one of AAI's host couples.  We have a small group of dedicated couples who find it an honor to care for these little ones in their licensed foster home until the day they join your home forever.  Because they realize these little ones are already secured in your hearts and the bonding has begun, they welcome you to visit, take pictures and call throughout the day to "check in."  As has been the experience of most every AAI family who has had the privilege of crossing paths with our host families, we're quite certain that you will make new friends and find even more to appreciate about the process than what you first imagined.  So leave your fear at their doorstep and embrace host care!

From one of our host moms:

"Babies are my passion.  I have loved babies since I was a very young girl.  God has given me the opportunity to be a host mother for 32 years, providing care to 254 babies.  My husband and I have lots of love to share and lots of time to share it!  Each baby gets our total, undivided attention.  There is nothing better than cuddling, rocking and caring for a new baby.  I also love to dress them up with my collection of baby clothes and accessories to go with them.  Much love goes into the care of our little ones."

Meeting the adoptive families and spending time with them in our home has been a wonderful experience.  In some cases, we have become casual friends, although that is not expected from us.  We enjoy emails and pictures from some to keep us updated on "our babies".  We have even attended many baptisms and birthday parties.  How special is that!"

September

Adoption Associates, Inc. placed four babies into loving homes this month.  

We welcomed 12 new birth mothers into a counseling relationship.

Four waiting families were linked to birth mothers in September.

Children's Book on Adoption

The Mulberry Bird is the story of the love for her baby that led a birth mother to make difficult decisions for herself and her child. The message conveyed is that an adoption plan is made with a lot thinking and a whole lot of LOVE.  This book provides a gentle, non-threatening way for parents to help children talk about their feelings and thoughts about being adopted.  It is recommended that the book be shared with the adoptee's friends, siblings, and cousins.  Recommended for ages 5-12