Carley and Matilda were meant to be my daughters. During the waiting process, it seemed that everything happening was random, that there was no order to the events taking place. An expectant mother might randomly find our adoption agency and then look at the approximately 40 families waiting to adopt and based on a feeling or a detail about a specific family might inquire to the agency about them, then she might meet with that family and if the meeting went well she might choose to match with them and then after delivering the baby she might choose to go through with the adoption or she might not. Becoming a mother to my children involved way too many ‘mights’ to give madoe a sense of peace or order. If any one of those ‘mights’ didn’t happen, then I wouldn’t be a mother to that child. It just seemed like such a huge thing to not be more certain. Now I am the mother of two beautiful girls who came to me through the miracle of adoption and looking back, I can see how much order really was taking place the entire time. My girls were spirits that lived in my heart and waited until they found the perfect way to get to me and there was no way I ‘might not,’ become their mother. They are my children and they were always surely going to be mine.

When my husband and I first went on our agency’s waiting page, we were filled with optimism that we would be chosen quickly. What an experience it was to wake up every morning and think, “Today is the day I could become a mother.” Days turned into weeks which turned into months. After eight months of waiting, we received that long-anticipated call from our adoption counselor. There is an expectant mother, Victoria, who has just entered her third trimester. She is raising three children already and would like to meet you. We were thrilled and were matched with her officially two weeks later. Over the next three months, we would meet in person with Victoria twice, we would send dozens of texts (many would go unanswered), we would manifest, meditate, pray, wish on stars and talk of nothing else but her.

One day, about a month into our match, she called off the adoption. We were devastated but were quickly reassured by our adoption counselor that there was another expectant mother who wanted to meet us. We couldn’t believe the timing and felt so positive until two days later when Victoria reached out apologizing and asking us to match again with her.  We had to make a choice, and we chose Victoria. I had people ask me why I wouldn’t try someone new when it was clear Victoria was not fully set on her decision, I didn’t know how to answer that, it was just a strong feeling I had that we were meant to stay with Victoria. 

Imagine our pain 6 weeks later when our adoption counselor called us to say Victoria had given birth and chose to parent the child. We weren’t mad at her, of course not, she was trying to make an impossible decision and did what she felt was best. We understood, but my goodness, did it hurt. I was laying in bed in the morning I got the news. I was felt shocked as I got up, got dressed, looked in the mirror feeling nothing and then suddenly felt everything. I collapsed on the floor heaving sobs and hysterically crying out, “It’s never going to happen for us. Why did we stay with her? We messed everything up. It’s never going to happen. I’m never going to be a mom. I. Am. Never. Going. To. Be. A. Mom.” The next few days felt like a numbing blur. We had friends drop off a care package at our door filled with funny movies, comfy socks and a bottle of wine, we had coworkers give us sympathy cards and gift cards for meals, my family all loaded up in their cars and came out the next day to just sit with us; we really were met with such love and kindness that helped us move on.  

It was nine days later we received our first email from Natalie, an expectant mother in Iowa and thirteen days after that our Carley was born. I became a mother to the most beautiful, vivacious little girl who I instantly recognized as my own. I often thought back to Victoria and realized that if she hadn’t kept us on hold for those three months we would have been chosen by someone else and wouldn’t have our Carley. I always felt grateful to Victoria for that and I thought of her often that the first year, wondering how she was doing raising four children and I hoped she knew that we only wished her love.

I felt the draw to adoption again when Carley was 10 months old; I could feel another child out there looking for me. So my husband and I began the paperwork and training for the second time. We were finishing up right as Carley turned one but before we could be listed on our agency’s webpage we got a call from our counselor. Victoria was pregnant, she knew for certain she could not afford to raise another child and hoped we would give her another chance. Much to the surprise of our friends and family, we didn’t hesitate. Yes, of course, we would match again. This time I texted daily with Victoria, and she and I developed a true friendship.  After two and a half months of support, laughs and honest conversations about parenting, she gave birth to Matilda. I stayed in the hospital room with them, just us three girls. Victoria never wavered and confidently signed the papers alongside her husband. As I drove home with my sweet, perfect Matilda sleeping in the back seat it dawned on me how Victoria was the most instrumental person in me finding my daughters. I needed her to make sure I was ready for Carley’s birth mother and she made sure I ended up with Matilda, not her biological sister.  

Looking back at my adoption journey I realize that there was always an order, there were always my children that I was going to end up with, I just needed to trust in others, forgive freely, and love openly. I am so glad I did.

The post My Adoption Story appeared first on Adoption Blogs | Birth Mother, US & International, China.

1. Adoption Is Attainable Even If You Aren’t Rich

My husband and I had always planned to adopt. We knew we wanted to and were called to adopt. However, we were very disheartened that it would never happen due to the high cost. We are only middle class and simply destined to never be rich. The only examples of adoption we saw were those who had money to burn. It wasn’t until the adoption was presented to us that we found out we could find ways to afford it. Through a low-interest loan, budgeting, and crowdfunding, we have now adopted twice. Our first adoption was from foster care which costs next to nothing. Knowing that adoption was attainable would have certainly made us consider adoption sooner. I now use my experience to educate others that adoption is possible for those with limited funds! It may take work, but it is certainly possible.

2. The Need is Overwhelming

It is often difficult to fathom the need there is for homes for children. It is hard to see children in foster homes, orphanages, and on the streets. It is too difficult and too painful to try to comprehend the vast shortage of homes for these children. If the world really understood and had a full picture of the need, many would be shocked. According to Adoption.com, “ Worldwide, some 17,900,000 children are without families and living in orphanages or on the streets. They face a variety of health problems due to a lack of good health care and the proper attention required for healthy development.” 17,900,000. Just let that number sit with you for a moment. Not hundreds. Not thousands. Millions of children are without homes. If you are more concerned with what is happening within the United States, Adoption.com notes, “In 2012, 23,396 children reached 18 years of age in the U.S. foster care system.” 23,396 children ages out of the foster care system without a family to call their own. This is simply unacceptable. Entering into the adoption world and discovering the facts, my husband and I felt duty bound to act. When we can no longer pursue foster care or adoption, our time, our money, our support will go towards the goal of every child having a family.

3. The Value of Birth Parents 

I had only ever heard about closed adoptions. In my mind, adoption was taking a child who was abandoned or “given up” by someone who did not care for them and giving them a “real” family. I am aware of how horrible this sounds, but this was all that I knew. After my husband and I adopted, I could not imagine just leaving with my daughter and her never knowing her biological family. It just did not make sense to me. I could see the love they had for her and how much it was never a situation where she was not wanted. She was incredibly loved. Her birth mother, though she could not parent, would have parented her in a heartbeat if she could have. She loves her more than anything in the world just as a great mother would. There seems to be this negative stereotype of birth parents I wish would finally be put to rest. While there are situations that warrant closed adoptions, there is rarely a situation where a birth parent doesn’t “deserve” contact with their child as the stereotype proclaims. Many of these people are mothers and fathers who simply chose what was best for their child out of love. I have met and spoken with so many amazing birth parents who continue to want the best for their children while sacrificing the life they wanted for the life they could give their child. If that does not make a person deserving of love and respect, I don’t know what does.

I have learned an incredible amount about adoption since adopting and becoming an adoption advocate. I am continuing to learn with each new day. As my children grow, their ability to adapt and understand their own story is inspiring. Regardless if you plan to adopt, support adoption, or simply want to understand adoption, the best thing you can do is to educate yourself through the experiences of others. Do not let your assumptions or stereotypes guide you. Spend some time on sites like Adoption.com reading articles and learning about the beautiful journey adoption provides.

The post Three Things I Wish I’d Known Before Adopting appeared first on Adoption Blogs | Birth Mother, US & International, China.

An adoption blog is beneficial for many reasons, but the foremost being that it helps you document event and emotion. Adoption journeys are very often filled with highs and lows. I can attest that both of my adoption journeys were not only completely different, but both filled with events I learned and grew from as a result. There were also parts of both adoption journeys that seem like a complete blur. When the journey is over and the adoption final, there is this huge desire to push forward and regain some sense of normalcy. This is another reason why it is so important to document your journey. An adoption blog provides for such an opportunity and may help clear some of the more blurry moments after the fact. 

Part of learning and growing through an adoption journey is learning from mistakes and also rejoicing in triumphs. As you experience these triumphs, documenting them will not only be nice to look back on, but will be helpful if you ever adopt again. Adopting twice ourselves, my husband and I felt a little more prepared and knew the ins and outs of much of the paperwork and process. As we documented much of the learning opportunities that came with our adoption, we knew what to avoid, what to look for, who to hire, and what mistakes we could change the second time around.

Documenting your adoption journey in blog form is a fantastic way to keep family and friends informed about what is going on throughout the journey. While you will have to use discretion regarding what information you share due to stipulations on what you are allowed to share an when many of your friends and family may be invested in your growing family and want a way to keep up to date on news you can share. An adoption blog is a central place for them to go to get updates and also know updates will be posted rather than inquiring with you directly.

An adoption blog is also a great way to educate others on adoption and the beauty of the process. While my blog availability on a website is under construction, my blogging on social media has been met with a response from people I have never met but have felt inspired or connected through my adoption journey. I receive messages weekly from people all over the country wanting to know how to get involved in foster care and adoption. An adoption blog not only holds your memories and connects family, but it can also connect and inspire other prospective parents to pursue adoption and provide a child a forever home.

The post Why Should I Even Start An Adoption Blog appeared first on Adoption Blogs | Birth Mother, US & International, China.

1. Be over the age of 18. This might seem like a no-brainer since most states will not release closed adoption records to anyone under the age of 18 anyway. However, it is extremely important that you are a legal adult before finding your birth parents unless you have spoken with your adoptive parents and received their consent first. Not only is it courteous, but is also their right as your parents to refuse to allow you to meet with your birth parents until you are a legal adult.
2. Be in a stable place in your life. A full-time job, a marriage, a child, having something concrete in your life to keep you grounded and centered. Searching and finding your birth parents is an emotionally and mentally exhausting journey filled with ups and downs that you may have never thought possible. The additional stress of being in an unstable position in your own life can leave you in an emotionally vulnerable position that may lead you to make rash decisions regarding your search. 
3. Have a strong support system. Family, friends, counselors, clergy, people who genuinely want what’s best for you are extremely important to have to support you while you search for your birth parents. This search is life changing and at times can be overwhelming. Having a strong support system will ensure that you have the stability needed to deal with whatever your search turns up.
4. Have realistic expectations. Most people that have had a child will tell you that when they held their child in their arms for the first time, they felt a powerful, unbreakable love that they never could have imagined towards the little one in their arms. Only the most extreme of circumstances would drive a parent to trust another with something as precious as a child. Keep that in mind as you search for your birth parents. The circumstances surrounding an adoption of any kind are generally complicated and turbulent. Being prepared for both the best and worst case scenarios will help you better navigate such intricacies when they arrive.
5. Move forward with caution. For every wonderful, joy-filled reunion story, there is another reunion that is filled with only toxicity and pain. Take precautions to protect yourself against those who may try to take advantage of your circumstances or enthusiasm.
6. Have an open mind. The people you came from may be very different from what you imagined they would be, or they may be exactly what you always thought they were. Search carefully and be ready for the road to be bumpy and full of twists and turns. There is always the possibility that your search may turn up empty for several reasons even with the best tools available at your disposal. However, you are likely to turn up something if you are patient and thorough in your search.

Everyone is different and there is no real way to know when you’re ready to search for your birth parents. However, this list is a good guide to help you as you make the decision and start your journey.

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These ten artists represent many different kinds of adoption–domestic, closed, familial– and here is a brief snapshot of their stories.

Faith Hill

Hill is a country superstar with seven hit albums. She was placed for adoption at birth and adopted by Ted and Edna Perry. She has talked in interviews about how, even though she had a great childhood and loving parents, she always wanted to find her birth family. She located them in the mid-1990’s, and shares a close relationship with both her adoptive and birth families.

Tim McGraw

McGraw, who is married to Faith Hill, is a country superstar in his own right. He was adopted by his stepfather Horace Smith when Smith married McGraw’s mother. McGraw, who was seven months old at the time of the marriage, grew up thinking that his stepfather was his biological father. He discovered the truth when he found his birth certificate after his parents’ divorce. McGraw’s mother confessed that he was the biological son of the famous baseball pitcher Tug McGraw. The two met when Tim was 11, but didn’t develop a relationship until he was 18. They remained close until Tug died in 2004.

Sarah McLachlan

McLachlan has recorded nine studio albums in her career. She was placed for adoption by her 19-year-old birth mother, and adopted into a loving family. McLachlan was told she was adopted around the age of nine, but says it never made that much of a difference. She was grateful for the family that she was raised in, although McLachlan did eventually meet her birth mother, who is an artist. She has said she has a great respect for her birth mother for placing her for adoption.

Eric Clapton

Clapton is a popular singer and guitar player who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times. He was born to a 16-year-old mother. She struggled to raise him, so his grandparents became Clapton’s surrogate parents. He grew up believing that his grandparents were his parents and his mother was his sister. His grandparents never legally adopted him, but did serve as his legal guardians until Clapton turned 18. 

Debbie Harry

Harry is the lead singer of the band Blondie, known for its number one hits, “Rapture” and “Call Me,” among others. She was born in Florida in 1945, adopted three months later by Richard and Catherine Harry, and raised in New Jersey. She was told she was adopted when she was around four years old. When she was an adult, she tried to track down her birth parents but was unsuccessful.

JC Chasez

Chasez was one-fifth of the boy band NSYNC, which was hugely popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Chasez was born in Maryland in 1976. When he was five years old, his mother decided she couldn’t raise him, and gave him to the foster parents who had raised her. They took JC in, legally adopted him, and raised him.

Kristin Chenoweth

Chenoweth is a Broadway star best known for playing the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked. She was adopted in Oklahoma when she was five days old. She always knew that she was adopted. She has expressed feeling a deep sense of contentment with her adoptive family, and hasn’t spoken much about any efforts to find her birth family. Instead, she speaks of how her parents would tell her when she was little that they chose her for their family, and how satisfied that made her feel.

Jamie Foxx

Foxx is a singer and actor with four albums to his name and an Academy Award for playing legendary singer Ray Charles. Foxx was born to young parents who struggled to raise him. He was adopted at seven months by his maternal grandparents and had little contact with his birth parents after that. He has made efforts to reconnect to his birth family in recent years, and has been more successful in forging a relationship with his birth mother than his birth father.

John Lennon

Lennon is an iconic singer and one-fourth of the Beatles, one of the most popular bands in history. When Lennon was three years old, his parents separated and he rarely saw his father after the split. His mother struggled to raise Lennon for two more years before she gave him to her sister and brother-in-law to raise, which they did for the rest of his childhood. He saw his mother throughout his childhood, but didn’t see his father between the ages of 5 and 20.

Liz Phair

Phair is a rock musician who has put out six records. She was born in Connecticut and adopted as an infant by Nancy and John Phair, and raised in Illinois. She has always known that she was adopted, but never sought to find her birth family.

The post 10 Musicians That Were Adopted appeared first on Adoption Blogs | Birth Mother, US & International, China.

Why would someone want to heal from such a wonderful situation? One would think the child should be grateful and happy for being given a second chance at life. Right? Not always. There are many different reasons why a child or a parent might not be happy with the adoption they are involved in. Just as there are as many different variables that go into the dynamic of every family. That is why finding a counselor that understands adoption will be important for a family wanting to heal from adoption.

To begin the process of healing from adoption, the following list can help on the journey.

1. Identify the issue.

The first step to any journey is to identify the direction you want to go. Ask the question: “What is the real problem here?” If your adopted child is experiencing unexplained behaviors, a drop in academic performance, increased anger or other emotions, it might be time to seek support and figure out what is causing the change.

As an adult adoptee, you might have difficulty in your work, personal relationships or unexplained emotions. Even birth and adoptive parents struggle to understand their own feelings after adoption. If any of this sounds true to you, seek an adoption informed counselor who can help you organize your thoughts and figure out the core issue.

2. Ask questions.

Create a list of questions that seem to bounce around inside your mind on a daily basis. Writing them down tends to help you organize and focus on the real problem. Look at how your daily life is being impacted and if you are remaining successful in all life areas. If not, it might be something related to your birth history and life as an adopted child.

3. Try to understand, both your birth parents and your adoptive parents had your best interest at heart when you were placed.

People don’t always make the right choices but sometimes they do. Because you were a child, unfortunately you didn’t have the ability to let the adults know how you felt. If you need closure, you might want to seek information from your adoptive parents or work on the issue with an adoption counselor. 

4. Forgive them.

Forgiveness might be the most difficult thing anyone can do for people who have hurt us. However, until you are able to let go of the hurt and forgive the choices made, it will haunt you the rest of your life.

5. Don’t ignore the signs.

People often ignore their mental health until their life becomes completely unbearable. These issues do not go away on their own, and if ignored, will continue to wreak havoc on your daily functioning.

If you find you are struggling to maintain success in the following life areas, it is a good idea to seek assistance: Academic (grades falling, not meeting deadlines, lack of motivation), Family Interactions, Social Interactions, Emotional Health & Stability, Physical Health(unexplained headaches, stomach aches) and Financial Stability (lack of motivation, getting written up for mistakes, increased absences, loss of job).

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1. Bad first impression

First impressions really do matter. Birth parents scrolling hundreds of profiles will look at the profiles that catch their eyes with that first family picture before reading a single word you write. Your cover picture should show your personality. Don’t use a picture that is too far away or too close in some cases (selfies are out). This may sound crazy but make sure the DAD looks good! Birth mothers are looking for a wonderful father figure and may possibly choose you based on who the male figure in their child’s life will be. Keep a look out for crazy eyes, red eyes, and or bug eyes. The picture can be spontaneous or professional, but keep it simple where the focus is on you!

 2. Failing to say why you are adopting

Always start with a Dear Potential Birth Mother/Father letter. Adoption is a very personal decision, so get personal from the start. Be upfront about why you are adopting. If you have suffered from infertility, say so; if you feel led by God to adopt after having bio kids, say so; if you have a house full of boys and long for a little girl, say so! This isn’t the time to sugar coat why you are the perfect family for adoption. 

3. Not being honest

Complete honesty is needed in adoption from the very start. Starting with why you are adopting but also the type of adoption you are expecting. Saying you want an open adoption and not following through is devastating to a birth mother. Include on your profile the type of adoption you seek; open, semi-open, or closed. This saves everyone involved time, energy, and emotions.

4. Writing too much

Writing from your heart is always a good idea. Keep your paragraphs informative without being too wordy, sappy, or boring your audience. We know you love your Great Aunt Betty, but really, now would not be the time to list all the great extended family support you will have! The profile is a snippet of your life, not a book. The first meeting with whoever chooses you should be guided by your profile. That first meeting is awkward enough without the potential birth mother knowing every detail of you before you meet. What will you talk about if she knows everything in depth!

5. Leaving out pictures

Pictures paint a thousand words. Not having enough pictures on your profile can hurt. Writing a paragraph about your hobbies without including pictures a potential birth mom may skip over that paragraph completely! Let your pictures guide your profile, and refer back to mistake #1 when choosing the right pics!

Samantha Morgan is a two-time adoptive mom and infertility survivor. Experienced in international and domestic adoption, Samantha loves sharing her motherhood story and experiences to help others find hope in their journey. Founder of Rush to Hope Ministries, she strives to build connections between people with similar paths so no one has to walk alone. You can read more from Samantha or get connected at RushtoHopeMinistries.com.

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Before the trains got to a city, an advertisement was sent out and families waited for the children to arrive. Some children were even “matched” with families before the trains arrived, very similar to the customs of adoption today. At some of the nicer stops when the trains arrived the children were ushered into theaters, schools, or some sort of stage to perform for the adoptive families. At other stops when the trains arrived the children were simply “placed” on a block or platform.

Obviously, this is no longer how adoptions are processed. Instead, now there are several resources a birth mom can explore. Deciding if adoption is the right plan for your child is probably one of the hardest decisions you have faced. In order to decide if adoption is right for you, first, you should know this is a decision the birth parents should make, not a family member, not a friend, not a co-worker. Make sure you are educated on your decision but don’t base it on what everyone else tells you. As with most things in life, everyone has an opinion. Find a local adoption agency (adoption.com can help you find one in your community) and get in contact with a social worker to discuss your options. If you can’t find an adoption agency, most churches will be able to help you find an agency. 

Every adoption is different… Every mother is different…

Once you have educated yourself on adoption, you should decide on an adoption “plan.” Things to think about in your adoption plan are: the ideal family for your children to have, what type of contact, if any, do you want with the family/child, what the hospital stay will look like, etc. You will discuss all of these things with your social worker and decisions do not need to be made right away, but you should definitely be thinking about these things.

Your social worker will probably have a “list” of families for you to choose from. Again, make sure you are making this decision based on what you feel is right for your child. You may want to choose a family that does not already have children or you may want to choose a family that already has children so your child has siblings. You may even choose a family because one of the adoptive parents looks like you.

Once you choose a family, you will want to get to know the family. Decide how much contact you want to have with the family. Will you have contact without your social worker? Will you meet in person, if the location isn’t an issue? Will you have email, text, or phone communication? Make sure you have contact with your social worker to explain how your relationship is developing.

Make sure to have a hospital plan in place. Will the adoptive parents be there? Who will you have there to be with you for support? Will the baby stay in your room at the hospital? Does the hospital give the adoptive parents their own room? What will the day look like when you leave the hospital? Will you want to say “goodbye” to the baby?

Every adoption is different, just as every birth mom and situation is different. But the goodbye does not have to mean forever. If your plan is an open adoption plan, make sure to discuss when you will have contact again. Will the adoptive parents send you pictures, updates, etc.? If so, how often.

Whatever you choose, know that your decision is not easy and is commended by many, including your unborn child.

The post How Do I Place My Baby For Adoption? appeared first on Adoption Blogs | Birth Mother, US & International, China.

Adoption Doesn’t Cure Infertility. Even though you’ve made the exciting and life-changing choice to adopt a child, your emotional pain won’t just disappear. Infertility is a long and tough road with many struggles and disappointments. You will still grieve for the child you couldn’t give birth to. You may feel angry or sad that your body failed you. You may even be upset with yourself. These are all normal reactions. It’s okay to look to the future with hope, but be sure to take steps to heal your past and resolve any issues infertility has caused.

You Won’t Suddenly Become Pregnant. Friends and relatives may announce with certainty: “Now that you’ve decided to adopt, I’ll bet you get pregnant!” Although this does happen on occasion, it’s pretty rare. And, if you’re like me, you may not even want to get pregnant anymore. I remember when we first began the adoption process, I was so excited and hopeful for our new future and couldn’t wait to meet our child. I had come to terms with my past and was certain adoption was the right path. Getting pregnant was no longer a goal or even a desire. If you find yourself still hoping to get pregnant one day, consider holding off on adoption for a while. Be sure you are ready and fully committed before moving forward. 

Adoption Can’t Replace the Child You Once Dreamed Of. Losing a baby at any stage of your pregnancy is like a death. You will grieve for your unborn child, and your loss will stay with you for life. A quote I read after I miscarried comes to mind:

“Each life, no matter how fragile or brief, forever changes the world.” – Author Unknown

After I became pregnant, I was a different person. I felt the changes my body endured while each new life grew inside of me, and I suffered the unimaginable pain of losing those lives. To honor their memory, I planted rose bushes for my unborn babies and wrote poems. I had names picked out both times and never used them. Those names, Kristen Lea and Kara Rose, were meant only for them.

Once we brought our precious daughter home through the miracle of adoption, she had her own special, unique name. She brings so much joy to our lives, and we love her with all our hearts. But she is not a substitute for the babies we lost. I was a mother of three children. Two are angels, and one is our greatest blessing on earth.

If you are considering an adoption photolisting, visit Adoption.com/photolisting to view many adoptable kids ready for a forever home.

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The following year, I decided to do a story for my high school newspaper on adoption. A good friend had been adopted as an infant, so I asked her to participate.

“What does it feel like to be adopted?” I asked.

She smiled and replied without hesitation: “I feel natural.” My friend explained that she always knew she was loved, and her parents didn’t treat her any differently than their biological daughter, her younger sister. Her family was much like any other family. Love was the glue that held them together. I remember thinking what a wonderful option adoption was.

Thirteen years later, I lost my first child to miscarriage. My heart shattered into a million pieces that day, and I fell apart for a while. Tears. Panic attacks. Profound sadness. They became my norm. To make matters worse, I tested positive for a clotting antibody that can cause recurrent miscarriage. I felt like I had been dealt a very unfair hand in life. Why was this happening to me?

That was the moment I chose adoption.

Adoption crept into my thoughts. I knew it was an option, but I didn’t know how my husband would feel. And I had no idea what was involved in the process or how much it would cost. I pushed my thoughts aside. 

Over time, I recovered. The clotting antibody disappeared, and my husband and I decided to attempt another pregnancy. Sadly, I miscarried once again. My doctor drew blood to see if the clotting antibody was back. I waited to hear my fate.

When I got the call a few days later, I knew it wasn’t good news. The tone of my doctor’s voice was solemn, and she explained that I now tested positive for two clotting antibodies—and both can cause recurrent miscarriage. I had my answer. It was over. The miscarriages had taken a toll on me emotionally and physically. I knew there was no way I was going to attempt another pregnancy. My body had failed me. I felt like I had failed my husband and myself. I wept.

But through the tears, adoption called to me. It only took a few minutes after receiving that fateful call to know in my heart I was going to adopt a child. That was the moment I chose adoption. However, adoption had chosen me long before. Life had put the right people in my path so that I could see the bigger picture. I knew that love was the driving force in adoption—both in a birth mother’s difficult choice and in an adoptive family’s eager welcoming. My road to parenthood was heartbreaking, but I ended up exactly where I was meant to be.

For more information on how you can start your own adoption journey, visit Adoption.com. You can view kids for adoption by looking at their adoption photolisting at Adoption.com/photolisting.

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