I am glad I was able to help, at least a little.
Adoption is such a blessing. Adopting siblings is such a wonderful thing. They do not always get to stay together and when they do it is a wonderful gift.
The other night in the car, I was listening to Deliliah and there was a woman who was praying for a baby. She didn’t tell her entire story, but she was crying, so I could feel her longing. I just kept thinking...."I was her". I wanted a baby of my own so badly. I really thought there was no other way. Then I started thinking about my life now. Just 6 short years later.... I am the proud mother of 4. My days are filled with laughs and giggles, hugs and kisses, questions, stories, catching footballs, playing dollhouse and "baby-sitting" baby dolls. My evenings consist of taking the kids to cheer, dance, football, baseball, piano, scouts etc. My once solo weekends are now spent at the zoo, the park, birthday parties, children’s museums etc. I began to cry and cry as I was driving to pick up my daughter. I was thinking I am the luckiest person in the world. That first hard year was nothing compared to the lifetime of happiness I am going to have with MY children. Looking back I can remember it was hard. There are a few issues that stand out as the hardest. Honestly though I think it is like childbirth. I can not fully remember the "pain". I would love to do it one more time. My husband is content with the way things are. I want one more baby. I may always want one more baby though
As far as the children’s issues. If you get them young enough I really believe children are so resilient they will over come it. It just depends on the events in their past. My children were not abused. They were just in an environment where it was not safe. They were and still are loved by their bio- family. In fact, I just saw their bio- mom and gave her pictures and videos of the kids for Christmas. She was thrilled to tears to get them. I shared some stories with her about each of them, highlighted their individual accomplishments and told her how much they are loved. She told me she "knows how much we love them and she can see how happy they are in the pictures". She also said she "never regrets giving the children to us, she knows they are our babies". She is content to see them grow up in pictures and hopes on day to have her life together, so they can come to her and ask her any questions they have.
Sorry for rambling. This is why I don't post often. I am so passionate about adoption; I feel that I need to write a book each time I post.
Good luck with your adoptions ladies. I look forward to reading your adoption story very soon.
Lacy