My First Give-Away!

My phone has not. stopped. ringing.

Has not!

I stopped writing down names and numbers after the first couple dozen.  (Though I regretted that laziness tonight when we prayed for each couple by name before our Rosary!)

I talked to people who had never considered adoption, had been praying about adoption but not taken that first step, and people who were home-study approved and waiting.  I was able to answer questions about the adoption process, ease fears about open adoption by sharing our experience, connect people with our infertility/adoption network and help people take one step closer to their baby!

Fortunately/unfortunately I had to tell the majority that they think they've found him a family.  It's not official yet, as the birth mom and prospective adoptive parents have not talked yet.  But when I inquired how often a special needs newborn comes along, she said this happens at least once a month.  They're desperate for families.  

When I called the social worker on Tuesday to see if any couples had called her, she was in shock and awe. She couldn't believe the response and started rapidly telling me about other hard-to-place children.  (She seemed ready to hire me- haha!)  It got me thinking...

Reece's Rainbows is all the rage in our blog circle lately, and it's easy to understand why!  When you see those precious faces and read their heart-wrenching stories, you just want to scoop them all up and take them home!!!  And could I love their motto any more?  "Because every family deserves the blessing of a child with Down Syndrome..."  

The last couple of weeks has opened my eyes to the huge need we have at home, too.  There are two nice things about adopting domestically- age and finances.  You are often able to adopt a newborn, which is important to many people.  And the fees are remarkably lower.  The agency I have been working with the last few weeks is Gladney, and their special needs adoption fees are $6500 plus a home study.  That's an amazing price!  Plus the state of Texas will provide funding for medical and additional costs for eighteen years, plus college or trade school!  (I'm sure other states have similar programs.)

I'm certainly not trying to pit domestic against international- far, far from it.  I've been so inspired by some of you amazing bloggers and your fight in behalf of orphans.  Leila, Megan and obviously Carla, you are heroes to me!

When we first considered adopting this baby with Down syndrome, I did what I always do- I ordered books. One of the books, Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives, has captivated me.  The chapters are only a few pages and tell a breathtaking story.  Page after page of women sharing how their child has blessed their family.  It's absolutely beautiful and takes the fear out of the syndrome.

I'd like to give this book away.  I've never done a give-away so am not sure I'm doing it "right", but I'm willing to figure it out to bless a family with this book.  Here's how you enter.

1. One entry for a comment left.
2. One entry for sharing on facebook.  (Leave a comment telling me you've done so!)
3. One entry for sharing on your blog.  (Again, leave a comment with the link.)

I'll use a random generator to pick the lucky winner on Saturday, June 8.  

Happy entering!