Shortly after becoming FPs, we got a call about a 9 day old baby boy that had been detained. We said yes to him, and a few days later, Winston came home to us. He was the best baby you could ever want. Always smiling, laughing, and eating us out of house and home. We fell in love with him so quickly, and dreaded the day he had to go back to his bio parents.
About six months later we found out that he would not be returning home, and would be freed for adoption. We talked it over and decided that we loved him far too much to part with him; and that we were the only parents he had ever known. Why confuse him at such a young age? Why take him away from everyone he had established a bond with? That would be so cruel to him, and as selfish as it sounds--we didn't want to give him up.
We fought for him for two years almost before we finally got him adopted. He is now over two, and the adoption was final on May 1st, 2008. He is now legally our son; and so beautiful that my heart melts when I see him.
In Feb. of this year, we received a call that his mother had yet another baby boy; and were asked if we would be interested in taking him as well. We jumped for joy at this, and the next day, Baby Seane arrived. He is now three months old, and we are also adopting him. He is very sweet, and happy--just like his big brother was. We are so fortunate to have both of them, and we couldn't ask for better children.
I get mostly positive responses for adopting my children, and saving their lives from what could have been a horrible, if not fatal existence. However, I do occasionally run across those who say that adoption is "wrong, unethical, and disgusting". I've been told that I'm NOT their mother; that it's just a "piece of paper". I've been told I could never love them like my own because they are not of my flesh or blood. I've been told they will hate me later; or that what I've done is stolen someone's child from them. My response to this is simple--keep your ignorant propaganda to yourself, please.
Do I love my children like my own? Yes, they ARE my children. Maybe not in the biological sense, but in every other sense that matters. I am their mother--on paper--and to them. Did I steal someone's child? No. I took a child out of a situation that had a drug abusing mother; and a father with a criminal history longer than the Danube.
For those of you wanting to adopt--please be aware that you will meet people like this. People who say that because we did not bear our children that we are not their "real" parents. As my insightful, yet witty husband said--anyone can get pregnant by spreading their legs. It takes someone with a loving heart; and an open mind to take in a child that may or may not have problems later on. Where it took you 9 months to have your child--it took me two years to have mine. Don't ever, ever tell me that doesn't make me a loving parent.
Welcome to my blog. I hope to encourage some of you who want to go this route, and I hope to make some of you livid with my preaching on how adoption IS the new pregnant, and how it's beautiful, and ever increasing.
I love MY children--on paper, but mostly from my heart.
