Month: October 2017

I was rushing through the grocery store yesterday as I only had 15 minutes to grab my soup ingredients before having to be at the bus stop.  When I got ˜stuck’ behind another shopper.  Now, yes, I am a Mom myself, and should have had much more patience for a fellow Mom.  I am ashamed to say my first reaction was to sigh and roll my eyes.  See, she wasn’t moving because her 3-year-old wanted to pick each item off the shelf and place it in the cart.  And she was letting him.  Don’t worry.  My annoyance lasted for all of 2 seconds.  And then it was replaced with immense admiration.  Admiration for my fellow Mom who could have easily been sighing and rolling her eyes herself.  But instead, she was fully engaged in that moment, with her child, without focusing on her next task of the day and all the things she ˜should’ be doing at that moment instead.  It was beautiful.

As I was about to turn around and go about my business, I noticed who else was blocking the aisle.  An elderly man, with items in his cart indicative of his single life.  He wasn’t paused trying to choose a pasta shape.  He was paused just watching, and smiling, at the same Mom I was.  He too was lost in the moment.  Perhaps he was thinking of a moment from a lifetime ago, or perhaps he was thinking of grandkids.  Either way, we were both mesmerized.

Usually, it is my own kids who I always envision when thinking of the kids I advocate for.  But today, today it was this hero Mom and her kid.  And I immediately thought of Michael.  I pictured him, carefully dropping the can of peas into the cart.  With his Mom gently encouraging him, and showing him which ones to pick.  Such a simple, mundane, everyday task of grocery shopping will be imprinted on that little boy forever.  And I can only hope Michael gets the opportunity for those same moments.

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Michael is 3-years-old and is available for adoption through Madison Adoption Associates.  He is diagnosed with Prune-Belly Syndrome.  There is a $2,000 grant available for the family who adopts Michael.  To be considered, please complete the Prospective Adoptive Parent form, or email Sarah@madisonadoption.org for more information.

Dear soon-to-be-Mama-of-twins,

You’ve seen their pictures.  You’ve started picturing your life with them in it. 

 

I’ll never forget the first time I saw them in real life and got to actually hold them.  Elijah Asebe was not feeling well and was grieving hard- it was clear he had attached to someone.  Jonah Tesfaye came to us happily, waving goodbye to his caretakers. We were young and this was our first adoption.  Everything was new.  In fact, parenting was still fairly new to us.  All those months of the paperwork trail and painful wait were worth it- the boys were finally in our arms and our sons!

I’m writing to share a glimpse of what your life will be like as a Mama to twins.  First, it will be busy¦of course.  But, it will be so much more than that.  The special bond that twins have is almost indescribable.  Our boys would flip-flop personalities and skill abilities just as we had started to figure out who each of them were and what they could do. It definitely seemed like, at times, they could read each other’s minds and were plotting things to do together.

But it isn’t all cute baby twin stories.  There is plenty of hard.  There are times when not one is crying, but both.  When not one makes a mess, but both.

When not one is sick, but both.  When not one is hurt, but both.  When not one needs a cuddle with Mama, but both. 

 But, you scoop them both in your arms, ignore your aching back and utter exhaustion, and squeeze a little tighter knowing these moments will be gone in the blink of an eye.

Before you know it, they are growing up.  They are developing their own individuality, yet somehow, they are so much alike.  You question yourself constantly.  Are we allowing them to be and grow as individuals?  Are we celebrating the special twin bond they have?  Do we encourage them to do enough apart?  Do they do enough together?

 But with all the questions, and all the doubt, the joy and fulfillment those two beings will give you is immeasurable.  Strap on for a wild ride Mama. Those two eternally connected souls are going to take you places you never dreamed of.  Enjoy the ride.

Your fellow twin Mom,

Brooke

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Twins Sydney and Reagan, 20 months old, are available for adoption through Madison Adoption Associates.  There are grants available to the family who steps forward to adopt them.  Reagan is believed to be healthy, and Sydney is diagnosed with multiple, significant special needs.  Please email Sarah@madisonadoption.org for more information, or complete the Prospective Adoptive Parent form for consideration as their forever family.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen you Beatrice.  But, I will never forget the moment we did.  We walked in, and there you were¦.laying happily in your crib.  You looked right at us, and I could tell you were wondering what we were doing there.  You followed us as we walked around the room, and you smiled when it was your turn.  Your caregivers doted on you, and were sure to tell us about your ready smile.

When I scooped you up, you weren’t too sure.  But, after a little bit, you relaxed and even giggled when I made silly faces at you.

They told us (and continue to) that there are many unknowns when it comes to your future Beatrice.  Unknowns about walking.  Unknowns about motor skills.  Unknowns about many things.  However, I choose to focus on what is KNOWN.  The ready smile.  The giggles.  The gentle spirit.  Those things are what should be focused on.  Not the unknowns.  As, aren’t all of our futures unknown?

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Beatrice turned 1 in June and is available for adoption through Madison Adoption Associates.  She is diagnosed as having post-operative meningomyelocele.  There is a $1,000 grant available to the family who adopts her.  Please email sarah@madisonadoption.org for more information, or complete the Prospective Adoptive Parent form for consideration as her forever family.