November is Thankful Month...Today I am EXTRA thankful...

Thanksgiving is the time of year, we reminisce about what we have in our lives to be thankful for.  

This is my baby (he's my youngest, he will always be my baby).  Today my baby turns 9 years old.  Whuuuuuuuuuuut....it just hit me......NINE??? OMG, How did that happen?  It doesn't seem possible that 9 years ago, Mr. Ranger and I were anxiously biting our nails in the waiting room of the hospital waiting to meet our second son.  

As a mother of 2 adopted children, this time of year is extra special to me.  Don't know if you know this, but November is Adoption Awareness month.  Sadly, when a young girl finds herself faced with an untimely pregnancy, adoption is most often the least popular option.  It takes a strong character and a very selfless woman to put her unborn child's best interests before her own.  It is a decision that she will carry with her forever.  

Often times, adopted children are told they are lucky, because they were chosen by a family or that the child is a gift to the adoptive parents.  I could not disagree more.  WE adoptive parents are the lucky ones.  WE are the ones that are chosen, chosen and trusted by his birthmother, to love, cherish, honor and raise her most precious child.    

Often times a birthmother doesn't know the adopted parents well- there is not a lot of time to build that important relationship before the baby is born. When making such a monumental decision-choosing a couple she has known for only a short period of time, why on earth would she feel compelled to give US, almost strangers such a gift?  It is sometimes a complete leap of faith. WE (adoptive parents) are the gift a birthmother gives to her child, a gift, that in this very difficult time in her life she is not quite prepared to carry out. To tell a child they are a gift to be given away, is not a fair burden to place upon the child.  That huge and awesome responsibility is OURS-his parents, to live up to, not the child's and we are honored to make his birthmother proud and give her the resolve and the opportunity to know and to see that her decision was the best for her baby by maintaining on ongoing relationship with her. 

This is Amy, our son's birthmother.  We are forever connected to her by this beautiful, sweet, love muffin of a boy.  She is forever a part of our family, she is forever a woman who will be our hero and has our undying respect forever and always.

In the NINE years since Boo Boo was born, our beloved Amy has built a life of her own with a loving husband, a daughter and another son. Her family is our family-we are her family. Mr. Ranger, our sons and I are so lucky, we get to see Amy about once a year (she now lives in another state) and our son is confident and proud to tell people he was adopted and to tell people he has a mom, a dad, a brother, a birthmom and another brother and sister.  It is never confusing to him because it has always been normal.

So Miss Amy, on this day that I am sure is very bittersweet for you;

We love you!  We honor you!  We thank you!  

And we can't wait to see you next week!!!

To our son, Happy Birthday, you bless us every day, we love you more than you will ever know.  We are so lucky to have such a wonderful son!  I love you, baby!!!

Beatitudes of Openness

Blessed is the adopted child who learns from the cradle that he is a unique individual, with heritage from two families.

Blessed is the adopted child who feels unfettered by guilt when asking about his birthfamily.

Blessed is the adopted child who believes in truth and honesty 

because these qualities have been nurtured throughout life.

Blessed is the adopted child who feels free to be totally himself when the questions asked, based on his level of emotional understanding.

Blessed is the adopted child who is armed with all the facts about his heritage 

when it comes time for him to make a place for himself in the world. 

Choose Adoption...in the words of Martha Stewart
"It's a good thing"

 Autumn and Connor-birthsiblings

 Amy, Connor and Bryce

 Birthsiblings-A+B+C= Autumn, Bryce, Connor

 Amy, Connor and Ian-our older son.

The Happy Campers

Brothers!

One loving, extended family!