Thoughts on Open Adoption

We know we still have a lot of catching up to do about our surprise, our Christmas, etc. However, we wanted to take a minute to write our thoughts on open adoption. Most of Russ's family is still in town for the holidays. Over Thanksgiving, Russ's younger brother opened his mission call and he is going to the California, Roseville mission. We are SO excited for him! As part of his preparation to serve a mission, he was able to receive his endowments at the temple yesterday. Many family members were able to go in the temple with him and they had a great time. Kylee wasn't feeling well, so she helped to watch all the grandkids in the visitor's center. While there, she saw one of the birthmoms that placed her baby with our friends. They talked a little bit, but Kylee never asked her what she was doing there. About a half hour later, Kylee noticed one of Caden's friends from FSA (Families Supporting Adoption). She looked up and saw her friends with their baby, all dressed in white. Then she realized that the baby was sealed to the adoptive parents just then! What a huge blessing! It was so sweet to think of how their daughter was able to go in the temple and witness the sealing of her baby brother to her parents.

However, there was something more poignant that stuck out to Kylee. She noticed that the birth mom was there to be a part of the sealing. She was able to see them as soon as they came out of the temple, and her parents were able to witness the sealing. Kylee LOVED watching the birth mom hold and play with the baby she placed for adoption. Ideally, we would love to have an open adoption and continue a relationship with not only the birth parents, but their families as well. Every baby can use a little extra love, and that is made possible through open adoption. As this new year starts, we are hoping to be able to grow our family through the miracle of adoption and form a close friendship with the people that decide to place their baby with our family.