[Suzy]

Was wondering if anyone has any poems or suggestions for wording on an adoption announcement/party invitation for older child adoption? Most of the announcements I've found are only suitable for baby adoption.

On the adoption front, we received word while on vacation in July that our childrens' birthmom had agreed to sign surrenders rather than having to go through the termination of parental rights in court. She signed yesterday and our agency is relatively confident that they will be able to take the case to expedited adoption since the birthfather is no where to be found. This means our petition for adoption should be filed by the end of the month. Our kids are doing great. We are adding my teenage niece to the mix for the next year. We are also seriously considering doing foster care of one or two kids once our adoption is final.

[Graham]

Suzy, I don't have any announcement advice, but I'm sure others will. It is sooo much better for children, especially older children, to know that their mother voluntarily agreed to their adoption. It really is a gift from her to them, and to you. Do you know her reasons (deeper ones than just, "I don't want to go to court anymore")? Inquiring children will want to know, and must know.
Graham

[Suzy]

Thanks for the words of support. Their birthmom wrote us a very nice letter that she gave to us at the final visit. She said that she loved her kids and that she was signing the surrenders so that they could move forward. She told us in the letter that she thought we were wonderful people and that she was thankful that the children would be with us. I think the kids will be able to understand someday when they are old enough to ask that she knew that letting it go through the court termination process would not change anything and that by signing the surrenders she wanted to secure their future with us. The letter to us will be a wonderful memento to the kids also when they are older.