We started looking into adoption in July of 2004. We researched all of our options for about a year but we became discouraged when we realized how much it was going to cost. We desperately wanted to have children but we were afraid that financially, adoption might be out of the question for us. Then we heard about Inheritance Adoption and immediately felt a sense of hope. The fees were much more manageable for us and they were a Christian organization which was also important to us. After much prayer, we felt that this was where God was leading us.

We officially started the adoption process in July of 2005. We filled out our applications, attended the training and completed our interviews all by October. The wait began for us and we knew it might be a long one. However, in April, we got the call that we had been waiting for! A birth mom wanted to meet us. We were so excited but we also knew that it was just a meeting and that there were no guarantees. Our birthmother meeting started out nervously for both of us but we instantly connected. She made her decision that day and wanted us to adopt her baby girl!

She wasn’t due until June so we had a couple of months to prepare and bond with her. We attended a few doctor’s appointments and even a sonogram. Our little girl decided to come a few weeks early and in May, Claire was born! She has enriched our lives in ways too profound to put into words. She is truly a gift from God and we thank Him for her every day.

From the initial contact to the finalization in court, the Inheritance Social Workers were with us each step of the way. They were there to answer questions and provide support throughout the emotional journey. We can’t thank them enough for the role they played in helping us become parents!

We first came to Inheritance in September of 1997. We were heartbroken and desperate for a baby. We started the adoption process, not knowing how long or if we would ever get a baby. We had a failed adoption (not with Inheritance) in November of that year. We were still hoping for a baby and were still working with Inheritance.

In January of 1998, we received the best phone call ever! Inheritance had birthparents that wanted to meet us. The baby was already born and they wanted us to be his parents. We were very scared and nervous, but we knew we would never get a baby without taking another emotional risk. We met the couple at Inheritance. We felt the

meeting went well, but they wanted time to think about it. Later that night, we got the call that changed our lives. They chose us to be our son’s parents. We were so excited. The next day we brought our son home.

When our son was 18 months old, we once again decided we wanted another baby. We decided to go with Inheritance again because the adoption of our son went so smoothly. We started the process again in July of 1999. We again didn’t know how long it would take or if it would happen. In October of that same year, we got the call that we were chosen and a birth mother wanted to meet us. We were shocked! We didn’t think it would be that quick. We made plans for a meeting the next day. We were called early the next morning. The meeting place was changed. We would meet our birth mother at the hospital because she was in labor. Again we were in shock. Inheritance was with us all day and they were very supportive. They knew how stressful this whole process was on us, so they waited with us and they had even waited until the last moment to tell us about being chosen just in case. Our baby girl was born that evening. I was in the delivery room which was so exciting. I actually got to witness the birth of my baby girl! As you can imagine, we were so excited. Everything went smooth once again.

We felt like our family was complete until our daughter was about 2. We decided to once again contact Inheritance about adopting a 3 rd baby. In January of 2002 we got a call about a baby. Before we had even had time to decide, the baby was born. Not long after we brought the baby home, the birth mother changed her mind. We were devastated again, but we were so thankful for our 2 precious children God had already blessed us with. In July of 2002, we were chosen once again. We didn’t know if to get our hopes up or even tell anyone. We met the birth parents and started planning for another girl. We were still very apprehensive. After 3 long months, our baby girl was born in October of 2002. We were so excited to bring her home. We finally felt like our family was complete.

Adoption can be the most heartbreaking and the most wonderful event that can happen to a family. Adoption is a very stressful process, but the reward is indescribable. We love our children so much that we forget they aren’t ours biologically. We feel very blessed by God that he had given us 3 wonderful, beautiful, healthy and bright children. We are so thankful for Inheritance and all the support they gave us through those years. We really believe without Inheritance, we would not have been able to afford to adopt 3 children and that we wouldn’t have the family that we have now.

Thank you Inheritance for our family!

In the previous months before contacting Inheritance Adoptions, I had been living in my car and was heavily strung out on meth. When my car broke down, I began walking the streets, going from home to home of friends or relatives. When I went to my sister’s home, she freaked out because of how far along I was in my pregnancy. She began calling agencies in the phone book. The next thing I know, Leslie, with Inheritance was at the door to pick me up. Of course, I was scared of people and did not want to go. My sister pleaded with me to at least give her a chance to help me. Looking back, I can say that was the day the Lord started working in my life! Leslie and the ladies at Inheritance were awesome! They took me in and got me a place to live, food, and clothes. They got my ID and SS cards. They accepted me for the person I was, which scared me because I was still using drugs. Leslie just kept praying for me and being there for me.

I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on December 11, 2003. I called Leslie to come take me to the hospital. However, I waited too long and delivered the baby on a bathroom floor with Leslie and a friend delivering the baby. After signing relinquishment papers, I figured that I would not hear from the agency any more. Well, I was wrong. Leslie still came over to check on me and kept in touch. I am now married to a wonderful man and we have an 18 month old son. I no longer use drugs of any kind. I have grown to love myself and my life. I know that if it were not for Inheritance my child that I placed for adoption my not be alive. I am now in an open adoption with the child and the adoptive family. I get to see how happy and healthy he is and know that I made the right decision by placing him for adoption.

Shauna