Mary Beth Wells, who is both a birth mom and an adoptive mom, recently started a company called “The Precious Baby Doll Company.” Her mission is to help tell the stories of babies adopted all over the world and to help children learn about and celebrate adoption.

The Precious Babies, which have soft bodies and vinyl arms, legs, and faces, are approximately 17 inches tall. So far, there are three dolls:

American – Kimberly Caryn has blond hair and blue eyes and comes dressed in a cotton sleeper.... more

An Associated Press story announced that Robert and Renee Albert, of Brookline, MA, were awarded $409,000 in damages because their adoption agency did not disclose accurate medical records of the twins they adopted in 1991.

One of their boys has cerebral palsy; the other has obsessive-compulsive disorder, a tic disorder and Tourette’s syndrome. The parents claimed that the founder of Adoptions With Love, a Massachusetts-based agency, told them the birth mother had an uneventful pregnancy and delivery, when in reality, she suffered from hepatitis and various other ailments and spent two weeks in the hospital after giving birth.

The Albert family sought more than $1 million... more

One mom who’s waiting to adopt a daughter from Guatemala has come up with an intriguing way to spark lively discussions about adoption and about family. She’s developed an organization called Adopt Proud, which she launched May 5.

Carla Birnberg, from Austin, Texas, launched a Web site and product line of colorful, t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, fitted baseball caps, coffee mugs and messenger bags, all bearing one word: Adopt.

Birnberg says she’s currently donating all proceeds from sale of the merchandise to two adoption-related... more

In my previous post, I reviewed a Bible study for couples facing fertility challenges. Today, I’ll review another publication from Stepping Stones: “Starting an Infertility Support Group.”

Written by John and Sylvia Van Regenmorter, co-directors of Stepping Stones, this 20-page booklet provides practical tips for those who want to start a support group.

The booklet addresses the following questions:

Section 1: Before you begin

Are you willing to devote time and energy to this project? Who... more

“Without Hope, You Are Hopeless!” is a six-week Bible study for couples facing fertility challenges. Written by Casey and Julie Ross for Stepping Stones, the study is intended to be completed with a spouse, a trusted friend, a Bible study group or a support group.

Each study opens with a reflection about a particular aspect of the authors’ infertility experience. The reflection is followed by several questions for discussion, and includes space for you to journal your responses.

The authors encourage people to write their responses, saying, “It will help you better understand what God is saying to you. It will also help you in the... more

Many churches make a big deal about Mother’s Day. One year, when my husband and I were deep in the throes of infertility, we attended our church’s Mother’s Day service. The pastor invited all the mothers to come to the front and receive a carnation. Steams of women headed to the front of the church while I sat, still as a stone, in the nearly empty pew, trying not to burst into tears.

Sunday, May 14, is one of the most emotionally and spiritually difficult days of the year for women who want to be mothers but aren’t. Not only is it painful for women who experience... more

At Bible Study Fellowship this week, we studied Genesis 46-48. Of particular interest to me was the story of Jacob (Israel) adopting his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

In Genesis 48:5, Jacob (who is 130 years old at the time) says to his son Joseph: “Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.”

In other words, Jacob adopts Ephraim and Manasseh as his own children and creates each of them as patriarchs... more

Massachusetts has seen a 6 percent drop in the number of adoptions during the past year and a 17 percent decline in the number of adoptions from China, according to the University of Massachusetts Center for Adoption Research.

Researchers believe that the flailing economy may be partially to blame for the dip, but think the main cause is China’s adoption policies. The Chinese government allows no more than 8 percent of babies to be adopted by single parents and requires all prospective parents to sign a statement swearing that they are not homosexual.

Source: ... more

Three articles in the April 2006 edition of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute e-newsletter highlight recent studies about foster care.

Government could save billions if foster children are adopted The first study projects that the government would save $3.3 billion to $6.3 billion if 50,000 children who would otherwise remain in foster care were adopted. That’s not small change, folks!

According to the article, some states have recently cut adoption subsidies because of increasing costs. But according to the study, the federal, state and local government will SAVE about $21,000 over a 7.7 year period... more

Four California siblings, ages 4, 12, 15 and 16, are participating in what may be the first international adoption of foster children from San Bernardino County.

The children were removed from their mother’s care in October 2003 and have been awaiting an adoptive family since December 2004. The children are visiting their prospective family (who have other children) two siblings at a time.

After the children settle into their new home, a social worker will continue to make monthly visits until the adoptions are finalized. Once the adoption is finalized, the children will have the option of choosing dual citizenship.

This case is somewhat unusual and intriguing... more