Glen, Barbara and Sabrina's Adoption Story

Our adoption journey started in the fall of 2002. Like most couples that have struggled through infertility, it was intimidating but exciting to start the adoption process.

One of the main reasons why we chose American Adoptions was because when we called to inquire first time information we were able to speak with a human being! Shawn Kane was awesome in giving us accurate information and answering any questions. Through the holidays we attended workshops and had our home visited as required by law. It was late March 2003, when we were notified that we were "activated".

We continued with our lives as normal but on two different occasions we had received phone calls from the agency that did not "match" us. We were not worried as we knew God had a plan for us and it was just "not the right time".

On July 14th, 2003 we received a call from Megan our adoption coordinator asking us if we would be interested in having her show our profile to a birthmom named Sabrina. We of course told her "yes!'. Megan needed to take the birthmother to the doctor's office for her visit and said she would call us back later that day. It was 7:00pm and I didn't think we would hear back from Megan but a few minutes later we did and it was a match! A few days later we had a conference call with our birthmother and loved her!

Even more exciting, the birthmother was to be induced in a week! We made our travel plans and packed our suitcases! We left on a Saturday, it was a 7-hour drive but it went smooth. Saturday evening we settled into our room and called our birthmother to let her know we were here. The next day, we picked up our birthmother from her hotel and spent the day at the mall and went to dinner with her. We were all able to talk and get to know each other and we realized we had a lot of childrearing ideas in common. The next day was Monday, the day Sabrina was to be induced. We stayed with Sabrina in her room all day and talked.

At 4:00pm Sabrina asked me to get a nurse and when the nurse examined Sabrina, we received the news that "it is time". I asked Sabrina if she wanted me to stay in the delivery room with her and she said "yes". Glen waited just outside the delivery room. I felt honored to be a part of David's birth! The doctor then asked me if I wanted to cut the umbilical cord, I was excited and said "yes!". Monday night we were able to have an empty hospital room and stay overnight in it with David. The day after David was born, we visited Sabrina and David. Sabrina signed off her rights later that day. After she signed off her rights, we all met in a hospital room and talked while Sabrina held David. Wednesday came and it was time for David to be released from the hospital and Sabrina wanted desperately to go home to Arizona. We were all able to meet one last time, take pictures and hug.

After our long drive, we arrived home to a welcoming committee! I continued to correspond with Sabrina via phone & pictures. On November 3rd, 2003 we traveled back to Kansas to finalize David's adoption. In a matter of 5 & 1/2 months we adopted a baby boy and had it finalized.

I will forever be greatful to all of the employees at American Adoptions for making this adoption experience a "dream come true". We could not have asked for anything else to go so smoothly, it seemed perfect! If you would like to talk to me about my adoption story please email me at Bchewning@d165-marengo.k12.il.us.

Sincerely,

Barabra