China
Guatemala
Russia
Vietnam
Brazil
India 
Emma Sweet Emma
It’s difficult to put into words the power behind International Adoption to someone who is yet to live its beauty. It’s difficult to explain how it works, magically it does. It’s also difficult to offer each perspective family the right information, all the while hoping that something you’ve said or written has been the one piece of information they’ve been waiting for. Having said that, I’ll share a little of our story with you.
International Adoption isn’t about genetics. You won’t find yourself saying the baby’s got my eyes and your nose. Instead, you’ll marvel at the wisdom behind those eyes and the sweetness of this one particular nose. International adoption is about chemistry, fate if you will. I suspected this prior to adopting my daughters, but I couldn’t have known the connection to come without living it myself. I never knew as a parent my ears would hear words like yesternight and tooked. I never knew I’d be asked questions such as “does bunny start with r?”, and I never knew how deeply I could love and be loved. Magic, wouldn’t you say?
My favorite things about parenting have nothing to do with biology; they have everything to do with our connection and our chemistry and our common, unspoken goal, which is to be a family just like everyone else. We want the same things all families experience…messy hair for Saturday morning pancakes, pride on such a small face as they display their latest artwork (It’s OK to ask what it is!), and the feeling of forever in the air as we experience and enjoy each day. International adoption is such a gift to those who are blessed by it, and this is our wish for you.
I have 2 daughters, born in China and Guatemala. Abby is 5 years old and Emma is our littlest dream and she’s 2 years old. Emma has a twinkle in her eye and a look of mischief as if she’s got a secret or something. She has 12 shiny, white teeth and a personality a parent could only hope and pray for, plus some zip. She was welcomed into our family and 3 lives were forever changed. Our adoption announcements explained it to perfection; they read ‘although she’s just one baby, she’s the world to us.’ That she is.
Emma was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala to a birthmother who chose to give her life and has allowed me to give her a life. I’m humbled and forever grateful. Emma was well cared for during her first 5 months by her foster mother, whom we refer to as an Angel on earth. Our trip to Guatemala was just like our new baby, short and sweet, and oh so memorable.
I have known and worked with the staff of Families Thru International Adoption for many years now. I’ve adjusted to their style just fine as I have found them to be nothing short of perfection. For the record and considering I’ve adopted twice using FTIA, I wish to convey a very important message to you; your adoption experience is only as grand as the people you take along for the journey. Congratulations on finding FTIA, and you’re one step closer to formula stains and a new life at 2 a.m…
With sincere thanks to the entire staff of FTIA, all our best always….
Debbie, Abby, and Emma
