Indescribable Love
I got pregnant when I was 18 years old and was in no place to raise a child. I still am in no place to raise a child. It only took a couple of weeks for me to decide that adoption was going to be the best answer for my baby and me. Through a friend and fellow birthmother, I found Family Adoption Services. They were so sweet and kind to me, and made sure that I got everything I wanted for my daughter. The weekly phone calls and check ins were great for me to remind myself of what a wonderful gift I was going to be giving, not only to a couple who make wonderful parents, but also to my sweet, innocent little girl. I knew that God had sent me to Rick and Susan for a reason- to give the undying gift of love. Through the months of my pregnancy, I was able to create a bond with my baby that can only be understood if you have been pregnant before. However, I knew that that bond and the ever-lasting love I have for her is all I could offer. As difficult as it seems, my decision was not a difficult one to make. I know that I have chosen the right path and that my daughter will not become another statistic, that she and I are able to break the mold through love and a connection deeper than blood. Now I sit here, and she is with her new parents, who are absolutely amazing, and though the wounds of giving birth only a week ago are fresh, and the pain in my heart is deep, I find comfort in the love I know she has and will forever receive. It is truly a Godsend to have been connected with such wonderful people as her parents. I know, as a 19 year old girl, that I have grown in ways I never knew possible, and I have found my own inner peace. This is solely from the love I have for such a beautiful little girl. The memories are bittersweet, and the love is indescribable, but the future I have made for her and for myself, is bright and full of hope. I know, in the depths of my soul that giving my daughter the life she deserves and that she will prosper in, she will be proud of her story. Being able to watch her grow and learn will be amazing, and even though I won’t be there when she takes her first steps, or speaks her first words, I will take comfort in knowing how unbelievably happy she is and will remain. I could not have had a more perfect adoption story, if I had written it myself. I will forever be grateful that God sent me down this path and that He gave me the strength, courage, knowledge, patience, and LOVE that He did. If not for Family Adoption Services, I do not know, nor do I want to imagine how this sweet baby’s life would have turned out.

Thank you, forever with love,
Chandler.

As I sit here and try to put into words what Family Adoption Services means to us, I find that it is almost impossible. They, along with God, have given us the most wonderful gift anyone could ever receive....a beautiful baby boy. Our long journey to parenthood started over 8 years ago. We tried to have a biological child of our own. We went to a fertility specialist (2 to be exact), and we didn't have any luck. I was able to get pregnant 2 times, but both pregnancies ended in miscarriages. Needless to say, my husband and I were devastated. The 8 years of fertility treatments had taken their toll on my body and drained us emotionally and almost financially. We decided to take a break from the treatments. During the break, we started talking about what God's plan was for us as far as a family and we felt that He was leading us to adoption. I started searching the Internet and I called a place in California. They needed a home study completed and gave me Family Adoption Services's phone number. What a blessing that was! Susan answered the phone and after talking with her for a long time, I really felt that this is where God led us. I talked with my husband and told him how Susan made me feel and what all we talked about, and he said that I am usually right when I have these feelings, so let's see what comes of it. Rebecca, our sweet angel, came to our home for the home study. From the moment she walked through our door, we felt like we had known her forever. She was so warm and kind, and just made us feel relaxed...even in our own home! When we got to the question about the race of the child we would like, this was a hard question to answer. We did not care, but we were concerned about family and society acceptance. We wrote down Caucasian, Hispanic, and Asian because they are the "accepted" races with Caucasian couples, or so we thought. Over the course of our waiting, Rebecca contacted us several times to make sure we had not changed our minds about the race. After about 7 times, we realized that this was not Rebecca trying to change our minds, it was God trying to get us to see his plan for us. After much talking and prayer, we accepted God's plan for us. We are now the very proud parents of a beautiful African-American baby boy, who is the love of our lives, and the biggest blessing we could have ever received! Our baby boy could not be more accepted by our families, our church family, our friends, AND by our community! I think he has blessed more than just my husband and me. He has blessed everyone that has come into contact with him. In this process, we gained a new family that we are so thankful for. Rick, Susan, Rebecca, and Mandy....We love you all so much and we will never be able to repay you or thank you enough for what all you have done for us and for the blessing you gave to us! You four are also a part of our "Forever Family" now too. There are two other people that we need to thank most of all, and that is our baby's birth parents. It is because of them and their selfless gift of love, that we have our precious baby boy. They could have chosen a different alternative for this angel, but they chose to give him the gift of life, and us the gift of a child. There really is no way to thank them enough. So to all you birth parents reading this, you will never know what you all mean to families like mine. May God bless you all.

- Jeremy & Erica

After battling infertility for several years my husband and I made a new year’s resolution to dedicate the upcoming year to adoption. We called several adoption agencies both in and out of state and Family Adoption Services was the first and ONLY agency that actually returned our phone call. Rebecca called us back within 30 minutes and had scheduled an appointment for us to come in and speak with Family Adoption Services the next week. My husband and I came with many questions in regards to the adoption process and Rick, Susan and Rebecca answered every single one of them and even shared their personal experiences with adoption. When my husband and I got back in the car we sat and cried with one another as we knew we had finally found the people that were going to help make our dream of starting a family come true.

Shortly after my husband and I had our first in home visit by Rebecca, God introduced us to a young woman that was looking to place her unborn baby for adoption. When I called to ask Rick how we should proceed he laid out a plan for us and said Family Adoption Services would be with us every step of the way, and they were. Rick, Susan and Rebecca worked diligently to get all the required paperwork in order for the birth and the day our little boy was born, Mandy was at the hospital with us, guiding and comforting us through that joyous day. Our adoption story wouldn’t have happened without Family Adoption Services and we can’t find enough words to express our love and gratitude. Rick, Susan, Mandy and Rebecca will always hold a special place in our hearts.

- Ashley & Scott

Before we found Family Adoption Services, we had worked with two other adoption agencies but had yet to receive a placement. Six weeks after submitting our dossier, we received a surprise phone call while we were traveling abroad letting us know our healthy, five-day-old son was waiting for us in Birmingham. While we were rushing back to the US to pick him up, Susan and Rick from FAS cared for our son at their home, and took him to the doctor for his check-ups. They cared for him like he was their own child, and even gave us a little coaching on his disposition when we met him for the first time. While wrapping up the final paperwork required to leave the state, we continued to receive daily support from Susan, Rick and Rebecca. As first time parents, their close guidance was invaluable.

We've been absolutely delighted by their knowledge throughout the adoption process. Our son is a joy, and we are so grateful for Family Adoption Services' help in finding him.

- Aarron and Jamie

A Letter From A Birth Mother

Dear Friends,

As I sit down to write this letter to you I can't help but feel happiness and excitement for all you. The happiness that I will feel the rest of my life. My name is Rennie and I am a birth mother....I am a young mom of 2 beautiful little boys who are 9 months and 3 days apart.

If I may, I would love to tell you about my experience with adoption.

Never once did the thought of adoption cross my mind. I always said it will be okay, GOD would take care of me and my boys. Well He did and has continued to. After the early labor and delivery of my second son, I spent months running to and from the hospital. Finally my baby boy got to come home.  One day I looked into my little boy’s eyes and saw life for the first time. I realized that I could not care for both of my children as I knew they both deserved. So for days I thought and prayed for GOD to give me the answer I so desperately needed, and He did. The thought of adoption was the answer. I continued to pray for days that if this was the right thing, GOD would lead me in the right direction. Once again he did. He brought me to Family Adoption Services and I met the most amazing people I have ever met in my life Rick and his wife Susan. And also Rebecca and Mandy. At that point I felt that God was telling me, here is your answer, now take it.  At that very moment I felt the pain that I had carried in my heart for so long disappear, and I knew everything would be okay. They found a couple that was perfect. I met them and as soon as I saw their faces, I knew that these where the people that GOD had chosen for my son and me. Rick made sure that I was comfortable with them and that I had all of my questions answered. There were legal papers to sign, the hardest thing I have ever done, but I felt like God was doing it for me. As I walked into the room holding my baby, I knew then that our baby would have more love than I could ever have given him alone, by myself. Now he has two families, he has a Mom & a Dad, a Mother and a Father, and many, many other family members that will always love him!   Not a day goes by that I don't think of my baby, but also I never feel regret for what I did. He now has the life that I could not have given him.

No I did not lose a son, I gained a family.

Adoption was my answer, as it may be too for many others just like me who want what is best for their children. All I can really say is pray for your GOD to help you, he will never say no.

I hope and wish the best for all adopted children and birth parents … there is no greater love.

Our adoption journey began 9 years ago. We have been blessed with 4 boys all through adoption and we're still hoping to add another Angel to our family! During the 9 years we were in contact with many social workers and many different adoption agencies. We wanted to find an agency that TRULY cares about birth parents, adoptive families and babies that were being placed for adoption. You would think that should be easy but unfortunately that is hard to come by. Then we found Family Adoption Services and our lives and adoption journey changed. They are the most caring, and loving people we have ever met and they TRULY care about everyone involved. Finding them is a DREAM COME TRUE. We will be forever indebted to them for helping us add our 1st baby girl to our family!! They were thrown many curve balls during the process but they never gave up and supported us the whole time. When we did not think it would happen, they always said to us, “It will work out....this baby is meant to be in your family!” They were so right!!! Now we're have an amazing Princess and could not be happier!! After 9 long years and much heartbreak we finally found the BEST agency there is out there. We are honored to have them part of our extended family!! The one thing we would have wished for....is that we had found Family Adoption Services sooner!! When we are ready to add another little Angel to our family it will only be through them! They will ALWAYS have a special place in our hearts!!

- Charlene

Adoption is the key for many childless couples. After many failed attempts at trying to successfully have a child and the loss of one late in pregnancy, we knew in our heart that God's plan for us to build our family was through adoption. Alabama Family Adoption Services made that happen for us. They are not only committed to placing children in loving homes; they truly love each child that passes through their lives. When we held the baby they had for us, we knew instantly he was ours. Our prayers were answered that day. We now have the baby of our dreams and our family is complete. Thank you Alabama Family Adoption Services!

- Gary & Donna

Adoption can feel like a roller coaster ride with a sense of excitement and thrill but also a terrifying loss of control. For us, Family Adoption Services was like the safety bar of the roller coaster car that clamps down and holds you in for the ride. We knew we had people of faith who are knowledgeable about the adoption process from years of legal practice as well as being adoptive parents themselves. We believed that no matter how steep the ride became, that the folks from Family Adoption Services would be there for us.

Now that we have our beautiful little girl, the thrill and fear of the ride was well worth it!

- Julie and Marshall

Working with Family Adoption Services was truly a privilege. We were not fully educated about adoption and the adoption process when we decided to use FAS and adopt our son. But, we can say without a doubt that it is the best choice we have ever made for our family. FAS gently and lovingly guided us through the details while educating us along the way about adoption. The case manager spent a lot of time with us on the phone answering all of our questions and alleviating any fears we had. The attorney was always there to discuss the process and assure us that everything was moving along as it should. We will never forget the day our son was placed into our arms. There was not a moment when FAS was not with us throughout the adoption process. We are forever grateful that they played the part of uniting us with our son and making us a family of three.

- Anonymous Adoptive Parents

I was born to a young girl 25 years ago. She knew she could not give me the kind of life she wanted me to have. So she did the most courageous and unselfish act. She gave me to a family that could love me and take care of me. I have always felt proud about that because someone who loved me dearly wanted me to have a BETTER chance at a BETTER life and she picked the BEST parents for me.

- An Adopted Child

Making the decision to place my baby for adoption was a very difficult decision to make. At such a vulnerable time, I needed an adoption agency that would be understanding and compassionate to my needs. I am so thankful that I chose Family Adoption Services to provide my baby with a loving, Christian home. Rick and Susan Wyatt are wonderful people of integrity. They always treated me with respect and made me feel at home in their office. They were there to grieve with me and to rejoice with me. When you make an adoption plan with them, they are truly with you every step of the way.

- Melissa

I wanted to give my daughter the best life possible, and I knew that, at 19 years old, I couldn't provide it. So I did the best that I could--I gave her to the most amazing family I have ever met. Anna is growing up with her two loving parents and adorable older sister; and I know I've done the right thing. Placing her turned one of the biggest tragedies in my life into one of my greatest accomplishments, and there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not grateful the decision I made.

- Jenny

 

Adoption was always something my husband and I wanted to do. We wanted to find an adoption agency that was attentive to our needs and most of all, that cared. When we found Family Adoption Services, it was more than we ever dreamed possible in an adoption agency. Our first adoption through them was a rough road, but from a legal and personal perspective, FAS fought harder than we ever could have dreamed of. No one ever gave up, and when our hopes were down, they lifted us right back up telling as that they “will do anything to make this adoption happen”. They not only are knowledgeable on the social work and legal aspects of adoption, but they are the most caring, honest, loving people we have ever come across. They have become a second family to us and there will always be a place in our hearts for them. They created our family. We have an amazing daughter and son and will never truly be able to repay them for what they have given us, the gift of two amazing lives that we cannot live without.

-Ilyssa and Ben

 

How can we possibly thank you for changing our life? Although it is difficult for us to express in words how our hearts and our new life was filled with insurmountable love for our blessed baby girl, I can tell you that not a second goes by that I am not eternally grateful to the gift that we have been given. She is a precious miracle from God, and she has taken up full time residence in our hearts!

We researched many different adoption options and agencies, but felt strongly that Family Adoption Services was the answer to our prayers. The moment we walked into their office we knew that we had found the right advocates in Rick and Susan. They guided, counseled, nurtured, and celebrated with us. We appreciate the time, attention, and care that they spent in working with us and with our birthparents.

To all the parents still waiting for their little bundle of joy, we know it's hard but you must be patient. We waited over a year with FAS for God to deliver this special gift to us. Our hearts continue to go out to families hoping to adopt and birthmothers looking for the right choice for their baby. We only hope and pray that God gives them the same comfort and reassurance that we felt in our hearts.

Wishing you peace and blessings,

- Jaret & Melissa

 

Family Adoption Services is utmost trustworthy, honest, and professional. They treat everyone with dignity and respect. We thank God that Family Adoption Services helped make our dreams of being parents to our beautiful baby boy come true!

Blessings,
Thrilled Adoptive Parents

 

 

 

We do not even know where to start to express our gratitude towards Family Adoption Services. We had worked with another agency when we were blessed with our daughter and did not have the greatest experience with them. We were cautiously optimistic as we approached our second adoption journey. From the moment I spoke to Susan, I knew we were where we should be. Susan was amazing with helping us get everything we needed in place, even down to helping us locate a hotel. Just one example how they go the extra mile for you, your child and the birth families. Mandy and Rebecca spent hours on the phone getting last minute items needed for placement and Rick, what can I say?… he is the man.

For FAS, this is not just a job, it is their calling and they are amazing. They care for all parties involved as they would their own families, especially the babies, and we are truly blessed to have had the honor to have them become part of our extended family now too.

I would love to speak to you about our experience with Family Adoption Services if that is something you maybe interested in.

I could go on and on but I just wanted to add that contact with FAS does not end after placement. They care for the babies and families, both adoptive and birth, that they make every effort to stay in touch and love to receive updates and pictures of your child. This just reinforces what I touched on earlier, that I firmly believe this is a calling for them and the truly love what they do.

We are now a family of four and have the most beautiful son and are so grateful that GOD lead us to FAS to complete our family.

- Wendy and Jeff