I am revisiting the Prowse family who is in the process of growing their family and wanting to get the word out about themselves. When I initially posted about them, they were just getting started in the process, and they have now completed the proper paperwork and completed the home visit and are now working closely with their caseworker on the road of adoption. They are hitting the world wide web hard in promoting their adoption blog and I thought it would be a great idea to revisit them and have them answer the same questions as previous spotlights. So, here they are. And they do not disappoint. Enjoy, and check out their blog either via their link in this post, or their button located on the left of your screen of this blog.
How did you meet your spouse? How long did you both date before you decided to get married? How long have you been married?
We met in college as we had mutual friends and had a class together. We began dating in September 2003 and knew by December that we were going to get married. We were engaged in May 2004 and married in August. This August will be year 8!
What was the first thing you really came to appreciate about your spouse and why was that quality/characteristic important to you [if the ladies of the couple are answering this, then grab your husband's and have them answer it for you as well ;) ]?
Brinn: besides his good looks, he was/is incredibly easy to talk to. This was a big deal to me as I was quite the shy introvert. The first night we "hung out" we ended up talking until 4 in the morning, which was a first for me. That is when I knew he had marriage potential.
Blandon: As kind of a funny thing that really stood out to me - Brinn and I had been on several dates and had spent a substantial amount of time together when I asked her why she never called me on the phone. Her answer: "Because nice girls don't call boys." I laughed pretty hard, but it really showed me she was pretty cool.
Do you have any current family traditions that you celebrate as a family? If so, how did these traditions begin?
we love traditions! As we are very close with both our families, it's been so fun to blend each family's traditions, as well as add some of our own. A couple favorite: 2 years ago Blandon's grandma passed away. Every year on her birthday and on the anniversary of her death his family writes notes to her and ties them to balloons. We then go to the cemetery, and let them go together. We cherish being able to participate. Our newest tradition, was started this year at Christmas. Our little guy couldn't wait for it to snow, but the weather was not cooperating. He was certain it would snow on Christmas, though. Well Christmas eve rolled around and no snow. So Blandon and I took things into our own hands and created our own winter wonderland for him to wake up to. (there is are pictures on our blog) It was such a huge hit that we decided we are going to do it every year!
If you currently have children, how many children do you currently have? Are they biological? Are they adopted?
we suffer from secondary infertility, which means we were able to get pregnant easily with our son Harper, but have not been able to have any more living children.
If not already explained, how did you come to the decision to adopt?
Blandon and I have always had a place in our hearts for adoption. We didn't know when, but we knew we would adopt at some point in our lives. We have now been struggling with our secondary infertility for 4 1/2 years, during which time we have gently been lead to the miracle of adoption. The past year we have been trying to learn everything we possibly can to help prepare us for this amazing journey.
How has your experience in the world of adoption mirrored or changed your expectation of adoption?
We have learned so much. We both had friends who had been adopted, or had adopted so we knew a little, but not nearly as much as we do now. We have fallen in love with adoption, and all members of the triad. we have fallen in love with open adoption, and the relationships it provides.
How do you define open adoption? What is open adoption to you?
I don't know if you can really define an open adoption as each one seems to be so different, which is so cool! We hope to have an adoption where we can build a relationship with our child's entire birth family which would include: pictures, emails, phone calls, visits, skype sessions, and anything else we can come up with! We want our child to know who he or she looks like, we want them to know their story. And we want his or her birth family to be the ones to tell him or her. Most of all we want our child to know how much he or she is loved by everyone!
What would your ideal relationship with "your" birth-mother be, pre-placement? (Would you like to attend Dr. Appointments with her, have her to Sunday dinners, get together on a monthly basis for a movie, &etc? How involved would you, ideally, like to be involved, &etc.)
Honestly, whatever she is comfortable with, we are so grateful to have. Because I have given birth, we understand the sacredness of such an experience and understand if she wants to keep that private. We would love to be involved with as much as we can. We would love to be able to build a relationship prior to placement, in whatever way possible, but we are completely okay with whatever she is okay with.
If you have yet to adopt, how do you anticipate building a relationship with the birth-mother? How important do you perceive the relationship between you and birth-mother to be throughout the entire process that is adoption (pre-placement, placement, post-placement)?
Through lots and lots of communication. Most likely, neither of us will have experience with this area, but like any relationship, there will have to be lots and lots of communication to figure out what works and what doesn't. This relationship is so incredibly important and will always be treated as so. We owe that to her, and to the child we share.
For any young woman considering placing her child for adoption, and who is reading this right now, what do you want to say to her?
My heart breaks for you. You have an unbearable, life changing decision to make; not only for yourself, but for your child. The fact that you are considering adoption shows just how strong you are. Part of being a mom is putting the needs of your child above your own, and doing what is best for your child, regardless of your wants or needs. If you decide to parent or to place, we are praying for you. You can do this. It is going to be hard. Both choices are going to be so hard, in different ways, but there are so many resources and people to help you. You can do this.
Do you have a blog that you would like to share with those reading this today? If so, what is the address of your blog?
Absolutely! You can follow our journey Here:
Thanks Kathryn!
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