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The world of adoption has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. No longer do biological parents have to say goodbye to their child forever. They now have more options when deciding the type of adoption to pursue, such as open adoption. Open adoption creates the opportunity for a special relationship between biological parents, the adoptive parents, and the child.
Open Adoption, Open Heart is an inspiring and true story, which takes the reader deeper into the feelings and emotions experienced by adoptive parents. As you read this incredible story, you will experience the joys, difficulties, and amazing victories facing adoptive couples. Russell and his wife, Jammie, invite you to share in their inspiring and heartwarming journey.
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From the Author: While my book's primary audience was thought to be those hoping to adopt, close to half of the books I've sold are simply people who want to read about our story and how adoption is different now than it used to be- and they have not adopted nor do they plan to adopt.
Russell Elkins was born on Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., in the fall of 1977. Along with his five siblings, he and his military family moved around a lot, living in eight different houses by the time he left for college at age 17. Although his family movedaway from Fallon, Nevada, just a few months after he moved out, he still considers that little oasis in the desert to be his childhood hometown. He and his family now live in the Boise, Idaho area.
Russell has always been a family man at heart, looking forward to the day when he could be a husband and a father. It took him a little while, but eventually his eyes locked onto a beautiful blonde, and he has never looked away. Russell and Jammie were married in 2004. Years of struggling with infertility left Russell and Jammie with a decision to make and their lives changed dramatically when they decided to adopt.
Russell and Jammie have adopted two beautiful children, Ira and Hazel, and have embraced their role as parents through open adoption. Both are actively engaged in the adoption community by communicating through social media, taking part in discussion panels, and writing songs about adoption. Russell also writes a weekly post for Adoption.com and contributes regularly to Adoption Voices Magazine.
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An Honest and Informative Biography of a couple's open adoptive process giving you a clear picture of what to expect when deciding to go this road. Their willingness to share in great detail such an important time in their lives was wonderful to read and I could experience with them their turmoils, questions, excitement when they finally got the baby in their arms.
Most of us is very fortunate to have children of our own, giving birth and experience the joy of being a parent but for many of us this is not as simply as planning to get pregnant, actually getting pregnant and see how the fetus grow in your belly to form a beautiful individual for which you are responsible.
For many as with Russel and Jammie it was not that easy but yet they were willing to give us a glimpse of this exciting but yet serious time in their lives. Hoping to help other couples to make informative decisions. Helping teenage mothers or any other mother that comes in a difficult situation and they have to give the precious bundle away to some one that will hopefully love the baby just as much as they do.
There is steps to consider, emotions at play during the process that has to be dealt with and when every one is willing to work at it, mature in the decision making it can go smoothly as possible.
There is no easy solution when you find out that you can not conceive the natural way and many people will have their say in this. Trying to give help but in the process do not understand what a couple faces during this period in their lives. You can never judge a person if you did not walk in his/her shoes. That saying is always applicable when facing with life's hard lessons.
What is important for couples is to make informed decision based on the expertise available. Asking questions until you are satisfied and comfortable with the answer that would work best in your world.
When we start out on these lessons we are often naive in our decisions and action but as time go on and you get better informed naivety makes room for knowledge and you can act on that knowledge to pick out a future that suited you best.
Russel's openness and honesty through the process was heart warming. Their honest account draws you into their life and you learn about their unwavering faith that God will show them the right way. They surrounded themselves with a inner circle of like minded people that could help them, pray with them and be sincere with out judging them. This really touched my heart as I read along. They were fortunate to know these people that helped them through this time of decision making.
"Soaked with information" they decided to go with adoption and met up with a young woman who wanted to give her baby to them.
You learn how discreet they were in choosing every detail, helping not only themselves but the birth mother in the process. Getting excited and nervous as you read along. Their honesty and openness toward Brianna was remarkable and I really admire this young lady that was forced to face such a huge step in her young life.
Russel and Jammie were considerate in each step they take to ensure a smooth transition for them all.
Issues of guilt they had to deal all on their own trying to cope with the pressures, taking responsibility for the young woman in their care during the last months of the pregnancy. Each step taking it as it progressed and making it a wonderful experience they cherished.
The waiting period for her to sign the last papers feeling like glorified babysitters. Handling it with much grace and patience. Dealing with emotions after the process was done drawing Brianna in as much as possible without disturbing the family unit.
They experience all of the trails set before them with humility and grace just to say
"Ira is my son"
A wonderful read I can recommend to all parties involved, making a informative decision about the most alternating time in your life.
Thanks Russel and Jammie for giving us a glimpse in your life, may you find Ira a blessing to you and that you would be the parents he will always know and love. Ordained by a Heavenly Father that cares for you all.
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