Meet Our Son! \\ Domestic Adoption Journey
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
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• ADOPTION SURPRISE!!! T...
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As a Birth Mom, I appreciate you being sensitive to the loss we feel when we choose to give our babies a better life. My son is now 26 years old, and I still vividly remember the softness of his cheek and the creases in his tiny fingers. He is remembered and celebrated with every birthday and other holidays - I hope and wish he is living his best life!
Congratulations on Baby Benjamin!
I've been an atheist my whole adult life but the way you talk about your faith and how it affects your lives and your decisions is so beautiful.
When Kennedy started to cry when she saw him, I just lost it . Such a sweet moment
Trauma literally affects the DNA and I’m so glad you understand the importance of reducing any trauma for baby boy and put your heart at risk to do so.
Kennedy’s reaction was so, so sweet. She’s a special little lady and if she chooses to be a mama in the future, she’s going to be fantastic.
I loved the kids reaction to meeting him. I cried right along with them ❤ what a beautiful blessing to the family!!
I’ve been weepy through all of this, but I really lost it when you said “having her pick his middle name is the same as a family name, she’s a part of our family, he’s a part of our family” 😭😭😭😭 I so highly respect your consciousness of the loss that adoption comes from and how you honor birth families. Congratulations, Angela and all 10 Braniffs. Peace be with you and Benjamin’s first mom.
From a birthmom of the 1980's, THANK YOU for "getting it." And by "it" I mean the realities adoption...not just the happy perspective of the adoptive family. It's very refreshing and validating to hear an adoptive mom speak of the loss and trauma of the baby (first and foremost), as well as the "first" family. For so long, birthmoms have felt like the lost and forgotten part of the triad. You give me hope that things *are* changing...for everyone's truth and benefit. Again, Thank You!! :) Oh, and of course...Congratulations!! (I am a mom of 7...one fabulous birth-daughter and 6 regular ones!)
"He loves to eat, he just loves to eat." Same, baby Ben. Same. 🙋♀️😂💙
I'd like to applaud you for your courage and unconditional love for Benjamin. You put his needs above your needs. Maybe god wanted to show you are above your fears and have the inner power to beat them x
Noah and Jonah must be so happy with their little brother we know how much Noah wanted a boy!! He is just perfect❤️
This week I felt apart of your family. I’ve shed tears and laughs with y’all. ❤️
I was placed for adoption at birth. I spent 8 weeks with a foster family and my birth mum would spend time with me. At 8 weeks my wonderful Mum and Dad took me home forever but even at 8 weeks I’ve struggled with insecurities in life. Rejection from anyone or anything is and has been my toughest challenge. Placing a child ASAP is definitely better for the child. Well done for giving that little man a forever family ❤️x
I honestly thought he would be called Elijah, he looks like an Elijah to me. Also. (I'm black so please dont take this the wrong way) I find it the funniest yet the loveliest coincidence that every single one of your boys happen to me of black race. They were always meant to be brothers ❤😘
Congratulations, he’s perfect! Adoption is such a beautiful thing! I was adopted at two days old and it was the best thing that ever could have happened for my life! I’ve never met my birth momma but I am so thankful for that difficult decision that she made!
Thank you so much for bringing light to the truth about trauma and infancy, specifically with adopted children. I was adopted at 14 months, went from biological to orphanage and to a bunch of different people. People always tell me my trauma isn’t real because I was adopted as a baby, and thus they say I don’t remember anything. But that first week, yet alone year of life, is so crucial for learning. Just because I couldn’t talk to communicate my feelings and knowledge, didn’t mean I was not learning or affected. So many people tell me I should be blessed to be adopted so young and that I turned out “normal” and it just really saddens me at the lack of awareness about adoption, lasting trauma, and this strive for “normalcy” whatever that is. I’m thankful for those the few who did listen and understand that my trauma was real, baby or not. But I just appreciate that you’re so honest and don’t try to hide anything, thank you times a million!!!
Benji is honestly one of the cutest babies i’ve ever seen. His hair is like a little reborn doll, just perfect.
I've commented on instagram but I'll say it here too. I just wanted to say congrats and and that when I watched the video the kids meeting him I cried my eyes out it was so beautiful and I love that in photos he sticks his little tongue out so cute and I love that you let his birth mum pick his middle name 💕
Yes, people do seem to forget the other side of adoption, the birth family. They make a difficult but glorious decision to allow the child to have the best life with another family. This "first momma" gave her son a wondeful gift, the opportunity to grow up in a loving family. Congratulations, Benji.
I am an adoptee and I am just in awe of your acknowledgment of the loss involved in adoption. The triad is the heart and all sides need to be respected. Thank you so much for being the voice that so many need to hear . I truly appreciate you and am so grateful to have your vlogs to watch. God bless you all. ❤
I was adopted at 6 months but still have a lot of issues from the trauma thank you for bringing this up💕 your baby boy is beautiful 😭😍
I cried so hard seeing Kennedy’s reaction to you walking in with her little brother. I have a feeling Kennedy will adopt and have a large family. She seems to be so much of you! She’s the sweetest. The entire video gave me chills. Congrats to your family. I really hope the birth mom saw these videos and sees how great of a choice she made for that sweet angel.
As a birth mother, your concern and caring touches my heart. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Your comment on trauma is so true. I was adopted at 7 months and was with a foster mom in Korea from birth to 7 months, and even though o don’t remember it, it has still affected me. I praise you for taking that chance and hopefully minimizing that trauma for your son♥️
When you were driving in your car talking about how it was past 5 I saw how relieved you were to finally call him yours. I’m so happy for your family, he is absolutely adorable. ❤️
I just wanna cuddle him. Seriously you give me baby fever! Congratulations!!
You guys are amazing. When I was 21 I gave up my baby for adoption and it was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. But what kept me going was knowing the family we picked could be better parents and give baby the life they deserve.
When you showed Benjamin up close for the first time my 6 month old just started smiling and laughing at my phone 💕 so sweet.
You are just making my baby fever a million times worse 😂 he’s adorable! So happy for all of you!
As a fostering mama I see both the joy and loss as children leave one family and make another complete. I love how God sets people in family ❤ and not just any family, but the right family that He chose with purpose xx
Benjamin Arkeem is such a beautiful name! He’s so adorable!
I bawled watching these videos.
My husband is adopted (at 7) so we hope to adopt one day.
My sister and brother in law have been waiting to be matched for 2 years.
He is so handsome, your older girls reaction made me cry.
He is beautiful. When the girls saw him and their reaction totally made me cry. It was so sweet 💙 congratulations. I also love how you respect 1st momma. I've been praying for her and your family.
Kennedy's reaction broke me. So beautiful how your kids love eachother!
Are you "allowed" to nurse a newborn baby in that 4 days of waiting time or does it depend on the situation and whatnot? So happy for you guys!!!! He is just precious!
I know you don't want to share much about birth mama, which is completely understandable, but I am curious as to whether this is an open or partially open adoption. If that's okay to ask. Thank you for sharing this journey. It's very heartwarming and I hope it opens hearts and homes to waiting children!
As someone who is adopted, from a foreign country. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate how real you are about the whole adoption process. So often people sugar coat adoption and all that goes into it. There is a grieving process, and as the child grows and their understanding about their own unique story changes their grief will change. It will always be a triad, even when they become adults, their Birth family will still hold a place in their heart. AND THATS OKAY. Thank you for sharing both sides of adoption. It makes my heart happy seeing parents of young adoptive children be so open about the good, the bad, and the ugly of their own stories. I am in my twenties now and I am still sensitive to my own story. Thank you again.
On August 31, I felt really compelled to pray for your adoption(wrote it in my prayer journal). Felt like a creeper but prayed for the Lord be glorified in your journey.
We have 3 bio kids and are nearly “paper pregnant” for adoption. I feel like I’ve gained so much valuable insight, wisdom, and encouragement from your channel.
Thanks for sharing! Continued prayers as your family transitions.
Thank you so much for withholding him from more traumatic events than necessary. You are such a beautiful mom. Everyone deserves a mom like you. ❤️
Gods ways are absolutely amazing. He asked you to step out in faith all the while answering your one big prayer. Glory glory!
Yay! I've loved the cliffhanger and reveal videos but have been hoping for a chatty video too. Thank you for sharing this journey and congrats on the new addition to the family!
I put up my last son 2 years ago. Now I'm having a baby for my friend. I loved the feeling of being able to give someone the gift of life.
Comments are back. Congratulations Angie . I absolutely loved the video of you surprising the kids with Benjamin. I was heartbroken by seeing Kennedy, Shelby crying, Ivy saying "baby" then Rosie happy face was so adorable. Sending you positive energy and prayers xx
I'm a 19 year old at university, I'm from Ireland, your life has absolutely no relevance to mine but somehow I always end up desperately waiting for your next video and follow you on social media all the time. I have absolutely fallen in love with your family and I want you to know how inspirational you have been to me Angela in my darkest moments. Sending so much love to you all, especially baby Ben xx
I really respect you reminding others that there is such a sense of loss in something as beautiful as adoption. I agree that it needs to be talked about more.
You have such a big heart & I’m proud to be a subscriber of you & your family.
My heart is so full for y’all! ❤️
He’s beautiful. I loved the reaction of Kennedy (I think that was her name, I’m sorry if I got that wrong, I stumbled upon your family a couple of weeks ago). Congratulations from Australia.
Welcome beautiful Benjamin to your wonderful family 💙💙💙 Love from Ireland 🇮🇪
Congratulations! He is so adorable! Did the breast feeding work?
Thank you for talking about trauma with newborns. The first 3 months is so important to a child’s development. I just had my first child in July and he was born 6 weeks early. He spent the first 2 weeks of his life at the NICU. It was so hard for us to see him hooked up to machines but I was there with him every single day and night holding him and doing skin on skin. It breaks my heart to think that he will be affected by his time spent at the NICU but I feel good knowing that i put my life on hold and barely even felt fresh air so that he knew that he wasn’t abandoned. These moments are so precious.
I’m adopted and I’m so happy for y’all!! Adoption is such a beautiful thing and Benjamin is beautiful!!
I’ve been following this adoption journey so closely & I am over the moon ecstatic for you, CR, and the kids! What an absolute blessing Benjamin is! My heart goes out to birth mom ❤️ May she forever be at peace 🙏 What a bittersweet experience for all! God Bless.
This is such a beautiful story. Very intense but so beautiful. You are such a wonderful mom to look up to. Congratulations on your sweet little guy! 💕💕
Angie, I justv want to commend you. Your grace truly is admirable. The respect you show for both his 1st mom, as well as him, is wonderful. Even just the respect you show towards your other adopted children, and respecting their story. Acknowledging where adoption stems from, and being respectful of that, is amazing.
You truly are a wonderful soul, and these children are so, so blessed, to call you Mom.
Thank you so much for sharing this part of your lives with us 💖
He is just beautiful and the sacrifice you guys made during the "grey area week" really spoke to me, I have CPTSD from childhood and hearing people talking about trauma in babies and children, is really healing. Ugh! You guys are changing my little world ❤
Congratulations!! What a gift and a blessing. Praying for his first mama and your whole family. 💗
Congratulations! When the kids saw him for the first time I was in tears. I'm so happy for you all and praying for the birth momma. You are an amazing and humble woman!
I cried tears of joy along with the girl's when the kids met Benjamin! I am very happy for your family!! I am also praying for his birth mom. I'm sure it was so difficult to give her baby up 😔
Benjamin is perfect 💙💙💙
Congratulations!! I just had my first 7 weeks ago. He was 34 weeks gestation and 2.5 pounds and after 5 weeks in the NICU Flynn recently came home. I feel like I have an idea of the excitement you guys felt and I've so enjoyed Benjamin's videos, I am so happy for you! ❤
Beautiful Benji 💕 what a blessing. I know Noah and Jonah are going to absolutely love having another brother!
Your so right, adoption is birth from loss! Thank you, for sharing that. My mom was adopted& she struggles with the loss of her birth MOM! Its a beautiful but sad moment!
Angie, your faith is beyond admirable. I'm in my early twenties and you inspire me so much. Benjamin is a beautiful name for a baby boy! 💛
He is so beautiful! I’m so happy for you family. I’m currently pregnant with my first child and I want to adopt a child later on in life and following you and seeing your journey has definitely made me sure that I really do want to do it.
What a beautiful blessing! Can I also just add that all of your kids seem so sweet, but Kennedy and Shelby just seem to have the most beautiful souls! The moment Kennedy cried in the video meeting Benji made me weep, she is going to make a great mama one day!
Congratulations!! Love his name btw. Benjamin is such a strong name! And Arkeem is so beautiful. How special to have been named by both parts of his story. 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Mamma you are so respectful and so loving!!! I can’t even get over the heart bubble you create in my life. I appreciate seeing all that goes into adoption the pain as well as the overwhelming amount of love and joy. I think the rough parts are not shared enough and I love and appreciate the bravery you and your family displayed in sharing it.
Congratulations!! So happy for you!! You’ve inspired my husband and I to consider adoption ❤️ we are in NC as well and we thought since we had twins we wouldn’t be picked ahead of couples with no children. Thank you for sharing your journey!
U guys r amazing! Wish this world had more people like u. Amazing amazing parents. Love u guys!
Thank you beautiful family for receiving this precious little guy into your lives! We also adopted our beautiful daughter who is now 39! God is great, all the time! Blessings to a very Sweet Family!
I've been following along and am absolutely praising God for this! Your poise and strength is admirable. So excited for you :)
Bringing us on your journey was such a blessing. Congratulations 💕
You are so right that a newborn has attachment issues. I am 63, and first memory is fear, and where is my mom. My parents got me from the foster home two weeks after I was born. I screamed for 6 hours on the way home, and the extended family and friends were waiting to greet me-- I screamed and cried, unconsolable the entire time. My Mom was crying in the bedroom thinking I could not be consoled and she was a failure. I was passed from one pair of arms to another, until a family friend took me and held me close, her heartbeat must have been similar to my birthmom, because I finally was calm and she gave me a bottle. My brother was the complete opposite, calm and smiling with everyone. I found out at 40 that I had 5 half siblings , 2 brothers and 3 sisters . My aunt always said I could never get enough love it seemed I was never quite comfortable or believing I was loved. I was very distrustful and got in my head that I would reject before I got rejected. My Mom and my's relationship is very complicated because of that . I had to learn to accept that God put me in the family I was supposed to belong to . That was hard, it was hard for my family. My mom had two misscarriages and with my Dad, ovarian cysts and had to have her womb removed. Lost one husband and two babies at 4 months, not allowed even to see them. Than this, Dad was like we adopt , and I have a older brother. They were so ready and me not so much. I knew my birth mother did not want me and did not bond with any of her babies, but I had bonded with her and that pain never goes away, it wells up at the oddest moments and I just have to breathe and give thanks that I was not raised by her. She is a alcoholic, who blames everyone else for everything and takes no responsibility for her actions. Two of my sisters were taken away from her for failure to thrive and the youngest was in a lovely foster home for two years and wanted to adopt him, she decided after all that time, to take him back, and the System allowed this and destroyed his life. He still lives with her and has substance abuse issues as well as having to parent himself with a narrsasitic mother. I felt so guilty after learning how he suffered and still suffering through no fault of his own, and I had a good family people who loved me and I had been so mistrustful for so many years. I was given a new name on adoption and asked why they took away my name and identity, why would you do that, this query shocked my parents that this had hurt me, in the 50's adoptive parents were advised to cut all ties of birth parents including the birth name. They were encouraged however, to always tell us we were chosen and that adoption was not a bad thing. But when my birth mother hated being pregnant , and I was a problem to get rid of, that rejection grief stays deep down in my soul, but I chose to be Grateful to be a Child of God whom he loved and provided for me even before I was born. That is a Powerful Promise to hold on to and I cling to that each day as I live. Thank you for being a Mom with such a big heart. People kept asking them too , well they arent really your children after all, in different ways and my parents were firm in telling them, yes they are ours forever. I remember just now, how I would tense up in that situation and wonder how Mom or Dad would answer. Funny , how things rear up after all these years. This video sort of stirred the pot . not your fault , I appreciate the honesty, that there are things one does not know when you adopt. I always asked my Mom why they did not adopt more kids, because I was a handful and a half was my Dad's cheeky reply and the house was more than full with just the two of you. I kinda suspect he meant me was more than enough on their plate. My older brother most definitly felt I was enough of a bother and drama queen. I still am a bother but much less on the Drama queen bit.
Kennedy's reaction was so special, you have such a beautiful and loving family, so happy for you all x
I have learned more about adoption, and family, from you than anyone else. I would be absolutely honored if I could adopt some time in the future 💛 Keep up the good work Angela, you have no idea how big of a difference you make!
He is sooo adorable sleeping. So so happy for you!! What a blessing!
Oh my God! What a peaceful looking little peanut :). He is absolutely adorable!!
Seeing shelby and Kennedy and their happy tears meeting Ben was an emotional gift i am glad you shared. Enjoy the little guy!
So so happy for you guys. Like everyone else has said, I lost it when Kennedy started crying, such a lovely moment. Huge congratulations x
I rarely cry when I watch RUclips videos or even at weddings or graduations but Kennedy’s reaction struck a cord and I just started bawling. Such a great big sister ❤️
Huge congratulations. Still thinking and praying for your family and the first mama. It’s been an amazing journey you’ve been on and really shows God has a plan for us all.
The video of the kids meeting him was so emotional as soon as Shelby and Kennedy started crying I teared up myself .
It has been an honour to go on this journey with your family thank you for sharing it with us. 💖
Oh..MY HEART!! Absolutely precious. He is so beautiful & so blessed to be in the most wonderful family.Love your family so so much❤❤❤❤ 😘😘😘
I love how faithful towards God you are and your dedication to adopting. One of the things in the final judgement is "I was a stranger and you invited me in." Jesus said "Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to the least of my bretheren you did it to me." God bless you and your family!
Congratulations Momma!!! Benjamin is so precious. I've just come across This Gathered Nest this week and I've been binge watching 🤦🏼♀️. Love your channel. Also a fellow NC girl (Asheboro to be specific 😊)
I have no doubt that you are exactly the right person to be Ben’s mama. You have a very special anointing on your life for motherhood
We met our adopted daughter in hospital they they changed their mind. Two years later we got her. It was worth the heartache at first because I got to hold her as a baby. She is now 10 years old.
I was overjoyed when you walked up the steps and finally met him. I was in tears. You're so right that we need to acknowledge there is a loss. I have always wanted to adopt. Both sides of my family have had a child given up for adoption. I have seen the sadness that it still has on both mother and child after 60+ years. Anyway, I am so happy for you all and little Benjamin is a blessing and is blessed to be a part of a big family. I also absolutely can tell Kennedy has a very sweet and soft spot for babies. All your children are so sweet. God Bless!!! 🤗🤗🤗
Hi Angela, I’m a foster-adopt mom and our world has plenty of loss and trauma but the joys outweigh the negatives. We learn quick that it isn’t about us and always about our children. I love your kind heart and focus being on the joys and the loss. We have seven blessings, so I truly love your family ♥️♥️
His middle name meaning is awesome! Arabic origin and means "Wise and uplifting." Congratulations again!
YAY!! You posted this on your personal page where comments are on :)
He is just the sweetest thing. Congrats on everything working out. I have loved following your entire journey on this adoption. So many emotions.
Congratulations ❤️ I can’t help but love you a little more every time you emphasize that adoption stems from loss. It’s so beautiful that you acknowledge your child’s journey as well as his birthmother’s. God bless your family😘
I’ve been binging your last week of amazingness. This weekend I get to meet a bio sister after 31 years of life. Your family just makes my heart so happy
I always cry when I watch your videos! your family is so beautiful, wish there were more people like you in the world.
We had two failed adoptions girls changed their minds days before delivering so on our third one I was guarded until I held her and it was instant love ❤️ we held our breath for 3 days but it all worked out well. Congratulations on your sweet addition
Benji is SO precious! I can feel the love radiating from you, and from everyone in the vlogs. 💙 I know you mentioned before that you were going to relactate and try to nurse your next baby. Did that end up working out?
I know this whole comment section is full of congratulations for the addition to your family and I share that sentiment. However, something else shined for me.
“...then he’s going back to his birth mom and that’s a wonderful thing.”
This is what makes you an incredibly special woman. 💕 Complete selflessness is a rare gem.
My heart hurt so much for your all when the adoption previous to Benj did not work out. However, I believe that your son is where he was meant to be, and that is a beautiful thing. I have enjoyed so much watching him grow and your family is absolutely gorgeous and I thank you for letting us be a part of it all ❤️
I cried through both videos. It was so touching. I am pregnant with our 6th child and I want to foster and/or adopt at some point. Watching your children meet Benjamin I just prayed and asked God to let us experience that oneday.
Can we just take a moment for Benny readjusting in the back the whole time! SO freaking adorable! Thank you for sharing this journey with us! Such a beautiful story, and I can't wait to be here for the rest of it!
What a gorgeous baby he is. I've been following the entire process over on the family channel. I am so happy for you all
Congratulations on your new blessing. The world would be a better place if there were more people as loving and kind as you and your hubby!!