2 Adoptive Mamas

The Main Thing: 

Lauren McAfee loves Jesus, her role as wife and “mama,” and has an incredibly special way of sharing her family’s story of courage, heartbreak, and trust in God’s plan. We can’t think of a better way to begin Season 3 than to introduce you to Lauren and let her share the story of how God’s call has left them in the depths of joy, sorrow, and the need to continually seek and trust in Him. 

As we listened back to this conversation, we found ourselves in awe of Lauren’s ability to manage so much yet with such grace that she so genuinely cherishes her varying roles in this season of life. Whether you’re thinking about adoption, in the wait, or in the trenches and wondering how to manage it all, Lauren has a message for you. While none of us can offer a magical solution to whatever it is you may be facing, we can find encouragement, wisdom, and insight from Lauren’s journey as we navigate our own.

Episode Resources: 

The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to be hosting the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

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The Main Thing: 

You’ll find that Episode 047 is a compilation of our thoughts and reflections on what Season 2 brought to the podcast, and what we’re looking forward to most for the future of Two Adoptive Mamas. We never could have imagined what we would learn, what others would share, and how we would become even more connected within the adoption and foster care community.

We’re thrilled to share that Season 3 is already in the works. As we have in the past, we’ll be a little quieter on our social platforms and won’t be releasing any new episodes for the next 12 weeks. But after that, we’ll be back for another six months! We can’t wait to continue this journey of learning and “momming” together. 

Episode Resources:

For our growing list of favorite resources, visit twoadoptivemamas.com/resources/.

2 A.M. Connect: 

Are you interested in being part of the Two Adoptive Mamas Patreon crowd? Your generous support of $5, $7, or $10 per month would mean so much to us. Click HERE to learn more! Thanks for helping us prepare for the launch of Season 3!

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The Main Thing: 

We like to dive deeper into the conversations that need to happen, but aren't happening enough --- and Episode 046 is just that. Megan Boudreaux is an author, advocate, adoptive mama, and founder of Respire Haiti. Her message has challenged the thoughts of many, but the truth, love, and passion behind her family's mission are nothing short of incredible.

We were thrilled to sit down with Megan to hear just a snippet of her decade-long journey that is helping bring restoration to brokenness and truth to how we can actually care for orphans globally.

It's always our goal to keep these episodes between 30-40 minutes because we know as moms, even that can be difficult to carve out in our day. The truth is, we could have talked to Megan for hours - and then some! We hope you love this episode just as much as we do! Megan is a treasure and a gift to have at the helm of such important work happening Haiti. Enjoy! 

Episode Resources: 

Respire Haiti Website: Respirehaiti.org

Instagram: @meganinhaiti

Megan's Book: Miracle on Voodoo Mountain 

2 A.M. Connect: 

The finale of Season 2 is upon us, but don't fret --- we're gearing up for Season 3! We are grateful to our patrons who help us fund the podcast and we're fortunate to be able to continue sharing in this space.

Are you interested in being part of the Two Adoptive Mamas Patreon crowd? Your generous support of $5, $7, or $10 per month would mean so much to us. Click HERE to learn more! Thanks for being here with us!

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The Main Thing: 

We’re taking a moment (Mama-minisode 045) to reflect this week, as mamas, on recent global events. It’s heavy, it’s controversial, and we’re not looking to take any type of stance or suggest how you should conduct your day-to-day.

We are, however, offering some resources that we have found to be very helpful in evaluating what is happening, through a biblical lens, and what it looks like to navigate this in our homes from this corner of the world.

We’ve linked all the resources shared in this episode in our show notes, so if you might find these helpful, you can find them there.

We’re in this together, mamas. Hard IS hard, but even we would admit that recent weeks have added some pretty substantial heartache for many across the globe. 

Please continue to join us in prayer, specifically for the moms across the globe, who are facing their hard and still have to show up and “mom” every day. 

Episode Resources: 

Christian Alliance for Orphans: Windows into the Invasion of Ukraine

The Gospel Coalition: How to Talk to Kids About the War in Ukraine

2 A.M. Connect: 

We need your questions! What do you want to know about us? About our stories? What have you been wondering about as a prospective or current adoptive/foster parent? Ask us and we are going to ANSWER all of your questions on an upcoming episode of the podcast!

Send them our way - [email protected] - we’ll answer them anonymously and can’t wait to hear what you’re most curious about!

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The Main Thing: 

There is so much stress and anxiety surrounding how to have “the talk” with our adopted children. Not that talk (wink, wink), but the talk and truth in how a family can be built through adoption. 

How do we bring it up? What will we think? How do we answer their questions? What if they’re upset? What if I feel hurt by their reaction? 

Whitney Bunker, author of We Can Talk About It, joined us for Episode 044 to answer our questions, provide tangible strategies, and offer support to adoptive parents as they help children understand family. The conversation is intimidating! We recognize this and want to help equip our mamas (and their partners!) to feel confident in approaching conversations around foster care and adoption with love and respect that will only further the trust we have built as families. 

Whitney’s book is a comfort for children and a resource for parents, offering a child-friendly storyline and a multitude of tips at the end of the book for parents and caregivers. We love this resource and our conversation with Whitney was so enlightening!

Episode Resources: 

For more with Whitney, and to find her book We Can Talk About It, visit www.whitneybunker.com. 

2 A.M. Connect: 

We need your questions! What do you want to know about us? About our stories? What have you been wondering about as a prospective or current adoptive/foster parent? Ask us and we are going to ANSWER all of your questions on an upcoming episode of the podcast!

Send them our way - [email protected] - we’ll answer them anonymously and can’t wait to hear what you’re most curious about!

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The Main Thing: 

As adoptive and foster parents (or prospective ones!) we are "in the midst" of it all the time. It's on our hearts, in our minds, part of our physical routine, and most of our practical day-to-day. But, do we know and understand the theological roots of adoption?

For Episode 043, we're going there with Pastor Luke Le Duc. He's giving us an overview of "adoption" in the Old and New Testaments and sketching a landscape of what it means for our lives today. We had so many questions, thoughts, and ideas, and all three of us did our best to pack it into a 40-minute episode that we believe will challenge and encourage every listener. 

We've said it before, and we'll say it again. We like the "deep dives" over here at Two Adoptive Mamas, and our conversation with Luke falls right in line with that purpose! Enjoy --- and be encouraged!

Episode Resources: 

Luke shared a quote from The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield - grab your copy HERE! 

2 A.M. Connect: 

We need your questions! What do you want to know about us? About our stories? What have you been wondering about as a prospective or current adoptive/foster parent? Ask us and we are going to ANSWER all of your questions on an upcoming episode of the podcast!

Send them our way - [email protected] - we’ll answer them anonymously and can’t wait to hear what you’re most curious about!

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The Main Thing: 

It’s comforting to know we’re not alone, and that’s exactly what Sosha Garlow reminds us in Episode 042. She’s a mama of biological and adopted girls, a Two Adoptive Mamas listener, and passionate about connecting moms in need of support. Willing to share her story of heartbreak, love, and perseverance during their journey to become a family of five, our conversation with Sosha is like a warm hug, laugh, and boost of encouragement that helps any day of the week!

We all know it takes a village to raise a child, but Sosha reminds us that it takes a community of support, love, and understanding to walk side by side through motherhood. We’re so grateful to Sosha for sharing her story, and we hope you enjoy your time with her as much as we did!

Episode Resources: 

We love sharing our favorite resources! Check out our list HERE and follow us on Instagram (@2adoptivemamas) for our Wednesday weekly book recommendations! 

2 A.M. Connect: 

We need your questions! What do you want to know about us? About our stories? What have you been wondering about as a prospective or current adoptive/foster parent? Ask us and we are going to ANSWER all of your questions on an upcoming episode of the podcast!

Send them our way - [email protected] - we’ll answer them anonymously and can’t wait to hear what you’re most curious about!

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The Main Thing: 

The home study. It’s a daunting component of the adoption process. We’re not sure about you, but when it was our time to join the paperwork brigade, we had a lot of questions!

Part of our mission at Two Adoptive Mamas is to meet you in the day-to-day of wherever you may be in the process. So, if you’re thinking about adoption or beginning to venture into the trenches of paperwork, this episode is for you!

For Episode 041 the Two Adoptive Mamas themselves are taking the mics and unpacking the process, the questions, and what we’ve learned from our own experiences. We’ll share tips, tricks, what kept us sane, and even (dare we say) how to make the process fun (or at least more enjoyable)! Join us as we get back to basics and Home Study 101 with the mamas!

Episode Resources: 

Check out these helpful resources regarding the home study process!

HowToAdopt.org 

Completing a home study

Adoption Network - Home Study Requirements by State

American Adoptions - Home Study Checklist – What Every Parent Needs to Prepare

American Adoptions - Home Study Questions: Preparing for the Interview 

2 A.M. Connect: 

We need your questions! What do you want to know about us? About our stories? What have you been wondering about as a prospective or current adoptive/foster parent? Ask us and we are going to ANSWER all of your questions on an upcoming episode of the podcast!

Send them our way - [email protected] - we’ll answer them anonymously and can’t wait to hear what you’re most curious about!

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The Main Thing: 

She’s back and she’s the best. We loved our time with Kanisha Tillman during Season One (check it out HERE!) and so we couldn’t wait for the opportunity to have her back and dive deeper into hair care as it applies to transracial adoptive and foster families. 

Kanisha is so real and we love her raw, loving, and enthusiastic approach to helping parents everywhere embrace the gift of welcoming a child into our home, even when that means there might be a hair care learning curve for mom and dad!

During this episode we’re talking about the do’s and dont’s, this or thats, and all the things that might surprise us about black hair care. Through our laughter and enjoyment of this conversation with Kanisha is a ton of heart for the connection of culture and confidence that comes with intentional hair care. We love Kanisha, and we know you will too!

Episode Resources:

Find Kanisha on Instagram (tutus_tennis_shoes), Facebook (@tutustennisshoes), and HERE on the web! 

2 A.M. Connect: 

We need your questions! What do you want to know about us? About our stories? What have you been wondering about as a prospective or current adoptive/foster parent? Ask us and we are going to ANSWER all of your questions on an upcoming episode of the podcast!

Send them our way - [email protected] - we’ll answer them anonymously and can’t wait to hear what you’re most curious about!

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The Main Thing:

Erin Staudenbaur is one of the most compassionate, tender-hearted people you’ll meet. As an adoptive and foster mom, she has a unique story to share of how they built their family amidst a passionate commitment to care for vulnerable children.

We’re so thankful for Erin’s willingness to join us for this episode to reveal more about the challenges and blessings of foster care and adoption. She explains her perspective of the “Savior complex,” how she’s navigating the ups, downs, and unknowns of stepping into hard situations, and how she’s leaning into her faith to thrive through it all!

Part of our mission at Two Adoptive Mamas is to initiate conversations with mamas who are in the trenches. Erin is one of those moms, and we’re grateful to be able to share her story with the hope that it encourages you wherever you are in your journey.

*We try to deliver the highest quality episode each week, but sometimes audio can be a challenge depending on a number of factors to consider when producing a podcast. We apologize for some of the feedback in this episode, and hope you enjoy it nonetheless!

Episode Resources:

We love sharing our favorite resources! Check out our list HERE and follow us on Instagram (@2adoptivemamas) for our Wednesday weekly book recommendations! 

2 A.M. Connect: 

Do you have a story to share? Do you know someone who does? We’d love to connect with them. You can always connect with us at [email protected]! 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

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