An Amazing Journey

Ever since starting our new adoption process, I kept thinking about how much I wanted to write about it.  I wanted to keep track of the memories along the way... I found it way too hard to do.  It should have taken less than 3 months for our home study.  It took us 6 months.  I was very frustrated by the home study process.  Life kept getting in the way of us getting everything completed.  Every week that ticked by made me feel less hopeful and more doubtful about adding another child to our family.  We finally received our "stamp of approval" on August 10.  I was not very excited to know our profile would be shown because we had been told over and over to expect to wait 12-18 months because this would be our second child.  So all the stamp of approval meant was a new count had started.  How long would we have to wait?

Like the planer that I am, I looked at what we needed to do to be ready and started checking things off the list.  We bought a new crib, dressers, nursery bedding and decorations.  We also made sure the money for the adoption was in place so we would be ready when that call would finally come.  Even during this time, I was not excited.  I kept doubting the process.  I finally remembered I needed to quit focusing on what I did not have and rejoice in what was already mine!  I needed to get my focus back on my sweet family and let God worry about the rest.  I finally started to enjoy life again and reminded myself that each day was a gift.

One day I started reflecting on our time while we waited for Kaylee.  I remembered during our wait, I prayed almost everyday for the baby that was being carried by another women.  I prayed for that mother, her family and her situation.  I prayed for her health, the health of the baby and for my patience.  I prayed that I would be strong enough to raise any given child the way God would want me to.  We waited 10 months for Kaylee.  Prayer is what helped me through the wait.  I am thankful I took the time to reflect upon this memory.  It pushed me to return to the one thing still not in focus....prayer.  I began to pray again for another family, parent, and child who we did not yet know.

On December 29, after waiting only 4 1/2 months, we got the call.  We traveled 4 1/2 hours the next day to meet with a mother who was considering choosing us to parent her child.  We met with her for an hour and then traveled the 4 1/2 hours back.  We got the call the evening of December 30 saying she did choose us.  On January 4, a beautiful baby boy entered this world.  Isaac John came home as our son on January 6th.  Words cannot express the emotions we have!

I am so thankful for my sweet family.  I am again amazed by God's power and humbled that he has chosen John and I to raise this sweet little man.  I thank God for my beautiful children!