Adoption

This has been a huge part of our life the last 6 months and I am just now writing about it! Maybe it is because of the fact that we are completely out of control and don't want to get our hopes up or maybe it is because it is hard to tell everyone that you can't build your family the "traditional," expected way. Whatever the reason may be we are very proud and excited to be a part of this awesome experience. 

The beginning of March we knew we had come to a point where we had to decide whether we wanted our family to grow through IVF or adoption. After attending meetings for both and being very prayerful, we felt that adopting was the course for us.  Although I felt great relief in having direction and hope I knew that there would be hard, emotional days ahead of us.

We quickly began the process of gathering referrals, medical clearances, employer referrals, stake president referrals, and documentation. Then on to the preferences, filling out what seemed like hundreds of questions about us individually, and our financial situation. We collected pictures and wrote comments about each one and filled out information on us. We prayed and pondered on how we could write a letter that would sufficiently tell an expectant mother how much we already love her. We prepared our house for our home study-cleaning, decorating, and organizing.  And finally we were approved to adopt a baby. 

But that's not the end.

Now we wait. 

Since then we have had our ups and downs, but mostly we have just waited. We got the word out on Facebook. We made business cards. We have dear friends who have featured us on their blog. We talk with our family, friends, co-workers, students and strangers telling everyone that we WANT to adopt. 

And when all is said and done these next few pictures are what help us to continue moving forward--waiting and hoping:

Thinking about holding your baby for the first time

Seeing your best friend and husband look into the eyes of your child and see and feel the love that he has for them

And hearing the prayers of a three year old who is so excited to be a sister.

(She can't wait to have a baby brother to play John or Michael (from Peter Pan) while she is Wendy Darling or a baby sister to play Elsa while she is Anna)

We are so grateful for all of the support by so many loved ones.  We are so excited for our future family and look forward to seeing how this will all play out. But until then, we will have complete faith in Heavenly Father's plan for us!