Jori's Adoption Story

It is hard to believe that 2 months ago today we found out we would be the parents to this beautiful baby girl . . . here is her story . . .

Thursday, March 11, 2010 . . . I was at the gym taking a fitness class and saw a call come from Stephen.  My phone was always with in arms reach as it was our “lifeline” to adoption.  We knew from experience with Jadon (16 hours notice) we needed to always have our phones handy “just in case”.  Stephen said he had received an e-mail about an expectant mom whom had seen our profile online and was due at the end of April.  From the moment I heard about this e-mail something told me it was different . . . I stood outside of the class just shaking as the road so far to our second child had been quite bumpy.  We were in that place of “don’t get your hopes up . . . but we really hope this is it” phase in our 15 month journey.  After talking it over and praying over it we made the decision to show our profile.

Monday, March 22, 2010 . . . Our profile is shown . .. .

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 . . . we find out that we are one of two couples that the expectant mom would like to meet before making her decision.  The meeting is set up for Monday, March 29th at a church in the Dallas area.

Friday, March 26, 2010 . . . I get a phone call from our adoption agency that after going to a routine doctor appointment the expectant mom had been checked into the hospital as a precaution for the baby.  The Monday meeting was now moved to the hospital.  I KNEW in my heart something was going to happen that night . . . I don’t know what it was . . . . but I did not sleep at all the whole night . . . . I prayed long and hard for the expectant mom and her baby . . . . I prayed that she would be at peace and that her decision would not be too difficult . . . I prayed that they would be safe and protected . . . I prayed for a safe delivery of the baby whenever that may be and comfort for her birth mother.  I knew in my heart that the baby was coming that night.

Saturday, March 27, 2010 . . . We get up and started getting ready for the day.  We had a soccer game at 9:30am for Jadon.  However as I was getting ready . . . I just kept thinking “I know they are going to call . . . we are going to meet the expectant mom today”.  Around 8:30am our home phone rang . . . sure enough I saw “Generations” on the caller ID.  As soon as I saw that . . . . I looked at Stephen and said “I knew it!!!”  Sure enough the expectant mom had given birth Friday night to a healthy baby girl and they wanted to move the meeting to today at 1pm.

Driving to the hospital to meet this beautiful woman was scary, nerve wracking, and intimidating.  We knew she had seen our letter and pictures . . . but we still wondered . . . why did she like us?  Why did she want to meet us?  Would we make a good impression?  Would we stumble over our words out of nervousness?  We prayed for peace and clarity as we made our way into that hospital.  

Our hearts were also nervous for the birth mother as we knew what she had been through the last 16 hours . . . how do you go through a quick birth . . . a month early . . . and then have to go through meeting potential adoptive families for this precious child that you just gave birth to?  I can’t imagine the feelings that she had that day . . . confusion, exhaustion, love, fear . . . knowing you have to make this HUGE decision when clarity is so difficult!

The meeting went extremely well and the only thing we knew when we left was . . . we ABSOLUTELY loved this wonderful Christian family.  I loved that they asked us direct questions such as “Are you guys in love . . . are you best friends . . . etc.”  The questions were refreshing . . . I wanted their deepest questions answered.  We hoped we would be chosen but we knew God had his plan and we just felt so blessed to be able to meet them.  We also knew that at 3pm they would be meeting another family and we prayed for that family as well as they went through that meeting as we knew how difficult this was on everyone involved.

Of course this would be a night of little sleep as I just thought, prayed and sought what God was trying to do . . . would this be the family for us?  Or would this be another learning experience?  Whatever it would be . . . as hard as it was . . . I knew we were in his plan.

Sunday, March 28, 2010 . . . Stephen was on shift . . . I was a wreck . . . I sat through church and Sunday school and my phone never left my hand as we were hoping that we would hear of a decision.  We knew someone was taking a little baby girl home tomorrow . . . . we just did not know who.  At about 6pm I made the decision to go ahead and purchase a car seat . . . just in case . . . I could always take it back right?  Plus I knew that if we were chosen . . . I wouldn’t want to have to think about that last minute.  My mind was spinning and I needed to get out.  Thankfully a wonderful woman from my Sunday School class offered to come with me to keep me company.  It was nice to get out and just do something instead of just staring at the phone.  

While at the baby store the agency called and told me that the birth mom was having a really hard time making a decision and we would find something out in the morning. 

Wowsers . . . God had me on my knees . . . I knew of my anxiety . . . but I was having difficulty processing the struggles that the birth family was going through.  I prayed so hard for this birth mother and her family . . . that she would have peace, clarity and confidence in whatever decision she came to . . . whether it be parenting or placing her precious child with us or the other family for adoption.  I prayed for the other adoptive family as I knew they were feeling what I was feeling.

Monday, March 29, 2010 . . . 

9:00am . . . we decide that we are not going to sit around the house and we decided to take Jadon out for breakfast at IHOP.  At this point Jadon knew NOTHING of what was going on.  We forwarded the home phone to my cell so we would get whatever call would come.

10:30am . . . during our breakfast the phone rings . . . I looked at Stephen and was really scared to answer it as all I could hear in my head was “They chose the other family”.   I took a deep breath and answered . . . it of course was Laura from the agency.  She said that the family had come to a decision and that they had chosen us to be the parents of this precious little girl!  I immediately started bawling (right there in the middle of IHOP) and of course poor Jadon has no idea what is going on and he started to freak out and cry because he didn’t know what was wrong with me.  I nodded to Stephen so that he knew it was us and he proceeded to tell Jadon that I was crying happy tears as he was now a big brother and would be bringing home a baby sister later that day!  Jadon then screamed “YES” at the top of his lungs right there in the middle of IHOP (I keep remembering how crazy that must have looked to other IHOP patrons as I cried and Jadon cheered).  

Laura had told me that we needed to be at the hospital at 3pm so we had a few hours to get things prepared.  We finished up our breakfast, called family and then headed to Target.  Of course we had to have some girly clothes to take the little princess home!

3:00pm . . . We pulled up to the hospital full of anticipation and excitement!  Meeting Jori for the first time was simply amazing!  Jadon ran right up to her little bassinet and the first thing he said while looking over her was “I am going to protect you”.  I was so amazed and in love watching my little boy just love on his new little sister . . . immediately accepting her as a member of our family.  

Watching Stephen hold his little girl the first time was absolutely one of the most powerful moments . . . . seeing this little 5lb baby in his arms just melted my heart.  

The first time holding my little princess was simply amazing . . . it brought back the emotions I had the first time I held Jadon.  All of the heartache . . . longing . . . immediately we knew this was the child God had planned for us.  We were all so excited to meet our new little girl.

Baylor Irving was FANTASTIC!!  The nurses there were great and we left the hospital at around 7pm.  Needless to say . . . we realized on the way home that we had not eaten since IHOP earlier that morning.  We were all just in a daze on the way home . . . Jori sat between me and Jadon . . . Jadon just kept looking at her and kept saying how beautiful she was.  I totally agreed!  When we got home Jadon HAD to help carry her in . . . to make sure she was safe!  He is so protective of his little sister!

God truly walked with us along this journey.  That is not to say there was not times I wondered what in the world his plan was and why it had to at times hurt so much.  I knew he just had that perfect birth family and daughter for us.  Jeremiah 29:11 played a big role in my life during the 15 month wait for our dear daughter . . . 

For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the LORD," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

God always knew his plan for us . . .  but he needed to take us through the ups and downs of our journey to bring us closer to him.  We know God has many more journeys for us in the future and we do our best to put all of our faith and trust in him.  We pray our children will cling to this verse as they grow . . . have questions . . . and just become independent individuals.  God’s plan may not always be the plan “we” have planned for ourselves but it is definitely the plan he knows is best for us.

We are also so incredibly blessed to have had so many people love on us, pray for us, and support us through this journey to our family.  I don’t think I could count up all of the people who one way or the other made an impact on us or did something that brought us peace.  Family, friends, and church family (many of whom we do not personally know) were there for us in thoughts, prayer, phone calls, chats, food, gifts, and love.  Without that . . . this journey would have been unbearable.  To all of you . . . Thank You!

May 29, 2010 . . . I can not think about all of the events of 2 months ago and not tear up.  So much has happened . . . we have fallen completely and totally in love with our little girl.  We have been so blessed to maintain an open relationship with her birth family and for that we are so grateful.  We feel so incredibly blessed that 2 beautiful children were entrusted to us . . . and we will always cherish them!

BEST . . . MOTHERS . . . DAY . . . . EVER!!!!!

For so many years . . . mothers day was one of the hardest days of the year for me.  Today . . . it is the greatest . . . knowing our family is complete.  I feel so incredibly blessed to have had 2 wonderful selfless women choose to make me a mother.  God has blessed us immeasurably and for that I am so thankful.  

5 years ago on mothers day we took part in the baby dedication for Jadon . . . . and today we dedicated ourselves to bring Jori up to know our God.

Happy mothers day to all the mothers out there . . . and to all the waiting ones . . . I pray for peace during this time that you wait to meet your child.

Grammie, Jadon, and Jori

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the LORD," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Mommy . . . when will it be our turn?

"Mommy . . . when will it be our turn?" The words of my precious son . . . who absolutely can not wait to be a big brother. It has been over a year since we started the process with agency #1. Now Jadon is really getting what "waiting" means. This is good for him . . . as difficult as it is . . . he is learning what God's timing means. He prays for his new brother or sister . . . he sets special toys aside for him/her . . . he talks about all the things he will be teaching him/her. He is such a loving little guy . . . I truly can't wait to see him in the big brother role!

Almost every time we go to a friends house that has a small baby he asks if we are going to take the baby home with us. We do our best to explain that these babies have a mommy and daddy already. One night we had friends over and the baby was a little fussy . . . he ran to his room and got his most prized possession . . . his green "B" (his blanket). He handed it to the baby and said "this should help you baby." Needless to say . . . Stephen and I were floored, mouths dropped, as we know just how special that "B" is to him.

We pray that this process does not take too much longer . . . it has been a long year. However . . . we also know God has that perfect child and birth family for us. Now we pray that Jadon understands the special work that God is doing right now.

Here is a pic of Jadon this week . . . come back soon to see what we were working on!

And finally . . . a great song for anyone who is waiting for something . . . .

God's timing is perfect!

I can not look at Jadon's face and question God's timing. Jadon was the perfect choice for us and hand picked by God to be placed in our lives. God's timing is perfect and for that I am so thankful.

Today we found out that the birth family of a precious little girl chose another wonderful family who has been waiting for a very long time (I think about 2 years). I am truly very happy for them as I know the joy they are going though because I remember that time with Jadon.

I am excited for the time we still have with Jadon one on one and look forward to the fun trips we are taking this summer. We love that little boy and treasure all of the time we have with him. I also know with out a shadow of a doubt that God is protecting our future child and birth family. He has a plan and we will wait as patiently as possible. We are trusting in his perfect timing.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your prayers through the last few days and I hope the birthmother felt them. She and the chosen family still needs your prayers however as this next 2 months will be very important and difficult for all of them.

Here are some pictures of my sweet little man at one week old and now . . . and again God reminds me . . . . his timing is perfect!

A not so little blessing!

I truly cannot believe that Jadon is almost 5 years old. He has been a wonderful gift to us the last 4 ½ years. I still look at him and can not believe that God led someone to choose us to love him forever.

Last week Stephen and I were driving down Garland Ave. and we saw a billboard promoting adoption. Standing right in front of and staring at the billboard was a pregnant woman on a cell phone. I can only assume that she was calling the number that was on the billboard to help her through her pregnancy.

I can not imagine what was going through her mind as she made that call but I do pray for that woman and the choice she will make in the future. She may choose to parent or she may choose adoption . . . either will be fine, but I pray that she is at peace. I pray that she is protected and is given the tools she needs to make whatever decisions are necessary.

I know there is a woman out there that will be facing this same decision and I pray for her every day. God planned for Jadon to be in our home and kept him safe for us. God has our next child in his hands and for that I am eternally grateful. I look forward to meeting our future birth family and child . . . until then . . . I will enjoy every day that I have one on one time with Jadon.

Here are some pics through the years of our not so little blessing. Enjoy!

June 2005

June 2006

June 2007

June 2008

June 2009

Angels among us!

It is hard to fathom what a woman goes through before she chooses adoption for the child she has been carrying for 9 months. The tears, sadness, and anxiety that must go along with that is incomprehensible to me. As hard as the infertility process has been to go through, I still think I am on the easy side of the equation. For a woman to be so strong to go through a surprise pregnancy, that she is not prepared for . . . . and CHOOSE LIFE, only to give another desiring woman the family she has dreamed of is an angel (in my opinion).

Adoption has been such a pure blessing for us. It is surreal and humbling to know that there is a woman out there that chose us (still crazy to me) to forever be the parents to our dear Jadon. I think about this often as I think about the fact that there is another woman out there that will at some point see our letter and think we are the perfect family for her child. I pray for that woman and her family often and my heart breaks for her when I think of what she will go through.

Our church service today (First Baptist Garland) was wonderful . . . I shall share a few passages that hit home with me.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I have said before . . . we knew we wanted a family . . . we planned our course . . . it definitely did not happen the way that we thought it would but we would have it no other way! God took our desires and put them in the steps HE desired and knew would be the best for us. It is comforting to know that we have a Father that knows what is best for us (even if at times we disagree). He ALWAYS has control and loves us unconditionally.

We're Approved!

The whole home study process is awkward! It seems so unnatural and yes unfair that we have to go through all of the little hoops to become parents. Don't get me wrong . . . I understand why we have to go through the process and wouldn't have it any other way.

I feel so blessed EVERY day that Jadon is in our lives. I still look at him 4 1/2 years later and can't believe that someone very special chose us to raise him. That person was an angel that God chose to carry our son for us and we are eternally grateful!

Now we wait for Holland #2 and are comforted with the fact that God is protecting that child the same way he protected Jadon. It is awesome to know that I can give it up to God (although I have to admit it is not always easy) when I worry about "what ifs".

Anyway . . . for now we have the letter . . . the letter that tells us we are approved! That is reassuring and exciting! Now we let everything happen in God's timing!

God hears our prayers!

This is the story of how the Lord Jesus Christ protected our son and heard our prayers before he was ours.

JANUARY 2004 – We had just started the adoption process. Our church at the end of every January has a “Celebration of Life” service. It is a service that talks about the importance of choosing life and the support of Dallas Pregnancy Center. Of course sitting through this service, as we so badly wanted a child, was pretty difficult as we could not even fathom the thought of abortion. It was on celebration of life Sunday 2004 that God gave me a specific prayer . . . it was to save a baby from abortion and place that child into a loving home. It didn’t have to be our home . . . just a home that the child would grow up and learn to love God. Our church at the time handed out little stickers of baby feet the size of a child at 6 – 8 weeks in utero to show that they were in fact little babies. The sticker shows tiny perfectly formed feet. I took that little sticker and stuck it to the inner cover of my bible as I sat in that service and prayed. That sticker remains in my bible today.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 – Jadon was born. We chose the name Jadon because it meant “God has heard” and “Thankful”. We were so thankful that God had heard our prayers.

JANUARY 2005 – I sit in the Celebration of Life service and look at the little sticker that is in my bible. It hits me that at the time I was saying that prayer in January of 2004, Jadon was about somewhere around 8 weeks in utero. Of course at this point I am in the service with tears in my eyes as this realization comes over me. I had not realized until this very day how my specific prayers from one year ago were answered. I don’t know why I did not remember that specific prayer until one year later . . . but God wanted me to. I guess he wanted to remind me how he works. God protected him throughout and gave his birth parents the strength to bring him into this world to become our son. I also believe that God heard my specific prayer and chose to give me what I had asked.  I look at him every day and wonder what life would be with out him. He is so full of joy and life. We are so grateful to Jadon’s birth family for bringing him into the world for us and we hope that they see the joy that he has given us and know how much we love them.  It is our prayer as well that they see Christ in Jadon and that someday they too will know our God.

JANUARY 2009 – 5 years later we are starting the adoption process again. Most likely it will take a lot longer than the 9 months that it took for us to adopt Jadon. That is OK . . . we know God has a perfect plan and we are so excited to see how it will work out. God has shown us very clearly with Jadon that he is in control and hears our prayers. We have no doubt that he sees our future and is protecting our future child and his or her birth family.

OTHER THOUGHTS - Why do I write this? Not for any other reason than to show how amazing God is. God does listen to our prayers. Even though our prayers are not always answered in the way we would like them to be, he always has a plan. When wishing to start our family, we never thought we would have to go the route of adoption . . . but we are so glad that we did. It now gives us a clear understanding of what it is like to be adopted by Christ. I can’t imagine living this life with out Jadon . . . he is our joy, our life and our most precious gift. It is amazing that our God thinks this way of us.