Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
12.19.2016
12.28.2015
Andrew turns 3!
We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Andrew turning 3 and the joy he brings to our lives. He had a birthday party with family and cousins on Saturday the 12th. It was in the 70s and we took full advantage playing outside.
Drew received many thoughtful gifts and has loved playing with them. He also received some dapper clothing and shoes. Look out world. ♡
12.21.2014
4.19.2014
1.20.2014
Matching day!!
Three years ago today, we were matched with Zachary's birth mom. What a privilege and blessing it has been to be this boy's mommy. ♡♡♡
10.17.2013
6.20.2013
the Story God Wrote [in pictures]
courtesy of Shelli Craig Photography
I was washing dishes tonight remember when all this was a dream; when we found out about Zach, we had less than 2 weeks to prepare; with Andrew, we had a few months. It's a surreal experience and we during the process, we would pinch ourselves to make sure it was really happening.
These days, I try to keep up with laundry, wipe dirty hands and clean food off the floor, walls and curtains. My prayers are for wisdom in parenting, loving in discipline and please God, that they would always know how much they were loved.
I'm living in a dream come true- but one that could only have been orchestrated by a sovereign God. This is His story written just for us.
Isn't it beautiful?!
5.09.2013
Finalized!!
Last week we had a phone conference with a judge in Florida to finalize Andrew's adoption. With Zachary, we met the judge before leaving the state of Kansas, so we weren't sure how this phone call would go.
We needed a notary there to swear us in, so we met at our bank and waited for our turn in court. The notary was so kind and snapped these pictures for us.
 |
| the boy of the hour- Andrew- is sleeping through this whole phone call |
The judge asked Josh and I the same questions- did we understand the responsibility we were taking on? Did we agree/promise to raise Andrew as our naturally-born child, to provide for him, etc., etc.
These questions were all very easy to answer with a 'Yes sir.'
 |
| thankful that Zach kept quiet! |
The last question he asked caught me off guard after all the 'yes/no' types of questions.
"Why do you want to adopt Andrew?"
How can one even put that into words? I didn't cry, but the tears were waiting in the wings. I answered something like, 'we love him so much and he's apart of our family. I can't imagine life without him!'
To which, the judge said, 'Thank you very much and congratulations.' :)
12.25.2012
Introducing. . .
Andrew Caleb Morin
12/11/2012
12:40 pm
8 lb 7 oz
21.5" long
Zachary is so, so proud!
11.12.2012
nesting
Our expecting mom is 36 weeks today.
After 37 weeks, he baby could come anytime and be healthy, so says the OB doctor.
A.Ma.Zing.
I'm in full-out nesting mode. Goodwill is a daily stop and we are getting organized. Baby's dresser is full of newborn clothes, diaper basket is ready for use and he even has a stack of books. Zach's room is being finished: arrangement with crib, couch and dresser is finalized, I installed a picture ledge with a neighbor's help yesterday (still needs caulk/paint) and his winter clothes are ready/in use. The play room downstairs still needs work, but more room and less clutter with the couch gone.
LOTS more to do!!!
My pinterest DIY board tells a story. :)
After 37 weeks, he baby could come anytime and be healthy, so says the OB doctor.
A.Ma.Zing.
I'm in full-out nesting mode. Goodwill is a daily stop and we are getting organized. Baby's dresser is full of newborn clothes, diaper basket is ready for use and he even has a stack of books. Zach's room is being finished: arrangement with crib, couch and dresser is finalized, I installed a picture ledge with a neighbor's help yesterday (still needs caulk/paint) and his winter clothes are ready/in use. The play room downstairs still needs work, but more room and less clutter with the couch gone.
LOTS more to do!!!
My pinterest DIY board tells a story. :)
10.30.2012
We're MATCHED
Baby BOY is due Dec 11 in Florida!!!!
Expecting Mom is an amazing young woman. We said YES to the situation because of how much we admired the e-mom. She was presented with family profiles on a Tuesday.
On Friday, she asked the agency for more time, saying it was just such a hard decision. She had been praying over each profile and asking for wisdom. Our respect for her grew.
On Monday we found out she had eliminated 4 families, but we were in the top 3!!!!!
And on Tuesday, Oct. 16th at 7:00, we found out she had PICKED US!!!
Expecting Mom is an amazing young woman. We said YES to the situation because of how much we admired the e-mom. She was presented with family profiles on a Tuesday.
On Friday, she asked the agency for more time, saying it was just such a hard decision. She had been praying over each profile and asking for wisdom. Our respect for her grew.
On Monday we found out she had eliminated 4 families, but we were in the top 3!!!!!
And on Tuesday, Oct. 16th at 7:00, we found out she had PICKED US!!!
Family of 4- coming soon
7.11.2012
Growing Our Family
This time around, it's a whole lot easier. The paperwork and checklists are large, but not insurmountable. In fact, we've already done several things to move us in the right direction, including:
- signed with our favorite consultant Tracie Loux, who works with Christian Adoption Consultants
- updated our profile with pictures of Zachary, cousins and new family pictures
- sent out reference letters for our Home Study
- pediatrician medical records turned in (Zachary is a healthy boy- but we need to prove it)
- adoption physicals for Josh and myself (because you need to be healthy to be a parent!)
- scheduled appointment with our social worker, who will complete our Home Study
As of today, we have not been matched yet, so we don't know if Zachary will have a baby brother or sister. We'll keep you posted!
In the meantime, thanks for praying for our birthmom. She is walking a difficult road, carrying a child she knows she will not parent. Please join us in praying for her safety and her health.
2.01.2012
A Look Back
The 13 days between Jan 20th and Feb 2nd are very special to us, as you can imagine. It was the craziest time of my life and I sometimes felt like I was riding a roller coaster. There were times when I felt totally overwhelmed, helpless and unworthy. At other times, I was ultra focused, decisions came easily and I worked with a clear purpose.
Jan. 20: Matched!
Jan. 21: I begin preparing to leave work indefinitely. Gifted 2 tickets to the DUKE/Wake Forest game for Saturday the 22nd! Shop at Home Depot that evening for bead board for Saturday's project..
Sat. Jan. 22: Up early for a DIY day with my girlfriend Susan. Finish and go to the Duke game!
Sun. Jan. 23: Go to church and share with friends. :) Our Life Community class, AiM, has a rescheduled Christmas pizza party and we enjoy fellowship with new and old friends. I arm wrestle Josh into helping me cap off the bead board in preparation for our painter.
Mon-Tues Jan. 24-25: We both continue at work, though our bosses know by this time. Our painter comes Tuesday and transforms the kitchen. It looks amazing. I stop at a friend's house to pick up a load of clothes. Her son was born in March, so they will work perfectly!!!
Wed. Jan. 26: Our friends Kelly, Jeff and their 3 kids arrive in the evening with a van full of baby goods- stroller, car seat, crib mattress, baby bath, moby, boppy, etc., etc. !!!!! We are SO blessed!
Thurs. Jan. 27: My last day of work!!!
Fri Jan. 28: Spent morning folding freshly laundered baby clothes, talking with grand parents and nesting.
Sat. Jan. 29: My sister Colleen came to help me organize nursery and clear out junk. We make a list of baby necessities and hit Target. She also helps me buy my first cloth diaper purchase- 30 prefolds and several covers- from a craigslist person. Josh is with Mike checking out a friend's home brew set-up. (yes, you read that correctly) He has a great time. Meanwhile, I'm calling people about cribs from craigslist. Josh comes with me and we pick up a beautiful crib! Mike & Colleen help us set it up and arrange the room 4 different ways before I'm satisfied. Our dear friends Eric and Betsy come over for a quick visit. I show Betsy the nursery and she needs to rest on a chair. (she's pregnant and past her due date). We marvel at the Lord's timing and wonder whose baby will be born first. . . :)
Sun. Jan. 30: Church that morning and our last class in AiM. We are prayed for by Jim & Robin and share our story with the class. Our table group has offered to come over and help us in any way. We don't actually need help, but have them over for lunch and the Duke game. Duke got whooped and I notice that my Aunt has called several times about a storm coming through the Kansas/Missouri area. . . I mention this to Josh and we breath in deep. . .
We say goodbye to our friends and quickly decide we need to leave that NIGHT for Kansas to beat the massive snow storm!!! My neighbor and girlfriend Kelli comes over to help me pack a bag for our unnamed son and her husband installs the car seat for us. I throw together some clothes for myself, pack some snacks and make a final call to a breast milk donor. We google directions, print them and head out the door! We head right to the donor's house and pick up several hundred ounces of Mommy milk. Our last stop is to pick up dry ice to keep the milk cold on our 20 hour trip.
We drive through the night to St. Louis, where we crash around 6am at my Aunt and Uncle's house.
Mon Jan. 31: Aunt Dara wakes us around 11. We stare at the weather channel, the radar and listen to schools scheduling early releases because of the bad weather. We pack up quickly and head out into the blizzard. This day was the hardest leg of the journey. The windshield wipers did not work because of the chunks of frozen ice, the road conditions were bad and the visibility was poor. Somehow the Lord helped us to our destination of Wichita, Kansas. Along the way, we tried our various baby boy names and decided to use our birth mom's father's name- John- as our son's middle name.
We arrive from our long trip around 7 in the evening. We have found the home which will accommodate us and our newborn son. It also houses 2 other adoptive couples and we are thankful for the camaraderie there.
After bringing in our luggage, we prepare to meet Susan and her 2 boys, Franklin and Julian. I'm nervous but exhausted. I wonder what she'll think of us and if she'll like us. We meet, eat pizza and it's as normal as it can be. They stay till 9.
As politely as possible, we say goodnight to our new friends and hosts and crawl into a giant, king size bed. I remember waking up the next day and feeling so refreshed and recharged. It was the best night's sleep we've had in years. ha!
Tues. Feb. 1: I am invited by Susan to attend the final ultrasound with her. The doctor must check the baby's lungs to make sure they are developed and then they will schedule a c-section for her. Everything looks great and her c-section is scheduled for Wed. Feb. 2 and 2pm.
While we are at the doctor's, Josh is back at the house with Susan's boys. Susan and I are dropped off and the 5 of us spend the rest of the day together. The snow is falling like crazy, the drifts are high and Josh has the weather channel on and appears mesmerized by it. The boys and I play hide-n-seek, cars, etc. It's a special day. The time seems to slow down and we visit and get to know each other.
Susan is not feeling well after the morning's procedure and that evening we drive in with her to see if everything is OK. The hospital clears her and we arrive home very late at night. Sleep does not come easily! :)
Jan. 20: Matched!
Jan. 21: I begin preparing to leave work indefinitely. Gifted 2 tickets to the DUKE/Wake Forest game for Saturday the 22nd! Shop at Home Depot that evening for bead board for Saturday's project..
Sat. Jan. 22: Up early for a DIY day with my girlfriend Susan. Finish and go to the Duke game!
Sun. Jan. 23: Go to church and share with friends. :) Our Life Community class, AiM, has a rescheduled Christmas pizza party and we enjoy fellowship with new and old friends. I arm wrestle Josh into helping me cap off the bead board in preparation for our painter.
Mon-Tues Jan. 24-25: We both continue at work, though our bosses know by this time. Our painter comes Tuesday and transforms the kitchen. It looks amazing. I stop at a friend's house to pick up a load of clothes. Her son was born in March, so they will work perfectly!!!
Wed. Jan. 26: Our friends Kelly, Jeff and their 3 kids arrive in the evening with a van full of baby goods- stroller, car seat, crib mattress, baby bath, moby, boppy, etc., etc. !!!!! We are SO blessed!
Thurs. Jan. 27: My last day of work!!!
Fri Jan. 28: Spent morning folding freshly laundered baby clothes, talking with grand parents and nesting.
Sat. Jan. 29: My sister Colleen came to help me organize nursery and clear out junk. We make a list of baby necessities and hit Target. She also helps me buy my first cloth diaper purchase- 30 prefolds and several covers- from a craigslist person. Josh is with Mike checking out a friend's home brew set-up. (yes, you read that correctly) He has a great time. Meanwhile, I'm calling people about cribs from craigslist. Josh comes with me and we pick up a beautiful crib! Mike & Colleen help us set it up and arrange the room 4 different ways before I'm satisfied. Our dear friends Eric and Betsy come over for a quick visit. I show Betsy the nursery and she needs to rest on a chair. (she's pregnant and past her due date). We marvel at the Lord's timing and wonder whose baby will be born first. . . :)
Sun. Jan. 30: Church that morning and our last class in AiM. We are prayed for by Jim & Robin and share our story with the class. Our table group has offered to come over and help us in any way. We don't actually need help, but have them over for lunch and the Duke game. Duke got whooped and I notice that my Aunt has called several times about a storm coming through the Kansas/Missouri area. . . I mention this to Josh and we breath in deep. . .
We say goodbye to our friends and quickly decide we need to leave that NIGHT for Kansas to beat the massive snow storm!!! My neighbor and girlfriend Kelli comes over to help me pack a bag for our unnamed son and her husband installs the car seat for us. I throw together some clothes for myself, pack some snacks and make a final call to a breast milk donor. We google directions, print them and head out the door! We head right to the donor's house and pick up several hundred ounces of Mommy milk. Our last stop is to pick up dry ice to keep the milk cold on our 20 hour trip.
We drive through the night to St. Louis, where we crash around 6am at my Aunt and Uncle's house.
Mon Jan. 31: Aunt Dara wakes us around 11. We stare at the weather channel, the radar and listen to schools scheduling early releases because of the bad weather. We pack up quickly and head out into the blizzard. This day was the hardest leg of the journey. The windshield wipers did not work because of the chunks of frozen ice, the road conditions were bad and the visibility was poor. Somehow the Lord helped us to our destination of Wichita, Kansas. Along the way, we tried our various baby boy names and decided to use our birth mom's father's name- John- as our son's middle name.
We arrive from our long trip around 7 in the evening. We have found the home which will accommodate us and our newborn son. It also houses 2 other adoptive couples and we are thankful for the camaraderie there.
After bringing in our luggage, we prepare to meet Susan and her 2 boys, Franklin and Julian. I'm nervous but exhausted. I wonder what she'll think of us and if she'll like us. We meet, eat pizza and it's as normal as it can be. They stay till 9.
As politely as possible, we say goodnight to our new friends and hosts and crawl into a giant, king size bed. I remember waking up the next day and feeling so refreshed and recharged. It was the best night's sleep we've had in years. ha!
Tues. Feb. 1: I am invited by Susan to attend the final ultrasound with her. The doctor must check the baby's lungs to make sure they are developed and then they will schedule a c-section for her. Everything looks great and her c-section is scheduled for Wed. Feb. 2 and 2pm.
While we are at the doctor's, Josh is back at the house with Susan's boys. Susan and I are dropped off and the 5 of us spend the rest of the day together. The snow is falling like crazy, the drifts are high and Josh has the weather channel on and appears mesmerized by it. The boys and I play hide-n-seek, cars, etc. It's a special day. The time seems to slow down and we visit and get to know each other.
Susan is not feeling well after the morning's procedure and that evening we drive in with her to see if everything is OK. The hospital clears her and we arrive home very late at night. Sleep does not come easily! :)
1.20.2012
A year ago today
Last year, Jan. 20th fell on a Thursday.
Josh and I both had full days of work. Our kitchen was in the midst of a face life and the walls had been cleared of their wallpaper. Living in chaos is something that is difficult for me to do and completing the facelift was a priority. I had plans with a friend to put up bead board that weekend while Josh had an away volleyball tournament (he runs from DIY projects).
I was busy working with my kiddos and had a quick break to glance at my computer. I had a message in my inbox at 10:36 from Tracie, our adoption consultant which simply read CALL ME! with an attachment giving us information about a potential birth mom, Susan.
I quickly skimmed the info and told Tracie I'd call her at my first break at 11:30. I spoke with Josh a few times between 10:30 and 11:30 and we both agreed that yes, this was a situation we felt comfortable with and asked Tracie to forward our information to the casework for Susan.
We didn't wait long. Hours later, we knew that Susan had picked us to be the parents for her unborn child. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Somehow, I tutored that afternoon and Josh finished his day at work. We met around 5 and prepared to talk via phone conference with Susan. It was a 20 minute conversation coordinated by a caseworker and went very well, as far as those conversations go.
Josh left for volleyball practice and I sat in our armchair, wrapped in a blanket and tried to process the miraculous.
Susan was due with a baby boy on Feb. 13th. The plan was for her to have a scheduled c-section sometime in early February in the adoption-friendly state of Kansas. Our lives were about to change drastically- Hallelujah!
Today, I chase around a fast moving little boy and keep him from pulling over lamps, climbing up bookcases and pulling on window blinds. I changed diapers, fill bottles and scrape off misplaced food. I tickle, kiss and cuddle. I get to read books, work puzzles and sing songs all day. My arms are strong from carrying around a 24# baby and these legs carry us both up and down the stairs all day long. I am a mother!
We prayed for our birthmom and our child long before they were a reality.
Jan. 20th, 2011 was the day when our hope became real.
Josh and I both had full days of work. Our kitchen was in the midst of a face life and the walls had been cleared of their wallpaper. Living in chaos is something that is difficult for me to do and completing the facelift was a priority. I had plans with a friend to put up bead board that weekend while Josh had an away volleyball tournament (he runs from DIY projects).
I was busy working with my kiddos and had a quick break to glance at my computer. I had a message in my inbox at 10:36 from Tracie, our adoption consultant which simply read CALL ME! with an attachment giving us information about a potential birth mom, Susan.
I quickly skimmed the info and told Tracie I'd call her at my first break at 11:30. I spoke with Josh a few times between 10:30 and 11:30 and we both agreed that yes, this was a situation we felt comfortable with and asked Tracie to forward our information to the casework for Susan.
We didn't wait long. Hours later, we knew that Susan had picked us to be the parents for her unborn child. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Somehow, I tutored that afternoon and Josh finished his day at work. We met around 5 and prepared to talk via phone conference with Susan. It was a 20 minute conversation coordinated by a caseworker and went very well, as far as those conversations go.
Josh left for volleyball practice and I sat in our armchair, wrapped in a blanket and tried to process the miraculous.
Susan was due with a baby boy on Feb. 13th. The plan was for her to have a scheduled c-section sometime in early February in the adoption-friendly state of Kansas. Our lives were about to change drastically- Hallelujah!
Today, I chase around a fast moving little boy and keep him from pulling over lamps, climbing up bookcases and pulling on window blinds. I changed diapers, fill bottles and scrape off misplaced food. I tickle, kiss and cuddle. I get to read books, work puzzles and sing songs all day. My arms are strong from carrying around a 24# baby and these legs carry us both up and down the stairs all day long. I am a mother!
We prayed for our birthmom and our child long before they were a reality.
Jan. 20th, 2011 was the day when our hope became real.
11.01.2011
Our journey to Adoption
at our family Christmas, 2010
We had pre-marriage counseling and one of the topics was children. Being from a family of 8, I've always wanted a minimum of 3 kids and adoption was always part of the 3-kid plan. Josh is from a family of 4 and thought 3 might be a little crazy, but was willing to go-with-the-flow. :) He's awesome y'all, and so handsome too!
Fast forward to 2006. We'd been married 3 years and decided that we were ready for babies. The decision was easy, especially looking back. Whew- what we didn't know was that it would take us 4.5 looooooong, hard years to bring that dream to realization.
I've heard it said that infertility can break your marriage or bring you closer together. I believe it. We have faced nothing more difficult than letting go of our dream to have biological children. [That said- we know the Lord can work miracles and we welcome His work to that end.] Through the heart breaking journey, we held tight to each other and to Jesus.
We came to a crossroads when doctors recommended invasive medical procedures with the chance of biological children. We knew our hearts were being called elsewhere, so we closed the medical door and turned toward a dream planted long ago. Adoption. :)
9.22.2011
Growing up with Adoption
My parents blessed me with many things in my lifetime.
Thanks Mom for the slender arms, the love of family and the crooked nose.
Thanks Dad for the humor, the straight teeth and the athletic ability.
One of the most precious being my brothers and sisters. I grew up as the oldest of 6 kids. My mother birthed four kids in four years. Let that one sink in. . .
Then, Kevin came home and later, Michael came home. They were born in Nicaragua and became brothers in America.
Kevin Jose Louis Robert
Michael Carlos Antonio
Adoption was a natural thing in our home. I was 8 or 9 when Kevin came home and 10?? when Michael arrived. Kevin was 3 when he came home and Michael was 5 (or 6??). It was an adventure getting to know them, acclimating them to the luxury of running water, food for every meal and a bed to sleep in. After the novelty of that wore off, they tagged along, played in the yard and stole my toys from me. :) In short, they were just my brothers.
We grew up in a small town and I'm sure adoption wasn't as common then as it is now. We learned that when people asked us about Kevin or Michael, it was because they were curious. Curious about adoption; curious about our new brothers; curious about a family that had so many children!
aren't old family photos the best?!?!
(p.s. meg is missing from this photo because she was traveling the world)
(p.s. meg is missing from this photo because she was traveling the world)
And so, I grew up thinking adoption was normal and thinking that one day, I'd like to do it myself.
Thanks Mom and Dad!
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