Our Son @DaytonMomsBlog

Almost two weeks ago we celebrated Eli’s first birthday. We gave him his own cupcake so he could go to town and make a mess and spread icing all over his face.

His birthday wasn’t just a celebration of his birth, but also of adoption. Cheryl wrote about her thoughts about Eli’s birth mom as we prepared to have his first birthday.

In final paragraph, she writes this:

Tomorrow he turns 1, and as I tuck him in bed, and kiss him, I’m thinking of you. I’m thinking of how far you have come from a short year ago, and what the future holds. I’m remembering how God answered my prayer and made it evident to me that our stories should be woven together, with one minute to spare. Tomorrow I’ll tell him how much we love him and tell him how much you love him and look forward to when we can celebrate his birthday together.

Adoption has taught us so many things  and we often think of our “extended family” as we go through the milestones of parenting.  Check out the entire post on Dayton Moms Blog.

Back on the Road to Adoption

Many months ago I posted about our bump on the road to adoption. We had made connections with a birth mom and were preparing to welcome a new child into our home. Birth mom decided to parent and our journey toward adoption seemed to stall. We had a number of people who had given toward adoption expenses through our AdoptTogether page.

Then last month – enter Eli.

Through a friend of a friend we were connected with a birth mother who was due early July. She decided to pursue adoption with us. We made plans to meet her on a Monday – two weeks before her scheduled C-section. As it turns out, Eli made an early entrance on the next day. Eli spent several days in the hospital and we were communicating with our attorney to get all appropriate paperwork in place so we could gain custody. A week after his birth, we brought Eli home.

Due to the money already given through our AdoptTogether and another grant we received, we were able to cover some of the initial expenses. There are still other expenses associated with adoption, including some due to this being an interstate adoption. We are adopting a Hoosier!

There are at least three things you can do if you feel lead to help with our adoption.

1) Visit our AdoptTogether page to read a little more of our story

2) Share our AdoptTogether page with those in your circles of influence. Perhaps there is someone you know who has a heart for adoption.

3) If you are able, you can give through AdoptTogether toward adoption expenses. While there are many worthy causes and many other families pursuing adoption, we’d love any support people feel led to give.

In our experience, adoption has been a period of waiting and more waiting followed by a flurry of activity to bring a child home.  Thanks for taking the time to read about and even be a part of our adoption journey.

Adoption: God At Work

In just over a week we will have our final hearing and our adoption will be complete. It is hard to believe that Max has been a part of our family for 6 months and we can’t imagine life without him with us.

In the short time he’s been with us, he’s made a remarkable impact on our family. Max has brought our family together in ways we didn’t anticipate. He has been accepted right away into the family by his siblings. They ask about him, buy stuff for him, make a special effort to see him and spend time with him (and us). He even his own hashtag on Twitter (#MaxMonday). God has used Max to make a difference in our family.

Max has been used to change us in ways we never would have imagined. Just over a week ago, we found out that Max’s birth father passed away unexpectedly. Due to some unique circumstances, Max’s birth father didn’t get the opportunity to meet his son. When we found out about his passing and the subsequent funeral arrangements, we felt like the right thing to do was attend the viewing. My wife and I felt it was important that his birth father’s relatives had the chance to meet him.

We certainly didn’t know what to expect when we arrived, but it was such a time of comfort and healing. The first person we saw was Max’s birth mother and she was grateful to see him. She carried him around and introduced him to other grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and even his great-grandfather. Max’s sweet disposition seemed to bring a sense of peace to the time of mourning.

Several family members and friends came up and thanked us for bringing him. We have been so grateful for Max being a part of our family that it seemed natural to share him with his biological family.

While we didn’t know the whole picture of what adoption would do for our family before we got Max, we never would have imagined this scene. I have to think that God is not done using Max’s story and life to tell His story of love and redemption. Our story is certainly not unique and we are thankful for what He is doing in our family and in the lives of others through adoption.