3 years later...

For any of you who have know us for any length of time, you are well aware that we have chosen to grow our family through adoption. What you may not know is that we began the process of adoption 3 years ago!

Here's the breakdown so far:

Fall 2010- Choose agency
January 2011- Homestudy approved! Let the wait begin! Estimation: 9-12 months
January 2012- Still waiting
January 2013- Still waiting- now 2 years later- twice the normal match time

October 29, 2013-WE ARE CHOSEN!!! 2 years and (almost) 11 months later!

A birth family has chosen us to raise their sweet baby boy! He will be joining our family in March, 2014 and we are beyond thrilled!!

To field a few questions:

Yes, they could change their minds
Yes, we will have an open adoption with BOTH birth parents
No, we will not reveal much about his birth family out of respect for their privacy.
Yes, we plan to adopt the rest of our children
No, it is not because of infertility. We are called to this and love this baby boy fiercely already

Nerve

My heart is literally pounding as I begin writing this. I in no way believe many will follow this, but the idea that even one person be privy to my thoughts and what is happening in my heart makes me NERVOUS! My goal here is to be open, honest, and pointed about the ups and downs of my experiences, (mostly surrounding our adoptions) but vulnerability is not so much my favorite thing, so here is my mechanism for that. I will gladly discuss anything you read here, but seeing as I can edit this first, this is probably a better jumping off point :) (it also allows me to process my emotions and maybe shed a few tears in the privacy of my home before trying to speak) I have been contemplating starting a blog for several months (years, to be honest) but never really thought I had anything extraordinary to say. As I have continued this contemplation The Lord has taken me on quite a journey and I guess I feel like it is time for me to share that journey. I will begin with what is happening now, then back track and do my best to reveal to YOU what HE has revealed to me over the past 3 years and what He continues to teach me day in and day out. Also, my creativity and technology skills are significantly lacking so bear with me as I navigate this whole new world of blogging!