Wednesday, February 25, 2015

a waiting family...

Many are the plans in a persons heart, 
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21

Oh how true this verse is! It has been speaking volumes to me over the last several weeks.

In the summer of 2013, Ryan and I became a waiting family - waiting to adopt a sweet little baby and grow our family. We had our home study complete, our family profile available to birth parents, and a gender neutral nursery in progress. Our plan was to adopt, it seemed simple & straightforward. THEN.....surprise, we got pregnant and 9 months later welcomed Keaton into the world. 

Once Keaton was born, Ryan and I basked in the joy of having a sweet baby to love on. It was all so much more than we could have imagined. To say we love Keaton is an understatement - I don't even know what you'd call it, but I cry every night that he puts his little head on my shoulder before I put him down for bed. I pray with my entire being that God is growing in his heart and thank Him for Keaton's little soul.

I have this incredible and indescribable love for K-man, yet thoughts of the child we started to wait for has always been on my mind....Ryan's too. And so we started talking about re-pursuing adoption shortly after Keaton was born. It felt like the right step, but too soon for actual movement. So we didn't move, we just talked about it. And talked. And talked. And kept talking for months.

Was adoption something we felt God calling us to do...even after I got pregnant and had a super fabulous and successful pregnancy?

YES

Was now the right time?

A few months ago {even last month} it wasn't the right time, but now? YES
We met with our social worker in October to update our home study and get freshened up on the process, especially now that we're a family of 3! I'll be honest, it was weird talking about adopting a baby while I was holding a baby.

In October, we were still a little unsure if it was the right time to become available, so we took our time getting our profile & clearances updated. In the next few months we celebrated the holidays and talked {more} about what our family would look like with another baby and Keaton as a big brother.

I causally mentioned to Ryan one night about what other people might think about us getting ready to adopt with Keaton being so young and he responded the way I knew he would....with a great big "I don't care what other people think - it's our family."

Ah yes. This is true.

It's also true that we have no idea how long it will take to be chosen by a birth mother. It might happen right away {we've been waiting just 2 weeks now}, in a few months, a year, or even longer. Keaton and his little brother or sister could be very close in age or a year or more apart - we.have.no.idea. The unknown timing is something we really struggled with, but in the end decided that we were placing the whole thing in God's hands. When the time is right, we'll be available.

So for right now are an official waiting family!
Excuse me while I....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Okay.
That was both excitement and nerves. It feels crazy to be back at this place!!

We're getting a nursery ready {more on this later}, buying newborn diapers, packing bags for a potential emergency placement, talking to Keaton about being a big brother, pumping & freezing milk so I can hopefully feed our new baby my milk, growing our hearts, and most importantly enjoying our life right here and now as we wait.

We have our plan in action, but more than anything we want the Lord's will to prevail. I'm not sure how smooth this ride is going to be and NO idea what to expect, but I think with the Lord's strength and praying all.the.time. we'll be able to hold on tight enough to get through....maybe with even a few {more} happy screams along the way. Or maybe I'll be scared stiff and barely breathing. But we're in it as a family and doing this together!! I'm so SO glad to share this life with Ryan! It's not always easy making big life decisions, but definitely better when you get to make them with your best friend.

We love you sweet baby to-be!  Mommy, Daddy, & Big Bro K-man love you.
xoxoxo

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6 comments:

Kelsey Winter said...

It's definitely an adventure adding a second child, whether they're close together in age or far apart. All you can ever do is put the timing in God's hands, and it sounds like you're following the call He's put on your hearts. I wish you the best as you wait, and I'll be praying for you and the next beautiful child God is preparing for your family. :)

Chelley N said...

This is a beautiful post. I hope God brings your little one to your family soon (but in His perfect time :-).

Jaimee Granberry said...

Love this! Praying as you expand your family!

Danielle said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE!! This makes me so excited for you! :) Can't wait to follow along!

Krystal said...

Congrats!!!

Bethany said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! what fabulous news. ANd how awesome that you are able to pump and save up breastmilk now. What a great idea! Four kids later (only two of whom were "planned") I truly believe God's timing for growing our family has always been the best (despite wanting it on my timeline!). I pray the same will be true for you.

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