A New Journey Begins.
Most of us have heard the saying "As this journey ends, a new one begins." And that, my friends, is exactly where I find myself. We started our road to adoption the moment Dave was diagnosed with testicular cancer back in December 2011. We didn't know it at the time - we couldn't picture then what life would look like now - but that is where it began.
It's been over 5 years since that day, and as I reflect on things I can't help but feel... Amazed. Speechless. Overwhelmed. Thankful.
We began our active adoption search in 2013 - after Dave had gone through surgery to remove his tumor, after he had endured months of treatment, after we (as a family) had time to heal. We researched many different adoption agencies, but felt God calling our family into foster care. It was a way for us to meet the needs of those hurting right here in our own city.
It took months of classes and training, paperwork and background checks, home visits and meetings to become certified. By September 2014 our home was opened. The call for 10-day-old Aidan (who was our 2nd foster child placement) came on January 23, 2015.
We weren't sure how long he would stay with us. Days? Weeks? Months? Years? With foster care the unknowns stretch out in front of you as an endless road and decisions are not made quickly. So we waited. Sometimes patiently. Other times not so patiently. But, one thing became obvious. The more time Aidan spent in our home, the more we knew he belonged. He completes our family.
We watched him celebrate his first Easter, his first Christmas, his first birthday. We rocked him late into the night when his tummy hurt. We spent hours at the doctors for; CT scans, diagnosing a dairy allergy, and troubleshooting breathing concerns. We held his hands as he took those first steps. We transitioned him from a crib to a "big boy" bed. And we are currently the ones who have the pleasure (Ha!) of potty training him.
It wasn't until October 2016 that Aidan's biological parents surrendered their legal rights and he was freed for adoption. On April 4, 2017, he received his "Wilson letters" and even though nothing has changed... everything has changed. We call him: son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and great grandson.
It was in that courtroom surrounded by friends and family that the reality set in - WE HAVE A SON. A boy who can join us on vacations and who can have sleepovers with grandparents. A boy who can see our family doctor and who can stay (forever) in our home. A boy enveloped by people - our biological family and our church family, friends from work and strangers in Wegamans, staff members at school and county workers - who have prayed for him from the very beginning. A boy who is loved.
I have an intimate understanding (that has come from experiencing it for myself) of adoption. It gives me a clearer realization of what God does when He "adopts" us. Adoption is selfless. There are sacrifices made. It requires compassion and grace. Just as I love Aidan, just as I choose Aidan, just as I would lay down my life for Aidan - God loves me, God choose me, and God sent Jesus to suffer in my place.
As this journey comes to an end - we excitedly look to our future! Thank you for coming along and for supporting us each step of the way.
If you are new to our journey and want to know the complete story, please read these previously written posts:
1. Aidan, Our baby boy.
2. This Wife's Perspective on Cancer
3. Our Family... at least for the moment.
4. Happy 6 Month Birthday, Aidan.
5. January 13th - what's the significance?
6. Perseverance is the Evidence of Love.
7. When you want to kick and scream!
8. The Update...
9. The Courtroom and the Judge.
10. Adoption Day!
It's been over 5 years since that day, and as I reflect on things I can't help but feel... Amazed. Speechless. Overwhelmed. Thankful.
We began our active adoption search in 2013 - after Dave had gone through surgery to remove his tumor, after he had endured months of treatment, after we (as a family) had time to heal. We researched many different adoption agencies, but felt God calling our family into foster care. It was a way for us to meet the needs of those hurting right here in our own city.
It took months of classes and training, paperwork and background checks, home visits and meetings to become certified. By September 2014 our home was opened. The call for 10-day-old Aidan (who was our 2nd foster child placement) came on January 23, 2015.
We weren't sure how long he would stay with us. Days? Weeks? Months? Years? With foster care the unknowns stretch out in front of you as an endless road and decisions are not made quickly. So we waited. Sometimes patiently. Other times not so patiently. But, one thing became obvious. The more time Aidan spent in our home, the more we knew he belonged. He completes our family.
We watched him celebrate his first Easter, his first Christmas, his first birthday. We rocked him late into the night when his tummy hurt. We spent hours at the doctors for; CT scans, diagnosing a dairy allergy, and troubleshooting breathing concerns. We held his hands as he took those first steps. We transitioned him from a crib to a "big boy" bed. And we are currently the ones who have the pleasure (Ha!) of potty training him.
It wasn't until October 2016 that Aidan's biological parents surrendered their legal rights and he was freed for adoption. On April 4, 2017, he received his "Wilson letters" and even though nothing has changed... everything has changed. We call him: son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and great grandson.
It was in that courtroom surrounded by friends and family that the reality set in - WE HAVE A SON. A boy who can join us on vacations and who can have sleepovers with grandparents. A boy who can see our family doctor and who can stay (forever) in our home. A boy enveloped by people - our biological family and our church family, friends from work and strangers in Wegamans, staff members at school and county workers - who have prayed for him from the very beginning. A boy who is loved.
I have an intimate understanding (that has come from experiencing it for myself) of adoption. It gives me a clearer realization of what God does when He "adopts" us. Adoption is selfless. There are sacrifices made. It requires compassion and grace. Just as I love Aidan, just as I choose Aidan, just as I would lay down my life for Aidan - God loves me, God choose me, and God sent Jesus to suffer in my place.
God decided in advance
to adopt us into his own family
to adopt us into his own family
by bringing us to himself
through Jesus Christ.
through Jesus Christ.
This is what he wanted to do,
and it gave him great pleasure.
and it gave him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
As this journey comes to an end - we excitedly look to our future! Thank you for coming along and for supporting us each step of the way.
 |
| A special thanks to Sarah Spencer for capturing our perfect day. |
If you are new to our journey and want to know the complete story, please read these previously written posts:
1. Aidan, Our baby boy.
2. This Wife's Perspective on Cancer
3. Our Family... at least for the moment.
4. Happy 6 Month Birthday, Aidan.
5. January 13th - what's the significance?
6. Perseverance is the Evidence of Love.
7. When you want to kick and scream!
8. The Update...
9. The Courtroom and the Judge.
10. Adoption Day!
Comments
Post a Comment