Day 1
1 Year Together
2 Years Together
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3 Years Together
It's amazing to me that it's already been 3 years. Three years of joy, happiness and love. My heart is so full of love for this little boy I cannot even articulate it into words. As many of you know, people often tell me how "lucky" Eli is, and I can tell you with every fiber of my being that Mark and I have truly been the lucky ones and continue to be each and every day.
I don't know why, (I presume these thoughts and feelings are God working through me and through this blog) but when I sat down to write this post today, for some reason my heart just simply ached for so many people we know who have been so eager to become parents but haven't yet been able to. Because of our adoption processes, lots and lots of conversations have occurred over the last several years regarding children and how they come into our lives, either by birth or adoption. So it's been very alarming to me over the last several years finding out just how many people we love who struggle with infertility. Some of these friends and family members have been looking for answers and solutions since well before we started our adoption process with Eli. As I have said many times before, infertility just breaks my heart when I hear about it, especially when the journey and heartbreak lasts for years and years.
Today though, I want to tell you what my prayer is for you if you have come to the long, painful and heartbreaking conclusion that biological children are not going to be possible for you.
I pray you will open your heart so you can know the kind of love that I know. I pray you will open your heart and mind to a different process toward family building. I also pray you can grieve the loss of biological children just as you should, but that you are also able to wrap your whole heart into another path toward building your family.
I know from talking with those who have debated adoption that sometimes it can be very difficult to pursue it after infertility. I know it's scary. I also know that sometimes the dream of what your family would be like, or look like, can be very difficult to put to rest. I do believe though, that what is on the other side of those uncertainties will be worth it.
I know many of you may be thinking that I am writing this and that I just don't understand infertility, because I have not personally been there. And you are correct, I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to deal with the pain of seeing hundreds of negative pregnancy tests, doctor visits, pills and injections. I relate it to the heartbreak I would feel if someone told me I could not adopt. But what I can say is that I have been blessed to have been on the same path that many people who cannot conceive have chosen, and I know what kind of joy it can bring. I honestly believe that it is a joy beyond what you may think is possible.
As always, I am here for anyone who needs support or just simply wants to ask me questions about adoption, please never be afraid to reach out to me. I welcome the chance to be a resource to anyone who wants additional information. Even if adoption never becomes your reality, that is perfectly alright, as I understand that this process just isn't for everyone. I do believe however, that this process is a great option for a lot more people than are currently in it.
In closing, I want to thank those of you who have been on this journey with us over the last three years and are there for us for this second adoption as well. Your presence over the years has been felt in my heart, and I thank you for being with us through this crazy whirlwind that is international adoption.
Until next time...
