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We started the adoption journey just over a year ago. In all reality, the journey to adoption started a few years ago. We desired to add to our family and for Harper to have a sibling. We tried, and tried. Nothing worked. We tried multiple rounds of IUI's, to no success. Then we decided to invest in the IVF process as the success rate was pretty high (70% we were told). After being told our only viable embryo took and we were going to have a child, we soon heard the words at our first ultrasound that no parent wants to hear, "I can't find a heart beat." What?? Why?? What did we do wrong?? Are you sure?? That drive home was quiet...very, very, quiet. In the weeks and months ahead, we started listening to what God was trying to tell us. Your hope is in ME, NOT a doctor or a procedure, just ME. We soon found a peace knowing that no matter what we were going through, God was there with us.
Over the next several months, we felt God nudging us toward adoption. So finally in December 2019, we decided we would finally take that step God had been wanting us to take, and we contacted an adoption agency. The whole process scared us, as there were so many unknowns. The lack of control was something that made us uncomfortable. However we felt God reassuring us, "I am BIGGER than all your fears, trust me."
The process was long and tedious and if it weren't for COVID, we would probably still be filling out the mountains of paperwork. But being stuck at home, with nowhere to go, we were able to finish in record time . We officially joined the waiting list in July 2020, the same time we moved out of our house, Steve started a new job as a realtor, and Erica went back to the classroom for a temporary teaching position. We were told the process could take 9-18 months, so we began our journey of waiting, and praying. "Lord, we know you are in control. We know you have the perfect child for us. We know your timing is perfect."
January rolls around and we call the adoption agency to check in and see where we were on the waiting list. At this point we were 19th on the list. SLOW progress, but we were moving up. We figured we had a few more months to wait. We also figured we would get a call saying "A birth mom has chosen you to adopt her baby, and she is due in 4 months." Then we would start putting the nursery together, stocking up on diapers and formula, and raising money to help pay for the adoption.
Well, Feb 3, we got the call we have been praying for. A expecting mom had chosen us. Awesome, we are so excited. "When is the baby due?" They responded with "Next week!" Next week they said. Not "in four months." We have nothing. No crib, no diapers, no car seat, no stroller. Nothing. Plus, we were supposed to leave for Florida on Feb 6, for a family vacation. Next week? Remember when we said we prayed "God, we know you have perfect timing." He does have perfect timing, we just have to get out of his way to let Him work.
Feb 10, 12:02pm our little boy, Hudson, was born. So many of you have joined us in prayer for him and he is finally here. Our hearts our bursting with joy. We are overwhelmed by the amount of people who have contacted us to ask "What do you need? How can we help?" Initially, the whirlwind of events had our brains spinning, so it was hard to process the answer to those questions. Now that we have had a little time to get settled and adjust to life with our new addition, we figured there are 4 ways for people to help.
1. Pray - pray for Hudson's birth parents that they would find peace in their decision. Pray for Hudson to continually feel loved and wanted. Pray for Harper as she adjusts to having a sibling. Pray for us as we navigate raising an adopted child.
2. Meal Train. Check Erica's facebook page for a link.
3. Baby supplies - diapers, wipes, formula, and other needs (Check Erica's page for a link to the baby list.)
4. Monetary Donate - The money raised will help with legal fees, and adoption costs. Although we have financially been preparing, we have felt God asking us to invite others in and help support us in this process.
It's not easy to invite people in and to ask for help, but sometimes it's a matter of laying your pride aside and listening to the voice of God when he says "trust me."
So whether you support us financially or join us in praying for Hudson we would be overjoyed. The Lord is BIG and we can't wait to see the BIG things he is going to do, we just have to submit.
Lamentations 3:22-25 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for him, the soul who seeks him."
Over the next several months, we felt God nudging us toward adoption. So finally in December 2019, we decided we would finally take that step God had been wanting us to take, and we contacted an adoption agency. The whole process scared us, as there were so many unknowns. The lack of control was something that made us uncomfortable. However we felt God reassuring us, "I am BIGGER than all your fears, trust me."
The process was long and tedious and if it weren't for COVID, we would probably still be filling out the mountains of paperwork. But being stuck at home, with nowhere to go, we were able to finish in record time . We officially joined the waiting list in July 2020, the same time we moved out of our house, Steve started a new job as a realtor, and Erica went back to the classroom for a temporary teaching position. We were told the process could take 9-18 months, so we began our journey of waiting, and praying. "Lord, we know you are in control. We know you have the perfect child for us. We know your timing is perfect."
January rolls around and we call the adoption agency to check in and see where we were on the waiting list. At this point we were 19th on the list. SLOW progress, but we were moving up. We figured we had a few more months to wait. We also figured we would get a call saying "A birth mom has chosen you to adopt her baby, and she is due in 4 months." Then we would start putting the nursery together, stocking up on diapers and formula, and raising money to help pay for the adoption.
Well, Feb 3, we got the call we have been praying for. A expecting mom had chosen us. Awesome, we are so excited. "When is the baby due?" They responded with "Next week!" Next week they said. Not "in four months." We have nothing. No crib, no diapers, no car seat, no stroller. Nothing. Plus, we were supposed to leave for Florida on Feb 6, for a family vacation. Next week? Remember when we said we prayed "God, we know you have perfect timing." He does have perfect timing, we just have to get out of his way to let Him work.
Feb 10, 12:02pm our little boy, Hudson, was born. So many of you have joined us in prayer for him and he is finally here. Our hearts our bursting with joy. We are overwhelmed by the amount of people who have contacted us to ask "What do you need? How can we help?" Initially, the whirlwind of events had our brains spinning, so it was hard to process the answer to those questions. Now that we have had a little time to get settled and adjust to life with our new addition, we figured there are 4 ways for people to help.
1. Pray - pray for Hudson's birth parents that they would find peace in their decision. Pray for Hudson to continually feel loved and wanted. Pray for Harper as she adjusts to having a sibling. Pray for us as we navigate raising an adopted child.
2. Meal Train. Check Erica's facebook page for a link.
3. Baby supplies - diapers, wipes, formula, and other needs (Check Erica's page for a link to the baby list.)
4. Monetary Donate - The money raised will help with legal fees, and adoption costs. Although we have financially been preparing, we have felt God asking us to invite others in and help support us in this process.
It's not easy to invite people in and to ask for help, but sometimes it's a matter of laying your pride aside and listening to the voice of God when he says "trust me."
So whether you support us financially or join us in praying for Hudson we would be overjoyed. The Lord is BIG and we can't wait to see the BIG things he is going to do, we just have to submit.
Lamentations 3:22-25 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for him, the soul who seeks him."