the post you waited for // the adoption story

You might have heard about our adoption if you've been following my blog for a long time.  I don't write about it often, simply because there hasn't been much to tell until now.  But, now there is something.  And only a few of you know about it.  This girl and this girl were the ones who encouraged me to post this.  So, here it is.  Our adoption story.

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It started in January of 2010.  My little sister announced that "Mom says we're gonna adopt".  On the spur of the moment, my mom had come across a blog - an adoption blog, from Ethiopia.  In other words - this place:

The beginning of the journey was encouraging (and maybe convincing) my dad to agree.  When he did, the real excitement began.  At first, we were going to adopt a baby, then is was two children under four.

If you don't know anything about adoption, there is a lot of paperwork to fill out and compile.  A lot.  And when it came to the adoption, time passed slowly.  Children came along that were waiting for a family, and we looked at their faces, wondering when our children would get home.  We didn't know that at the same time the next year, a huge change of plans would be made.

You also might not have known that I have six siblings.  To some people, that's a lot of kids.  I've gotten used to it now.

Well, this July, a sibling group was placed on the "list".  A sibling group of four beautiful, innocent children.  I came downstairs and their photos had been printed and were laying across the counter.  I looked.  And I sighed.  Because the first thought that came to my head was "Oh no."  Seven plus four equals a lot of children.   And that scared me.

Time went on of course, and everyone in the family warmed up to the idea.  Prayers were said, meetings held.   Until July 21, 2011.  That was the day we accepted the referral for four beautiful Ethiopian orphans.

It's crazy.
I can't show you their picture.
I can't tell you their names.
But I really want to.

Now that we know these children are waiting for us, it's difficult not to just jump on a plane and fly to see them.  They could be here soon; maybe within the year.

All we can do now is wait for more pictures and more updates.  And pray.
The question on all of our minds now is "Will it work?"  Is it possible to go from a family of nine to a family of thirteen over night?  Probably not.  But with God, it is possible.  It is an exciting journey to be on, and it is still continuing.

the adoption blog