Adoption Awareness Month - Day 5

Today is our 11th anniversary. When we were dating, I tried to imagine what our children would be like. Who would they look like? Would they be neat & organized like me? Have Todd's sense of adventure? Have a servants heart?
 Our family may not have started the traditional way but this guy could not be any more of a dad to Mark and Alex than if I gave birth to them myself.
I have loved watching Todd be dad to Mark and Alex. Every day I see him work hard for our family. He is setting an example for the boys that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
The funny thing is, some people say Mark looks a little like me and Alex a little like Todd. Mark is neat and organized like me. They both love an adventure and I have seen them love and serve others so many times.
God made our family. He made me their mom and Todd their dad. He did it through adoption. When we were praying about adopting Mark & Alex, we both distinctly heard God tell us this is His plan. He said that it may not always be easy but, we will never regret becoming their parents. There is no one else I'd want by my side as we navigate this crazy thing called parenthood.
#adoptionawarenessmonth #lovemyfamily

Adoption Awareness Month - Day 4

Today, as I sat freezing at a high school football game, I realized how many wonderful people have become a part of our lives because we are Mark and Alex's mom! The community of Amherst County has fully welcomed us and made us feel right at home. They have loved on our boys, have offered a shoulder to lean on during difficult times and have been such genuine people. We are so blessed to call Amherst home and to be surrounded by such great friendships. #adoptionawarenessmonth #lovemyfamily #lovemycmmunity

Adoption Awareness Month - Day 3

National Adoption Month Day 3: When we started our adoption journey we knew we could count our our awesome family for love and support. I am sure, at times, they thought we were crazy for jumping in and becoming parents to 2 teenage boys from another country. Believe me, at times we thought it was crazy too! Until we would sit back and see all that God blessed us with. Our families have been there to cheer us on, to let us cry and to show our boys what unconditional love is. They not only gained a mom and dad on January 14, 2015, they gained a HUGE extended family that has shown them love, grace, kindness, silliness and compassion. We could not have done this without all of you at our side. Thank you for being there for us. And, thank you for loving our boys as if they have been in our family their whole lives!
#adoptionawareness #lovemyfamily #beautyfromashes

Adoption Awareness Month - Day 1&2

This weekend Todd and I will celebrate our 11th anniversary. For the first 8ish years of our marriage we struggled with infertility. We finally stopped trying to get pregnant and started to pursue adoption. We fell for a sweet little boy in India (Mahesh) and felt like God was calling us to adopt him. For months we worked to bring Mahesh home. Sadly, at this time 2 years ago we were told that we were no longer able to adopt him. We didn't understand why but knew that God had set us on this path to adopting our child. Around this same time, we met Mark & Alex. We got to know these 2 crazy kids and felt such a love for them. Again, this was totally God's doing. Two months after finding out we could no longer adopt Mahesh, we were asked to take in Mark & Alex. As in, receive a phone call in the morning and pick them up a few hours later. We said yes without a second thought.

Mark and Alex have been with us for 22 months. We have full, legal custody and are nearing the finalization of adoption! Some days are great. Some days are really hard. But everyday we have discovered new ways to love these boys. They still don't call us Mom and Dad, and half the time they act like they hate us but, I know God's hand has been on us every step of the way.

As for Mahesh, I actually got to Facetime with him a few weeks ago. He is turning into such a fine young man and we are so thankful to still have a small part in his life.

Adoption is hard. Adoption is messy. Adoption is worth every struggle and tear.

#adoptionawareness #lovemyfamily #beauthyfromashes

Mark and Alex November 2014

 Mahesh August 2013

What a Difference!

What a difference 2 years makes! A new language, 6.5" taller, 30 pounds heavier, needs glasses, grown 3.5 shoe sizes..... Mark's growing into such a wonderful young man!  He is even taking up cross country this year!

A New School Year

This morning both boys started at the high school! 

 Mark's first day of 9th grade.

Alex's first day of 11th grade.