Infertility, Endometriosis, and Adoption

When we started this blog, it was for two reasons... one- to share our infertility/adoption journey and two- to document all the good things God has done in our lives.  It lately has become more of a journal of sorts, but when my husband and I talked about sharing our story, we felt like God was asking us to share more about the journey He had us on.  We wanted to encourage others who were in similar shoes, and allow God to use our story to help those who needed it.  That's why I am linking up with Kelly's Korner today... to share our story and to give hope to those who are waiting. We know how it feels and how hard it is. Stay strong, and be encouraged... God has not forgotten.

Backing up a little- we were married in 2001 and waited a year or so to start trying for kids. We both knew we wanted kids- but we were never really sure how many.  We never dreamed we would have troubles.   The link for this part of the story and our medical attempts are to the right on our blog home page.  

After trying all sorts of medical options and waiting for what seemed like eternity, and after a failed IVF procedure and stage 4 endometriosis diagnosis, we decided we couldn't put our hearts through anymore "maybe" attempts... we took a break.  All along, we knew that God was with us because He was providing and encouraging and giving us a strong support system.  After a little break and much prayer, we felt like we were being called to adopt and started the paperwork. We filled out the initial paperwork and sent it in around Christmas time 2007.  We decided if we were going to go through all the paperwork and huge stack of demands for adoption that we were going to give it everything we had and work through the long list of requirements and get approved quickly instead of just doing it as we felt like it, or a little here and a little there.  It was something that we could DO... as infertility is such a helpless journey and such a waiting game (and we had already waited forever).  We decided the adoption journey might have some wait time too but when it was in our hands to do something we were going to get it done.   By Feb 27, 2008 we were ready to finalize our home study and finish the process so that we could be on the list to be shown to birth mom's. In a very rare, (Only God) situation, we were connected with a birthmom by late May and matched with her by early July.  It was the second birth mom we were shown to! Very rare- but all God!

By August 2008 we brought home our daughter. :) We got to meet her amazing birth mom and spend time with our daughter from the time she was 16 hours old- taking care of her in the hospital and getting to sign our papers to make her ours at three days old.  The selfless act of that amazing birth mom made us parents... something we had tried for so long to do- and in God's time and way finally had happened. ;)

Still struggling with painful endometriosis and knowing our struggles to have our daughter, we knew that adoption was the way God was calling us for our second baby.  This process took MUCH longer- and God taught us (AGAIN :)) SO very much... but after being shown to 32 different birth parents, and waiting 3 years, we brought home our son.  His story was a little different, and we didn't get to spend as much time with him in the hospital, but again, God's timing and plan was perfect. :)  We signed our papers and brought him home at three days old too!

While we know that God can do the seemingly impossible, and heal our infertility and my endometriosis, we also know that that might not be part of His plan.  We don't know what our future holds... if a miracle pregnancy might happen, or if another miracle adoption might take place, or if our family is complete.... we are leaving it all in God's hands open to where He leads us next... because He has taken such beautiful care of us this far... and He is so faithful and worthy to be praised. :)  Through all of this- and the absolute stinky-ness of infertility, we are so thankful to have walked the road we did, and grown closer as a couple, and closer to our God. We wouldn't choose for our story to be any different because of that closeness we have as a couple, the deeper faith and trust in our Heavenly Father, and our two miracle babies! :)  We are blessed! :)

Read about our story in more detail to the right by clicking on the links. :)