Trust me…this is our little story, and it gets good! Greg and I had been married for a little over 4 years in the fall of 2008 when we decided it was time to toss the birth control out the window. A couple of months turned into 6 months, 6 months turned into a year, then two, and still no positive pregnancy test. After various tests and treatments we found there was a reason for our infertility. We decided to start exploring our options for growing a family and went to an informational meeting in June at Bethany Christian Services. We had felt inspired, felt like adoption might really be what God had us waiting for. We had pretty much decided that if the upcoming fertility treatment didn’t work, we would pursue adoption rather than IVF.
In July, I was talking with Greg’s Aunt at a family reception. I was asking how her daughter’s pregnancy was coming along (in other words, Greg’s cousin, Kellie). This is when I found out that Kellie was exploring her options and quite possibly going to make an adoption plan for her baby. My heart skipped a beat. I felt compelled to tell Janet our story and where we were at with our infertility. I made sure she had my current phone number and gave her permission to talk to Kellie.
My world changed on a late afternoon at the end of July 2010. Kellie called me. I saw her number come up on my phone and I was at the grocery store. I knew she wouldn’t be calling to say, “Sorry, I don’t think that is going to work out.” She likely wouldn’t call for that. I let it go to voicemail because I didn’t want to have THIS conversation on Aisle 3. I drove home and tried to calmly call her back. How does one ask if another might want to parent the child she carries? She did. With strength and courage, she did. The decision is personal, somewhat complicated, and a bit uneasy, but her first and foremost concern is for her baby and wanting to give her the best she can. (Did I say, Her?)
We met with Kellie and her mom for dinner to talk things over. I was nervous. But as it turned out, things fell into place so naturally between the four of us. And maybe part of that is because we already have the bond as extended family, which many adoption triads grow to become. We skipped a step. We are extended family. Kellie knows Greg and me; we know her. It makes the whole process so much easier.
Our baby girl is due October 31, 2010. Not too much longer now! So, now you know, that amidst my busiest season of work I have been in the process of adopting a baby. It has been a whirlwind event and I can’t wait for life to calm down this winter. And to settle into a new routine of motherhood.
It’s amazing to me how God had us waiting for this baby girl. Her birth mom and dad are giving us the greatest gift ever. I have had the pleasure of building a relationship with Kellie, and recently we took maternity photographs. I think these are so important for Kellie to have, to remember this time in her life, that she loves this baby girl and brought her into the world. And very important, too, for this little girl to be able to say, “Look, I was there—this is where I came from!”
We love you, Kellie, and can’t wait for this next chapter in all of our lives.