When we began the adoption process I didn’t have many expectations. With each class that we took a picture of “what to expect when adopting” was painted. I took all of the information that I was hearing at our parenting classes and combined it with the stories shared by foster and adoptive parents, and I began to form this set of expectations of how our journey to parenthood and being matched with our future children would go. I like order and thrive on checklists, so having an idea of the way the process would go really put me at ease.

I want to go back about a month and tell you our story.

We were still waiting for our home inspection, so in my mind nothing (as far as being matched) could happen yet. Joe and I were busy getting our last few classes finished up, slowly getting the nursery together, and feeling like we had all of the time in the world before we became parents. According to the “order of events” our home inspection had to be completed before we were a licensed foster home and could be matched, butttttt sometimes things don’t happen in order or in regard to my checklist!

On the morning of Friday, May 6th my world was rocked and almost EVERY SINGLE EXPECTATION that I had about how our adoption journey would begin flew out the window!

It was a Friday morning, and I was going to visit a friend. My friend and her husband had been fostering (with the intention of adopting) two little girls (1 and 3 years old), and I was so excited to meet these little girls as well as catch up with my friend! As I sat and talked with my friend she made it more and more clear that her and her husband weren’t going to be able to adopt these two precious girls, but they thought that Joe and I would be a great match for them. I was in shock. Our home wasn’t even inspected yet… a social worker hadn’t called me… we hadn’t had a full disclosure meeting… are we being matched? This isn’t how the “system” works! I was so unprepared, despite all of my efforts for the last 8 months to be prepared for this very moment.

It’s funny how life, love, and God work. I am constantly caught off guard, yet so richly blessed. I think God looks down and laughs at me each time I get out my checklist. Day by day, and with one foot in front of the other, I am slowly learning to trust Him and His plan more and more.

So, with all of that being said – Joe and I are in the process of pursuing the adoption of two beautiful little girls! This last month has been a roller coaster as we have been working on bonding with them and transitioning them to live with us full time (Lord willingly, that will happen by June 24th). Keep our family in your prayers as we transition and DOUBLE in size! I am so grateful for all of the support we have, I can hardly even talk about it without sobbing – we are truly blessed!

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” PROVERBS 16:9 ESV

xoxxox

Leeanne