The last year and a half has brought many changes and emotions for our family. We had been trying to have another baby for a long time. After many attempts, the doctor finally told us that our last round of medicine had not worked. We were crushed.
That weekend, right after Thanksgiving in 2016, we decided to stop trying and just be thankful for our two wonderful daughters. But then, the following week, I took a pregnancy test just to be sure—and to our surprise, it was positive!
We were in shock. After some blood tests and ultrasounds, we were relieved and happy to learn that the baby was growing and healthy. Then, in March 2017, something unexpected happened. My husband came home from his men’s group at church and told me that a friend and his girlfriend were expecting a baby.
They were not sure if they could raise her. Without even thinking, I said, “Yes! Let us help them!” My husband looked at me like I was unconventional. I truly felt in my heart that this baby was supposed to join our family.
We had helped care for a young baby before, and I believed we could do it again. After many honest talks with the parents, they asked us to adopt their baby girl. We were filled with emotions, shock, happiness, love, and hope.
After praying about it, we said yes. At that time, I was already 24 weeks pregnant with our own miracle baby, also a girl. The next few weeks were a blur. We told our friends and family.
Some people were worried, asking how we would handle a newborn while I was pregnant. Others were supportive and happy for us. One of our biggest concerns was how the baby’s grandparents who were close friends from church—would feel.
They had mixed emotions, of course. There was joy, but also sadness. After many open talks and shared tears, we all agreed it was the right choice. We simply had to take our time and understand each other. In June, our adopted daughter, Aubree, was born. Her birth mother wanted me to be the one who held her first.
As soon as they placed her in my arms, my heart knew she belonged with us. Seven weeks later, our biological daughter, Emsley, was born after a long and difficult labor.
Now we were a family of six. Having two babies so close in age was not easy. There were sleepless nights and tough days. But seeing them grow together, laugh, and become best friends made it all worth it.
Their older sisters love them both so much and often say, “One’s adopted—but you had never guess!” Adoption has changed our lives in the best way. It brought us a daughter we never knew our family needed. It grew our faith and our family. And now, we follow wherever God leads with love, trust, and open arms.
