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Continued from last week. If you missed it, read Part 1 here!
https://whitelakepress.com/blogs/news/our-adoption-story-par...
The first miracle came when I received an out of the blue email from the Head of Adoption at the HSA. Had we inquired about these children? Did we want to apply?
Zac and I stayed up all night talking it over. Before we went to bed, I sent a reply. “YES!” We were going to apply!
The next day I took all six kids to a grocery store for the first time!
We checked out, and I victoriously filled the trunk with our purchases and buckled in the littles. I had survived! As my own seat belt clicked, I saw a new message from our contact at the HSA.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way. Are you sure your home can handle the addition of two more children?”( Background: This guy had excellent rapport with us and he was someone we counted on to be direct. And with four young kids already at home, he had a point).
The short of my reply was, “Yes, we can, because we already are!” I attached some pictures, illustrating how perfectly the kids fit in our family.
He was thrilled! He asked if we could submit our application by Friday so he could present it to the caseworker directly.
We made that deadline with time to spare, and were at a community Christmas event with our sweet six when another email came through.
The caseworker had loved our application! Could we please attend a meeting with the two of them?
The meeting went beautifully. We scheduled another. That one was smashing as well!
Then, the two weeks were up and the kids went home…
On the 14th day of their stay, it was time to say goodbye. Their wonderful foster family came to pick them up.
Tears were shed. And my heart? It ached terribly.
We visited them a week later, bringing some items they had left and a plate of Christmas cookies. It was almost Christmas Eve.
The mixture of joy and grief a child can feel is crushing. They were thrilled to see us. They were stressed to see us. They cried when it was time for us to leave.
Christmas and New Years came and went.
Another meeting. We went over extensive medical histories, case notes, and school forms. At the end, MIRACLE!
We were officially matched!
Just like that. In a fraction of the typical time. A true, incredible miracle.
Another meeting, to plan their final transition into our home.
Then the transition period. Ooof!
This was the hardest part, by far. The kids went back and forth between our home and the foster home for 2.5 weeks and it was difficult! The time was necessary to help each kiddo process their grief at the change.
But, holy smokes! Taking babies that feel split in half, and trying to hold them together, is not for the faint of heart!
Move in day finally came! I went to the foster home to collect them and their lovingly packed suitcases full of clothes and personal belongings. We shared fond goodbyes with their amazing foster parents.
We drove home. And the ache in my heart finally stopped.
The worst was over, but we were still heading uphill. It was arduous, but I would do it again a million times! We’re still climbing, and the miracles continue!
One March 11, 2024, our adoption was finalized over zoom. It was an incredible victory, and we are still celebrating to this day!
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