Continuing our Adoption Journey

On 27 May 2011 we became a forever family. The day was surreal for Sam and I. For me it was a day confirming what I knew all along, that these boys were meant to be our sons. For Sam, I think it was his chance to finally breathe. Throughout our journey to become parents we have known nothing but disappointment. If we dared get excited about the fact we were pregnant it would always end with empty arms, bleeding hearts and broken spirits. While I was ecstatic to hear the news that the boys birth mom choose for them to stay with us, Sam was more guarded, waiting for the other shoe to drop.



Shortly after adoption day Sam left to meet his unit in Afghanistan. He was given the opportunity to stay here since I am having medical issues and am separating from the Army on a medical retirement. We talked in depth about what we should do and in the end decided that we know we want to adopt again and in order to do so we need a bigger home. Sammy's deployment would help us financially in order to move us into a hope that would allow us to let our family grow. A few weeks before we left Sam found an unbelievable house and the combination of a low interest rate and the builders need to sell allowed us to get our dream home. There is so much room for everyone to enjoy and two extra bedrooms, one of which will hopefully be filled with another family member.

Initially we opted to be foster parents again but on and off the possibility of a domestic adoption enters my heart. I would love to be matched with a birth mom before hand and be present for my child's birth. I still am not sure which path we will choose or rather which path will choose us. For if there is one thing I learned while having the boys in our life is that the child or children that are meant for you will find you one way or another.

We have a date!!!

This evening we had our first meeting with our newly appointed CPS adoption worker. She gave us a stack of paperwork (that I have already completed and have ready for drop-off tomorrow!) and did a quick inspection of the house. We asked the probability of getting on the schedule for the May 27th adoption date. She seemed confident that if the paperwork was completed and returned quickly there should be no problem (hence driving it down to Belton part).

Shortly after she left, Sammy went and checked the mail and a package from our attorney arrived. In it were the court papers and a letter informing us that we have been given a final hearing/adoption date of 27 May! We couldn't be happier, yes we wanted it to happen as soon as possible but this week Sam's unit approved him to stay home until the adoption was done IF it was completed in May. Most of his unit is leaving for Afghanistan this month and next month.

This means Daddy is going to be able to be here for adoption day and I couldn't ask for anything more. I know this means so much for him too. I just can't believe that this day is finally coming for us, after all we have been through we are going to be a real, certified family and no one can take it away! This news is just the beginning of a great weekend. On Sunday, the boys are going to be baptized. Friends and family will join us to dedicate the boys to God. Bio family will also join us in the celebration! One month from now I can post all the pics I want of my babies!

It's been so long...

Since I have last posted. I guess I kind of got scared thinking of getting so involved with the boys and our life together and the possibility of them being taken away from us that I kind of let the blog go. Well so much has happened in the last couple of months. In November, bio mom decided that she wanted us to adopt the boys. She felt that the best place for them was with us. I can't even describe the feelings I had that day. Prior to her telling us that CPS called and left a message on my phone telling me they needed to see Sam and I after the boys weekly visit and that it was very important. I of course thought of the worst possible senerios. I am so happy that I was wrong.

We just went to court last month and the judge officially took away bio mom's and dad's rights. Bio dad failed to complete any of the classes, pay child support or even contact CPS. Now we just wait 90 days to make sure no one challanges us for rights then we can finalize.

We hope that Sammy will be able to be here for adoption day. We wanted to make sure that we stayed here at Fort Hood so that the boys can continue to be around their siblings (who went back home to bio mom last month!) but in order to do that Sam had to transfer to a unit that is deploying to Afghanistan in May. There may be a chance of his unit letting him deploy later, allowing him to be present but if not we are going to SKPYE since the courthouse has wifi. It's going to be tough with him gone and two toddlers. I also worry about the bond that they share and how it will change because of him being gone for a year. We are going to do everything we can to maintain contact such as video recourded story time and online video chats. Clayton is such a daddy's boy, I know he's really going to take it hard.

I just can't believe that this is our life now. We have been through so much to get to this point and all we have known is loss and sadness and now we are filled with joy and happiness.