Sweet Sixteen

Our New Number ...

Two referrals were given out today for infant boys! Both families waited 7 months. Congrats to the families! An adoptive family from Ethiopia was recently added to the wait list though so we only moved up one spot instead of two. Every step is a step closer.

It's Our WaitAVersary!

We have been on the wait list for:

This is my Dad.
He's grown a lot with us on our adoption journey
- we're proud of you Dad!
We know you'll be a great Grandad.

6 Months!

We started out on the wait list 6 months ago at #53 and we are now #17. I think my Aunt Twonana said it best when she referred to our wait as "the climb". It has truly felt that way at times. Waiting for the child that God has chosen for us and HIS perfect timing is a labor of love.

Today we took a break from the climb to stop and enjoy the view.

Looking back ... we realized how much we've grown since we started our adoption journey last June. We've grown stronger in our relationship with God, with our friends and family, and as husband and wife. Discovering how far we've come gives us the strength to continue "the climb", understanding that it will not be easy but that the views get better the higher we go!

OMG!

We're number ...

The last 5 weeks with no referrals and no court dates has been hard. Last Friday was a really difficult day for the both of us but as the weekend went along our spirits improved and today we were handsomely rewarded.

We are so close, we can feel it...

The last family that we knew a head of us, waiting for a girl in our age range got their referral today! YEAH! We think we're at least #7 on the wait list for a girl (maybe closer!). Please continue to pray for us and for all waiting families anxiously awaiting "The Call".

Just The Start

People have asked us how we chose to adopt a boy or a girl?

Well, in the beginning we wanted both. We had this wonderful idea that we'd adopt two children (a boy and a girl) but after learning more about the adoption process, during our home study and in our adoption education classes, we decided to adopt one at a time. This way we figured each child would have their own adoption story and we would welcome each child into our family in their own special time.

Not sure which to adopt first, we asked our family to weigh in and help us with our decision.

Mamaw Walker, has two grandsons and two sons so the decision for her was easy - a GIRL! Hands down, no hesitation, a GIRL!

I was raised as an only child (until 3 years ago when my brother and sister were adopted into our family) so my parents voted for what they were most comfortable with - A GIRL!

The swing vote came from Bret's cousin. She dresses her daughter in the most adorable clothes and rumor had it, she had been saving all of her clothes for the next family member to have a GIRL, so as you can imagine that was a factor worth considering ...

On Easter Sunday Bret's cousin brought us the first 4 bins of clothes Newborn-3T:

AND she still has more bins to give us! Can you imagine?! We feel like we hit the clothing jackpot! We spent the evening laying each outfit out on the bedroom floor, talking about her and envisioning her in each one. I love thinking about her (it puts a smile on my face every time) but I love sharing thoughts of her out loud with Bret even more. She is one loved little girl!

THANK YOU BADER FAMILY FOR THE AWESOME CLOTHES! 

           
            WE LOVE YOU!