More like a loaf, than a bun in the oven.

We are pregnant.
Sike.
Just wanted to get you excited that we are expecting.
OK, in the adoption world that we are in, being "with child", pregnant on paper or knowing that you have a child growing in your heart are all the same.

God builds families in many different ways and the "way" a child is brought to your home is usually amazing, but the end result is just a beautiful family.
Let's all agree that one way is not better than another.
Different, but all remarkable.

After reading my friends post titled Decision 2008 International Adoption, I was compelled to honestly share our unfolding story.

So- we are announcing that our family is growing!
But in a very wild way.
And it has been prayed about for many months and the direction is clear.
So we are following His lead unless that door closes.
But we hope it stays open until the perfect child joins our family.

here goes...

First, we sought international adoption. Our agency Dillon gave us a list of country programs to review and pray over. None were a right fit.

Second, we sought out other agencies that might have other international country programs available. After looking through the packets and countries, it wasn't a right fit either.

Third, we felt like maybe this was the time to have biological children. We talked through this and we were both on the same page. It was just not a right fit, our hearts were elsewhere.

Fourth, we thought about domestic adoption. It took some time for our hearts to wrap around this idea. But it did seem to fit, so we went looking for more information.

Fifth, we decided on working with DHS (Department of Human Services). Applying for our state's adoption program (not the foster program). Children are available whose parents right have been terminated due to various factors.

Sixth, we told our parents and children all about our decision. Praise God for our support team.

Seventh, We started working on all our paperwork, medical updates, homestudy, fingerprints and will be starting the 35 hours of required classes in September. But amazingly, it is all free.
I mean what!?

Eighth, we had to tell DHS about our hearts desire. And here is where it gets WILD and EXCITING... we are applying for multi-race (not sure yet, but Asian, Hispanic, etc.) and a child who is 5-6 year of age. We believe have an older child waiting to join our family.

Avi Joy asked, "Will my older sister have a face like yours or a face like mine mama?" Wow, honestly, she never ceases to amaze me.
And little man will get to be the baby for a while longer...
A convicting scripture that was brought to my mind was Psalm 68:5,
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling."
It does not say...
A father to the infant fatherless.
Or a father to the perfect fatherless.
It was revealed to me that God is in the business of providing families for ALL fatherless children. Unfortunately it does not come to pass for all children, but we have to TRUST that our God knows what He is doing and it will be a blessing to have an older child join our family.

We will keep you updated about how life unfolds...
In the meantime we will keep praying and dreaming.

Adam, Natasha, Avi Joy and Nehemiah