Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Our Adoption Celebration

On July 1, 2013, an 11 month old and 23 month old entered our home as children #6 and #7 to stay with us through foster care. The first year they were with us entailed a long roller coaster as we weren't sure what their future would hold. At the end of a year with us they were moved to another state to live with relatives. This was a heart-breaking transition for us, but we knew this is how foster care works and we knew what we signed up for in the process. However, the home where they were placed did not end of being a place where they could stay long term and after five weeks they came to stay with us. We were overjoyed to welcome them back and they were giddy with happiness to be back as well. After that the courts began to talk to us about the option of adoption and we said without a doubt we would welcome the chance to be their forever family. It still took most of the next year, but on July 30, 1015 we were pronounced an official family in a downtown courthouse! It is an amazing feeling to have so many stresses behind us: no more questions on how to answer their questions about their future, no more case workers who had to make regular stops in our home, no more challenges on whether we have authority to oversee their medical care or make school
decisions, no more anxiousness about their future, no more, no more! God has been good, faithful and gracious to us in so many ways. We are thrilled to have ended one stage of the journey and to be standing at the beginning of the next phase.



Here are some beautiful snaps by Journeyings Photography (highly recommend!) of our recent celebration. 



These special people are all adoptive families who we have met along our foster-to-adopt journey. They are such a source of encouragement!


We rented a shelter in North Park which was a perfect space! (FYI, their shelters are waaayyyy cheaper than city shelters!) Most of the shelters have playgrounds close to them and there are plenty of shade trees and areas for kids to roam and play. 


Six of my family members (including my sweet sister here) flew in to surprise us. We were so excited to see them!


We had a framed picture of the kids for all our guests to sign. 


And then entered.....AL MAZING! I was so grateful when Al cleared time in his schedule to be at our event. Al Mazing has long been my favorite Pittsburgh kids entertainer and his magic show at our party was simply awesome. Kids absolutely love him and he manages to get quite a few laughs from the adults as well. If you are looking for someone to capture kid's attention, book Al for your next event!




The SPIDER! 


He had belly laughs coming from my son at the imaginary coins clinking in the bucket. 


We can't begin to thank all the people who have supported us during this two year process. Without a doubt, it takes a village and God has gifted us with a beautiful village. 



1 comment:

Marissa Deleel said...

This literally brought tears to my eyes! I am so happy for you and your beautiful family!