So, as I sit down to write this post, I realize that it is much harder to reveal your heart to BlogWorld than it is to reveal your latest home projects! So, be kind...
As you may have guessed already, becoming a mother was no easy prospect for me. I believe that infertility is either going to make you or break you. And, gratefully, it didn't break us! In fact, it served to make us not only stronger in our faith, but also in our marriage in ways we never could have imagined. I won't go into too many details at this point, but just know this...I could never have dreamed up 2 more perfect children for our family! And I wouldn't trade all the pregnancies in the world, for the joy-filled, bittersweet experience of Adoption.
Since I am dedicating this week to my daughter, Lauren, I will share with you a snippet of the Christmas Letter we sent out the year that she was born...
Dearest Family and Friends,
It is with the greatest joy and gratitude that we write this letter this year. As of this summer, we were certain that by Christmas there would be no new news to report on our family and yet God had a great surprise in store for us! One day in mid-July, Ian informed Vanessa that he wanted to have a lemonade-stand and make a little spending money. As they walked in the door from a lemonade buying trip to Wal-Mart, the phone was ringing. It was the phone call that changed our lives forever! A baby girl was going to be born in two weeks time and would we be interested in adopting her. Would we! As Vanessa sat with Ian in the driveway while he welcomed his customers, she marveled at the fact that on an ordinary summer day, coming home from Wal-Mart, God could answer our prayers and reveal His sovereign plan for our family through one simple phone call.
A little over two weeks later, Lauren Elizabeth came into this world and into our hearts! She is a wonderfully happy baby and laughs more at her big brother than anyone else. And her big brown eyes are a delightful bonus!
When you are literally "gifted" your children, you realize just how very true the words "Children are a gift from God" are!
Tomorrow I will feature more of Lauren's room as well as the little girl's room of one of my favorite Bloggers!
13 comments:
Adoption...the best, most complex, joyous, bittersweet, soul-searching, life altering gift that has even been given our family. The gift personified in the lives of Ian and Lauren. So blessed to be their Aunt.
Ok, so I held it together through the entire writing of this post and then I read your comment and the tears began to flow! I love you sweet sister of mine!
Vanessa
I am so happy that you shared this precious story! I have been blessed by your honesty and faith!
I am so happy to have found YOU!
Enjoy!
Cathy
Vanessa, what a sweet and touching story.
I came over from Marty's blog. I had to comment on this post. For this child we prayed...was on our son's announcements.....
I am so happy for you and your lovely children....
Lauren's room is gorgeous!!
I also suffer from infertility. It's such a cruel thing to deal with. Unfortunately, we haven't been blessed with any children but we do love our niece, nephews & Godchildren as if they're our own. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Vanessa Sweetie...
What a beautiful share today. I so love this post. The trials you go through, and the tears that stain your heart are eventually dried when that child is handed over to you, and you feel that NEED in your arms. You have truly been blessed sweet friend. What a wonderful miracle for this miracle weekend.
My husband was adopted at 6 weeks of age back in 1946. When his adopted parents passed away, he pursued finding his birth Mother, not for a Mom but for history about who he was. He wrote the Catholic orphanage and was reunited with his Mom after 60 years. She sadly passed away 4 years ago of cancer, but the most blessed thing of all of this? He has 5 half brothers, and one of them lives here in Tempe, where we live in Phoenix. They look so much alike it is scary.
Yes I do believe in adoption and it is such a blessing, your child was hand picked, that makes them special too.
Please stop by Country Wings In Phoenix, my blog. Guideposts magazine is donating a dollar towards our next miracle makeover for each comment left and I want to make enough for several more makeovers. I know they are out there just waiting to be found.
Country hugs sweet friend, Sherry
This little girl is so blessed to have a mom like you and to have loved ones she can call her family.
God Bless,
Ginger
Adoption is such a blessing to those who have been entrusted with a soul brought into the world by another.
Joy & Blessings,
Virginia
What a marvelous heart warming story. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. You have been blessed abundantly. Thank you for sharing with us on Spiritual Sundays.
Have a wonderful week.
Charlotte
Such a gift!! I love your story! Your children are beautiful in every sense!
My sister was adopted and it's a wonderful thing!
Wishing you a wonderful day, thank you for sharing!
XO
Beautiful, precious gift, and I'm so glad you shared your heart with us. What a blessing!
Have a gorgeous Sunday.
Hi Vanessa...
Ahhh...your babies are simply adorable and truly a precious gift from God! He's sooo GOOD to us! My honey and his first wife were unable to have children and adopted their two sweet babies, Darrin and Danielle! They were just 6 and 7 when I came into their lives...and they are truly a gift from God! This was such a sweet post, my friend! Truly heartfelt...thank you so much for sharing this story with us for Sunday Favorites!
Warmest autumn wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
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