our adoption story. part 1.

so yeah, i can bet most of you haven't heard this one.
mainly because this story is probably one of the most difficult and emotionally draining times we've ever experienced in our married life.

and also because it doesn't have the "normal" happy ending.

it all began with a call from one of nick's friends from back home. we were informed about a situation at an adoption agency-they were in dire need of adoptive families. a little background here: nick and i are a part of a church family that really encourages adoption and the message that it portrays of God's love towards us and we've been pretty open to the idea of it. we just weren't sure about the timing. in my head, though, i always imagined that we would have a biological baby first. more on that later.

we had only been trying to get pregnant for a couple of months when we got the call, but we sensed the urge to get more information. nick began conversing with the adoption agency and they confirmed their urgent need for adoptive families.

oh and the kicker: the babies were all due within 2-3 months and we had one week to decide if we wanted to move forward and one month to finish all of the paperwork.

talk about overwhelming.

i immediately began to withdraw from the situation and the idea that my plans would be ruffled if we moved forward with the process. i couldn't even really talk to God about it because my heart was so hard. i wanted my way. 

it was friday night and we had two days to decide. we were sitting at dinner at texas roadhouse when tears started to fill my eyes. i knew what we were supposed to do.

we started the paperwork and by some sort of miracle finished everything on time.

there was a surprise along the way though.

part of the paperwork involved getting a physical. so i went to my OB/GYN and was telling them all about the adoption and the crazy process we were going through. as the nurse was leaving to get the doctor she randomly asked if it was possible that i was pregnant. i said sure and took the "pee" test and sat anxiously in the room. i waited for what seemed like forever. then the doctor entered and told me the most amazing news i've ever heard. "well, it looks like you're pregnant."

i cried, tears of joy.

i had always imagined telling nick this sort of news in some creative way, but i couldn't wait even a second. i called him in the parking lot. we were thrilled.

but this also caused some questions regarding the adoption because most agencies won't let you adopt while you're pregnant. so the first person we told was the director of the agency. we told her that we would still like to be considered for the adoption if they would let us, but we understood either way. they prayed about it and decided to let us continue in the process! we were excited and scared. i mean c'mon two kids under the age of 6 months-that's like having twins!

a few weeks later we were chosen by a couple of college students who were having a baby boy due july 4th. we met with the couple a few times, both aspiring lawyers and very likable, maybe even too likable. adoption stories don't go this well, do they? i mean these were actually nice, intelligent, "put together" people who were trying to make the best decision for this little boy. it all seemed too perfect.