Our Story, Part II

Somewhere along the way we felt like we had so much love to share. There was that nagging little feeling that another spirit was waiting and the spirit seemed to whisper, “Hurry up.” Within days of completing our application with LDSFS we were chosen by a birthmother who was carrying a son. Mark’s dream was about to come true. It all seemed so “meant to be” and yet didn’t feel quite right. There were lots of complications and other issues kept cropping up. It was a very stressful time. All the while I was trying to shield Sydney from disappointment and pain. Our adoption plan headed south. We decided to go private. Flippantly I thought, “it will never work. We can’t afford it. I want a birth mom I can connect to like I did the first time. I’ll just trust in the Lord. Surely, He understands and knows my plan.”

A week later I was in the throes of preparing my keynote speech for girls camp; readying myself for youth conference and getting my house spruced up  for my mom and sister’s arrival. They were going to stay with Sydney while I went to camp and fulfilled all my many church assignments. Meanwhile Mark had continued to pursue the private course,  finding a referral service and identifying potential situations for which we would be considered. He identified two. I nonchalantly agreed hardly paying attention to the details of birth parents, race, or due dates. Afterall, I had prayed and agreed to “just trust in the Lord” advise the Lord as to what my desires were again!

As the Monday before camp arrived I said something like this in my morning prayer, “Dear Heavenly Father, I’m thankful {fill in the usual phrases including all my many blessings}...but you know what my week looks like and you know all the many things I have to get done to be prepared to teach and be with the young women...please help me get all these things accomplished.” Had I actually been listening I think I may have heard him tell me, “Yes, many things my dear, but I have another plan in store for you and it will be hard but I will help you get it done. I promise.” Instead I packed everyone up and headed off shopping for swag to give out at camp and off to the zoo. It was a hot day in June. Texas hot.

As we got back to the car and started re-hydrating Sydney my cell phone rang. I answered and Mark told me we had been chosen and needed to be in Tyler as soon as possible to pick up our son. Dumbfounded. I was so shocked I asked him what the baby was a boy or a girl. The “duh” in his voice was pretty gentle considering he’d just told me we needed to pick up our son. I was overwhelmed. This was nowhere on my list. I checked it twice. Nope.



We made phone calls, arrangements, excuses and left town to meet our son and his birthmother. We spent two hours going over names and finally agreed to leave it alone for awhile. We met our 2nd birthmother who was very different from our first. I can’t imagine her pain and sorrow {I know we always say that but seriously...} except I know that the 11 month-old jumping on the bed, throwing his bottle, and hitting the baby, and who was also her first son gave her every evidence she needed to know that both boys would suffer if she tried to single parent two boys under one and she knew it. Originally she had planned an abortion but couldn’t go through with it and so, called an agency to make an adoption plan. Though I don’t think she seriously considered backing out she did delay signing for nearly 9 hours. I was so nervous I sprayed Sydney down with hairspray thinking it was sunscreen and couldn’t figure out why she was so sticky as we played at the park while waiting. That little spark who came virtually out of the dark became our #2, as well.



Samuel was such a shock. It was a breeze to buy things for him but an adjustment to get used to the idea of being parents to two. He quickly stole our hearts and has found that we are just as eager to be his parents and champions of his milestones. His gifts and talents are equally amazing and we delight in his brilliance, humor, and quick wit. He has blessed our lives immeasurably and taught us things we’d never have known. He draws people into conversation and has such a sparkle about him {except when he is screaming bloody murder so he doesn’t have to go to nursery}.

Adoption was never on my radar growing up. It wasn’t meant to be my story, don’t you know? I had written a totally different story for myself and as it turns out, it would have been a cheap dime store novel but the Lord put me among the best-sellers with his version and in time I hope he is able to turn us into a “family classic.” We love the Savior and are grateful for his plan. We’ve learned so much about the principle of adoption and hope to be able to continue the symbiotic process of sharing and learning from the members of FSA, Houston and San Antonio. I’m sure you’ve got a few best-sellers, yourself and we are anxious to “read” every single one!

Please come and be a part of what is going to be a wild and wonderful year!