Little Brother’s Adoption Story

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I know that many of you have been waiting anxiously for us to share our newest adoption story and I’ve finally gotten the chance to sit down and write it up for you!

After our last adoption that was something I still have nightmares from we knew we wanted to adopt again but we were not going to adopt through the state. This time we wanted to make sure that we as the adoptive family had support and more importantly…that the biological family had the right support. We chose Bethany Christian Services because my sister was adopted through their agency many years ago and I knew what kind of experience my family had.

We started the process right away after we found out that we were going to be able to adopt Farmer Boy, our first son. We knew it could take a while and wanted to give ourselves plenty of time to save up for the adoption expenses and start fundraising. It took us over a year to pay the initial fees, complete the homestudy, and attend training. Once we made the final payment towards the homestudy fees we started to brainstorm some fundraising ideas for the rest of the costs. We did not expect what was going to happen next!

We finished up our part to get on the waiting families list during the first week in April. We knew there were many families on the wait list and that it would probably be a while before we were chosen. On Easter Sunday (2 weeks later) we ran to town to pick up a family movie after having a lazy day around the house, eating a big Easter lunch and going for a drive out to the lake. I checked my phone and noticed a missed call from the social worker and a frantic message to call back right away. I looked at hubby, dialed the social worker’s number, and put her on speaker phone.

The social worker came on the phone and explained to us that we had been chosen by a birth mother to be the parents of her child, and the baby was born yesterday. He was a healthy little boy and ready to go to his new home. She asked if we would be able to come and take him home with us in 2 days after he was released from the hospital. His mother had been adamant about him coming home with us right away so he would not have to be in foster care. We told her we could make it happen and after discussing a few details we hung up the phone.

I’m not sure that either of us even knew what to say! Not only did we have 2 days to get ready to become a family of 4, we needed to raise the rest of the money for the adoption by the end of the week. Somehow I managed to stay calm and get everything packed to go pick up our new baby boy. (So calm that hubby thought there was something wrong with me!) My mind could not (and still hasn’t been able to) wrap around the idea that we were now a family of 4, it was SO sudden!

I will be honest with you. At this point we still didn’t know what to think about the birth family. We were not opposed to having an open adoption and could see how beneficial it could be for us and the child but because of our past experience as foster parents we really didn’t know what that relationship would actually look like. How 2 families could blend into one. Oh but don’t worry, my mind was about to be blown by a blessing I never expected.

We headed to our old town on Tuesday that week to go meet our baby, meet his birth mother, and to bring him home. We sat nervously waiting in the adoption offices for this all to take place. Wondering what the baby was like, wondering what his mother was like, wondering how we should react to everything and what we should say, and still just trying to take everything in.

But when Little Brother’s birth mother walked in the door it was like a family reunion with a long lost relative. We exchanged hugs and tears and spent the next 2 hours bonding over this little baby that was going to unite our hearts forever. When she left us with the baby she gave us another hug and told us, “He is your son now.” I’m still so struck my the bravery and selflessness that this young woman has shown us over the last few months. We are continuing our relationship with her with visits and photos and updates. The entire experience has been a true blessing for everyone involved and although there will always be a sense of loss as there is with any adoption, we feel like we’ve not only adopted Little Brother into our family but his birth mother as well and we hope that she will continue to be a part of his life and we pray that her dreams for her future will always be within her reach.

Of course I also need to take a minute to mention the amazing generosity of our community here at Little House Living and our friends and family. In just 7 days were were able to raise just over $7000 to go towards our adoption expenses to bring this little guy home! We were blown away with the support we’ve received and thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

It’s been a few months now and we are doing great! Little Brother is just the happiest little baby! He starting smiling at 3 weeks and gave us his first giggle at 2 months. His big brother, Farmer Boy, has adjusted exceptionally well and we can already tell that these two are going to be the best of friends. 🙂

We are still adjusting things in the farmhouse to fit the 4 of us but it will get there in time. For now we are just enjoying this blessing that we’ve been given of 2 beautiful sons and all that they have brought into our lives. Our experience with this adoption has been a night and day difference from the last one and we attribute that to the support that both we and the biological family received and are continuing to receive. I can’t imagine my life without these two precious little boys and we are so thankful to have the opportunity to love and raise them.

merissabio

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28 Comments

  1. I have been reading your wonderful blog for awhile now. This brought tears to my eyes and is a testimony to how great of a God we have.
    Best of luck to you and your family:)

  2. This is awesome! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read your newest adoption story. I’m awed by the blessing that both Little Brother and his birth mother are in your lives! 🙂

  3. Still so excited for you. I’m glad that this adoption went so well for you. How wonderful that the brothers are so close in age. You have a beautiful family. Blessings.

  4. Merissa,
    I have no words except I feel such joy for you and your sweet family.
    I love your blog and read them all. I’m so proud of your strength and your dedication to your family and your sustainable lifestyle.
    I’m a 55 year old rural Indiana grandmother, my family are farmers and I still learn something from you with every post.
    Best wishes for every happiness!
    Kim

  5. I have been awaiting this post. I am so happy for you and your family. This post made me smile. I enjoy your posts very much and look forward too new ones. Have a blessed night.

  6. Donating to help you bring your baby home was the best money I spent this year! My hubby had tears in his eyes when I told him about your family. Congratulations to you all. May both your children be blessings to you forever! xxxxx

  7. Thanks for sharing this picture and post! I love seeing your sweet lil’ babes! Our own two are adopted so it’s always a joy to enter into others ups and downs of the process of becoming a family. Your hubby was still at home and helped entertain our oldest on occasions(when his mom was baby sitting for us) so he knows a bit of “our story”! 🙂 Think of you all often and wish the best for your little family!

  8. Thank you so much for sharing your story and pictures! Your boys are absolutely beautiful! What a joy to have those two little guys to love. You are a beautiful family. God Bless you!

  9. I have been holding my breath to see how things world out for you and that sweet new baby. God is so good. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.

  10. I just read both of your adoption stories. All I can say is “WOW!” Both are amazing stories and you and your hubby are amazing people. I started following you while you were living in your camper and working on your house with the hope of receiving clearance from inspectors to be in it by Christmas. I have watched in total amazement at all of the work you have done on your home and your property. I knew that you had a child but was blown away when you unexpectedly welcomed a newborn into your home and your lives amidst all of the labor-intensive projects you had going on. To be honest, it wore me out just reading about it! I am probably somewhere close to your grandmother’s age and wringing my hands over “the next generation” but you and your hubby have set my mind at ease. You put the rest of us to shame. You are the type of people who made this a great country. I wish I could clone you two! I have often prayed for God to raise up Godly people like you to populate this country. You two are His answer to my prayer. May He continue to richly bless you and your sweet family.

  11. what a beautiful baby…and such a heartwarming story…I’d day these little boys are very lucky to have come into such a loving caring family..good luck.

  12. WOW!!! What an amazing testimony of GOD’S surprises! I cried reading this…there is a couple in our church that adopted a little boy who will be 3 next month. At the adoption ceremony, the clerk of courts told the judge that the family’s pastor was in attendance…The judge asked our pastor to pray over the adoption! AND, thankfully, a video clip was taken to show on the power point at church!
    I’m rejoicing with you in this blessing of life and provision!!!

  13. I enjoy your blog very much. Thank you for sharing your story and God’s blessings to you, your husband and your beautiful children.

  14. I’m so happy for you, I know how special your boys are for we too are adoptive parents and there is no greates joy than to see happiness in your childrens eyes