J came home to our family in February 2015. He was almost 6 1/2 years old And, we were first time parents. When we started the adoption process two years earlier, we wouldn’t have imagined that our story would lead us here.
Adoption has always been at the heart of our family. Before we were married, we talked of growing our family through adoption. When we first began to consider adoption, our thought was to adopt a younger child. It seemed to make the most sense in being first time parents. But as the process went on and the longer we waited, our hearts began to change toward those children who were waiting and some who had waited a long time for a family.
We didn’t set out to adopt an older child. In short, out hearts were changed to see them as they are….children. Children waiting to experience opportunities and to thrive in life. Children waiting for a chance for someone to make a choice to love them, to care for them, to be there-forever. Children waiting for a family.
We made that choice to be Josiah’s family in October 2014. Three short months later, we were on the plan making it a reality. Being a first time parent to an older child comes with it challenges (just as all parenting really does), but it also comes with it’s greatest joys. The joy of laughter. The joy of hope. The joy of love. Forever.