A New Chapter

I really didn't think this post would ever be mine to write. It wasn't that I had "given up." It was more that the Lord had taken my plans and my dreams and made them even better than I could have through adoption. And, in Him I have truly been satisfied.

I have never felt like adoption was "second best" or a "last chance" at being a mom. Instead it has truly been a gift for me and now I would not trade one second of my infertility struggles or our miscarriage because without those circumstances we would not have Riley and Mary Kenzie in our family today.

If "my story" had ended with Riley and Mary Kenzie I think my closest friends would tell you that I was happy and at peace with how things have turned out. I hope they would affirm that "God has been SO faithful and has given me more than I could have ever asked for in the adoptions of my kids."

But, it became obvious a little over a month ago that that wasn't meant to be the end of the story for me and Michael.

I realized about a month ago that I was a week late and went to the store, bought a home pregnancy test, and took it one night while Michael was putting the kids to bed. I could NOT believe it when both lines showed up almost instantly. As soon as he finished putting the kids to bed I told him I needed to talk to him and he came in our room and I showed him the positive test. He was shocked and excited along with me!

Two days later we were in the doctor's office and got to see our baby on the ultrasound screen for the first time. It was amazing! Everything looked perfect, but we had caught it just a little too early because the heart hadn't quite started beating yet. We went in the following week for a follow-up ultrasound and that was when we saw the heart beating for the first time!

This morning I went in for a check-up and was able to hear the heartbeat through the doppler! It was a huge relief to hear the heart still beating and to know that things are going so well. I am 10 weeks along now and our baby is due December 31st! We are thrilled to be able to experience this side of parenting and would appreciate your prayers for a healthy baby and for peace.