Today has truly been an awesome day! I am so excited that my brother and sister-in-law have met their funds to bring home their new baby boy!
But first, if you don't know their story, let me share a little of their backstory:
The past few years have been tough for them. Two and a half years ago, they were excitedly preparing for the arrival of their first baby. At the 20 week appointment, they found out she was a girl and were thrilled with the news.
A week later, their world came crashing down when they got a call from the doctor who had been looking over their ultrasounds. He wasn't sure what was the matter, but the baby appeared to have a genetic disorder, maybe Down syndrome, a heart defect, or perhaps a brain abnormality.
The next several months were a series of tests and doctors visits. Each one left them a little more discouraged that the last. Ellie was born full term, but only lived for 20 minutes.
Watching my brother carry a tiny casket to bury his daughter was devastating. No words can be said to comfort grieving parents who have to go home to an empty house with small reminders of the baby they would never get to hold.
The doctors told them that it was a fluke. A unnamed, unheard of genetic disorder. If they wanted to have kids in the future, they would have no problems.
A year and a half later, they were again excited to find out that they would be bringing another baby girl into the world. They were nervous as they went in for their 20 week appointment, but the doctors told them everything would be ok, so they had nothing to fear. At least that's what they kept telling themselves, but very quickly, they found out that something was wrong. In fact, their second child had the same unheard of genetic disorder.
With heart wrenching pain, Jordan carried Elsie another 20 weeks. She went into labor late Christmas night and two days later delivered Elsie.
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The past five months have been spent diving into the world of adoption. From the home studies, loads of paperwork and building a portfolio to present to birth mothers its been busy. Then the waiting and anticipation of being presented and not chosen time after time.
Finally, last week Jordan and Chris got matched with a child. "I really have a good feeling about this one." She told me last week, but then had to wait all day long to find out whether the birth mom would choose them. Finally, around 8:00pm they had their answer - "She wants you to be the parents!"
I wish I could say that they journey ends happily there, but there are still so many tiny details that add up. At that point(last week) Chris and Jordan had been doing crowd fund raising, and had only reach around $16,000 of their $25,000 goal. Yesterday, they were both overwhelmed with the last minute paperwork, finger printing and documents that had to be overnighted. On top of everything, they found out that they were going to need around $5000 more than they originally thought.
What had seemed like an impossibility yesterday, became a reality today. I kept watching and refreshing my computer screen all day. It truly was a miracle to see all of the funds steadily come in today. They have surpassed their goal, and will be able to bring home their son this weekend!
I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. I cannot wait to be a part of this little boys life and share the stories with him someday. God is SO good!
