careful what you pray for

Has someone ever told you "be careful what you pray for? You just might get it?" I don't think I ever really got that saying. That's the point of praying for something..because you do want it to happen! Right? Er, well....

I have spent the past, let's consult the the ticker here, um 2 years and 2 weeks today, praying for our adoption. Praying for a son, praying for our children. What a ride it has been.

In the process, we have attempted international adoption from two separate countries, failed at one, got sidelined by an earthquake in another, and considered pulling out completely on numerous occasions. We somehow ended up becoming foster parents, fostered 2 adorable little girls, but said goodbye to them too.

Around the time we let go of our little girls, our adoption from Haiti was stalled with no timeline of when we could proceed (years? months? never?). It did not look good(insert one of the numerous times we considered calling it quits here). And then something(s) amazing happened that brings us to now, with our heads spinning.

We accepted another foster placement for a brand new baby boy. This little miracle has been with us now for almost 5 months, with little to no sign of having to be returned (inhale). We have our sights on his adoption and he is a beautiful little blessing. My son.

Then on Aug.24 the phone rang. It was the stork calling (from Haiti)...it's twins! They are 7 months older than our baby boy. Um, so that will almost be like raising, ahem, triplets?! Now, when we began this journey of adoption, we initially envisioned adding a child to our family. A child. What began as a journey to one has twisted and turned unexpectedly in so many ways that it has brought us 3 more babies. Now this all seems too crazy, but crazy good. Insane good!

When we got married 10 years ago it was new and exciting and scary and fun. We knew each other for only 3 weeks. We met on June 2nd and got married on June 23rd. That is another story, but it feels the same. Wonderful and daunting. Daring and exhilarating. Frightening, in a good way. 5 kids! Who wouldn't be intimidated! That is why they say "life is full of surprises"..."be careful what you pray for"...."expect the unexpected"..."life's a journey, enjoy the ride" oh wait, no, that last one is a nissan ad.

Well, buckle up...here we go...!