Here We Go!

I'm going to start with a quick introduction to us. Not that I expect there will be many visitors who don't know us but just in case here's the quick story of my life (at least the last 10 years).

David and I were married July 19, 1997 after a very short courtship. We're still convinced EVERYONE thought I was pregnant. We were married only 9 months after our first date. We met, fell madly in love, got married and have been fighting like brother and sister ever since! Love him to death but honestly, we are so much alike it's frightening. When we were first married and would be out and about people would ask if we were brother and sister. Scary! Considering we both grew up in the south it may have been best to get the DNA test but too late now....

We've gone through a lot in 10 short years but still love each other to bits. There's no one who is better for me and all I need to do is look at my 2 precious daughters to know we made the right decision. Having children was always in the plan but we figured it would be best to get to know each other first. Keep in mind, 9 months is a short time to know someone especially before marrying them! We waited until we had been married about 5 years before we decided it was time to have children. Of course, the best laid plans don't seem to work. It took over a year and medical intervention (thanks Clomid) before Katelyn was conceived. We started to try again when Katelyn was around a year old and after 2 losses, we were blessed with Meredith. They are truly the greatest gift and I appreciate them every day. I appreciate the crayons on my walls, the ripped People Magazine I just received, the tantrum in Kroger, the poopy diapers and the early morning risers. I wouldn't trade any of it and I'm ready for more.

This brings us to our latest adventure. David and I decided years ago we would adopt a child and now that dream is going to come true. We have started the process to adopt a baby boy from Russia. Yes, everyone (almost everyone) thinks we're nuts! Sometimes I wonder if we're nuts! However, I know this is something I must do. Have you ever had such a strong feeling that you just had to go with it? Yes, it's similar to the feeling I had after meeting David, getting engaged 2 months later and married 6 months after that. I just had to go with it. I wish everyone had the feeling they should bring a baby into their home that otherwise would have very little to wake up to every day. Imagine if we all took in one baby that had nothing. This is the world I want to live in and therefore, this is something we must do. We have to save a baby and give him a life he so deserves. Katelyn and Meredith lucked out. They have parents who love each other and who love them with all their hearts. They have all the material needs and most of the wants (we try not to buy them everything!). Our family (extended included) have so much to give and we're going to be able to share all of this with a little boy who has nothing. He's already born and probably living in unthinkable conditions. He doesn't know the loving touch of a Mommy and Daddy. He doesn't know how it feels to be in a comfortable bed every night. He hasn't experienced the feeling of a tummy so full it hurts to laugh. He doesn't know it yet but we love him already. This journey is going to be tough. Yes, the paperwork sucks! However, pregnancy is no picnic either. Yes, it's very expensive! However, it still costs less than the big old SUV I drive all over town. Yes, we're already pretty busy with our 2 little ones. However, one more will only make life that much fuller. I know most of our family and friends probably think we're crazy for wanting to change our lives so drastically. Trust me, we've thought about everything and we know this is what we need to do.

If you've gotten this far, thanks for your willingness to go on this journey. I hope you keep coming back for updates as I plan to give them regularly. We need everyone in our corner because it's a long road ahead. I hope this experience and everything we can share with you will change your life forever as well.