November 16, 2011 = Joyous Adoption Day

Last February, I started writing this entry and could never finish it because of the overwhelming emotions and fear of one of the biggest heartbreaks imaginable:

Helpless

This past weekend, I was incredibly fortunate to meet my potential niece and nephew, Jazmine and Jackson. 

For years my brother John and Noreen have been trying to conceive their own children.  They’ve drained themselves financially and emotionally.  It takes a strong marriage to withstand what they’ve been through and are going through and I admire them for their strength and commitment to each other.

I’ve had to stop and restart writing this due to the tears that run down my face…I am heartbroken that I might never get to see these babies again, but mostly because I fear the babies could be taken from John and Noreen after they have loved them with all their hearts. 

And that’s as far as I ever got.  I started writing it on the plane ride home from Arizona and the lady next to me probably wondered what the heck was wrong with me!  After I returned home, I tried to go back to the file, but never could. 

Now, nine months later, I’m overwhelmed with joy and today can retitle the entry to “Happiness” or a word I am very fond of since having my own children, “JOY.”

Joy is the feeling I had when I held my babies for the first time in my arms, and what I feel every day when I wake up to them.

Today, John and Noreen, are feeling the ultimate JOY as they officially become mom and dad to Jackson and Jazmine Schnaubelt.  Today, is adoption day.  And tomorrow and every day after, they will wake up to Jackson and Jazmine’s joy and find peace knowing they are theirs forever. 

I’m very proud of my brother.  He has given this adoption everything he has to give.  When they were introduced to the birth mom, they helped her through her pregnancy and were there for support during prenatal appts and during the birth.  When the babies were released from the hospital, they came home with John and Noreen and have been there for 95% of their lives.

However, it was never guaranteed that an official adoption would take place.  In fact, John said there was only a 30% chance of keeping the babies.

 

He took that 30% chance and turned it into 100% when they closed the deal today.  He never gave up and always had ideas of how it would all work out.  He kept telling everyone to keep the faith.  We prayed and kept the faith, and God answered everyone’s prayers today.

November 16, 2011 Adoption Day!

I’m so happy for them, and for the babies.  These kids will have a wonderful life, with two loving and caring parents and an army full of extended family to keep them entertained!

To Ashley, their birth mom:  Thank you for choosing LIFE, and thank you for choosing my brother and sister in law to be the best parents for the twins.