After the familymoon

After our familymoon we found our way to normal routines, school, work, laundry, grocery shopping, after school activities.....we assumed the role of a normal, Bradyesque family. We spent our weekends hiking, shopping, playing together, just staying active and together.

We decided before we ever got married that family was a top priority and everything we do will be done as a family or with the family in mind. So, that is what we have continued to do. We are a very close knit family, sometimes too close for comfort (that's when the kids squabble and fight -AHHH!!!)

While life was amazing, Joe and I felt something was missing. We started to argue and pull away from each other. We thought maybe our marriage would fail, but neither of us was willing to lose the other. We had to stay strong and figure things out. As we ached for that missing piece, we grew closer together in our search. Finally We realized what was missing-a baby! However, due to my hysterectomy, we knew that wasn't feasible.Or was it?? Of course we can have a baby. God spoke into our hearts and we knew the way-ADOPTION!

We started doing some research and considering adoption, we really felt this was our calling, but before we took the next step there was one very important thing we needed to do-talk to the kids. We all sat down and we presented the idea to them, we told them what we were thinking and feeling and what we wanted to do, but we wanted to make sure they were on board with this huge decision. Keagan and Brooke were ready to go to the hospital on the spot for a baby, Killian wanted time to think it over. So we waited, and waited and waited....finally he was ready to make the commitment.

We did more research and contacted several agencies. We found one that only accepts 2 couples per month, but they were very promising, and expensive. We were hopeful, we contacted them and heard back, we had the phone interview and within 12 hours we were accepted into the program!! We were so very excited, we were on the way. Our next step was to complete a home study, so we got the information and contacted the agency that provides the study. The lady was very nice and told me all about the agency and how they too offer an adoption program. This was a local agency, that only works with birthmoms here in Arizona. Curious, I asked about fees, to my surprise, they were about 1/4 the cost of the other agency and they guarantee placement, whereas the other agency will only represent you for 18 months, if you aren't matched-too bad, so sad. Without even talking to Joe, who was standing there listening to my side of the conversation, I asked for information and an application to be mailed to us. We got the paperwork the very next day and immediately filled it out and started the adoption journey.