1 page & 2 pictures

A little over a year ago, while I was at work, I received an e-mail from our global agent T Bethany. She said she had a profile on two year old twins and asked if we were interested in reviewing it. I remember it being such a bittersweet moment. Just a few weeks before we had submitted a letter of intent on two boys. We had read and considered and prayed about these boys. When another letter of intent was accepted just a few hours before ours we felt hurt and even a little betrayed.
But this...we wanted children under age 5 And twins! I hurried to reply that we were interested. We received a one page summary...barely a page at that and 2 photos. By the time my husband got home, I think I had read that page a hundred times. I had researched big words I didn't know like Chiari malformation. I was ready. I knew in my heart these were out kids. It didn't take long before he agreed. So late that night, we wrote another letter of intent. And prayed.
I remember clear as day the agency coming to us and saying, we want to be very clear that he may never walk. Now I believe in a great big God. I know He is capable of all things. I also know there are things far worse than never walking.
Last weekend the little boy I wrote that letter about, received his first wheelchair.

He is so excited! He has freedom and mobility! Do I think he will never walk? I don't know. As any parent does, I hope and pray great, big things for him. Some days, walking is one of those.
But lately, I have spent more time praying God will show me how to navigate this world as a special needs parent. That I may learn how to best advocate for my son. I have been praying he might help me understand the vast world of Spina bifida. And I've been praying that my care and concern for my son with special needs may not overshadow my care and concern for his amazing sister.
There were so many things we did not and could not have known the day we received that short summary and photos. My son and daughter and both amazing, incredible, unique people. They are growing and developing and exceeding people's expectations. However, I am still confident that there are worse things...much worse things than never walking.

Home

We have been home 7 weeks as of Saturday.  What a whirlwind those seven weeks have been.  We met our son and daughter 3 weeks before that.  Jhohan and Sofia are adjusting very well, possibly better than expected.  They are attending preschool at Two by Two, which they love.  They have amazing teachers who have become active members of our village.  They also love going to The Point on Sunday mornings and often joining Mommy at small group on Thursday nights.
Sofia is a morning person.  (I am not!).  She rises early, ready to tackle the day.  She has big emotions always and she is very stubborn.
Jhohan is a people lover and very go with the flow.  He is up for facing whatever comes his way.  He is very compassionate and empathetic.
They both love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Paw Patrol, trying new foods, and snuggles.  They both hate when Mommy or Poppy have to go to work and bedtime.
Every single day we discover new things about them.  They let us into their little hearts and minds more and more.  They try new foods and new activities.  They tell us more of their story...some good and some painful.  Each one shaping them into who they are and who they will be.  We feel so blessed to a part of that story, even when it is hard.
I could sit here and tell you all about how great and perfect every thing is, but I don't think it would do either of us any good.  You see adoption isn't perfect.  It is messy.  It is hard.  It is painful.  But oh is it worth it.  In the last 24 hours, I held my terrified son each time as he fell back to sleep after night terrors.  I cleaned up my house as my husband cleaned up our daughter after an accident.  I worked both my jobs, picked my kids up from preschool, and came home to make dinner.  While feeding my kids one of them projectile vomited on me because they tried to eat too much, too fast.  Now, I am eating my dinner while writing and waiting for my husband's work shift to be over.  These days aren't easy, but I wouldn't trade them for anything.
Here are just a few pictures of our family.  Life isn't perfect, but I praise God that it is mine!