China
Guatemala
Russia
Vietnam
India
Ethiopia
This letter has been long overdue. There are not enough words in the world to express how grateful and appreciative I am to every single person that had a hand in the adoption of my 2 children. My journey started in March 17, 1997 I was injured in a car accident (I was rear-ended by a semi-truck) that left me paralyzed from the chest down and was in the hospital for 4 months and when I finally got to come home I was coming home to a whole different life. I had to learn to live my life a whole other way and was not liking it at all. I could not believe that God threw this HUGE obstacle at me and expected me to figure it out. It was very hard for me to even get out of bed in the morning knowing what I had to face that day but I did it because I had to. There were no other options but to put one hand and arm in front of the other and get my pitiful butt out of bed unless I was to sprout wings and fly out of bed and that wasn't happening. So with the help of my loving and very supportive family I slowly got my life back together. I purchased a van so I could drive, I started back to college to finish my degree I had started before the accident, I got a job and I built my dream house. I did all this in 3 years. With all of this I still felt like something was missing. I knew what I was and that was the unconditional love that only a child can give you. I had always wanted children but could not see me finding that love of my life and building a family in the near future so I decided to take it into my own hands. So that is what led me to you.
After finally getting my application to you and getting all of the exhausting paperwork completed and sent to you, within a day you had contacted me with a beautiful little girl. She was born on October 9, 2001 and was a few weeks old. My heart truly sank to the tip of my toes. There were so many emotions running through me when I heard those words. I was scared, nervous, excited, thinking I am crazy for doing this and many, many more thoughts and feelings.
When I received the information and pictures of this beautiful little girl I could not believe that I was going to be a mom. All I had to do was look at those pictures and all of the fear and nervousness went away and the only emotion I had left was love. It truly was love at first sight. I never knew that you could feel that way about someone without even really knowing them, but I guess all I really needed to know was that by the grace of God and with your wonderful support and people she was going to be mine. For 6 long, grueling months I waited very Impatiently month after month for each picture and update and finally on April 26th I was on my way to meet my daughter. My coordinator was terrific through the whole process answering every silly question I had. I remember the day very clearly when he called me and told me I could travel and pick her up. Being in a wheelchair I knew that traveling to Guatemala would be very challenging but I could not picture anyone else getting to hold my daughter before me so I tackled the obstacle. Your staff in Guatemala was wonderful. Meeting my daughter was bitter sweet. I was so excited to finally have her in my arms to hug and kiss her but at the same time I saw the sadness in her foster mother's eyes. It was a very emotional moment. From then on it was me and Bailey (my daughter). Bailey was the best baby. She was so happy and very good and well behaved. She still is at the age of 4. She is now in Preschool and she is so smart. She is my pride and joy.
After having Bailey home for a few years I knew that I wanted her to have a brother so I decided to adopt a little boy from Guatemala. He was born on August 20, 2004 and what a cuties. I thought since this was my second I would just breeze through it. Yeah Right! I went through the same emotions I did with Bailey. The whole process was just as grueling as it was the first time. With Nathan (my son) I had another coordinator. What a blessing. She was fantastic. Very caring and supportive and so sweet. Traveling to Guatemala a second time was not something that I wanted to do again but again I couldn't bear of someone else holding my son before me. I just couldn't wait an extra few days to hold, hug and kiss my little boy. Again, your staff in Guatemala was great. They made my trip as simple as possible.
Now that Nathan is home it is crazy. He is so sweet and the love and joy of my life also but is he ever different from Bailey. I never had to put things up off the tables with Bailey she just left things alone. Nathan is into EVERYTHING. He climbs on EVERYTHING, throws EVERYTHING. HE IS ALL BOY. He is now 15 months and walking all over the place and of course into EVERYTHING, but keeps me on my toes and I don't know what I would do without him or Bailey.
Sitting back in the evenings as I watch my 2 little angels sleeping I now know what God had in store for me when he changed my life on March 17, 1997 and that was to be a mother to these 2 little sweet babies and I would never change that for the world.
You and your agency brought me my babies and for that you will always be in my heart. You do wonderful things for so many people and I hope that you will continue doing so for many more years.
God Bless ,
Jennifer, Bailey and Nathan
