Henry

I am grateful for connections I have found through writing my own blog and through reading those of others. I am not an adoptive parent yet, but I have been so welcomed and supported. It is remarkable to be cocooned in the unbelievable kindness of others, the resources, the encouragement, the information, the empathy. In addition to having an amazing network of friends and loved ones in my life, I do feel I now have wonderful friends nationwide — I am truly blessed.

I am grateful for another bout of anxiety (an elephant decided to sit on my chest for a few days and a snake decided to twist into my stomach) that occurred last week because when I came out the other side what resulted was a greater sense of conviction that I am following a path that truly is intended for our family. I know this now!

I am grateful that Carolyn asked me why I hadn’t blogged in a while and if everything was okay. I realize now that staying away didn’t serve me or anyone else. It’s okay if my blog isn’t always pretty. This is real life, and fear and anxiety doesn’t have to be edited out. I hope my thoughts can one day help others as others have helped me — to know that amidst the feelings of peace and calm, fear and doubt is normal and that it is very possible to ride it out and continue to follow your heart.

I am grateful for daily family discussions about “when” and no longer “if” and “should we.”

I am grateful to not really know when this transition happened — it was almost like those sunglasses that gradually get darker when you step outside. Look where we are now.

I am grateful that my husband and I look outward in the same direction.

I am grateful that my children have been a big influence in that they truly desire another sibling. I am also grateful that without ever telling them, they have been discreet before any official decisions have been made.

I am grateful for hearing from the Poston family and their excitement for the progress we have made — The first adoption connection I ever made (back in Sept 2007), the first family that ever truly opened up to us with open arms, the Postons will always hold a special place in the heart of our family.

I am grateful for an appointment with a Life Coach for this coming Thursday — the very same woman whose class I took one year ago in which I first discovered that my deeply buried, but still very much alive, dream was to one day adopt a child into our lives. I am very excited to come full circle after one year and with the hope of coming out of this conversation with even greater clarity. (I have to give a shout out to Jen Macaluso-Gilmore and this class that taught me the power of realizing my dreams — www.somethingdifferentnyc.com)

I am grateful to have three home study agencies to choose from — and to know that shortly a decision will be made about who to proceed with and when to sign on the dotted line for the first huge step in our journey to 5.

I am grateful that as of today, I can say that no doubt about it, Emma is officially a two-wheel bike rider!

I am grateful to soak up the last few days of Eden being 2, for all the days I get to see my little girls growing up.

I am grateful for my parents, for all that has shaped me to grow up to be the person I am today.

I am grateful for my family of four; for all that I am, all that I have and all that is yet to be.

Steph