Hi, we're Cathy and Dave. Our adoption journey began a few years ago when we brought our son Justin home from Ukraine. He was the answer to our prayers. While we were there, he put his arm on the shoulder of another boy, and introduced him to us.
"This is Ethan, my brother!"
We got to know Ethan, and came to love him as much as we love Justin.
When we returned to Ukraine to bring Ethan home, he introduced us to a young lady.
His question to us was, "Masha. Sister?"
No one said it would be easy growing our
family and we never expected it would be. We never set out to adopt a
specific number of children. We simply asked to grow our family and
have children. God has answered the prayer in steps. At times while
planning our second trip to Kiev, Dave and I thought we may be done but
we never quite shut that door completely.
The heart knows what the heart wants all in due time.
I look back almost 9 years ago, our first
plans were to adopt a girl from China and then from Vietnam. We had
even chosen her name...Emma Grace. Unfortunately that didn't work out
but I don't think we evergave up on the idea of having a girl.
I thought being blessed with just boys was
enough. I wasn't disappointed. The desire to have a girl was pushed to
the back of my mind.
Dave and I began talking about a third child.
A daughter. Ethan began hinting about a sister. Justin hinted about
Ethan and now Ethan was hinting about a sister. We would smile and not
really answer.
A couple of days before I was to come home,
Masha told the orphanage manager that she didn't want to be adopted by
anyone else but us. She had even picked her new name. Isabella Masha
Dave was blessed to spend three more weeks
with her while getting Ethan ready to come home. He says she has a
sweet giggle. She loves art. Doesn't like spicy foods - not even
ketchup. She would take Ethan's English lesson and work on it herself.
And so we begin the process again towards our
FINALE. Our third adoption. Dave and I are ready to begin our next
chapter of family life. Just being parents raising our children -
three teenagers by next year! Adoption isn't easy and it isn't
something that we take lightly but it is for the kids that we do all of
this. They deserve nothing less than a happy and healthy family. God
has blessed us and we are forever grateful.
My heart wants what my heart wants. I am
blessed with two wonderful boys that love and challenge me. And soon a
daughter that we will get to know and see her blossom just as the boys
have. Adoption isn't easy as I said, it is a sacrifice that is worth
everything.
We sacrifice for those things that we desire
the most. For Dave and me, it is a family. A family that we can pass
our values down to. Enjoy and cherish our time together. And finally
see them grow families of their own.
I can't ask for more. I am blessed beyond
measure. I long for the day when all three of our kids are home safe
and secure with us. Challenges will continue but we will be TOGETHER.
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