We went through the infertility process for a year and a half. We were given the news the day before Mother’s Day 2005 that we would never be able to have children. We decided to adopt and attended the ABC orientation at Gladney in July 2005. Raquel McFadden was an excellent caseworker who kept us informed throughout the process. We were so excited we had all our paperwork in by the next week. By Halloween 2005, we had completed the social study and paperwork completed. We next tackled the scrapbook, which the birth mother uses to choose parents, by December. We spoke over the phone to two other birth mothers, both of whom decided to raise their children. By February 2006, we were contacted by another birth mom and made plans to meet for dinner with our caseworkers on February 13th. She called on the 12th with good and bad news. She would be unable to meet us for dinner and we had a healthy baby girl! This was exactly nine months after we were told we would never be able to have children. We met our birth mom, who is our hero, in the hospital on the 13th with our caseworkers. Our birth mom was able to place our little girl for adoption on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2006. We spoke to our birthmom daily, took her out to dinner, and were given lots of baby goodies from her birth family during that week. Our birthmom was able to have two hours a day to spend with our little girl and by the end of the week we were invited to meet Miss Kaylene Faith. On the twelfth day of her life, we brought home our precious baby girl after a whirlwind week of showers and preparation. Although I feared being able to bond with an adopted child, what circumstances would come, and all kind of other thoughts, I have never regretted for one moment the choice to adopt and the sacrifice our birth mother made. Our little girl is now 2 and we have frequent contact by mail with her maternal birth grandparents and her birth mom. Kaylene loves receiving the big packages for every holiday and birthday. We look forward to sharing more about their sacrifice as Kaylene grows and are thankful for their willingness for all of us to shower Kaylene with our love.
- Jacob, Rhonda, and Kaylene