A Sister for Daisy; an Adoption Story

November 21, 2014. She was little and she was perfect. She was prayed for, specifically by her sister-to-be. She was almost 8 weeks old, we drove an hour away to the children’s crisis center to bring her home. We had to stop and buy formula, diapers, binkies and a baby toy for her. Her birth parents, they loved her fiercely, and wanted a better life for her than they had known. With exceptional unselfishness and hope for a brighter future they brought their precious little girl there, not knowing where or with whom she would end up. Her name is Zoey Elizabeth Hope.

Nearly two weeks earlier, Daisy, our 3 year old, at the time, had told me she wanted a baby sister. As a foster-to-adopt family, we had chosen to get licensed for any child 2 or under, so a infant baby girl was not as likely as she would wish. “Let’s talk to Jesus about it and ask Him to send us just who we should have, but it is ok to tell Him you would love a baby sister,” I had suggested. So faithfully every night Daisy prayed for her would be little sister.

Two days prior to us picking her up, I had answered the phone and was asked if we were interested in taking a tiny baby girl, not yet 2 months old, her parents had voluntarily asked for her to be placed in an adoptive home, something that is incredibly rare within the state’s system. Yes, we would take her! So we, myself, Daisy and Jeje (grandma) drove to the crisis center. Once there, we waited for a staff member to bring us Zoey. She was so tiny, not yet 9.5 pounds. Daisy was immediately stricken with her. We were given a warm bottle and Daisy fed her, and could not stop smiling! When we got home, Daddy was equally stricken, and we were all in love!

Her birth parents wanted to relinquish their rights as soon as possible, the social worker said, call the attorney and get an adoption agreement written up. We had had her 3 days. Things didn’t go quite as fast as it first appeared. For about 3 weeks, we thought, her birth parents had decided to have her go to an aunt. Those were heart wrenching days! When we started this journey we had asked God to bring us the children He wanted in our home, for as long as we could benefit them. We knew He loved Zoey even more than we could and had her best interest at heart, and had to trust Him to care for her wherever she ended up. Many conversations with God and many tears flowed before an email came through from the social worker. Her birth mom had changed her mind, she wanted Zoey to stay with us, it just seemed right she said, and we hadn’t even met her yet! A few weeks later we did get to meet her, and Zoey’s birth father. They are precious people, very gentle and full of love for Zoey. Life had not been easy or beautiful for them and they wanted her to have something they felt they could not give her. They were thrilled she would have a sister, grandparents, cousins and lots of friends and family! They soaked up the pictures I had brought of her.

July 2nd, 2015 Adoption Day! It seemed like this day would never come! 8 months is actually incredibly fast for an adoption to go through, when you are dealing with the state, though it felt like forever! We invited friends and family to this special day! We also invited Zoey’s first family, her birth parents…and they came, along with nearly 70 others! Our attorney asked each person in the room to say how they knew us and Zoey, starting with her birth parents. They spoke of how happy they were to see the support and love Zoey would have in her life. Then it was the judge’s turn. We were sworn in. Did we understand this was a permanent decision? Yes!! Would we take care of Zoey forever? Treat her just like Daisy? Yes!! He signed some papers, making it all legal, we took a picture with him and that was it. Seemed so quick for such a big moment! Truly surreal!

But that wasn’t quite the end of the day. Zoey’s birth parents had decided to get married, and the court had given them the same day as the adoption to have their ceremony and the same judge, it was completely coincidental or providential. So 30 minutes after the adoption they were married, we and most of our friends stayed to witness it. Shannon, my husband was asked to witness the marriage certificate. The judge, our adoption social worker and attorney said they had never been to an adoption where the first family came. When God decides to do something, He makes sure there is no doubt He brought it about! We have been so blessed beyond measure by Zoey and this experience, our hearts are so full! We have so much hope for her and for her birth parents also, who get to see her at least twice a year, if they choose.

And to top it all off, we are expecting another little blessing at the end of September! Daisy will have acquired two siblings in less than a year! You will be updated if it is a brother or a sister when baby arrives!

“For I will not leave you as Orphans, I will come to you,” John 14:18

Original post: http://www.sisterssimply.com/2015/08/a-sister-for-daisy-an-adoption-story/