Today marks the 3rd day we've been home with Amos and we still feel as though we are in a whirlwind. Some moments are so sweet and we just tear up all over again, and some moments are trying on us as we see the grief and pain that Amos is going through as he joins our family.
Adoption is one of the hardest things we have ever been through in our lives. It is this beautiful picture of redemption and love and acceptance and for all that I'm so extremely thankful and grateful. But on the other hand there is pain, grief and fear. We are overwhelmed at the fact that Amos is home. Our journey seems to be over and one aspect of it is for sure, but there is another journey that we are just now beginning.
Our journey to get Amos (and Story just three months ago) home has indeed ended. He is here. She is here. All my kids are here. I can't explain the weight that takes off of my heart. Now we begin our journey of becoming a family. You see although Amos loves us and calls us Momma and Papa he surely doesn't even begin to know what that is. You see he has never had a papa. For the first 9 months of his life we know that he was around his mom (for a while) and lived with his grandpa, who might be the sweetest old man I ever laid eyes on. We have never heard any mention of his dad. To him, we are the only momma and papa he has ever known. For the past 2 years he has lived with Licia, Enoch and their 3 boys and that has been his family. We are beyond grateful for the sacrifice of their family to have Amos and Story with them. They both came home with an understanding of family and that has been huge!
*Amos & Grandpa 2008
Amos has always had tons of people loving on him. He had Licia's family, Lori & Charles, Mr. Zach, the nanny's, teams coming in and out, Keverly, Anna, Caroline and many others, and now we need to teach him that we are his family. That we are a team. That we are never leaving him. That he is staying with us forever. He is a part of us.
Amos is very attached to Aaron. He has asked him every day if he is going to leave him. I believe in his heart he has to have so much fear that this will end up like every other visit with Aaron has. Papa comes for a week and they have a great time, but Papa always leaves. We have always left him. He has to learn and trust us that we are never leaving him again.
We know that our BIG BIG GOD is going to do miracles in this little boys life. We are praying that God would heal his heart and mind. We are praying that God would bond us together quickly. We are praying that our kids will bond together and realize that we're all on the same team. We are praying that God would guard our minds and hearts against uncertainty and fear.
So …. if you live here and want to come visit, we ask that you wait a bit as we all adjust. We are trying to be very intentional about visitors in and out of our house. We are so grateful for all the love and support that everyone wants to show our family and Amos, but we are putting our family first and asking that we keep it just us for a while. I hope that you understand our heart behind this. There will be plenty of time for everyone to come and party with us and Amos, but until you hear from us we're hoping to spend lots of time with just “us”!
Whenever we do make our way out and about and to church you will be blown away by this kid. He is hilarious! He is cute! He is sweet! He is affectionate! He is a joy! HE IS HOME!
*Thanks Catherine Garza for these pics!
Very wise. You are such a great mom, Jamie…
awesome. Thanks be to God forever.
I can’t imagine how AWESOME you feel right now! I continue to check your blog for updates. So glad the Ivey family is now ALL together! Congrats again!
Congrats! I am praying for y’all, y’alls story is such a beautiful picture of Christ’s love for us. I thank you so much for sharing and being open. We are praying for y’all daily! Praise God!
My boss at work has almost officially banned me from reading your blog at work. I become a bit of a mess with every entry.
You guys are doing the right thing in protecting Amos in this very fragile time. In no time, your “new normal” will set in, he’ll be secure in his new team and you’ll even look back on this post and realize you almost forgot what this was like. (I’m apparently an expert? uh…)
What an amazing picture this whole story is. So encouraging, so hard, so heart wrenching and life-giving all at the same time. Thanks for sharing it with all of us that may or may not actually know you guys!
We just returned 2 weeks ago from Ethiopia with our 6 yr old daughter. We have 5 kids at home. Your post blessed me. There are So many emotions that come once you are home. It is a gift to see so many families walking the same road. I am so thankful for our Heavenly father who goes before us and leads the way. We have a Good Shepherd! praying for your family.
Jamie, your family’s story has far-reaching effects on people’s hearts….such that you’ll never know and the people will probably never be able to share. I think that is what He means for us to live in community.
Jaimie and Aaron,
I realize that neither of you know me but I did want to share with you how my husband and I have rejoiced with you in the adoption of Amos and Story. We have followed the story and prayed for the wonderful outcome since we first heard about it 2 years ago.
I wanted to encourage you both in your wisdom in carefully working on buidling family and trust. You are wise!
We will continue to pray for you all and look forward to meeting Amos and Story in the future!
Blessings to you and your whole family!
Vicki
We are beyond thrilled your family is together and Amos is HOME! We will be praying for you all as he learns WHO and WHAT is now family for the rest of his life, and as he transitions to this completely new world. Thank you for sharing your heart and life. God always has something for me through you!
i met aaron in richmond va last year, and am great friends with april and scott salvant… i have followed your journey to amos and story, and am moved by your commitment to your family. i just wanted to make mention of your decision to watch how many visitors you have in your home. we have 2 bio, and 2 adopted children from kazakhstan. sabina came home in nov. 08 and we were very intentional also. it is critical about establishing home and mama and papa. one thing that i noticed was when we were establishing rules around the house (she was 19 months old when she came home), she would look for another “caregiver” other than mama or papa to give her a way out of the situation. loving was easy; discipline and learning how to be part of a family was more difficult.
i just wanted to applaud you for thinking through these things with your beautiful children…
much love and prayer, kathryn (richmond, va)
lovely post…..
I can see where Amos got his beautiful smile!!!
Kathryn – Nice to “meet” you and thanks for your encouraging words! I know this will be a huge transition but with encouragement from people who have gone through this before we know that we can do it!
Thanks Vicki!
Katie – I love that you read our blogs at work and cry! Hilarious!
You and Aaron are wise and wonderful parents. I pray this transition time is as smooth and joyful as possible.
Hi Jamie! I am so glad that Amos is finally home! You have no idea how much I have cried tears of joy while reading your last few entries and seeing the newscast of his homecoming. I praise God for his safe arrival home, and I’ve been praying that you all will bond quickly.
It is hard when our little ones who have been adopted have to adjust to their new lives. It broke my heart to Izzie so sad when she came home; she missed her foster family so incredibly much. I prayed lots and loved on her and cuddled her, etc. I know it is a challenging but very blessed time for you all. But with God at the helm, and with you and Aaron as his parents, Amos (and all your children) will prevail with smiles, big hearts, a love for family and God, and joy.
God bless,
Beth
What a journey . . . a beautiful picture of God’s love. I just started reading your blog since the earthquake in Haiti, through another blog I follow, and i have been touched by your words and love. I have the “amos story” song in my heart and head. Thank you for sharing. You have been in my prayers and i will continue to pray for you as your family bonds. I think Aaron and you are making the hard decisions now that will give all of you a jumpstart in the entire process of becoming a family.
I will be praying for the new road ahead 🙂 God has given you great wisdom already!
Nicole – thanks for your nice words and for reading this little blog of mine!
Love you, Jamie! Great post. You are doing the right thing by your family. You’ve worded it beautifully. I am certain everyone in your life understands.
XO
J-
I just want you to know that you dont know me but that you Iveys (and Bushes, for that matter) have totally wrecked me with your hearts for adoption. I have read your words for as long as I can remember and i sit here just crying, totally overwhelmed. I just watched the news video you got to do and I caught myself saying out-loud “wow. that is just nuts. it’s like i just know i will never do anything that amazing”
may god bless you and your children. you are truely complete now.
your babies are home. 🙂
-grace
Thanks Grace. For real we are nothing special. We just decided that we would not just walk through life. It is crazy and my life seems to have gotten crazy since we moved to austin, but it is good crazy. It is GOD CRAZY stuff. Thanks for reading and for commenting!
I teared up reading this. I have read through your blog and this was such an anticipated and emotional moment! So happy for you all!