Today my baby girl turns 2 years old! I can't even believe it and honestly it seems kinda weird. I mean I've known her and visited her for the past two years but we are really just getting to know each other over this past month! So, it seems silly to have a birthday since we just met.

This morning the boys and I sang “happy birthday” to her and she sang right along as if we weren't singing to her, but yet someone else. She has no idea it's her birthday! We plan on having a party for her in a few weeks, so then we'll really celebrate her life!

Many of you ask how Story came into our lives. Well, here it is ….

When we were in the adoption process with Amos we kept going back to adopting two kids at the same time. We knew that we did want two children from Haiti in our family so that Amos would not be the only Haitian child, but we figured we would get through one and then start another one. Oh my word am I glad we didn't stick to that plan after how long this process takes!

So, around early November we mentioned to both Licia and our facilitator that we were interested in adopting another child at the same time. Although we had never requested a sex for any of our kids I knew that this was my last child and that I really desired a girl, so we requested a girl. We didn't even ask for a specific age, we just asked for a girl. Our facilitator then sent us numerous pictures of sweet, beautiful little girls that needed a mommy and they were all precious and fabulous but I didn't feel that special feel for any of them. I wanted God to literally show me through my heart strings which child was for us.

I told her that we would continue to look and pray but we weren't willing to make a decision yet. I didn't want to rush feelings that weren't there, and was asking God to make it perfectly clear where our daughter was.

Life went on and we continued to pray and headed to Houston for the Thanksgiving holiday. That week Licia asked me if I would pray for Carmelo's (her son) mom who was having a baby. I jumped on it and prayed for her as she delivered her child without hospitals or medical care.

Life went on. Thanksgiving came and went. We were still at my parents when I received an email from Licia that literally changed our lives. She states that Caremelo's mom had delivered a beautiful little girl (the day after Thanksgiving) and she wanted to place that child with a family b/c she wasn't sure she could parent. She then told me that she had brought the child to Licia and wanted to leave her, but Licia sent them away to make sure this is what they really wanted. She told me that she had no idea if they would still want to do this, but would we be willing to adopt her. She told me that Carmelo had suggested to his mom that she ask the people that were adopting Amos if they would adopt her as well.

Oh my word we were freaking out. Licia wouldn't send us pictures just in case it didn't happen. She didn't want our hearts to be broken. 🙂 So, we waited. I remember telling my grandma what we were doing and I think she thought we were crazy. FOUR kids! Now I know she was right …. FOUR kids is crazy! Oh but how thankful we are for the way God has orchestrated our family.

So, Story's mom did return with her and that is how our story began with her. Story and Licia's son Carmelo share the same birth mom and for that I am thankful. They for sure have a special bond along with the whole clan at RHFH. She has changed our hearts and lives forever and I can't imagine not being Story's mom. She for sure has a story to tell and I trust that God has big plans for her life and her 3 crazy brothers!

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl!

Sept 2008:

Story and her Mom – December 2008

December 2008

Story and her grandma: