As I type this I’m struggling with the adjectives to use to describe this amazing, heart wrenching, humbling experience we have been on.

As of today, this afternoon actually, we have completed all of the necessary elements to finishing up our home study. Now our social worker will work to write up a 30-40 page document on us, and our home study should be “official” the first or second week of July. We will start the process of inquiring on children around that time.

I can’t believe we are here.

Years ago when we started this journey, and yes, it has been years, I never fathomed that I would know what I know now. That I would feel what I feel now. I am thankful for it, but I now, due to our experiences and the time we’ve waited, understand the gravity of it.

I am eager to build my family. Yes, I think eager is the right word. To say I’m excited feels dismissive of the reasons why my children are coming to me. Think about it. My children are coming to me because their first parents were unable to care for them whether that is due to their choices, lack of resources, or a broken system that doesn’t help out families enough. To say I’m so excited to adopt my children due to these circumstances feels a little wrong. And it is always very important to me to acknowledge and embrace my children’s story.

So to my future children:

• You never need to feel thankful or grateful for us. We are the fortunate ones.
• We will do everything within our power to protect you, whether that be from awkward questions, long stares, derogatory comments, anything.
• Your story is just that—yours. It isn’t anyone else’s business, and we will respect your story.
• Things may not always be easy, and you may be scared when you first come to us, but we will do anything and everything within our power to meet your needs, needs that maybe weren’t always met, and to gain your trust.
• We can take care of and will work through anything you bring. No problem will be too big.
• Our love will be for always and forever.

So friends, family, and followers, as we head down the next leg of this journey we continue to ask for well wishes, support, prayers, and education. We are here to answer questions, and by no means do we expect you to know it all. Now is the time to ask because we are hoping we will be busy, busy, busy creating a family unit with the children that come to us in the near future. It may be simplex, but it is our story.

~Chelsea