The sun rises.  The day is filled with hustling and bustling. The sun sets.  As humans, we sometimes feel as if the world should stop and wait for us.  But amidst all of life’s changes and challenges, the one constant is that the earth keeps rotating, the sun will rise, and the sun will set.  The world around us continues to move on.

Sometimes throughout our journey it felt difficult that everything else seemed so “normal” when we felt like we were stuck in the “in-between” of this path towards adoption.  However, ironically enough, I take great solace in the constant of the world rotating. Of each day starting anew.  Of gaining more knowledge and becoming wiser in the days we are waiting.  Isn’t it crazy how when faced with various opportunities, some challenging and others enriching, we can choose how we want to look at those opportunities?

Since the completion of our 2^ndhome study in the end of July we have continued to grow and learn so much.  I know that from an outside perspective it may seem as if we are at a stand still, but we are not in any way, whatsoever.  We have been actively inquiring on children, and in all honesty, we hear, “No, this may not be the right fit,” or “We would rather not relocate children at this time,” more often than we get additional information. And guess what…that is just fine with us.  The last three years that we’ve been actively working to build our family through adoption has given us patience.  These children aren’t an accessory or a “missing puzzle piece”.  They are human beings, with a story, a life, and a prerogative.  And they deserve to be in a place that can be the very best for them.  And not only do we understand that, but we completely support it and value that.  And we know we are doing it “right” because we’ve had this time. And if more time is what is right for the children that are in need of a home, we will continue to not only embrace that but advocate for it.

See, the earth will continue to rotate and the sun will continue to rise and set, and let me tell you, there is more simplicity, more consistency to that than you can imagine.  How we grow, evolve, and educate ourselves in this beautiful planet’s consistencies is what is far more complex. Throughout all of this life’s simplexities we hold steadfast to the knowledge that what is right will come.  And how it comes is through ethical, informed decisions that are ALWAYS in the best interest of children.

~Chelsea

Everyone is really well-intentioned, but I can still see it.

The sadness behind, “How is it going?”

The forced smile, even though when I say we are moving along and are right where we should be.

The thoughts I can read, even when you don’t think I can.  That maybe we are in denial.  That it has seemed to take a long time.  That maybe we don’t quite know what we are doing.

Trust me.  I know that some of you have had these thoughts.  And I totally get it, and please know I honestly don’t take offense to any of these things.  It has to be hard seeing us build our family on the outside.  You want to be supportive.  You don’t want to say or do the wrong thing.  I get it.

Bottom line—I haven’t, we haven’t even adopted yet, and adoption has made me a better person.  It has humbled me in a way that is indescribable.

Adoption has opened up a whole new world, and let me tell you, it’s not about “saving” a child.  It’s not about, “God choosing a child/children for us”.  I’m not a saint, and by no means, do my future children need a savior.

But they do need someone who will stand up.

Who will be aware.

Who will face fear.

Who will break barriers. And if they can’t be broken will help to find a way around them. Because let’s face it, I will never face some of the barriers others have.

I’ve always considered myself a person of action. I try to stand up for what is right; sometimes I fail, but I sure do try.  But my privilege has allowed me to pick and choose.  To step back when I’m tired.  To shut out the stuff I don’t want to hear.

Adoption has lit a fire within me.  To become more informed and educated.  To stop and listen to others.  To not be silent in a time when I must speak up, even if it is uncomfortable. To not remain idle, but to be active, to advocate. To see a little more clearly, and let me tell you…when you see clearly you have to take action. To know the difference between political and what is just common decency and right. To stand on the right side of history…not just once, but each and every time. To get to know people…truly get to know people because when you see people as people it’s a lot more difficult to cast judgment, but easier to join hands.

And now…to pass on my knowledge to others. Am I there yet?  Not even close.  But I’m trying to live my life with grit and grace.  To be a voice.  A helping hand. An advocate. An ally. Our adoption journey has done this for me and nothing can put out the fire that is within me. As difficult as it may seem, how could anyone see this journey as anything other than a true blessing? And I’m solely talking about the journey, not even children.  Because this journey has humbled me so much that even if we never adopt children, I wouldn’t change one thing.  I know I’ll end up exactly where I’m supposed to be as long as I grow, learn, and become a better person.  And regardless of where I end up, I know it will be just fine. I hope you are able to have a journey that is so humbling. It is beautifully simplex.

~Chelsea