Why we chose to adopt a child ...

Many people have asked us why we chose to adopt a child. We admit it does seem kind of crazy. After all we have 4 wonderful biological children, three boys - Danny, Grant and Jimmy, and one daughter - Anne Marie, and we are very happy as a family. So let me just say that this process began a long time ago, in the oddest of places, a hospital.

Our third son, Jimmy, was born with a medical condition called hydronephrosis. A kidney condition, detected in a prenatal ultrasound, that is usually benign but may require surgery to preserve normal kidney function. It was important to determine the severity of the condition during the first few days of his life, so we made frequent trips to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital to do so. On one such trip, sitting in a waiting room, (for hours!) I struck up a conversation with a social worker who came in with a baby in her arms. She held an absolutely adorable little girl, not much older than my son, whose legs were casted and whose head was bandaged from the devastating abuse she had already endured. When I looked into the eyes of that beautiful little girl, something inside me stirred. I'll remember that moment forever.

Over the next 7 or so years the thought of taking a child out of a loveless situation and accepting her or him into our family forever became a reality because, as has always been his way, Larry said "Sure!" Truly this was one of the easiest decisions of our married life. It has always been so peaceful.

And now that it's finally happening we are humbled by the out-pouring of love that we've experienced through you - our family and friends - and even almost complete strangers who are moved to tears when they hear our simple story. All of this happens through the mystery of our connectedness that Jesus tells us all about in John 17: "I in them, and you in me, that they may become one." What a gift!

We are also humbled by the love we feel for our new little daughter, who we've never held yet, and confident that no matter what this presents to us, when we call on God and our friends and family for help, you'll all be there. Thank you for traveling with us on this amazing journey!