Thursday, August 21, 2008

Happy 2nd Anniversary Home Brayden!

Visit trip slide show...



Pick up trip and welcome home slide show...



Where has the time gone? Two years ago on August 23rd we landed on US soil with our son, Brayden! Our journey to building our family was not an easy one. We dealt with infertility, failed IVFs, one incomplete domestic adoption...all which brought us to our son. It was a very emotional and stressful roller coaster. There were days when I thought I would never become a mommy and I just wanted to quit. It felt like it wasn't meant to be. Now, I know why Matt and I had to go through what we did...to get to our son! Had our first attempts to become pregnant worked, had the IVFs worked, had we completed the domestic adoption we would not have our wonderful son. It was all part of His plan for us.

Life as we knew it changed drastically on Oct. 23rd, 2005...we received the referral call we had been waiting for. Matt got the call while he was driving to work. He had to pull over to get all the details. He then called me at work. I cried, I laughed and I was flying high all day...not a lot of work was being done. Fortunately, my co-workers knew about our adoption process and were very excited for us. I remember jumping up and down hugging Marcia...I hope you read this Marcia. Then, we were off to New York to sign papers and see photos of our son for the first time! Once all the papers were signed, we were on our way. Brayden's adoption process was not the easiest. There were bumps in the road and again my will power and dream of being a mom were being tested. We visited him for the first time in March 2006. The first moment I laid eyes on him will forever be in my heart and mind. I can't even describe the feeling. I still tear up just thinking about it. Those four days in Guatemala were magical. He was so tiny...so happy...so cute...so perfect to be a part of our family.

In June 2006 we headed to Guatemala again to visit our son as we continued to wait for his adoption to be finalized. This trip was just as magical as the first trip. We enjoyed our time with our son and met some amazing people. Leaving Brayden on that trip was so difficult. At that time, we didn't know what was going on with our case...it seemed stuck. I just wanted my baby to come home.

In August 2006, my mom and I flew out to Guatemala once again to visit Brayden. Little did I know, when we arrived we were going to get the best news ever...our case had FINALLY been approved by the PGN after five long and torturous months. At that moment I decided I was not going to leave my son again. My mom stayed with me for 10 days, then Matt flew out to meet us. My stay totalled 20 days in Guatemala and I wouldn't trade that time for anything. Yes, we got stir crazy being cooped up in a hotel, but we were with Brayden and that is all that mattered to me. We boarded our plane heading home very early in the morning on August 23rd, 2006!

Fast forward to today. Brayden is a spunky, energetic, funny, happy, challenging, silly, loving almost three-year-old. He fit in with our family from the day he arrived home. He transitioned smoothly into our family and we transitioned into becoming parents smoothly as well. We had been waiting for this moment forever!

With this post I am including the links to slide shows of our visit trips and pick up trips.

Brayden, I love you with everything inside of me. Your smile, your laugh, your energy melt my heart.






11 comments:

Megan said...

What a lovely post! I sat here crying with emotion as I read it. Happy Anniversary Brayden!

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary to your family! I remember that day and I feel so lucky to have shared that journey with you...I'm glad to see the kids are thriving and having fun this summer!

Love to all,
Marcia

Kelly said...

Happy Anniversary !!!!! I enjoyed your slideshows. :) Hugs to you and your beautiful family.

Kathy said...

Happy 2 years Home!!! Great memories...thanks for sharing them!

Anonymous said...

Happy 2 years with your precious baby!!! Where does time go???

Abby 2 year anniversary is in nov!!!!! We are all sooo blessed!

Sarah said...

Happy 2 year anniversary with your sweet little Brayden!! Truly a miracle born in your heart over and over!

Debbie said...

Happy 2 year anniversary as a forever family!!!

Debbie

Candy said...

OH GIRL...I REMEMBER...I was just glad to have someone stuck at the HOTEL WITH ME...I got to see the same face for a few days....I can't believe how much he has GROWN UP...I loved the slide show

Candy said...

OH GIRL...I REMEMBER...I was just glad to have someone stuck at the HOTEL WITH ME...I got to see the same face for a few days....I can't believe how much he has GROWN UP...I loved the slide show

Robyn said...

What beautiful pics!! Happy 2nd Anniversary!!

Robyn

Ruthanne said...

Happy Anniversary, Brayden!! Love the slide shows!! Other people's stories always bring back so many memories and emotions. Now I'm all teary-eyed! :)