Tony and Tammi, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (Luke's brother and his wife), have struggled for years to create a family. In 2005, they became pregnant but miscarried that baby (shortly before my first pregnancy and miscarriage - a hard time for our family!). Since then they've gone through several failed IUIs and IVFs.
In 2010, Tony & Tammi began their MAPP training classes to become foster parents hoping to eventually adopt. It wasn't quite a year ago in late March/early April when they discovered this little girl and boy on the Nebraska Heart Gallery who were currently living with their biological grandparents but available for adoption. Tony and Tammi knew immediately that these kids were theirs! After some back and forth with the social workers, they were able to meet Elizabeth & Byron on May 20th, 2012. After a few meetings, they began some overnight stays and then weekends. Late July 2012, Elizabeth and Bryon moved in with Tony and Tammi.
We were able to meet Elizabeth and Byron in November during our Omaha trip. The kids are just fantastic! Elizabeth is eight (will be nine in May) and Byron was then five (turned six in January). All four big kids played great together, and Elizabeth just loved Levi. Both kids were great with him. We were also able to meet some of the kids' biological family! Their biological family loves them so much and has remained in contact with Tony, Tammi and the kids. They see them often.
Today was the big day. Finalization! Selfishly I wish we could have been there. I know what it's like to stand in that court room. Dreams of your family being legal in the eyes of the court coming true! Such an amazing moment and day. There is truly nothing I've experienced that compares to those feelings. We weren't there, but it didn't matter. Elizabeth and Byron now share Tony and Tammi's last name... and mine. :-) But you know who was there?! A lot of the kids' biological family!! Truly amazing.
Such another God story! Years of fertility struggles and prayers that seemed to be answered with a 'no' over and over again was simply God saying, "Not yet. Your kids are out there, but they're not ready for you nor you them." And as always, He answered in His timing. Tony & Tammi and Elizabeth & Byron found each other and are today a forever family!
Just before moving in with Tony & Tammi
The beginnings of a family
Our first big family pic in Nov
Three of the five grand kids on Luke's side were adopted. How cool is that?!
First Christmas as a family
At the court house today after the hearing! It's official!!
First family pic after the hearing. Finally final. The pic that made me cry.
Congrats Tony, Tammi, Elizabeth and Bryon! We're so excited for you all and couldn't be more thrilled to have this two precious kids as our niece and nephew!
Such an exciting day for our family! <3
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord! What a beautiful family He has brought together!
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