We're Expecting...

...a toddler!

Anyone who knows us will not be particularly surprised to learn that we are adding once again to our family, even though we thought that Bridget would be our last. We really were not looking to grow our already fairly large family--but then a little girl came into our view and into our hearts, and changed all of that.

Just over a week ago, I visited the website for Reece's Rainbow (an organization which promotes the international adoption of children with Down syndrome) via a link on another blog. I had no idea at the time that the click of a button would change the course of our lives forever.

Chris and I had been talking with the kids about charitable giving and had decided to donate to Reece's Rainbow through the Angel Tree fundraiser. We love that all donations go directly to a particular child's adoption fund, thereby increasing the chances that he or she will be adopted.

(Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, orphans with Down syndrome are living on borrowed time. Between the ages of three to five, the paperwork is started and they are soon transferred to an institution, where care is very poor and chance of survival past one year is slim.)

While all of the children on the site pulled at our heartstrings, we could not stop thinking about one little girl in particular. Her name is Alina, and she is about nine months younger than Bridget. (She looks quite a bit like Bridget from the one picture we have seen of her.) The picture on the Reece's Rainbow website is not great, though. Her head is shaved (which apparently is common practice during the warmer months in many orphanages) and her little lips are chapped. She is not looking at the camera in the grainy photo.

Still, we see a beautiful little girl with great potential, and much to offer--who needs a family willing to love her, care for her and give her a chance at life. Chris and I did not decide immediately to adopt her ourselves, but agreed that we would help to raise money for her adoption fund.

We barely spoke about Alina after that first night, but she weighed heavily on our hearts for the next several days. Though busy with the details of everyday life, we could think of little else. Finally, one morning when the kids were all at school, I approached Chris--although to hear him tell it, I "ambushed" him :).

That little girl...is there any way..., I began. I couldn't even get the words out.

He paused briefly (though I think he knew the question was coming, so much for his ambush theory). It wouldn't be easy, he started. He was nodding yes, but not making any sound.

We both knew we needed some time to process what was happening. Were we making the decision to pursue adopting her? We both knew the answer was yes, if the kids were on board.

That night at dinner we talked with our children about Alina, her need for a family and how they would feel about bringing her here. We had our laptop at the kitchen table with her picture pulled up. I asked Bridget, What do you think about this baby? Looking at the picture on the computer screen, she signed and said, Baby. Sad.

Do you want to bring her to our house?, I asked. DO!, she said (which means yes).

We asked for a show of hands, Who would like to make Alina part of our family? Hands shot up quickly (even Bridget). Emmy was the only one who wasn't teary-eyed at this point. She looked up from her plate, then side-to-side. Wait, we're talking about ADOPTING A BABY?

Yes, Emmy, said Chris. How do you feel about that?

As long as she doesn't wake me up at night...

Kyle jumped in, Geez, Emmy! Emmy mouthed (with a grin), What?!

We should adopt her because she needs love and support to have a better future, said Brian.

We would be giving her a chance at life, added Sara.

Bridget was saying and signing, Mommy. Daddy. Baby. Mommy. Daddy. Baby. (We're not exactly sure why, but she must have had an idea of what we were talking about.)

Do you all realize that Alina has Down syndrome? asked Chris. It would mean that you would have two little sisters with Down syndrome.

That would be good, Kyle offered. I love Bridget and I like having lots of siblings. I think it would be good for Bridget, too. Alina needs a family and we are the perfect family for her.

One by one, the kids left the table to finish homework or to get ready for bed until just Chris and I were left at the table with Bridget. We sat across from one another, teary-eyed and tired, but feeling incredibly blessed and completely at peace with our decision and our new journey.

So within a week of seeing Alina's picture, we went from hoping to raise money for her adoption fund, to making a commitment to be her forever family. The decision wasn't really a tough one. We know there will be challenges, but we also know there will be untold rewards.

We move forward with hope and joyful anticipation of Alina's arrival (this summer, if all goes as planned).

Please keep us in your thoughts. Prayers and good wishes are welcome and appreciated for Alina: for her continued health, safety and comfort; and for us: for energy as we work through the details of her adoption, and for patience in waiting to bring her home.

We invite you to follow along and share in our joy as we become a family of eight:

Loving Alina