Our Family Story

Our kids did this You Tube video for us. Click below and watch, it is very touching.
Love you Hunter and Sommer

Mom XOXO

Our Journey to a Larger Family

Our journey to adoption started several years ago.  Even though our current family of four has brought us so much joy and great memories, there was always a feeling in the air that we could add to the happiness that we already had.  Heidi was the one to first suggest that our family would be more complete if we added a child that was in need of a better life.  She first thought being foster parents would allow us to add some new faces to our home and also make a difference in the life of a child at the same time.  However, after much consideration and debate, we ultimately decided that it would be too difficult to foster a child for a period of time, only to see them go back to their home.

Along with Hunter and Sommer, we decided that it would be a better fit for us to adopt a child in need.  We went through the long process of being licensed by the state for adoption.  This was a very exciting time in our lives.  We couldn’t wait for the day when a phone call would come to us, letting us know that a child that needs a great home, was ready to come home with us.  Our cell phones were always on the loudest ring setting because we didn’t want to miss our chance at not only making a difference in a child’s life, but also for a special child to leave their footprints on our own lives and hearts.

After several months, we finally got a phone call, however it wasn’t exactly the one we had been hoping for.  We were contacted by social services about two children who needed foster care, not adoption.  Two wonderful children came into our lives and many of you also came to know.  It was explained to us that they were coming and it would be a high risk situation.  Even though this was to be a foster care placement, it was explained to us that they might come up for adoption do to the terrible circumstances of the removal they experienced. Our family was at a crossroads.  Should we take the sure placement of two children that definitely needed a good home, but might only be with us for a short period of time, or should we keep waiting for an adoption call that might never come???  We decided to take in these 2 wonderful kids.  Although we didn’t want their birth mother to go through any more hard times, and we hoped and prayed that she would be able to turn her life around, at the same time we secretly wished that they would be able to be with us forever.  Our time with them was truly a wonderful time.  These 2 children became the addition to our family that we had been hoping for.  We gave them the safety, structure, and love that they had missed out on so far in life, and they gave us more smiles, laughter, and memories than we could of ever had imagined.  Unfortunately for us, after about a year, our time with them came to an end.  Their birth mother had regained custody of them.  We were happy that they were going to be united with their mother again, but at the same time our dream of a larger family just took a big blow to the heart. 

After several months had passed, Heidi again approached me about adding to our family.  We were ever more discouraged that placements from the state for adoption weren’t coming our way.  Heidi was especially feeling the pain of not making a difference in another child’s heart.  After careful thought, we decided to become officially licensed as foster parents. Fond du Lac Social Services has been wonderful in trying to help us. We knew from the start the kids placed with us would only be short term but in the end we are still helping out in our community.  Working with social services would provide us with the opportunities to expand our family, even if it was only for a limited time.  We assumed that phone calls would be pouring in; however, once again, our phones were quiet. 

There had to be a way to share our family and love with another child.  Through much research and work, Heidi found the answer for our family.  Once again, Heidi sat me down for a talk about our future as a family.  These talks have started to become quite common at our house.  However, this idea was different from all the rest.  She proposed to me that the answer to our dreams would be found in Africa. You can only imagine the look on my face!!  Either this woman has the biggest heart in the world, or she wants me to pull out what little hair I do have remaining from talking about changing our family structure.  Of course we have heard of international adoption, but it was quickly dismissed because of the huge financial cost that it would entail.  Heidi was ready and waiting to give me all the statistics, and heart wrenching stories that many children in the world suffer from.  After a few discussions, the large financial cost of such an adoption, started to fade away.  Somewhere in Africa right now, there is a child that only gets one meal a day, hoping that their young life will somehow get better.  How can we put a price tag on that?  Our new journey won’t be an easy one.  Along with the cost, there are several hoops to jump through along the way.  However, at the end of the tunnel, true happiness awaits.  We have requested to adopt a boy, between the ages of 4 and 7.  He will be coming from the Congo section of Africa.  If all goes well, we will hopefully be able to introduce the newest addition to our family to you by Christmas of 2012.  Many challenges await us in the upcoming year; however hope and love will lead the way.  Thank you in advance to all family and friends who are helping and supporting us in our journey.

Thanks again for your love and support,

Dan