We found our sibling group of 5 through Reece's Rainbow, and they helped us raise the funds needed to adopt them. They also walked us through every step of the process. I was not initially aware of this, but after our adoption, they added us to several facebook groups that have connected us to many families who are like ours.
This past weekend we were able to meet some of these families and even some of the advocates. As we drove to our cabin, we saw at least 5 other large vans similar to ours. Above, you can see us in our cabin (minus Momma, as I was taking this fabulous picture). As we ventured out of our cabin, we noticed buses carrying families that were a similar size with similar make up to our own family. At the pool we were able to talk with families with all adopted or some adopted and some biological children, children who were all kinds of skin colors, yet all one beautiful family. We spoke of these beautiful blessings and the challenges too. There are some exceptionally beautiful moments in our family, yet sometimes I seem to get caught up in the hard stuff. So many don't know the challenges we face each day, day in and day out. But, not here. Not with these families. They know. While much was left unsaid, it didn't need to be said. We knew. And, if we felt all alone in our journeys, we couldn't any more. There were so many faces surrounding us who just knew. I didn't have to really speak to anyone to feel uplifted somehow. Then there were the advocates who were fighting for kids they didn't know and families they didn't know, yet they were still doing all they could to bring more kids into families. One such advocate is pictured with our family below.
The thankfulness in my heart just can't be described, and I hope this is something we can do for many more years to come.