Adoption Story: Brandon and Alyse

I love this family's story.  From the way God opened Alyse's heart to adoption to the way they loved their daughter's birthmom so well - it was such an honor to walk alongside of them through their adoption journey.  THREE months after they sent off applications to our recommended agencies, they were matched.  Then just a few short weeks later their baby girl was in their arms.  Alyse shares all the details below... 

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Our adoption journey didn't begin with a lifelong desire to pursue adoption. In fact, I brushed off the idea for several years as we struggled with infertility and the treatments that go along. I so badly wanted to experience pregnancy. Looking back, there were several moments throughout our infertility that pointed to adoption, and I purposely ignored them, praying to experience pregnancy and for our story to play out the way I had planned. It wasn't until October 2016 that I was sitting in church and so clearly understood that God wanted adoption to be a part of our story. In that moment, every part of me immediately released the longing to experience pregnancy, and our story suddenly made sense. God had given me that peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

We began working with CAC and Leah in February after completing our home study. We were so impressed with how available Leah was for any and every need or question we had, as well as the incredible resources CAC provided us to navigate this unknown world of adoption. After Leah completed our beautiful profile book and we applied to various agencies, we sat and waited. I'd like to say patiently, but it wasn't always easy to be patient. After five years of infertility, this was a new and exciting experience, but the waiting did not get easier. In fact, it was almost more difficult because becoming parents was so much closer than we'd ever been! Leah was so encouraging to us along the way. She put my heart at ease every time she reassured me that God would not let us miss our baby. We waited only three months, but I'll tell you, some days, it felt like a lifetime!

We finally got the call that we were matched just 27 days until Aubree's arrival! That was the most glorious moment as I literally fell to my knees in my kitchen, thanking God. I thanked Him for this incredible gift of our sweet Aubree, but I thanked him even more for giving us the story that HE planned for us. He taught me that He is the greatest author of all time- yesterday, today, and tomorrow. When the waiting gets tough and it's hard to see the end anywhere in sight, He is working and writing your story, and His stories are far better than we could ever imagine. When we say YES to God and His plan for us, our heartache turns into something we never imagined in our wildest dreams. THAT is the God we serve and the God who continues writing each of our stories.

In the end, we have seen God's hand in so many details throughout this journey. That October 2016 day when God so clearly laid adoption on my heart was made even more special when we found out Aubree was conceived in October 2016. When Aubree was born on June 29, 2017, we were blessed with the sweetest nurse who shared with us and Aubree's birth mother that she, too, had adopted a son 21 years ago who was born on June 29th. She was an incredible encourager to both of us mamas. We also formed the most precious relationship with Aubree's birth mother and sister. Upon our return to the hospital one morning, we arrived to find that Aubree's birth mother had dressed her in a onesie we'd had in her diaper bag (but hadn't shown her) that read "Worth the Wait". We continue to have a special relationship with her birth mother and are so thankful for her in our lives. We are thankful to CAC and Leah for guiding us through the unknowns of open adoption.

We never imagined our story would play out the way it has, but we are ever so grateful that God's stories are far more precious than ours and we are so completely in love with our sweet Aubree!

Brandon, Alyse and Aubree were waiting out ICPC just up the road from where I live, and I adored getting to hug their necks and hold their gorgeous baby girl! While we were eating ice cream together they got the call that they were cleared to bring their baby girl home.

Congratulations, Brandon and Alyse!!  What an absolute blessing it was to work with your family!  

Considering adoption? I would love to chat with you more about working with Christian Adoption Consultants! Email me at Leah@christianadoptionconsultants.com