This story is so crazy to me, I have decided to write it in parts, six parts. There were six days from start to finish in this story that changed all of our lives forever.
THURSDAY
To begin, I have to give a little information on myself. I came from a family of three boys and two girls. I grew up with Superman, He-Man, Star Wars, and any other “man” you can name. I was active. I never sat around playing with dolls or wondering what the boys were doing. I was hanging out with my brothers *my sister was the youngest and I was the oldest*. I had mostly guy friends, unless my girlfriends were the kind that could run and play. This continued until highschool. I loved the free spirit and *get over it additude* that guys have.
No drama for me please.
I did love to do my little sister’s hair and remember vividly praying one day that I would have a daughter because I loved to do hair so much.
*You can laugh out loud if you must, I do every day!*
I am beginning to learn that prayers are listened to and they are answered, in His time and how it is best for us. That one little prayer transended years until the day I started having children. I planned on having boys, lots of them. I wanted to attend football games, soccer games and stock the fridge with food so they would all hang out at the house, and then I was married. My hubby came with a girl, we had a girl soon after, and had our second girl within two years and were legal guardians to our neice!
Four girls in two years!
I couldn’t believe it.
I loved them more than anything but was sure there was a boy in there somwhere to even it out.
I took a three year break and had girl number four *not counting my niece*, and five two years later. It took me 3 years to decide to give it one more shot for a boy because I wanted to know I was having another baby to a have a baby and not just a boy. It took me 9 months to get pregnant which was crazy for me and had another girl.
Our dog is a girl
Our cat was a girl
and I would bet all of our fish are girls
If there is one thing I want you to know, it’s that
I LOVE MY GIRLS.
We have SO much fun together and I wouldn’t trade my life for anything, but that hole in my heart hadn’t been closed. When my youngest was two, I started looking online obsessively to adobt a son that would fit between my last two or after the end of the row. I realized quickly how much money it cost and felt quite guilty for possibly taking a baby away from a family that couldn’t have children. After about a month of looking, I started feeling sad. I knew it wasn’t for me and I was wasting time.
I had great kids and full hands.
I had to find a way to move on and thrive with what I had been given, so I knelt down in my laundry room by the computer that I was looking for a son on. I started to cry and poured out my heart to Heavenly Father asking him to help me accept that I wouldn’t ever get the chance to raise a boy. I expressed my gratitude for all that I had and my love for each of my children. I asked if I could turn this over to Him. I asked that if there was ever a little boy out there that needed a home and we would be a good fit, that he would come into our lives.
I knew this was a stretch, but it made me feel better.
I promised to focus on the children I had, and doing my best as a mother. As I closed the prayer, a flash of my friend Jared’s face went through my mind. He is actually one of two guys that nicknamed me “shmonae” so many years ago.
*I wasn’t sure why, but I saw him that same week and mentioned to him that if he came across a little boy that needed me, to let me know. He laughed and agreed.*
I felt so much better. I got up off the laundry room floor and went about my business. I felt like I had closure and didn’t tear up every time I saw a little boy that looked something like
“my son”.
I was content watching my nephews grow and handing them back to their parents when they pooped. I felt relieved I was finished with the diapers, high chair, bottles, and long nights.
“haha, sucker’s”
I thought as I watched all my siblings start their families. I had done my duty. I was now moving into the pre-teenage years and grade school. My life became homework, lessons, monitoring the computer, and counseling on all the many issues young girls face. Last week I was asked to be on the “Women in Philanthropy board” because
“I had more time”.
My kids were almost all in school and I wanted to contribute. I was content.
Fast forward two years.
Last Thursday night I get an email from my buddy Jared. He and his darling wife are adopting their second son in November and were asked by the birth mom if they wanted two babies because her friend was thinking about placing also. He was worried that 2 kids the same month would be crazy, so he asked if Jon and I were interested.
I read it outloud to Jon with a shocked, half quirk smile on my face.
“Yea right!” I exclaimed…
Jon looked me straight in the eyes and said,
“Janae, you really want this don’t you?”
I just started crying.
Janae, he's adorable. Congratulations, and I hope the transition is smooth for everyone, especially little Handsome!
I love reading this. I know exactly how you felt about wanting your son, becuase I felt the same way about wanting a daughter. I knew she was out there. while we were trying for this baby I asked Linc to give me a blessing becuase it was taking so long to get pregnant. As he gave me the blessing he told me that heavenly father had a baby girl waiting to come to our home. When the blessing was finished I was so overwhelmed with emotion, becuase I knew I would raise a daugher. the question was we still had no idea if I would carry her or we would adopted her. When I found out she was a girl I was complete. If this baby was a boy, we were going to adopted. I truly feel your excitment. I tell my boys that if I had all girls I would want a little boys just as badly as wanting this girl. I am so happy you have the chance to raise a little boy. I love the picture of Jon giving Jordan the boy toys. I feel the same way as I buy bows and what not for Bella. I can't wait to meet Jordan and have him part of our family. I think you are one of the most amazing women I have ever meet. Jordan is one lucky little man.
What an amazing story, I can't wait to read the rest! Good Luck with everything.
I would have cried too!! I can't wait to hear how this turns out!
I can't believe you are making us wait for part two!!!
What a beautiful little boy! We serve an amazing God and I can't wait to see what happened next!
Hi Moss', Hi Janae, My name is Cathy. My daughter Kendra knew Alicia in Iowa when they cut each others hair. My son-in-law Cameron was in dental school when Jared was doing his internship. About 6 years ago I went to Ukaine and adopted 2 sisters. One of them was Sasha whom you met. Several months ago we found out Sasha was going to be a new mom, and her journey with her friend has helped her to realize that sometimes you really are too young and unable to be the kind of mom you would like to be. It is difficult to give over a child, but it really is more difficult to realize that you cannot give your baby what you want them to have. I have also seen how much easier it is for the young moms to get to know the familys that would like to adopt their babies. Believe it or not, one of the first things Jared told Sasha and me was that he had a good friend with a beautiful wife named Jon. He showed us your picture. I wasn't sure why, but knowing the b igger picture now I am amazed at this whole process. I am grateful Alicia and Jared have been so good to Sasha, and have been such a part of the process with Sasha. It was that dedication to Sasha that gave Sasha the confidence to contact Alicia when her friend knew she had to give Jorden up. Believe it or not, you guys are my heros, because it is a big circle, and you have given Sasha even more confidence to place her baby, which is best for all of us. Babys need a "mom" and a "Dad" Meet my family on Kendra's blog at Perigopartyoffive.blogspot.com
I truly appreciate all of your support. This has been a life changing event and our family will never be the same, neither will my back 🙂 He loves to be rocked to sleep and I can't resist. He needs all the love he can get right now. xoxo I'll add more of our story asap.
Hi my name is Odie and I am new to your blog. I just spent some time going through your blog and reading about your businesses and Handsome's appearance on the scene. First might I say you are a very beautiful family including the new addition. You have so much to keep you active and growing. I started and had to keep reading it was so interesting. Hope Handsome get aclimated to the new surroundings soon. I am relatively new to the blog world as I only started back in June
odielangley.blogspot.com and I welcome you there anytime. I am a service manager for an office machine dealership in NC and have 3 grown daughters, an 18 year old grandaughter and two grandsons 2 & 4. Let me add my congratulations along with everyone else and hope you all have the most wonderful weekend.
Odie
Oh my! Part 1 and I'm already crying.
I'm stopping by from Red's BF Community. What a beautiful story and what a beautiful little boy. Congrats!
So perfect! And so obviously MEANT to be yours! 🙂
Oh my word…he's GORGEOUS! Congratulations to you and your family!
He is adorable!
I noticed something of interest to me in your story. My Husband and I suffered through infertility and fought it with everything we had (literally- gave up most of our material possessions to try and have a baby).
HOWEVER, there came a point where I, like you, turned it over to the Lord. I asked him to please help me accept whatever path HE had in mind for us. We would adopt, we would do whatever he wanted us to do but he would have to show us the way. Honestly trying to accept the unacceptable was the hardest thing I ever did. I am exceptionally strong-willed and tenacious!
We finished up the last infertility treatment (after several failed IVF's) and we started looking into adoption more seriously. Turns out the Lord decided I had finally learned to trust him and we were blessed with our twins and later a singleton daughter.
It is amazing how change happens when WE get out of God's way.