2012 has been a miraculous year for us. Most of you know, we adopted our precious child in October of this year. We are ecstatic to "officially" introduce our beautiful son to you in this announcement.
We believe all babies are miracles, no matter how they arrive. Every precious, new life is special and how our children find our arms is miraculous. We have seen Gods hand on our lives more visibly during this journey than we ever dreamed. Because of this, we wanted to share the unfolding of our special, little miracle. Our sincere hope is that our little journey to Keaton Patrick Van Osdel renews your belief in miracles and faith in your God.
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March 2012: After 5 years of fertility treatments, we know adoption is our destiny. We sign up with Crossroads Adoption Agency in Edina, MN. We have no clue, but our little miracle was conceived in Bessemer, Alabama this month.
God's plan is in motion.
May 2012: Our home study is complete. We share our adoption intentions with family and friends. The outpouring of love, support and prayers is humbling. We now have angels all over the country covering our journey in prayer.
July: We submit profile books to our agency that are mailed across the US for adoption agencies to show to birth families.
In Alabama, our birth parents begin to contemplate an adoption plan.
September: At the end of this month, we gave an adoption agency in Alabama permission to show our profile book to a young couple named Kayla and Nathan who have a baby boy due on Thanksgiving. Two hours later we learned they had chosen us to be the adoptive parents of their unborn child.
October: One week later, we spoke with Kayla (20 years old) and Nathan (18 years old) on the phone. We fell in love with them. They called us "ma'am" and "sir" and had hearts of gold. They had chosen us to parent their child because they didn't have the means to support him. They told us that they loved their unborn baby dearly but, we "could provide a better life for him." We came to understand that this adoption would have many positive outcomes. It was unfolding into a fairy tale. Our baby boy was due to arrive in 7 weeks. This would give us time to plan and prepare....but, God had other plans....
6 days later, Keaton Patrick Van Osdel was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was 7 weeks premature, weighing just over 4 lbs. In a flurry of emotions and activity, we packed the car and drove south. We met our precious birth parents and they introduced us to our tiny son, in a NICU in Tuscaloosa, 24 hours later.
We ended up staying in Alabama while Keaton gained weight and strength for four weeks. It was an amazing time for Patrick and I...ask us about it, sometime...we love to share our "Alabama Stories." ;). We learned just how full of love and blessings our lives were. From new friends in Alabama to care packages filled with gift cards and gifts we will never be able to repay. It wasn't easy to be away from home, but the silver linings were plentiful.
November: With our car now packed full of diapers, formula, wet wipes, a stroller and pack n play, we drove our baby boy home. On November 5, 2012, we were joyously reunited with Kramer, family, friends and home. Our friends and family had set up a nursery, purchased baby furniture, bought groceries and cleaned our home. What a welcome!
We have had the best time getting settled with our dream come true. We have welcomed many, many visitors and Keaton loves all the snuggles he can get. He is our miracle 5 years in the making. Keaton Patrick was worth the wait and, we are better parents (and people) because of our journey. To God be all the glory.
May your New Year begin with renewed hope and faith. We love you and thank you for your love and support.
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“Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think you've lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.”
― Asha Tyson
― Asha Tyson
