It was amazing!

When we began the adoption process we looked at several different agencies.  We wanted to be more than just a number and that is what we found with Journeys.  Ann, the adoption coordinator in Illinois at the time, sat down with us for over an hour to explain the domestic adoption process and answer our many questions.  We left that meeting feeling very positive about the adoption process.

During the home study process Ann was available to answer all of our questions and provide feedback on our portfolio.  We were pleasantly surprised by the home study process, as it wasn’t as difficult as we thought it would be.  Shortly after our home study was complete we got a call from Kimberly that there were birthparents in Oregon that wanted to meet us.  We were thrilled!  Ten days after the phone call we flew out to Oregon to meet the birthparents.  I don’t think we have ever been that nervous!  Our nerves were quickly calmed however as we got to know our son’s birthparents.  We had a wonderful lunch with them, getting to know them and discussing the upcoming birth.   After lunch they invited us to go with them for a 3D ultrasound of our son.  It’s hard to put into words what a great experience that was!

We returned to Illinois and began to prepare for the arrival of our son 10 weeks later.  The wait was long but Kimberly kept us up to date on doctor’s appointments and updates on the birthparents.  We decided to travel to Oregon four days before the due date so we would not miss the birth since the birthparents had asked us to be in the delivery room with them.  Our trip ended up to be longer than we thought it would be when our son was born 10 days after his due date.  During our time in Oregon prior to the birth Kimberly gave us daily updates and arranged for us have dinner with the birthparents before the birth.  It was great to get to spend some more time getting to know them!

When the big day arrived we were able to be in the room when our son was born.  It was amazing!  He was a healthy baby boy surrounded by four people who loved him more than anything in the world.  The hospital was very accommodating and gave us a room next to the birthparents so that we could all spend time together while the baby was in the hospital.  It was wonderful to get to know the birth family.  We took lots of pictures so that our son will always have that connection to them.  Kimberly made frequent visits to the hospital and was a great support to us all.  We left the hospital two days later and anxiously waited for the interstate compact paperwork to go through so that we could travel home.  Luckily it only took five days.  Journeys called immediately after the paperwork was received and we made plans to travel.  When we arrived home we were greeted by a house full of people waiting to celebrate!

Journeys of The Heart helped us complete our family and for that we will be forever grateful!  They were supportive and informative every step of the way, both in Illinois and Oregon!