Adoption Journey

I have not blogged about our adoption journey thus far and want to make sure I document it before I forget anything. 
In February of 2012, Josh and I decided to meet with  A Child's Hope Adoption agency.  We met with them and felt really good about our meeting.  We decided we would take some time to pray about what we wanted to do.  We were not sure we wanted to have 3 children, if we wanted to adopt or if we wanted to get pregnant.  After lots of prayer we decided we were being lead to adoption!  We began the pape work (which is a lot), finished our website and were officially a waiting couple in April 2012.  Of course during this time we were so excited but nervous about the unknown.  We were not sure how long it would take but knew this was what was right for our family.  In August we decided to put our profile on facebook to get our name out there and to let others know we were adopting.  Networking in the adoption world is crucial!  Three or four days after we did we received an email from a friend telling us his exwife was pregnant and that she was looking to make an adoption plan.  At this time she did not know what she was having but would be finding out soon.  Of course we were super excited but cautious.  I decided to make contact with her on facebook and later that week she found out she was having a baby girl:)  The agency got involved to help and we continued to talk via email.  In October we went to Huntersville to meet her and the birth father.  We had a fantastic dinner and it felt so natural.  We spent the night and went to the Renaissance Festival the next day where the birthmother worked.  This was just the beginning of this beautiful story!  We were able to "join" her via online at an ultrasound which was so cool to see our baby girl!  On January 22, 2013, Ansley LaNelle Dunbar was born at CMC Lincolnton Hospital!  We were able to room in across the hall from the birthparents and spend time with their families and get to know our baby girl.  The boys, especially Landon, were so excited to meet her.  Thank goodness for technology, we were able to facetime with them so they could "meet" her.  On the 24th we said our goodbyes and headed home.  We were so excited to get home with her, for our boys to finally get to meet her, for our friends and family to see her and to being our new life with three kids.  We also had a heavy heart for the birth parents because we knew how much they loved this little girl.  When we got to town we got Landon out of school early so he could have a little time with her before Parker got home.  He was so proud and has been a great big brother again!  When we brought Parker home, he saw her and said "good job mommy, you found baby Ansley!"  It was so sweet and he could not wait to hold her.  Ansley also got to meet Nana and Papa Dunbar right away as well.  We had lots of visitors and we were certainly proud to show her off.  Ansley has completed our family and we are forever grateful to the birthparents for this awesome gift!