Plus an interview and giveaway!
I really don’t think that anything brings me greater joy on this earth than being a mom. As frustrated as I get sometimes, it all melts away with just one smile from my sweet girls. Watching them fall asleep in the funniest of places or listening to them sing their own made up tunes—it doesn’t matter—all I know is that I would never trade what I have now for the freedom of singleness. What I have now is so much better!
You Were Always in My Heart
The book is written in rhyme and flows nicely from cover to cover. I loved the sketch-like illustrations and the reminder that family can be anyone who loves and cares for you. My five-year-old thought it was funny that the story was told by a bug and enjoyed reading the rhymes with me. I thought this book was a clever way to introduce her to the idea of adoption, and I believe it can stand as a good analogy for our own adoption as sons and daughters of the King.
You Were Always in My Heart would make a great gift! If you know someone who has been affected our touched in some way by adoption, I highly recommend Steven and Mary Beth’s book. It will warm your heart.
The Interview…
Recently, my brother and sister-in-law, James and Kay, adopted a boy and a girl. Kay has been kind enough to answer some questions for me regarding the adoption process, telling me about how her new little ones were “always in her heart”.
Kay with Hannah and Lucas
1. Have you always wanted to adopt? How did you come to the decision to adopt?
I have wanted to adopt since about 1996. However, I waited until I was married to James to pursue adoption as I did not want to raise a child as a single parent.
2. In our culture today, there are so many options for having children from surrogacy to artificial insemination. Why adoption? Why, in your opinion, should parents-to-be consider this option?
I feel adoption is the best because these children are already going to be born and they need a home with loving parents that can take care of them. This keeps many women from choosing abortion. Also, God loves adoption. He adopted us.
3. Your first adoption recently became official. Congratulations! How does it make you feel to know you’ve been given the opportunity to raise and love a child?
I was really astonished. Even though we knew it was coming, it was an amazing feeling when it became final. It is still an amazing feeling. It hasn’t really sunk in fully yet.
4. What are some of the challenges you have faced during the adoption process? What advice would you give to parents seeking to adopt?
We had a failed adoption, which was really heartbreaking. We spent a lot of money on attorneys for both sides and we planned for this baby girl for months. We had her for five days and had really bonded with her. It was one of the worst experiences of my life to have to give her back. Advice…you have to REALLY REALLY want to adopt to go through the process. It is not for the faint of heart. Don’t even start down the path if you are not sure you can handle it.
5. Tell me a little bit about your experience with your adoptive children? What adjustments and changes have you had to make in your life since adopting?
I think we have made the same adjustments that anyone who has children naturally has to make. Although, since our children are “special needs” we have a lot of doctor visits and therapy appointments that people without “special needs” kids don’t have to deal with. Also, we have had to lay our lives and home bare and open for anyone’s inspection at all times.
6. Do you have a Bible verse/passage that has helped you throughout the adoption process? If so, please share.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
7. Have your family and friends been supportive through the process? How does having a good support system make a difference for you?
Our friends have been tremendously supportive. My adult children have tried, but they don’t really understand what we are doing. Of course, the Larsons have been supportive as well. I don’t think a couple can really go through the ups and downs of adoption without a good support system.
8. Has there been a moment(s) when you felt like you switched from caregivers to “mom and dad”? Please share if you feel comfortable.
We never ever felt like caregivers. We were Mom and Dad to all of our babies from the moment we got them and for however long we had them.
About the Authors of You Were Always in My Heart…
“Written by Grammy Award-winning recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, You Were Always in My Heart tells the life changing experience of the Chapman family. The couple also founded the organization Show Hope to aid families seeking to adopt.” You can learn more about the authors and their organization by visiting their website at showhope.org or by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.
*Author info taken from back cover of You Were Always in My Heart
The Giveaway…
Time for another Tommy Nelson Mommy Giveaway! Use the Rafflecopter for your chance to win your very own copy of You Were Always in My Heart. Enter now through Friday, July 5th. I will pick and email a winner on Saturday, July 6th. Until then, Happy Reading!
Yours in Christ Yeshua,
S
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure:
I received You Were Always in My Heart through the Tommy Nelson Mommy Program. I was not asked to write a positive review. All views and opinions expressed are solely and completely my own. I received no compensation other than a copy of the book featured in this post, which is mine to keep. This post also contains affiliate links. To learn more please read my full policy.
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Very sweet. I hope to read it for myself soon. Ladybugs have always been great story tellers you know 🙂
Yes they are, Ima 🙂
My kids don’t know too much about adoption. They do have friends who are adopted, but they’ve just accepted that families don’t all look the same.
That’s a great way to look at it, Joyce. Families do come in all shapes and sizes 🙂
I haven’t talked to the kids about adoption yet. My son is five, almost six, so I think this would be a good age to talk about it.