Never Say Never...

Did I ever mention that when we were first considering adoption, we were very hesitant when it came to the idea of having any relationship with our birth mom? It's a really scary thing to consider when you're in the middle of making decisions regarding how the adoption and raising of your own child might play out in the future.  There is a faceless young woman who you don't even know yet, and you are considering an advanced commitment to share with her, and let her in to your family's life.  What if she's a nut? What if she's incompetent or an addict? Worst of all, what if, like everyone incessantly kept bringing up to us, she changed her mind and wanted her baby back after we had him? After lots of discussion and praying, we decided to agree to a semi-open adoption.  That would give us occasional contact with our birth mom, but only through the adoption agency.

The adoption process for us went extraordinarily fast.  After being "chosen" by a birth mom the same day our home study was approved we found ourselves on a whirlwind, roller coaster ride unlike anything we'd experienced before.  Ironically, for the first month our birth mom did not want to meet us, and wasn't sure she ever wanted to.  But, just as we eventually did, she changed her mind and decided that, for starters, she wanted to meet us after all.

That was four years ago.  Yesterday we met up with our wonderful birth mom and her family again - I've lost track how many times we've gotten together now.  We've been so blessed that she and her family are so amenable to being a part of our Ayson's life, and that they celebrate with us that he is part of our family.  Our relationship continues to evolve and grow, and there is an ease and comfort with each other that makes our time together a true joy.  It amazes me that, in the beginning, it was a stretch for us to consider even a semi-open adoption, and here we are now, with a true open adoption experience.  I think once we all got "fear" out of the equation in our relationship, it opened up a whole new world for us all.  Here are a few pictures of our time yesterday...

Ayson & Alex with one of their "cousins," Ashlyn.  As you can see, they  all really enjoyed each other's company!

Candice, Ayson's rocking birth mom, and Ace.  Did I happen to mention how lucky we are?! :)