my sweet nephew, declan, is one adorable little man. declan and i share something very very special. we are adopted (better known as handpicked). God chose declan to be placed in our family and we couldn't be happier. on friday, we celebrated just that - declan's adoption day. two years ago, ashley and mark stood before a judge and proclaimed their unconditional love & devotion to decs. that day - declan legally became a hustad - even though he had been a hustad since the day we found out he was going to be placed with a&m.
my mom & dad celebrate my adoption day with me every year. and every year, we would pray for birthmom. my birthmom made a difficult decision that was beyond painful for her. but God was bigger than that...and he brought us together 21 years later to begin a very special relationship. we have such a unique story and through it all, there was a plan. a plan i still can not fully comprehend, but i am thankful for the Lord's blessings.
i will never forget the day my sister.in.law ashley called me to tell me they had been chosen to be the parents of a baby boy who was to be born a few months later. they were chosen not only by the birthparents, but by God. it was a great day. it was even more wonderful the day he was born. and our hearts leapt for joy the day he came home. but it was icing on the cake when the judge signed the papers. declan isaac hustad.
declan, my prayer for you is that you understand that being adopted is not your identity. it is merely a part of your birth story and your coming home story. may you come to know, understand, and appreciate the love that your birthparents have for you...the love that your mommy & daddy have for you...the love your family has for you...and above all...the love our Heavenly Father has for you. and my oh my, we are so thankful for you. you are very special to us little man. we love you!
not flesh of my flesh nor bone of my bone,
but still miraculously my own.
never forget for a single minute,
you didn't grow under my heart...but in it.
Oh my stars!! Crying my eyes out over here. What a precious post, Jess. I'll be printing it off and saving it in Declan's baby book for sure. He loves his "Uncle Jess" and I love the bond you two share!! Love you, sister.
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