Overwhelmed

So I’m a bit overwhelmed by the love and support showed to our family since we shared yesterday that we are adopting a little girl from Haiti. I admit that I was not expecting quite that kind of response. I didn’t even know that many people were paying any attention at all to what I ever have to say. Especially people I know in real life, who I rarely talk to.

I posted the link on my private Facebook page and was inundated with the most lovely, wonderful supportive comments and “Likes”. Tons of ’em, from people I wouldn’t even expect. I would say that it was a more positive response to even announcing a physical pregnancy. People actually made the extra effort to leave a comment on the blog post too! That’s even more unusual. I am so grateful for these people. I’m grateful for YOU. I had tears and a smile plastered on my face all day long. 
I especially appreciate all the people who offered up contacts with other friends who have adopted from Haiti, done missions in Haiti, or even just outgrown baby girl clothes (cuz you KNOW I’ll need that stuff.) 
Side note: it’s going to be a longish journey (1-3 years) and she likely won’t be an infant by the time we can bring her home, but we don’t know what size she’ll be wearing. 
So here’s the thing…I did not expect this outpouring because I’m a bit cynical, a bit fearful and the enemy puts lies and doubts in my head all the time. I expected at least someone to ask me why. I mean, I know I explained a bit about that but my explanations won’t make sense to some people. Maybe y’all are thinking it and just not saying it, but I expected people to think I’m off my rocker. Heck, sometimes *I* think I’m crazy. Why would I go and mess up the amazingly good thing I have, my nearly picture-perfect family and life? 
I also expected people to balk at the idea of me raising a black child. Adoption is still foreign to so many people and transracial adoption is a really bad idea in the minds of a few. I guess I’ve been reading a lot about the negative stuff people who have adopted transracially deal with from other people. 
Do I know how to parent a black child? Or a traumatized, institutionalized child? No but I’m learning and will never stop learning. Same as I did and still do when parenting Alex and Nathan. 
One thing I learned yesterday is this…I am surrounded by really amazing people. Both in my every day life and through my extensive online community. People who I grew up with that I don’t actually see much anymore and people who I’ve only met more recently. I am blessed to NOT be surrounded by drama, negativity and chaos. Maybe it has to do with my outlook on life and I hope it’s not because I have purposefully avoided hurting people. I hope. 
So thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate your willingness to rejoice with us right now, before we undoubtedly get stuck in the hard parts of the process to get her home. 

Author: Sarah

Mom of three. Triathlete.

26 thoughts on “Overwhelmed”

  1. I totally meant to leave a comment for you yesterday but I’m a procrastinator. I am beyond thrilled for both of you. Who cares if the child is not white because that child needs a home and you and your husband happen to have an ultra geeky tech home just ready for her. Congrats! 

  2. I totally meant to leave a comment for you yesterday but I’m a procrastinator. I am beyond thrilled for both of you. Who cares if the child is not white because that child needs a home and you and your husband happen to have an ultra geeky tech home just ready for her. Congrats! 

  3. I totally meant to leave a comment for you yesterday but I’m a procrastinator. I am beyond thrilled for both of you. Who cares if the child is not white because that child needs a home and you and your husband happen to have an ultra geeky tech home just ready for her. Congrats! 

  4. I totally meant to leave a comment for you yesterday but I’m a procrastinator. I am beyond thrilled for both of you. Who cares if the child is not white because that child needs a home and you and your husband happen to have an ultra geeky tech home just ready for her. Congrats! 

  5. I have a good friend who just finalized her adoption of her 3 beautiful foster-now-forever babies. They are all African American. If you need someone to talk to about raising a child of a different race, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I connected you two on facebook. Even if you just need advice on how to do her hair! (She needed help with that at first too!)

  6. I have a good friend who just finalized her adoption of her 3 beautiful foster-now-forever babies. They are all African American. If you need someone to talk to about raising a child of a different race, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I connected you two on facebook. Even if you just need advice on how to do her hair! (She needed help with that at first too!)

  7. I have a good friend who just finalized her adoption of her 3 beautiful foster-now-forever babies. They are all African American. If you need someone to talk to about raising a child of a different race, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I connected you two on facebook. Even if you just need advice on how to do her hair! (She needed help with that at first too!)

  8. I have a good friend who just finalized her adoption of her 3 beautiful foster-now-forever babies. They are all African American. If you need someone to talk to about raising a child of a different race, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I connected you two on facebook. Even if you just need advice on how to do her hair! (She needed help with that at first too!)

  12. One of my best friends adopted from Haiti and she has African American ladies stop her ALL the time to make sure she knows how to do her daughter’s hair right. Even the ladies at her church in the nursery feel the need to instruct her on how to do her hair. She said at the beginning it was nice and helpful and now it’s just annoying, lol. I’m sure it is especially since she’s 4 and has been with my friend since the age of 18 months. I’m sure there are tons of people that will give you advice… some you’ll really need and some you won’t. Kinda like when you’re pregnant and people feel the need to tell you things.

    I will say, though, that adding some chocolate into vanilla is very satisfying. They are great by themselves but extraordinary when they are together. I know God’s heart must be very pleased with your commitment and I’m excited to pray with you as you journey through the adoption process.

  13. One of my best friends adopted from Haiti and she has African American ladies stop her ALL the time to make sure she knows how to do her daughter’s hair right. Even the ladies at her church in the nursery feel the need to instruct her on how to do her hair. She said at the beginning it was nice and helpful and now it’s just annoying, lol. I’m sure it is especially since she’s 4 and has been with my friend since the age of 18 months. I’m sure there are tons of people that will give you advice… some you’ll really need and some you won’t. Kinda like when you’re pregnant and people feel the need to tell you things.

    I will say, though, that adding some chocolate into vanilla is very satisfying. They are great by themselves but extraordinary when they are together. I know God’s heart must be very pleased with your commitment and I’m excited to pray with you as you journey through the adoption process.

  14. One of my best friends adopted from Haiti and she has African American ladies stop her ALL the time to make sure she knows how to do her daughter’s hair right. Even the ladies at her church in the nursery feel the need to instruct her on how to do her hair. She said at the beginning it was nice and helpful and now it’s just annoying, lol. I’m sure it is especially since she’s 4 and has been with my friend since the age of 18 months. I’m sure there are tons of people that will give you advice… some you’ll really need and some you won’t. Kinda like when you’re pregnant and people feel the need to tell you things.

    I will say, though, that adding some chocolate into vanilla is very satisfying. They are great by themselves but extraordinary when they are together. I know God’s heart must be very pleased with your commitment and I’m excited to pray with you as you journey through the adoption process.

  15. One of my best friends adopted from Haiti and she has African American ladies stop her ALL the time to make sure she knows how to do her daughter’s hair right. Even the ladies at her church in the nursery feel the need to instruct her on how to do her hair. She said at the beginning it was nice and helpful and now it’s just annoying, lol. I’m sure it is especially since she’s 4 and has been with my friend since the age of 18 months. I’m sure there are tons of people that will give you advice… some you’ll really need and some you won’t. Kinda like when you’re pregnant and people feel the need to tell you things.

    I will say, though, that adding some chocolate into vanilla is very satisfying. They are great by themselves but extraordinary when they are together. I know God’s heart must be very pleased with your commitment and I’m excited to pray with you as you journey through the adoption process.

  19. Thanks! Fortunately there are now many many resources for white parents raising black children available. There’s a fantastic blog called Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care, every adoption conference has a session on black hair care, there are books, etc. I just have to read, listen and practice. I know hair care is a BIG DEAL in black culture. 

    And that’s awesome about your friends babies. Fostering in the future is not out of the question for us but the time was not right for it now. 

  20. Thanks! Fortunately there are now many many resources for white parents raising black children available. There’s a fantastic blog called Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care, every adoption conference has a session on black hair care, there are books, etc. I just have to read, listen and practice. I know hair care is a BIG DEAL in black culture. 

    And that’s awesome about your friends babies. Fostering in the future is not out of the question for us but the time was not right for it now. 

  22. Oh thank you Sheila. We all just love unsolicited advice when it comes to parenting right? Motherhood drive-bys, I call them. I wrote a post on it once years and years ago. 

  23. I think you will be amazing. I never thought to ask why. I think when you are called to do something, you just do it! And I know you will be expanding your family and bringing love to someone who needs a family too. I will be following your journey closely and I know you will write beautifully about it. 

  24. None of those thoughts ever entered my mind (the negative ones, that is). 

    Foremost, I’m really excited for you and your family. Adoption has it’s own unique challenges, but knowing families who have adopted locally and internationally and from all kinds of backgrounds and special needs, it is the sort of challenge that illuminates the people involved like the vibrant sun shining through a stained glass window. 

    To sit in that vibrantly colored light is such a blessing, and I’m very excited to have another friend walking this journey. 

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