april 29. 2015
i can’t believe our little nadia is already 7! when the time was close for nadia to be born, jarom was still traveling mon-friday. we knew lynn was going to go into labor soon, so the girls and i drove to ohio and stayed with the in-laws in anticipation of the new arrival. my health was horribly bad at the time, i could hardly get out of bed, but i made the trip by myself with the girls. jarom flew in and met us in oho when nadia was born. it’s a very stressful time to say the least-going through an adoption. you never know if the birth mother is going to change her mind, that is always sitting in the back of your mind. lds family services, who we went through for the adopton, usually pays for the birth mother to stay in the hospital an extra day, so when the 72 hours after the baby is born is up, they were in the hospital the whole time, and didn’t have an opportunity to take the baby home. we were made aware, that the hospital wouldn’t allow the extra day, and we were worried. then lynn told us she had breastfed the baby, and we thought for sure we weren’t getting her. but the third day after nadia was born, we drove over and picked up our little nadia. what a sweet blessing and miracle. lynn had prayed and was told she needed to have the baby adopted, and she stuck to it.
jarom of course left after the weekend, and i was taking care of a newborn and three kids with horrible health on my own. even though i was staying with my in-laws, for some reason, they never even bothered to offer to help hold the baby, feed or change the baby, help with the other kids, help me because i was so sick, nothing. i was on my own. let’s just say, being third class citizens with your in-laws is no picnic, but these sweet girls and jarom and i continue to live our lives, and try to give our kids the love and attention we miss out on. we notice the holes in our lives, and are taking note to hopefully do better for our kids. we know no one is perfect, especially us, but above all, we hope our kids will always feel loved and know that we are there for them.
six months after we had gotten nadia, we were blessed to finalize the adoption back in ohio. yes, the in-laws didn’t even bother asking about coming with us, nor did they even bother congratulating us on the finalization of the adoption, all while we stayed in their home. so sad for sure. but we go on and create happiness within our own family. we then sealed her to us in the d.c. temple, which was beautiful. we continue to have an open adoption with lynn, and nadia gets to chat with her on christmas and birthdays-and gets gifts from lynn on those special occasions.
now nadia is seven, in 2nd-3rd-4th grade lessons, and is so very smart! she memorized the living christ when she was 3. she was reading at 3. she has had 3 older sisters always loving and teaching her. she is a delightful, bright, sassy, beautiful spirit, and we are so grateful to have her in our family. it was completely inspired and meant to be!
nadia had a friend party last year, so this year was to be a family party. she started planning a “tea party”, made thank you bags, planned games and what the food would be, and then asked if she could have this tea party on her birthday:) see what i mean about smart! so we agreed. she loved all her gifts, and got roller skates from us, magic kit and dress up from lynn, dress from grandma, baton from alex, heart purse cam sewed for her, a mood necklace from madison, and a few things from friends. cam helped with all the food, and played with the girls during the party. i love having helpers!
HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY DEAR NADIA!
