Our Adoption Announcement

As we struggled keeping infertility a secret it was so hard to put together our adoption profile. We were with an adoption agency so we had to send pictures and chose this one for the cover for our profile. It was so hard putting together a small booklet for birthparents. This is still one of my favorite pictures through our journey. A close friend of mine wrote, "We're on an adventure to find our baby" on a map, which I plan to have framed. About a month after taking this picture for our agency, God crossed our paths with Lakelyns birth mom. Not with our agency. Gods plan is always better than ours! I remember feeling so hopeful the day we took this picture and little did I know he already had our plan ready to unveil sooner than we ever dreamed!

The state of Tennessee is 14 days after the birthparents surrender their rights that they are no longer able to revoke the adoption. Our case was 17 days. What a long, hard and emotional 17 days. Our daughter was a complete secret for over two weeks. Only close friends and family knew about her but the majority had no idea we were even go through infertility or even adoption. What a surprise we had :) In fact, Richs birthday was the final day for her birthparents to revoke the adoption. That day, We were flying to California for the CrossFit Games. It was a blessing to be so busy that day instead of sitting around watching the clock. I was flying to California with a 17 day old baby and a nervous wreck someone would see her or take a picture of us with her in the airport. Rich got stopped multiple times that day, we had friends and family traveling with us and would carry her so nobody would question it. It was crazy. As we were waiting for midnight with friends, family and CrossFit Mayhem members in a house in California I couldn't help but wonder "What if they call."  I had to repeat over and over "God did not bring you this far to leave you." And he didn't. It was finally midnight and I could announce WE WERE PARENTS! 

hillaryfroning

8 months ago

Now that I can legally announce I want to scream at the top of my lungs with tears in my eyes and share our amazing news! Rich and I are PARENTS! When we make a plan for our life and trust in God to show us a path, God takes your plan and makes it a million times better. Surprise world, we adopted!!
I never knew I had so much love in me. With long awaited joy I would like to share, our daughter, Lakelyn Ann Froning 7-7-14 at 11:01am 6lbs 5oz 19.5in long 
It has been a hard road with many tears and heartbreaks but a lot has been learned. My relationship with The Lord has grown to a relationship I can't explain. The love I have for my daughter is indescribable and will forever be grateful for our long journey to finally have her in our arms. Adoption is hard but yet so beautiful. I pray for any women going through infertility. Know your not alone and you have prayers lifting you up, I also pray for amazing selfless birth mothers. "For this child I prayed, and The Lord answered my prayer." 1 Samuel 1:27

Between all the feedings, diaper changes and tantrums I still find myself staring at Lakelyn with tears in my eyes. My heart is so full and I can't believe I am her mom and she is my daughter. She's here. And I can hold her anytime I want to. And boy.. Do I. While most moms are needing sleep, I always find myself sad when she goes to sleep because I miss her. She is what my heart needed and I will forever be grateful God made me her mom!!