For as long as I can remember, I (Kristen) wanted to adopt. It seems to have always been on my heart. I think it may have something to do with losing my own dad (at the age of 11). When that happened, the support of our community was amazing. My brother and I still talk about how blessed we were to have numerous adults in our lives who loved us and helped set us up to succeed in life.

 

We also realize this is not typical; many times kids lose a parent (or two) or experience trauma, and the world barely pauses. On top of losing my own dad, I have experienced a wonderful step-family, whom I love. Biology doesn't mean as much as a step-dad who makes time for lunches in the city with me, a step-brother who is always willing to help me with my kids, and a step-sister who never misses a birthday. Step-nothing, we are family. Having a child who shares my DNA seems unimportant when I know there's a child out there who could make our family complete.

 

When Brad and I got married, we discussed it at length and had always hoped to adopt a child together at some point. Even when I was pregnant with our oldest, Oliver, I had our adopted child on my heart. When I bought a keepsake handprint tin, I also purchased a larger one, thinking a future adopted child may be older and therefore have a bigger hand. As I passed along baby clothes to friends and family, I thought about the need to get them back once our adopted child was home. 

​

Every once in awhile Brad or I would bring it up, and the other would say, "I can't handle another child right now; the two we have are keeping us busy enough!" Over time, we realized that one of us was bringing it up with more frequency, and that each time we weren't discussing how the roadblocks might stop us, but rather how we could overcome the obstacles. We weren't trying to talk ourselves into it; we were trying to talk ourselves out of something we so clearly wanted.

​

After many months of deliberation, thinking of potential challenges, logistical concerns, and financial matters, we made the decision to move forward.

 

We believe that every child deserves a family, so we are adopting a little boy or girl from Bulgaria between the ages of 1-3. It is likely a two year process, which potentially would make Oliver 6 and Ellis 4. More information about why we are doing this can be found under the FAQs. We appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and possibly your financial support. It is very surreal to know that we are parents to another little one who is waiting. We think about him or her every day as we continue doing all we can to bring Baby Hemmings #3 home.