If you missed last week’s post on National Adoption Awareness Month, we began a project for families who have adopted / in the process of adoption. We know that with adoption comes challenges, as well as financial stress. Family photos are yet another cost, and is typically a reason why most don’t get them taken for a while. One family was chosen for each week in November. It has been an incredible blessing so far to hear the stories of these families.

This precious family is amazing. Even in the short time we had during their family photos, we were blessed by them. Mila has the most contagious laugh and Hudson is the life of the party, anywhere he goes! Dylan and Carrie have such caring hearts. Their desires to give a child a life of hope outweighed any other decision that could get in the way of adoption. Now the Taylors have three precious children, Mila, Hudson, and Livie. We hope you enjoy their story of adoption below!

Why adoption? What lead you to adopt?

In 2008, after both going to Africa on mission trips, Dylan and I felt called to adopt. We both experienced the children there who did not have families to go home to, and putting real faces with the orphan crisis made a big impact on both of us. We were drawn to the Democratic Republic of the Congo because we felt like these children were most vulnerable to disease, starvation, and civil war, and we felt like most people would not be willing to go somewhere that is so dangerous. We were childless at the time and were able to travel to a place that many might not go.

How many children are adopted?

Two from the Democratic Republic of Congo

What major changes have you seen in your child / children from the time you adopted until now?

Attachment is always in the forefront of parents’ minds when they consider adoption, as it should be. Children are not just going to know you as mom and dad and be thankful to come home with you. It is actually quite the opposite. You are taking them from the only thing they know, and even if it is a really unfortunate situation which most are, they will grieve the loss of that place and those people because it is familiar. It’s all they know. We are so thankful to have been a part of a church that had great adoption support, and a group of friends who walked through a book and Bible study with us that completely shaped how we decided to parent. We chose to “cocoon” for the first 6 months with Mila and Hudson, which means no one aside from Dylan and I provided for their daily needs. Holding, comforting, feeding, diaper changing, and bathing. No sitters. Kids cosleeping, even when it meant a king size bed with a twin bed snugged up next to it (we called it mega-bed) just so we could all sleep more comfortably. Immediate attention to any need that they have. It is tough, and seems extreme to some, but we’ve seen the fruits of those difficult years in all of our kids. This teaches them to trust, and they develop confidence that you aren’t going anywhere. Some of the results of the lives they lived prior to being in our home will never leave them, but so much healing can be done.

Name some things you look forward to in your journey of adoption

It is exciting for us to continue to watch how God will use our family to further His heart for adoption. We’ve seen him use our family to open eyes and hearts and to show people who may be considering it, what it is really like.

What positive changes have you noticed in your family since adopting?

Those two made us parents, and we are grateful that we were able to experience adoption first, before having a biological child. I think this was to our advantage, because we had no preconceived notions of what parenting a child would like. It completely shaped how we parent all 3 of our kids.

For any families thinking about adopting, what fundraisers did you find helpful? Why?

When we decided to adopt we did NOT have the money, and had no idea how we would pay the bills. We asked family and friends to donate items and had a huge yard sale that raised a little over $2000. We sold items on eBay. We sold coffee through the Justlovecoffee.com fundraiser program. After that, we had amazingly generous family, friends, and near strangers who donated funds great and small, and by God’s grace, every single financial need was met. Don’t let the financial aspect keep you from starting the process. The numbers look really scary on paper, but if the Lord has laid this on your heart, He will provide.

If you could give advice to anyone thinking about adoption, what would it be?

Do it. It will bless you even more than it blesses a child who needs a family. And study all things Karen Purvis. (Karen Purvis Institute of Child Development & Empowered to Connect) She was a gift to the world of adoption.

XOXO,

Mandi & Haylee