On the other side

Every so often I receive an email or PM from a complete stranger who only "knows" me thru the virtual world. They came across this blog thru a friend of a friend or as a link from a site I am on, etc. And then they send me a message telling me how our story has provided them with so much hope. They take the time to let me know how much reading our story and following this blog has helped them gain clarity and endurance thru their own personal struggles towards parenthood. And they thank me.

Thank me? WOW! Who would have thought that I would be here in this position to help others simply by sharing our story to AJ and our life with him.

I remember what it was like "on the other side". So desperately wanting a baby and feeling like it would never happen. With each fertility treatment I grew less and less hopeful. I remember being a part of so many people's struggles thru infertility to parenthood. I cried with them, celebrated good appointments and one by one, watched them become Moms. It seemed every group I joined online I'd be the sole member left w/o getting pregnant. Of course, there were a few others here and there but it always felt as though I was the only one never going to be a Mommy.

But my perspective changed once we committed to adopting. I started reading others' stories about how they were matched with their babies and were so happy to finally become parents thru the miracle of adoption. And these stories provided me with hope and inspiration, knowing that one day our baby would find us and that when he/she did, all of our struggles would make sense.

It still amazes me that I am on the other side now. I am one of the ones who can give others yearning to be parents hope. I can not describe the joy and gratefulness that feels me with - one, to finally be a Mommy, and two, to help others still waiting for their miracle. It truely touches my heart. And it provides me with motivation to continue to share our story.

Speaking of our story....I realized that the last few posts I haven't included any pics of our baby boy. He is 6 1/2 months old now (29weeks). Today he got to experience his 1st Superbowl. Although his Daddy's team (Bears) didn't make it to the big game, AJ was still excited to celebrate. Here are some pics b4 the game started:



Here's AJ saying hi to his buddy, Vincent who was visiting from Ohio. They are God-brothers since Vincent's Daddy is AJ's God-Father: