During our second adoption process we tried to maintain this blog while also updating a private FB group. (Feel free to request to join! You can scroll all day and read about our trip to China!) It became much easier to just post in the FB group where we could also interact with people, so I decided to drop the blog. But apparently a few folks have stumbled across this blog over the years and became worried! "What happened?! Did the adoption fall through? Did you make it to China and back?!" I was getting emails from concerned strangers who are now also in the adoption process. In case that happens again, here's a long-overdue update!
YES, we made it to China. YES, our adoption went through. YES, we made it home with Hudson! Here's our first family photo together!
Then & Now
Hudson's first selfie, age 10:
As you can see, this boy has tuned into a young man. I don't even know where to begin with an update! SO MUCH has happened since his adoption! He attended public school for grades 3rd-6th, and now we're on our second year of home school. (I decided to give home school a try with all four kids due to COVID, and we ended up loving it so we're continuing!) Hudson had a very late start with his education but is doing his best to get caught up. He doesn't "enjoy" school, but he really wants to graduate at age 18 so we're working year-round on that goal!
Hudson received a hand cycle through a grant from Athletes Helping Athletes. Riding quickly became one of his favorite things. When he asked to start a summer job, he decided to make his rounds on his bike, knocking on neighbor's doors and asking to scoop their yards. "Handy Hudson's Scooping Service" has been in business for 3 years now, and this year he served nearly 30 clients! He's quite the saver too; he's putting most of the cash in the bank to save for a car and his future.
Curt & I were able to take Hudson to an amazing sports camp for kids with limb differences. NubAbility is held in DuQoin, Illinois every summer. It was such an inspiration for him (and us!) to see the coaches teaching kids with limb differences that they CAN do it, and they #dontneed2!
At this camp, we learned about another non-profit called Amputee Blade Runners. ABR provides running blades for athletes with limb loss. They fitted Hudson for a new pair of walking legs and running blade attachments! What an awesome opportunity! We are SO thankful for these organizations and the support they've provided!
Another exciting moment has been seeing Hudson get involved at our church. He attended the Children's program and VBS, and now is in the Youth Group. He serves on the Tech Team by helping with the cameras during the live streaming of the service. After about a year at home he came to know Jesus and asked to be baptized. Wonderful news!
We love to travel, and Hudson is always up for a new adventure. We've taken the kids to visit family in Arizona, Georgia, and Washington D.C. and have explored cities like Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis, Branson, and Muncie. (Sometimes we end up in random places when they tag along for Curt's training or my conferences!) We look forward to more memories like these!
There are so many stories and experiences I could share, but I'll end here for now. I do want to mention, especially for those who are in the adoption process, that is has NOT been all "sunshine and rainbows" for us. Our adopted kids have experienced severe loss and trauma in the early stages of their lives, and it does have an effect on them still today. We also have the dynamics of four children (now including two teens) who each have very different personalities and often get along like cats & dogs! Like every family, we have difficult moments on a daily basis. I try to focus on the good and count my blessings! But for the sake of transparency, we have had MANY, MANY extremely painful and difficult moments over the years. Sometimes we seem to take two steps forward and three steps back. But God is faithful and we know that he has a plan and a purpose for our family, and for the future of each of our children. We appreciate the ongoing prayers & support of family and friends. The journey hasn't been easy, but it's worth it!
