"I wish I may... I wish I might... Have this wish I wish tonight."
About our Journey...
James and Andrea were married August 14, 2004. Dallin Benjamin was born August 16, 2005. After medical complications our family moved to the metro Atlanta area in order to receive the best medical care for our son. In the spring of 2006 Dallin was diagnosed with a rare chromosomal disorder. He had a partial deletion of his 22nd chromosome, a partial trisomy (copy) of his 7th chromosome, and partial translocation (rearrangement) between his 7th and 22nd chromosome... complicated, huh? What this meant was that Dallin was one of a kind and we had no roadmap for his future. He had physical and cognitive delays. We didn't know if he would ever walk or talk, but that did not prevent him from sharing his love. James and Andrea started the adoption process in January 2008. We had hoped that Dallin would have the opportunity to become a big brother in his lifetime. Unfortunately, that was not God's plan for him. Dallin passed away suddenly on June 21, 2008 from complications still to be determined. Even though we are no longer searching for a sibling for Dallin, our intentions of adopting have not changed. James and Andrea love children and have always dreamed of having a big, happy family. We are currently working with LDS Family Services (http://www.itsaboutlove.org/.) We are excited and hopeful that the special spirit who is meant for our family will find his or her way to our home.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Family and Friend Testimonials
Here's your chance to talk about us and tell people how cool we are! Why would YOU choose US?
You guys are the best ever!! You are wonderful people and amazing parents. I know that the child who has the opportunity to join your family will be blessed beyond words. We will be praying for your family that you might find that perfect addition soon. Love you guys!!
Where do I start? We all go way back! I know with every fiber of my being that you are two very special spirits on this earth. Heavenly Father knows our strengths and our weaknesses. I was ecstatic when we were both preggo with our first child. And then to have them 3 weeks apart, it was so much more fun having all our "play dates"!!! Dallin couldn't have asked for a better set of parents to spend his short time here on earth. You gave and gave and even when you didn't think you could give anymore, you did. You are both an inspiration to us. Any child lucky enough to be raised by you two will truly be blessed. Your family is always in our thoughts and prayers. Love you!
I don't know Andrea very well, but she seemed nice the one time I met her at BJ's. I do know James, though. He's a fun guy. I'm still not over the fact that he beat me in the celebrity look a like contest at EFY. He was J-Leno and I was Rosie O'Donnell. I totally should have had that one. Good luck with getting a baby. Adoption is a beautiful thing!
okay- I've been re-writing my thoughts on Andrea and James for too long. I will never be able to fully put into words my love, admiration and respect for them. They are the type of people that come into your life once in a lifetime and change you forever. The unconditional love they willingly share, the complete acceptance of others and the strength and dignity that they live their lives by is inspiring. I hope to one day be as good of a Mother as Andrea is. She is truly, one of my real life heros.
My husband Michael gave me the card you handed out in class today. I wanted to let you know of another family that adopted 3 children from LDS social services.
Here is one page of their blog: http://jrosebyanyothername.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
If you scroll down there is a youtube video they made about National Adoption Month. Their story is unique as they have two adopted children that are only a few months apart. And the third one they adopted a few years later.
My wife and I have adopted 3 kids through LDS family services. Teena mentioned us in one of the comments above.
Adopting is an emotionally draining process, but so worth it. It requires lots and lots of patience, but after the fact you will view the time that you were waiting as precious and not nearly the "labor" that should be required to receive the gift that you will receive in a new addition to the family.
Very sorry to hear about your son. Sounds like you guys have already been through a ton.
It is my experience (and I'm sure yours as well) that these experiences can strengthen. Sounds like they already have for you.
Hang in there and let us know if you have any questions about adopting through LDS family services. We're obviously huge fans. If you ever want to discuss on the phone, just post your email address in a response on our blog and we'll exchange phone numbers. Take care.
6 comments:
You guys are the best ever!! You are wonderful people and amazing parents. I know that the child who has the opportunity to join your family will be blessed beyond words. We will be praying for your family that you might find that perfect addition soon. Love you guys!!
Where do I start? We all go way back! I know with every fiber of my being that you are two very special spirits on this earth. Heavenly Father knows our strengths and our weaknesses. I was ecstatic when we were both preggo with our first child. And then to have them 3 weeks apart, it was so much more fun having all our "play dates"!!! Dallin couldn't have asked for a better set of parents to spend his short time here on earth. You gave and gave and even when you didn't think you could give anymore, you did. You are both an inspiration to us. Any child lucky enough to be raised by you two will truly be blessed. Your family is always in our thoughts and prayers. Love you!
I don't know Andrea very well, but she seemed nice the one time I met her at BJ's. I do know James, though. He's a fun guy. I'm still not over the fact that he beat me in the celebrity look a like contest at EFY. He was J-Leno and I was Rosie O'Donnell. I totally should have had that one. Good luck with getting a baby. Adoption is a beautiful thing!
okay- I've been re-writing my thoughts on Andrea and James for too long. I will never be able to fully put into words my love, admiration and respect for them. They are the type of people that come into your life once in a lifetime and change you forever. The unconditional love they willingly share, the complete acceptance of others and the strength and dignity that they live their lives by is inspiring. I hope to one day be as good of a Mother as Andrea is. She is truly, one of my real life heros.
My husband Michael gave me the card you handed out in class today. I wanted to let you know of another family that adopted 3 children from LDS social services.
Here is one page of their blog:
http://jrosebyanyothername.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
If you scroll down there is a youtube video they made about National Adoption Month. Their story is unique as they have two adopted children that are only a few months apart. And the third one they adopted a few years later.
I hope you are blessed soon with a baby.
Teena Johnson
My wife and I have adopted 3 kids through LDS family services. Teena mentioned us in one of the comments above.
Adopting is an emotionally draining process, but so worth it. It requires lots and lots of patience, but after the fact you will view the time that you were waiting as precious and not nearly the "labor" that should be required to receive the gift that you will receive in a new addition to the family.
Very sorry to hear about your son. Sounds like you guys have already been through a ton.
It is my experience (and I'm sure yours as well) that these experiences can strengthen. Sounds like they already have for you.
Hang in there and let us know if you have any questions about adopting through LDS family services. We're obviously huge fans. If you ever want to discuss on the phone, just post your email address in a response on our blog and we'll exchange phone numbers. Take care.
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