Family Grows Through Love and Adoption
mom • my world • moms making a difference
Sandi Brown feels like her family of 6 is 'ordinary'. She calls them a family made of love.
Friends describe Sandi as a "fantastic wife to a loving husband and an amazing play-down-on-the-floor-after-reading-the-same-book-for-the-15th-time mom".
But the road to having their current family has been a long one.
About 6 years ago, while undergoing fertility treatments that, for some time, had been unsuccessful, Sandi and her husband began the process of domestic adoption. It was at this time that Sandi's fertility and adoption journeys intersected.
Her very last cycle of fertility treatments was successful - she found out she was pregnant. A mere 3 months later, Sandi and her husband were given the name of a woman who was looking to give her baby up for adoption. Knowing her past pregnancies had been volatile, the couple decided to try both.
On October 17, 2003, Sandi and her husband were in the delivery room as Kimberly was born. They adopted her and were allowed to take her home within 24 hours. A mere 12 days later, on October 29th, Sandi went in to labor and gave birth to Annie. Two beautiful baby girls - both healthy - both theirs.
Sandi believed at the time that Kimberly and Annie were the only children she would ever have. But more miracles were in the works - Sandi got pregnant again and carried Madeline to term. This sweet girl is now 4 years old.
The newest edition to their family - Paul - was adopted from Ethiopia. Sandi believes with all her heart that they were all meant to be a family. She says adoption has been the most amazing thing in her life. She even has a series of quotes that remind her of the special bond she shares with her children:
"Natural Child: Any child who is not artificial. Real Parent: Any parent who is not imaginary. Your Own Child: Any child who is not someone else's child. Adopted Child: A natural child, with a real parent, who is all my own." ~Rita Law
In addition to making her family her number one priority, Sandi has a blog and an Etsy store where she sells quilts. She is also, clearly, a wonderful friend, always finding time for those around her and encouraging those going through the adoption process.
When asked how she balances it all, Sandi explains, " I enjoy every moment. I don't have a sparkling clean home and it is full of clutter, but my children are cared for and valued. I live by the saying, 'Do something you love each day.'"
Clearly, it is being a Mom, wife and friend that Sandi most loves.
About the Author: Danielle Smith is a mommy to two smart and sassy small people, as well as the founder and primary author of ExtraordinaryMommy.com. You can catch her hosting a brand new live show, The Spin Cycle, on MomTV.com every Wednesday at 9pmEST. She also hosts a show on Blog Talk Radio and contributes to WhyMomsMatter. Danielle is thrilled to be contributing to MomItForward as ‘giving back’ has always been an important part of who she is and what she hopes to teach her children.
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