Welcome to our little slice of the internet. It is my hope with this blog that I can chronicle some of our family’s journeys over the next few years. But first, here’s our story! Read to the end for an exciting announcement!
Dusten and I met attending an outreach group at the campus of UNCCharlotte in the fall of 2009. We began dating in the summer of 2010 and even though some of our relationship was long distance, we quickly realized we were meant to be together. We were married in the summer of 2012 in a little white church in the country.
In the spring of 2014 we purchased our 1940’s Cape Cod fixer-upper. We put our heart into renovating this beauty and one day I will share before and afters. Until then, feel free to search #HarwardReno on instagram for a few special images.
In July 2016 we welcomed our son, Grayson, into the world. I like to say pregnancy was easy, delivery was only 12 hours and not super hard, but recovery was hell. Basically, after Grayson was born, my liver and kidneys shut down. It ended up being a condition related to pregnancy and there’s a 10%-70% chance it would happen again with subsequent pregnancies and it can be fatal even with modern medicine.
Before we were dating, I asked Dusten if he was open to adopting any of our children. He was not only agreeable, but enthusiastic towards it! After the Doctor said we shouldn’t have any more biological children we knew adoption was the way we wanted to add to our family. After many different career paths for Dusten, and some emotional struggles for Recah, our hearts were finally ready to begin the adoption process.
In June of 2019 our initial application was approved – next step – the home study! But before we can complete each step and move on to the next one, we have to pay the associated amount. Adopting an infant within the United States costs about $30,000. There are grants that we can apply for, but we have to be home study approved first – that means we have to raise about $10,000 prior to applying for any funding.
Mahatma Gahndi once said “be the change you wish to see in the world.” While one person may not have the power to change the whole world, we do have the power to change one person’s entire world. We hope that by opening our hearts and lives to adoption, we can make a difference in one life.
Thanks for stopping by! We hope you will stick around and journey with us!
