On June 15, 2009, Kelly and I adopted Micah Marie and Israel Ann. What a blessing for our lives! It’s crazy now to even try and remember what our lives were like before then. Parenthood has already been so fulfilling, so rewarding, and so frustrating. The world’s best kisses and giggles are totally worth those long nights trying to get the little boogers to go to sleep. Every day is still a wonderful adventure, and Kelly and I never know what they’re going to discover and learn even the next day. They talk about all kinds of stuff.
Right now they’re all about Aunt Martha’s babies, Jonah (thanks, Curtis!), catching lightning bugs, getting married (not on my life), playing in the water, and watching ‘Bama in the world cup (please don’t tell ‘em). Who knows what they’ll be into tomorrow. I do know that Kelly and I will be all into them.
Adoption can be a tough thing. All kinds of crazy things happen, and it’s no wonder that the process is terrifying to a lot of people.
Still, I don’t want to let today pass without giving my testimony that for Kelly and I, the process has absolutely been worthwhile. It might not be for everybody, and some people are better equipped to serve kids in other ways. But I also know there are a lot of kids out there that just need somebody who’s committed to loving them deeply. You can make a tremendous difference in a life, and it might just be yours.
It’s worth thinking about. Happy Adoption Day, babies. 
Happy Adoption Day sweet girls Micah and Izzy. Congrats on your precious children Steven and Kelly…we are so happy God has brought our paths together.
Happy Adoption Day girls! Izzy and Micah are awesome and wildly energetic. I can’t wait to witness and take part in their growing up at Cedar Lane.
‘Bama in the World Cup? Hmm… I still don’t think I could route for them.
To clarify, that World Cup business comes because I always teach them to say “Go Bama! Roll Tide!” when they see sports on TV, no matter what sport or which teams are playing.
Thanks for the comments, guys! We’re glad that both of you can be a part of their (our) lives!
Marriage made Angi and me a couple. Adoption made Angi and Matt and Laura and me a family. It was God’s way of setting the lonely in families for us, and it’s the way He draws us into His family, too. (Romans 8:23)
Happy Adoption Day!
You know, we at the Hazelwood house, know all about Happy Day! (what we call it…) It’s good stuff. Micah and Izzy have and will bless your lives more than you will ever imagine. That why it’s so wonderful to be a part of a “forever family.” God is good!
Now you can start to appreciate What a marvel you, Michael
& Jeremi still are for mom & I. I still love watching all of you as you discover for yourselves all of those life things, like parenthood! what a joy you are — love you.