Meet the Family

Well, it’s been 10 days since the house went on the market. We’ve had several more showings and some positive feedback, but still no offers. Since there’s no real news to report I figured I’d introduce the rest of my family. They have each come up with their own nicknames and written a short introduction all by themselves! (Except for the youngest, of course. He spoke, I wrote.)



Offspring #1 (Rory, age 16):

“I would describe myself as an introverted book nerd. The most important thing to me is my family and friends. I’m going to (hopefully) be a midwife when I’m older. For now, I’m a babysitter. I really enjoy watching YouTube videos, reading, baking, and doing any kind of craft project. I also LOVE snakes and spiders. (Strange, I know.) When we move I’m going to get my own pet corn snake! I really can’t wait.”

 



Offspring #2 (Sparrow, age 11):

“I am an artist and an animal lover. I enjoy exploring the outdoors and experiencing the wildlife. I really like to play sports and learn new things. I love hanging out with my friends, but I am equally happy sitting in a quiet corner drawing. Whenever I get older, I either want to be a drummer or a digital artist. Or both! I am inspired by music and anything that has to do with space.”

 



Offspring #3 (Space Baby, age 8):

“I am always full of energy and very happy! I like to smile every day. My favorite thing to do is GIVE HUGS! I love playing games with people, especially on the Xbox. My favorite game is Minecraft. One day I want to have a big pond with lots and lots of fish. My dream is to be a famous YouTuber.”


 

Offspring #4 (Yoshi, age 5):

“Hi! I’m Yoshi. I am happy. (Mommy, I’m gonna make a smiley face. I know how to make a smiley face.) 😀 I like to play Plants vs. Zombies Number 1 with Space Baby. My favorite thing to do is play Geometry Dash. When I grow up, I want to be 14 and play Geometry Dash a lot.”

 

 

Besides some issues with Yoshi’s allergies (and my hubby’s stubbornness), we’re all adjusting to the move quite nicely. I have to give credit to my in-laws for making this such a smooth transition. It’s definitely a huge change – moving to a place with less than half the square footage we’re used to (and two extra people), the kids having to share rooms, and all of us sharing one bathroom (although this has not been as scary as I originally thought it would be). In my next post, I’ll share pics & tips for how we’re making it work.

Just Listed!

The “Big House” went up on the market a few days ago. We’ve only had one showing so far, but we’re trying to be optimistic. We priced it a little below market value, so we were expecting more traffic. But I keep telling myself it hasn’t even been a week yet… It’s only been 4 days! Maybe this whole adventure will finally be the thing to teach me some patience. The right buyer will come along eventually.

I don’t have very many pictures of the house, since we were only there a little over four years. So I’m posting the ones from our listing here, for memories. They’re much prettier than any pictures I could have taken anyway.

Front of the house
Dining room
Office
Living room
Kitchen
View from the kitchen looking into the living room
Laundry closet
Shared bedroom of Offspring #3 & 4
Hall bathroom (and shared bathroom of Offspring #3 & 4)

And now we make our way upstairs…

Game room
Media room (And the only room of the house that got painted!)
Offspring #1 bedroom
Offspring #1 bathroom
Offspring #2 bedroom
Offspring #2 bathroom
Playroom (5th bedroom that never got used)
Back patio
Backyard


It’s funny… My biggest worry was that we would miss the Big House and all its space, but we’ve been back several times now and it just feels empty and cold. Already it doesn’t feel like our home. I really hope we are able to sell so we can move on to SMALLER and better things. Bigger may be better for some families, but downsizing is definitely the right move for us.

Our Newest Adventure

Hello again, lovely readers!

Most of you know that I began this blog when I was searching for my biological parents. It was a great way to get my information out there and update those who were interested in my journey. Now my search has hit a big road block, but don’t worry – I still haven’t given up hope. I just no longer have updates for you. At least, not yet.

So what is there to write about? Well, fortunately, my family and I are about to start a whole new adventure – MOVING. Sound boring? Just wait… Our current plans are to:

  1. Sell the house we live in now. (Projected deadline: 3/10/2107)
  2. Move in with my in-laws (I think we can all agree this is the scariest part. We all love each other, but we’re also stubborn and cranky, so who knows what’s going to happen).
  3. Buy several acres of land. Our goal is at least 4 acres, but the more the better!
  4. Build a brand new house together (and shove my in-laws into a tiny guest house, haha… just kidding… sort of…), and last, but not least…
  5. Fill our property with as many animals as possible! My husband would like to pretend like this isn’t happening, but it is. For as long as I can remember, it’s been my dream to have my own personal petting zoo. So yeah, it’s happening.

This blog will become our scrapbook of sorts – full of personal stories, a place where we can look back on this journey and (hopefully fondly) remember all we’ve been through.

So stay tuned for all the chaos!

The Reunion

April 19, 2014 – The day before Easter

I got up early that day. I barely slept at all the night before. I went to my mom’s house early to pick up some pictures for a scrapbook I was preparing for my birth mother. I didn’t get to talk to her much. My voice was gone by that point. As I was leaving, she gave me a hug and a message to pass along to my birth mother.

As soon as I got back home, I finished the scrapbook, got it wrapped, and got everyone ready and out the door by noon.

On our way there, I was constantly texting back and forth with my big sister, Lori. The closer we got, the more anxious I became. By the time we got to Canton (about 30 minutes away) my stomach was in knots. I was bent over the dashboard with my face in front of the air vent chanting, “Don’t puke. Don’t puke. Don’t puke.”

Even in the best circumstances, reunions don’t always go well. According to one study, about 80% of adoptees do not feel a connection with their birth family, even after reunion. And most do not continue a relationship after the initial meeting. That’s not at all what I wanted.

Of course, in my head, I was expecting the worst. I mean, we had chatted on Facebook, but that’s not the same as meeting someone in person. What if we didn’t bond right away? What if I didn’t feel a connection? I couldn’t even TALK! What if we just sat there staring at each other? We were all strangers, after all. I shared my fears with my husband, and he assured me everything would be ok. “Just breathe,” he said. I tried.

We turned onto their street and slowed down. As soon as we got to the driveway, I saw my sister-in-law, my littlest nephews, and my niece. I recognized them instantly from Facebook. Plus, they were holding a sign that said “Welcome Jessica!” It was hard to miss.

We pulled into the long driveway and stopped about halfway. I got out of the car and hugged the welcoming committee. Already, I was full of emotion. My sister-in-law Jamie told me the rest of the family was waiting for me at the house at the top of the driveway. I hopped back into the car and we continued driving.

Lori was the first one I saw. All those fears I had melted away in an instant.

Before my husband could even stop the car, I opened the door and jumped out. I grabbed my sister and held her tight. I cannot describe what I felt. There was definitely a connection, like I had known her my whole life. I didn’t want to let her go. I don’t even remember if I said anything to her. All I remember is that feeling – I found a piece of my heart.

Next I got to hug my brothers. I remember hugging my big brother and crying, “I always wanted a brother!” I don’t remember much else about that meeting. I was in a daze, shaking like crazy. I just had to sit down.

Lori explained that mom was waiting at her house. She wanted me to meet everyone else first and then have me all to herself for a while.

So we went inside Lori’s house and I showed everyone the scrapbook. The first page featured some baby pictures – one when my parents brought me home, and one from my first day at church – and my name, Jessica Ann. As soon as Lori saw my name, she started crying. I asked what was wrong and Jamie said, “Ann is Mom and Lori’s middle name, too.” And then more tears came. My parents named me after my grandmother, whose middle name is also Ann. I was so proud to have that connection with both my adoptive and birth family.

As I was crying, my sweet five year old touched my shoulder and said, “Mommy, are you ok?” I told her my tears were happy tears. “Mommy has so much happiness inside her, it’s spilling out!”

After a little while, I told Lori I was ready to meet mom. I was still shaking, still in a daze, but I just couldn’t wait any longer.

Matthew, my little brother (I still can’t get over it – I have TWO brothers!!) and Lori walked with me to our mom’s house. Matthew was ahead of us, and Lori was walking with me, holding my hand the whole way.

We came up to the house and went around the side to the garage. Once we got inside the garage, Matthew turned and smiled at me. My first thought was “Why aren’t we going inside?” And then I realized she was there. In the garage. I turned and saw her sitting in a chair. My heart leapt.

My mom.

First Hug

We grabbed each other and hugged and sobbed. I couldn’t believe it. I was holding her in my arms, and I still couldn’t believe it. I said “I have to look at you.” And she said, “Me too.” I stood there and looked at her face… and saw MY face. My heart was whole.

I’m going to try to describe what I felt because I want all of you to experience it with me, even just a little. Those of you who are parents, you know that feeling when you first see your child’s face? Well, this was like that, only 100 times better.

It was literally the best moment of my life.

We eventually sat down and I showed her my scrapbook. She was thrilled to have it. Later we went inside and talked. That conversation I will always hold dear to my heart, and most of it will remain between the two of us. However, I will say that she answered ALL of my questions, and I have no more doubts. I know that she was meant to be my birth mother. I know that my parents were meant to be the ones to raise me. I know that both my birth parents made the right decision. And I love them all more now than I ever have before.

After about an hour or so (it seemed like only a few minutes), we joined the rest of the family at the pond. It’s funny now, thinking back, how scared I was. We all had a blast together. Even the cousins bonded instantly. We didn’t want to leave. In fact, we stayed for dinner and late into the night. When we finally did leave, as we were driving away, it felt like I was leaving a part of my heart behind. But I know I will be back. As often as possible.

Cousins

 

The Search, Part 2 (2014)

pr 11, 2014

After my long break, I have finally decided to start searching again. Last month, I received a call from the county that my adoption records have FINALLY been found!!! I’m ready for some answers! This coming Monday is the Big Day! As you can imagine, I am incredibly nervous. I have no idea how much and what kind of information I will be given.

 

Apr 14, 2014

This morning, my sister-in-law and sweet niece came over to play with the kiddos while I was gone. And a dear friend came by to drive me to the juvenile justice center, where the adoption records are kept. After a few more questions and LOTS of digging, the clerk finally found my file. It was much smaller than I expected, and it didn’t have a lot of new information. However, it did have something I’ve been wanting my whole life – my first parents’ names. Some of the information doesn’t look accurate, especially the birthdates. The date listed for my mother does not match the one on the hospital records, and the birth year listed for my father is definitely wrong. (Unless he really was born the same year I was. That certainly would be newsworthy.) It makes me wonder about the accuracy of the rest of the information.

Right before I left, the clerk asked me if I received my original birth certificate yet. I have requested it twice already. The first time, I got a big fat NO. The second time was in October 2013, and I still have not heard anything back. When I told her this, she just gave me a knowing smile, nodded her head, and said she wasn’t surprised. I guess I might have to give up on that one.

I made up a new Facebook poster with the updated information. Hopefully I hear something soon.

 

Apr 17, 2014

I found my biological father! Well, I found the man who signed away his parental rights so I could be adopted. I can’t be 100% sure he’s my biological father until we get the DNA test results back. I’m really hoping he is though. It would be a dream come true for me.

 

Apr 22, 2014

As I was just about to lay down for a nap, my phone rang.

It was one of the volunteers who had been helping me with my search. I could hear the excitement in her voice as she practically shouted at me, “Jess, I’ve been talking to your sister, Lori! She wants to meet you! We found them! We found your birth family!”

I can’t remember the rest of the conversation. I’m pretty sure I made her repeat herself several times, and I might have mumbled a few non-words. Eventually, it sunk in. We found my birth mother. And all my siblings! Unfortunately, I had laryngitis, so I couldn’t talk long. After I hung up, I immediately got on Facebook. My sister had already sent me a message.

As soon as I saw her picture, I knew she had to be my sister. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know what to say. Honestly, I just wanted to reach through the iPad and hug her. I asked her about our family, and we started chatting. I also got to talk with my sister-in-law Jamie. I found out I have a big sister, big brother, sister-in-law, little brother, five nephews, and a niece! So incredible. I couldn’t stop looking at pictures, reading comments, messages, and posts. So many new family members!

I can’t believe how lucky I was all over again – I found out my birth mother has always loved me & thought about me, that my siblings are all together, they all knew about me, they all care about me & want to meet me, and all live relatively close to me… It’s more than I ever dared hope for. It feels like a dream!

I was so excited to meet them all, I couldn’t wait. Eventually we decided Saturday, April 19 would be the day. It couldn’t come soon enough.

 

UPDATE: May 2014

After finding out the man named on my birth certificate is, in fact, NOT my biological father, it seems my search has his a road block. My mother has no further information to give me. I am not ready to give up my search, but I have no idea how to continue. The journey isn’t over, but for now it seems it’s on hold.