Atkinson Family Addition

A missed call and text. A tearful, laughter-filled, sweaty plane ride. An anxious trek across the city. A hospital room with an exhausted, yet adrenaline-filled mama, eager to share the story of your arrival with us. And then, you. A tiny, squishy baby, placed in my arms.  A little bottle to give you your first feeding. A pounding heart filled with awe. I can still smell the smells and hear the sounds.  The tiny cry.  The full head of dark hair. The long, wrinkly fingers. The teeny, squishy toes. My girl, I could never forget. Sarah Karnas Photography 365 days of never forgetting your sweet details. Your tiny cry has turned into a strong, determined voice. Your teeny fingers and toes have grown to carry you to explore all the world around you. And that full head of dark hair has grown into gorgeous curls, spiraling down.  365 days of loving you harder than I ever knew possible.  362 days of being your mama. For 72 ho

Tonight, after a bottle, our Etta girl snuggled up for some playful smooches and chats. We smiled and giggled at each other while the tears rolled down my cheeks. One year ago, Travis and I were sitting in this very same spot. But instead of a baby in our arms, we had an adoption binder with notes and handouts, a notebook filled with jotted details of things we didn’t want to forget, and a laptop open to some of the forums I had been following. We were preparing for “the call” with an expectant mama that had chosen us. Photo by Sarah Karnas Photography This year, we remember her. We remember how awkward we all started out in our conversation; how easily she got us to laugh; how comfortable we were with her from that very first call. We remember her excitement and pride in sharing the ultrasound pictures and updates with us; the weekend we visited and got to meet each other and grow our relationship. We remember the 4am phone call with anxious urgency; how she continued to ca

During this season of Lenten reflection, our congregation is taking time to hear from one another. Each Wednesday evening, we read a different creed, discuss what resonates or challenges us, and hear from a different member their reflection. This past week, Travis and I shared a brief reflection of adoption and our faith. We began with the I Believe creed written by  Bruce Prewer, Minister of the Uniting Church in Australia: In spite of many unanswered questions, I believe. I believe in the living God, the joy of the universe,  who is the pulse and purpose of all things seen and unseen,  who from the dust of earth calls up living beings to be children of eternity,  who through countless ages has provided for us many liberators  and tirelessly seeks to bring victory out of defeat and life out of decay. I believe in Jesus the Christ, God’s true Son,  who is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh,  who took upon himself the healing of the human race,  who b