Steve and I often talk about whether we would adopt again. Our November family has had that same discussion and decided to jump in… While their story has a lot of heartache, their heart for adoption is inspiring!
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Hi, friends! We are Josh, Blakeley and Delaney Drake. We are so glad you’re here!
Josh and I have been together for almost a decade. We will be celebrating our 8th anniversary on the 11th of this month! Yes, that’s right we were got hitched on 11-11-11 when we were only 19 and 21 years old. I made sure that we chose a date that would be hard to forget since we plan to be celebrating at least another 70 years. I can’t believe we’ve been together for so long already! I guess it’s true, time truly flies when you’re having fun.
Soon after we married, we suffered two unexplained, devastating miscarriages. After losing our babies, Blakeley was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and MTHFR. Despite these disheartening diagnoses, we continued desperately praying and trying to conceive for several years. Discouraged after years of trying, we finally saved enough money to begin treatments with a fertility specialist. Multiple types of treatments and medications were all to no avail, leaving us with aching hearts and an empty bank account. We always had discussed adopting, but intended to do so later in life. Our reproductive endocrinologist suggested we take some time off from treatments and decide if we’d like to pursue IVF. For another three years, we waited and prayed and wished. Ultimately, we felt God’s plan for us was adoption. We chose our consultants (who are now a full blown agency) because of their Christian values and the way they love on their expectant mamas. Through their methods, we self-matched and were blessed with our daughter, Delaney, in February 2017. She is the light of our lives.
Since becoming parents, even the little moments are big, special, and magical moments.Our nightly routine of gathering in our dining room, holding hands while we say grace, and discussing our day while we eat dinner has become our most important family tradition. We cannot wait to add another place setting.
In February of this year, Josh and I decided to grow our family through adoption once more. We have signed on with our agency, and we are just waiting to be chosen by an expectant mama! We can’t wait to meet the little one that will complete our family, but we are also ready to start developing a relationship with his/her’s first family.
We have no doubt that Delaney will be a wonderful big sister. When asked if she hopes for a baby brother or a baby sister, she will quickly answer, “baby seestuh AND baby bruddah!” Delaney often practices for her future role as “Big Sis” by fine tuning her diapering skills on her favorite friends, Buzz Lightyear and Sheriff Woody. It’s safe to say that we are all excited to complete our family with a new addition!
Thank you for following along with us and taking the time to read our story. We are so grateful for our “tribe” that has linked arms with us, prayed for us, and supported us through Delaney’s adoption, and now this second adoption journey as well!
Blessings and Love,
The Drakes
I may say this every month…but I always mean it. I love this family. I also love the bows they chose. Check them out! I love the colors…and they I think they’re getting us ready for Christmas!
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