Free Falling

Elijah Charles

I have never experience free-fall from an airplane.  But, I imagine that the past week has been a bit like a free-fall must be.

1)  Denial

              Free-Fall:  I can't believe that I just jumped off that plane!  This can't be happening...

              Adoption:  I can't believe that a mom just chose us!  This can't be happening...

2)  Adrenaline Rush

               Free-Fall:  Oh, Crap!  I am falling from the sky...at a really fast pace.  This is so cool!

              Adoption:  Oh, Crap!  We just gave our heart away to a 5 1/2 lb little bundle of joy in the NICU.  We are signing paperwork to make him our own.  This is so cool!

3)  Peacefulness & Acceptance

              Free-Fall:  Check out the view!  It is so beautiful to be here...

              Adoption:  Check out this view...we are a family of 7.  It is so beautiful to be here...

4)  Panic

              Free-Fall:  I have had training for this.  What if my parachute doesn't work?  Where is the manual for this thing?

              Adoption:  I have had training for this.  (You don't have 4 kids without them training you a bit!)  What if I don't remember how to do this?  Where is the manual for this thing?

5)  Dread

              Free-Fall:  I don't want this feeling to end.  This has been the coolest thing!  What happens next?

             Adoption:  I don't want this feeling to end.  This has been the coolest thing...and, now, we have to return home, tomorrow.  What happens next?

6)  Success!

              Free-Fall:  My feet are on the ground!  I survived!  Now, how many days until I can arrange to do this again...

              Adoption:  Our feet are on the ground.  And, we will survive.  Now, how many days until we can come back and bring him home with us...

Stepping Out in Faith

I have started this blog entry almost 10 times...and used the delete key repeatedly.  It seems that words fail to capture this past week, and even more inadequate to describe the past 24 hours.  So, please forgive me, but I am going to give a cliff-notes version...with the promise that after some sleep, more can and will come.


This is Elijah Charles Roesler.  He was born on October 9th in St. Petersburg, Florida to a courageous teen mother who saught to gift him a forever family with a mom, dad and lots of siblings.

Last Friday afternoon, she chose our family to be his forever family.

Monday, Brian and I began the emotional roller coaster ride of preparing for a plane trip on Thursday night, financial preparations, and (of course) childcare for our other beautiful 4 children. 

Thursday, my dad came into town and Brian and I flew out...not fully understanding the emotional impact of this journey.  We were still trying to be practical and prepare ourselves for the weekend ahead. 

After arriving in Florida at 1:30am, we slept quickly and headed to the adoption offices.  By 11:45am, we were holding this beautiful, tiny body in our arms.  Our hearts ripped wide open and we knew this baby was ours...the emotional pull to be with him was as strong as it has been with each of our other four children.  I can't explain it.  Elijah Charles is Roesler child #5.

We returned to the adoption office and filled out paperwork.  The experience was surreal.  We were priveledged to meet Elijah birth mother and birth grandmother for a late lunch.  Again, words failed me to adequately thank this young woman for her gift of life in Elijah and to our family.

Then, it was back to the hospital to just hold and be present with Elijah.  It is clear to us that God has cleared the path to make this miracle a reality for us.  The journey is still a long one ahead since Elijah was born with gastrointenisis (I doubt this is spelled correctly - but it is when a baby is born with intestines outside of the body).  Surgery has returned their intestines to their internal location.  But, the healing process for his little body is a slow and steady one.  We have heard that he will need to be here for at least another 3 weeks.

Meanwhile, Elijah has started feeding from a bottle, today.  He is alert and has a very big voice for his small body.  Which means, he will fit right in with the Roeslers!

Tomorrow, we will sit and hold our newest son. 
Friends & Family, we are proud to introduce the 7th Roesler, Elijah Charles.