Dear Sons,
I wonder what it will be like when you jump into my arms. I feel my heart swelling with pride when I picture you taking those first steps up to that very big slide. Will you let us help you brush your teeth, cut your food, wash between your toes? Have you ever been tucked into bed or had someone kiss you on the head wishing blessings upon your future? Did you ever know you would have someone who would NEVER give up on you, no matter how tough the tough gets or how rough the rough gets? Have you ever pictured a family there to cheer you on at your first soccer game and a mommy who will be there with the first aid kit when you get your first skinned knee? I wonder when you went to sleep at night, if you knew there was something so much more out there waiting for you. Could you feel us trying to get to you? Did you know we already loved you even though we hadn't met?
Sons, thank you for waiting for us. Thank you for joining our families. Thank you for completing our home. Thank you for the laughs, the tears, the hugs, and the good times to come.
Even though today will mark the first day you are a "Douberly", we truly believe you have always been Douberlys. It just took us a little while to get you home where you belong.
But now that you are almost here, forever is a mere reach away. Your daddy and I will forever be here for you. Your daddy and I will forever love you no matter what happens in your lives.
Our prayer for you is that someday God will bless you with this same happiness that your daddy and I feel when we think of you, play with you, and dream for you.
Thank you so much for allowing us the honor of being your mommy and daddy. We won't let you down. Even when it seems like we are being hard on you, it's only because we love you. If you ever doubt it, talk with your big brothers Joshua and Jacob. They will tell you that sometimes it's tough being "a Douberly", but in the end, it pays off. We are a family. We eat together, read together, play together, cry together, laugh together, and pray together. This is the best gift we could ever give you.
Thank you, God, for entrusting Lamar, Joshua, Jacob and I with these two precious boys. Help them feel the love we already have for them and help them grow in the comfort and strength of your abundant love. Thank you, God, for helping their birth mom make what had to be the most difficult decision of her life. Be with her. Guide her. Shower her with peace. Let her know her boys are happy, safe, and mostly loved. Please reserve a special place in heaven for her. Her decision gave us the most amazing gift of all. More love!
Andrew and Alex, welcome to our family. It is an honor. It is a privilege. It is a gift. We will not take it lightly. We will give you our all.
We love you.
God bless,
Your Mommy
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Wow! Speechless...Absolutely speechless...I couldn't be more proud to be AUNT Teresa. You are a true inspiration and lead by example.
ReplyDeleteCheers! Love, Aunt Teresa
What a beautiful letter! I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my cheeks. Kristina, you are such a beautiful person and will make such a wonderful Mommy to these two precious boys. What lucky little guys they are! Congratulations to you and Lamar and the Hankel and Douberly families! Our hearts are full of joy and happiness for you all! I truly feel blessed to have been able to share in this wonderful story of God's amazing work!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Amy Thomas Paulson & Family
Dear freinds and family,
ReplyDeleteI just was on skype with mom and dad. It is offical!!!!!! They are ours!Mom and Dad are going to pick them up right now!!!!!!Today is Gotcha day! I am bursting in exitment.We are babyproofing our legos right now.Thank you for praying.It came true.
Love
Joshua
Dearest Joshua,
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for the update. We know both you and Jake are going to be GREAT big brothers. This will be the first time Jacob gets to be a BIG brother, he must be SO excited! Keeley and Ally love the prayer bracelets that you guys made, and they have been praying A LOT for all of you! Congratulations on your new little brothers. I know you can't wait to see them. It will be fun to finally see them on SKYPE with your Mommy and Daddy!
We love you!
Ms. Rebecca, Mr. Sam, Keeley, Ally, Ava, & Max
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! What a perfect way to start my morning!!! I had my "fake flame" burning all night long! We are so happy that your family is complete! Now you just need a dog (hee, hee, hee). We love you all! We are so happy this new chapter in your lives is finally here!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of the journey, and thank you so much for letting us be a part of your lives. Congrats again to all! New mommy, daddy, brothers, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
We love you!!!
The Kruegers
Now when you go to restaruants, they will say "Dooberly, party of 6"! Pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteLove ya!
Laura K
awesome! Congratulations seems like such a small word to describe what I want to tell you all right now!!!! But that's all I have right this sec... I love you! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteJL
I am still in tears! I am, as Joshua so nicely put it,"bursting in excitement" !!!
ReplyDeleteYour two older sons held hands going down the driveway and announced to all the parents and children waiting,"It's official. We have two new brothers".They are thrilled that it is GOTCHA DAY! We will celebrate when they come home this afternoon! I think even Jacob will pass on the treats and race down to skype you knowing that they will get to see their new brothers. They understand, that because of the time difference, Andrew and Alex will be sleeping.They are really anxious to see them.
What a day! New bunk beds are due today! Laura Thoroman will help pack up the lladro collection today!What fun! God bless on your trip to accept your new sons. Love, Mom
HOORAY!!! We are so happy to hear the VERY wonderful News. Thanks Joshua for sharing the special announcement of your brothers.
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs to you all,
The Bouve's oxoxox
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Joshua's letter is so precious...thanks so much for sharing your joy and excitement with us. We know it was from your heart. Oh, the good times you will share with your new brothers. Lots of love and warm wishes from Indy to the "Douberly SIX."
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! What a wonderful and joyous blessings!! I have many tears of joy for you!! Thank you so much for sharing this journey with all of us! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMichelle Subbert
CONGRATS!!! We are SO happy and excited for you! Kristina and Lamar, you are an inspiration. Joshua and Jacob, you are both great kids, and will be such awesome, loving brothers (as you already are to each other). Andrew and Alex, you are part of an amazing family - you will be loved to the moon and back, and looking at your great smiles in the pictures, you will be perfect Douberlys! Hope we get the chance to meet you in person some day! Hugs to all!
ReplyDeleteLove,
the Groetsch family
Dear Alex and Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad to have you boys as my cousins. I can't wait to play with you guys and give you all the books that I have found for you. I wish that you guys could be here right now and I could see your real faces. I will keep my bracelett on until you get home to your real family. I love you!
Dear Joshua and Jacob,
Thanks for letting us know about your brothers. I know that it has been hard for you guys to go this long without your parents but I know that you love the fact that you have new brothers. I wish you could be here right now. I love you guys and want you to make sure you take good care of my Nana and Papa. Congratulations!
Love,
Jade Taylor Lewis
PRAISE THE LORD! I just found out at 3pm when Mom emailed me. I wander now why it took her all day to tell me. Oh well, the time thing I imagine. I called my Pastor and told him and another friend from church. When I told her I had two new nephews. She said okay, and then screamed. It took her a minute to comprehend what I said. I can't believe it, I could hardly sit in my chair at work. I told my whole team I have two new nephews! I have been keeping them well informed almost every day. I can't wait to go Christmas shopping for them. God is truly awesome and has blessed you all so much.
ReplyDeleteJoshua and Jacob, take care of your brothers and protect them and keep them safe. Be patient with them and love them as much as you love everyone else you come in contact with.
So many prayers and thoughts and candles. HE IS SO GOOD! I love you Douberly's! Aunt Dee
Hey Kris, I already posted in reply to the GOTCHA DAY message to share our excitement and thankfulness, but I have to interrupt here to say PLEASE SEND ME A BOX OF KLEENEX BEFORE YOU POST ANYTHING LIKE THIS!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero!!!! You make me laugh, cry, think in the now/not worry about tomorrow, want to be the best mom and team I/we can be, and remember it is all about raising Christian soldiers. THANK YOU for sharing so much with us, and I will send you a bill for the KLEENEX...it was the expensive, aloe/moisturizing/better-than-the-usual kind!! Love you, and couldn't be happier right now....or more surrounded by soaked tissues!! Your FIVE (we all know who the first one is!!) boys are so blessed to have you!!!
All my love,
Clara-Leigh
Dearest Kris,Lamar,Joshua & Jacob
ReplyDelete"Cong Xi, Cong Xi" CONGRATULATIONS!! Your journey to bring back your new precious Douberlys is such an inspiration for me!! Our adoption plans had taken a backseat after our several painful failed attempts in treatment while in Japan. But now, I have the courage to take one step further just knowing how much love & happiness we could give someone. Thank you for sharing. Your love are overflowing and your hearts are so filled with kindness, care and compassion. Love is great. GOD IS GREAT!! HE has sent you 2 beautiful boys to complete the Douberly Family portrait. Congrats again and have a safe journey home. GOD BLESS!! Peace Be With You!!
Love & hugs,
Helen