Our Adoption Journey!

McKay

YES!!!
We are finally proud parents of a beautiful little boy!
This came as the biggest shock to us!
His name is McKay Samuel Mecham
he was 7 lbs 1 oz. when he was born and has continued to grow healthy and strong.

As many of you know we've been trying to have children for a long time now. For five long years we've been desperately hoping and waiting. A year and a half ago we decided to adopt. We felt very strongly that this was the right direction for us to go and so we went forward with all the energy we could put towards this.

In June of last year we came across an adoption agency in Utah that we felt very strongly about and very sure we needed to go through this agency. The reality of how much money we would need hit us and we felt sure we wouldn't be able to. We continued to feel good about this place and so we decided to go forward anyways. Throughout this past year and a half when we have felt inspired to do something we have stopped at nothing to do it. This was a similar case. We felt inspired to go through them so we did it even though we knew it was out of our means financially.

McKay looking at the sky

We met with them and continued to feel good. We began their paperwork and knew it was the right direction. We even got approved through them in October but had to be put on hold because we didn't have the needed finances.

We both started doing anything and everything to earn money. Again, whatever we thought of, we tried. Our Christmas season was so busy because of all the things we were making and selling. By February we were finally able to become active with this agency! Our tax return finishing what we needed to at least be active. It still wasn't quite enough though for what we needed.

My mom called one day with two fund raising ideas - loose change March and a yard sale in June. For March our family members saved all their loose change for us and at the end of the month it was collected to be put into our fund raiser. It was over $300.00! it was amazing to us!

The next fund raiser was the yard sale in June.
So many people donated items for us to sale it was unbelievable for all the help.
The yard sale was amazing and we sold so much stuff! We made $1,400.00 and at the time we didn't know that this was exactly what we needed left for McKay.
It is such a humbling experience to have to lean on so many people. We have learned so much from all of this.

Exactly one month from our yard sale we got a phone call. Now I don't answer the phone if I don't recognize the phone number [sorry if I don't answer when you call :) leave a message!] This particular time I just answered it. It was our agency in Utah. They began telling me of this situation and I just started writing everything down.

The Agency thought we didn't have enough money set aside for this situation but they called us anyways - we actually did have the finances but hadn't updated the agency for awhile.
After filling me in on the situation she told me that this was an agency pick [meaning the agency chose us to be the parents] and if we said yes then He was our baby. He is half African American and half Caucasian [which I absolutely love!]
He was already one day old at the time they called us. The caseworker also asked me if we could fly to Virginia and be there the next day by 10:00! She then asked if I could get a hold of Matt and decide what our answer would be.

I was in such shock and didn't know what to think at all! I went to Matt's work and picked him up and we went home. Within 15 minutes we decided that this was right and that this was our little boy - of course not without some intense praying first! Then we called the agency back to say yes!!!

We had wanted to tell our parents in some creative way but for how quick and fast this was we simply called them and told them they were grandparents! We went crazy at that time getting everything signed, money wired, packing and driving. Matt's mom got us flights out of Salt Lake City that night at 11:30. It was amazing.

We flew all night and I still can't even comprehend how I made it through that night. So many thoughts and feelings all at once. Neither one of us slept that whole flight. We finally made it to Richmond and then had a 2 1\2 hour drive to the town where he was born. We made it to the hospital around 2:30 and waited. The Attorney came in around 3:00 and we started on paperwork. We didn't get to see him until after all the paperwork was done. After that we finally got to see our little boy for the first time!

Our first day with McKay he was two days old at this time

I can't describe what it was to hold him for that first time. I think I was still in shock that this had all happened. It was such an amazing miracle.
We love this little boy so much and know that he was meant for us. We're so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that had this great plan for us.

After 10 days waiting for paperwork to get approved we finally got to fly home!
The last eight weeks have been the happiest time ever. We cherish this whole experience so so much and also our selfless birth mother who was willing to place her son with us. We love her SO MUCH!!! Thanks to all of you for supporting us and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!

Matthew, Jennifer and McKay