Our Story

A few years into our marriage, we were broadsided with infertility. It didn't align with the plans we thought God had for us and, certainly, contradicted what we deemed good living. We prayed and screamed and begged God to do what my body seemed so resistant to do.

When medical intervention didn't work, Ben and I closed the door to treatments and fell into a valley darker than I could ever describe. For months we cried and questioned and watched everyone around us have babies. Barrenness is a monster. It's unpredictable and menacing and grips your heart so tight it nearly takes your breath.

As it turns out, I was not born to have babies...but I was born to be a mother.

Fast forward ten years and my heart is as big as the bus I drive. God could have healed my body to produce life...but, I understand why he didn't. He needs us. God needs families to say, "yes" when others can't...or won't.

In 2009, we adopted our sweet Tyrus through domestic adoption and have a wide-open relationship with his mom (also named Rebekah). We were only a few months into parenting, when God started stirring our hearts toward foster care adoption. In 2012, we brought a near-twin brother home for Ty and declared LJ the newest member of our family after finding him on Michigan's website for waiting children. His eyes were sad and cries haunting. He didn't smile or laugh or give in to tickles. Due to no fault of his own, this little boy had been robbed of the past that every child deserves. We knew we had to do more.

In 2014, we brought home a sibling set of two. Cisco was two months younger than LJ, giving us three boys the same age; his baby sister, Edie was only a few months old. There were stretches of days in that two year period, before their adoptions, that God carried us from moment to moment. We were barely surviving when the agency called and told us about Hunter, Cisco and Edie's baby brother. 

If you read through my years of posting, you'll find that our walk has not been easy, nor our hearts always faithful. We are real people, facing real challenges, trying to trust God as we go. Raising kids is hard. Raising five close in age seems impossible, but there is fullness in the chaos and peace surrounding our packed table.

When I look back and see all that has been in our life up to now, it's a little hard to believe.

Thank you for reading and walking this road with us.

There are still so many children waiting for rescue...