The Pumpkin Patch - A Milestone

In going through the journey of infertility and then the adoption process, I came to realize how much of the waiting time was measured in milestones. There are always holidays like Mother's Day, Easter, and Christmas. In these times you find yourself wondering if you will be pregnant, matched with a birth mom, or even have a child to share these holidays with. However, there are other things besides major holidays in which you find yourself asking "I wonder when I will have a child to share ______ with." In my case the pumpkin patch was one of these milestones. I never went to pumpkin patches growing up so there was not a sentimental value attached to it other than it seemed like the "thing to do" when you have kids these days. As I watched so many friends around me take their kids, I started to long for the day when I would have the opportunity to take my kids to the pumpkin patch. We got matched with Parker's birth mom in early October. One of the things I remember thinking as we waited for him to be born was that I would not have to experience another fall season without a child to take to the pumpkin patch- something that may sound trivial but when you are in the waiting process these milestones become a big deal. Of course little did I know at the time I would be taking two babies for our first trip to the pumpkin patch but that is another story for another day!

My dear friend Arlene met up with me one afternoon to take some pics of the boys. She already had had a long week but was still willing to chase my boys (they are quite busy these days) around to get some pics for me. She has taken lots of pictures for me over the last couple of years as I have experienced these milestones in our family. I have come to realize how much more I treasure these pictures because they are a reminder of God's faithfulness in my desire to have a family. I didn't always understand the process and timing but I am so grateful for the journey He took me through.

Side note- ironically there are not many pics of pumpkins because they were in the bright sun. This worked out for the best because Parker and Jonathan are much more interested in trucks and tractors these days!

And here is a flashback to last year just for fun. They have changed so much in a year's time!