A House Full of Windows

This is Kyler's Nana. This picture can't even put into words how much our son means to her. You see, Kyler is her first grandchild, and his birth was a bittersweet event for her. Let me take you back a few years and try to paint a clear picture...

Brad and I had been in the adoption process for a little over a year when we matched up with Kyler's mom when she was 4.5 months pregnant. It was actually late into her pregnancy when we confirmed the sex of her baby, and we were so excited to share our news with everyone in a creative way that we were having a boy. FINALLY! When we told Brad's mom and dad, I remember his dad saying, "I'm getting me a fishin' buddy now!" Brad's parents were very excited to say the least. That excitement quickly turned into tragedy as Brad's dad [Almon] was soon admitted to the hospital a few days later with complications from his previously inserted pacemaker.

Fast forward a few weeks and Almon was in ICU (intensive care unit) fighting for his life against an infection from the pacemaker that had spread to his blood. At this time, we were both in Albuquerque, New Mexico waiting for Kyler to be born. Kyler was born on Oct 2 to the delight of us all, and Almon was also showing some signs of recovery. Things were looking up. Then Almon took a turn for the worse and Brad's dad died a mere ten days after Kyler was born. Brad's mother, Debra, had experienced both one of the greatest experiences of her life andone of the worst....gaining a grandson but losing a husband.

Brad had flown to be by his dad's bedside a few days earlier...I stayed in New Mexico waiting for our paperwork to clear so we could leave the state with our son. It was hard times. Brad was torn up being away from his newborn son and also losing his father, and I was a new parent with a 10 day-old infant feeling elated but tired and helpless. To our relief, our adoption clearance came the day before the funeral, so I hopped on a the next plane out with my 2 week old son in tow...determine to be together as a family for the funeral of Kyler's Paw-Paw. We landed safely in the airport that night and made our way to the family's house at almost midnight. We walked in the door and Nana was waiting in the living room to meet her grandson. It was a moment I don't think any of us will ever forget. There was total elation slamming head-on into utter sadness at the same time. There was nothing but tears a'flowing as Nana cradled Kyler in her arms and rocked back and forth with him on her knees....both praising God for blessing her with this child and wishing to the stars that her Almon could be there to share this moment together. A special bond was created in that moment. A bond between that small child and this weeping woman. Her broken heart unfolded and, consumed with unconditional love, dedicated its existence to the happiness of her grandson.

A few months ago, Brad and Kyler went to visit Nana for a few days. During that time, Kyler went with her to Uncle Bob's house where he was able to go fishin' in the small pond behind his house. I think Kyler thought catching a fish was one of the grossest but coolest thing ever. He shrilled with delight and can't wait to go back fishin' again. I think Paw-Paw [Almon] was right there in the moment standing by Nana's side....watching their grandson fish for the very first time. Paw-Paw handed the reigns over to Nana to have Kyler be her little fishin' buddy and she had succeeded.

Nana has always said that Kyler was the very one thing that saved her through the events surrounding her husband's death.She has always heard that when "God closes a door, he always opens a window." Well, Nana has stated, "He opened up a house full of windows for me." She has treasured this boy from the very first second, and her words and actions live and breathe it every moment. This woman is strong. This woman is endearing. This woman is loving. This woman is Nana...Kyler's Nana,

I look at this picture above and it just swells my heart with such swirling emotion....joy and sadness. We love you so much Nana, and we all miss you to the moon and back Paw-Paw.

-M2B

BBC Moment for My 2 Brads - Video Interview

My 2 Brads on BBC

We've Got the Media Buzzing @ My2Brads

Washington Post article June 16, 2013

We've been very fortunate how media has worked in our favor. After connecting with Kyler's mother via Facebook and then getting interviewed by Laura Evans and FOX 5 News during the holidays, The Brads have the media buzzing again.

Today, Father's Day 2013, the Washington Post ran an article on our family about how social media (specifically Facebook) played an amazing role in our adoption. Not only were we interviewed, but so was Kyler's mother.

Fast forward a few hours and we received a call from FOX 5 News to see if they could interview us at noon to be featured tonight at on the 6pm and 10pm segments. Uh, "hec yah!"   We hope to post that recorded segment on here somehow following the newscast. (see below)

What's next for the Brad's?  Well, we'd love to go even bigger and share our story across this nation. We'd love to be on Ellen or the Today Show to showcase the realities of the adoption process, how social media can play a role and, most importantly, how open adoption can be an amazing and healthy experience. After that, who knows what could be next ... maybe our own reality show - "My 2 Brads"   Whaddaya think?

Home video of the interview via my iPhone

The actual FOX page online that has the better quality video

Our Journey. Moving Forward.

It's been a while since we've provided an update on our adoption journey to build our family, so here's just a quick post to let you know how and what we are doing.

First, we can't being without again thanking you all for you love and support. Many people have asked us why we are so public with our adoption journey before we finally "secure" the child. We have both thought about it and have decided we wouldn't want it any other way. We truly feel we couldn't have faced this second failed adoption without the support we have been given via calls, emails, FB posts, etc. It really did help to heal the pain and bring our focus knowing we had so many people concerned about us and offering up their love and support.

When you take a step back and look at our situation, it's hard to imagine that we had two failed adoptions within the span of six months.  That just doesn't typically happen. With this last adoption opportunity, everything just felt so right...just as it did with Kyler. We loved the couple we were working with and we were just stunned when we received "the call" from the them just a mere six hours after leaving the hospital with them. We just take solace in the fact that this couple was extremely loving and sweet, and both of them had families that were involved and supportive in their lives. Knowing "Kellan" was with good people did help with the healing process.

Even so.... we still had a lot we needed to process and think about when we returned home. We have both looked at each other and said "we can't go through this again," meaning.....a failed adoption. So it's been a little hard to try and make our mark to move forward but still have this sense of caution about protecting our hearts. Two truths that we feel strongly about have helped us stay the course, 1) God will not give us anything He feels we cannot handle, and 2) everything thing happens for a reason... even if we don't quite know what it is at the time.

Brad and I are determined to build our family again. We just know Kyler is destined to be a big brother and we are meant to at least be a family of four. We have entered the adoption waiting pool again and are now just playing the waiting game again, just as before. The call may come tomorrow....the call may come three years from now - we just know that the call will come.

We are happy. We are healthy. We have a home full of love....and a child who melts our hearts with each smile. This is all wrapped by the circle of arms from our friends and family who support us every step along the way. No regrets and no looking back. Like the President, our current mantra is FORWARD. Forward to the promise of a new day (hat tip to Paula Abdul).

The Brads & Kyler

Ready. Set. Wait. Our Adoption

This is just an update for everyone on our adoption journey. We are still in a waiting pattern at this point. Momma’s due date was this past Saturday….she has since had a doctor appointment on Thursday and everything still looks good. She’s only dilated at about 1.5cm and no other real signs that the baby is ready to appear. BUT the most important thing is that he appears to be very healthy and about 6.5lbs at this point.

We are still in Maryland and will not head to New Mexico until she goes into labor or is scheduled to be induced. So…..now you know about as much as we do. Our next son has all the control in this matter, and we think he still wants some time to continue baking. We’ll take this weekend to continue in some preparations for our departure.

Again, as soon as we have heard any other news that we can share we will post something for you all to know. Until then….we appreciate your prayers and support.

The Brads & Kyler

What's My Name?

With our recent announcement that we will soon be adopting our second son, we are once again faced with the enormous task of picking a name. We've done this twice before, so we should be pros at it by now, right? However, it hasn't made it any easier. It's a HUGE amount of pressure to know you will be naming another human being that they will more than likely keep for the rest of their life. Good grief, what if they hate it?

We've quickly had about 3-4 names that have risen to the top that we have been playing around with. Brad has a tendency to try and use the name as if the baby were already here to get used to saying it...and see how it feels. I just tend to think and ponder about it.  Then we usually find pockets of time that we discuss new options and then usually find our way back to the final candidates on the list.

As you know, we don't make the announcement of the name we have have chosen until the baby is born .... but we are very excited to tell you that we have finalized what our son's name will be .... and are so eager to share it!...but you'll have to wait until the big day.

Any guesses what the final name will be?

B-I-G NEWS!

WE BELIEVE!!!!!!  We are over the moon to share the BIG news that we will soon be a family of FOUR. Yes, we are blessed to become daddies again and Kyler will finally be a big brother. We are excited to say we will be adopting our newborn son who will be born around July 7th(YES IN 5 DAYS) in Los Alamos, NM. We are fortunate to be working with the same adoption agency again, so all is going smoothly. As you can imagine, we are thrilled and will be leaving whenever "mama" goes into labor... could be and day now. No name picked out as of yet, but we will be sure to have it ready and introduce you when he is born. We are beyond blessed and feel so fortunate to be sharing this news with you all. Your continued thoughts and prayers for the health of the baby and a safe delivery are much appreciated. We will keep you posted, as usual, and thank you for the support.... HERE WE GO AGAIN! -The Brads & Kyler