Dear Friends and Family, We have dreamed for many years of starting a family. Due to unexplained infertility, we tried fertility treatments for several years before learning that our best option for becoming parents is adoption. We embraced this new direction in our lives, as we had always talked of growing our family by adopting. The consultants at A Step Ahead Adoption were recommended to us by a family friend, and we were matched with a birth mother within months of signing on. She was early in her pregnancy, so we waited 6 long months to meet our child, only to have the birth mother change her mind shortly before she was due. We were heartbroken but determined, and we thought it was fate when the lawyers that worked on this birth mother&'s case matched us with another birth mother just two weeks later. We flew across the country to meet our day-old little girl, who we named Harper Elizabeth. We spent 5 wonderful days with her but lost her when the birth mother decided to parent. Needless to say, we were beside ourselves with grief. Having known the joy of being parents, we still want so desperately to adopt a baby, but due to two failed adoptions, we are running low on funds. We would be forever grateful for any donation amount that could bring us closer to having a family. Love, Erin and Joel Update: Ruby Thompson was born December 4th, weighing 7 lbs 3 oz! We are in Arkansas, loving every second with her, waiting for the adoption to be finalized. Our wish is to be home in time to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, but as long as we get home safely, we will count our blessings. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated!
