the day I became a mom.

The day I became a mom
 

today was, in the words of Stephen Elder “like the best day ever!”. It really was.   We are sitting here in our guest house looking at pictures, watching video and talking about the day.  The day we became parents.  Stephen just told me that he thinks we just got so much closer (him & I) today than ever.  The day we became parents together.

I don’t want to forget any of the emotion of this day.  Waking up, taking a shower, butterflies all morning, picking out a cute outfit & doing my hair (hey! we are going to have these pictures forever!), dad interviewing us on the couch before we left for the foster home.  It all seems like sort of a blur now.  Like on your wedding day when you are so happy & so in love and so enamored by the beauty and fulfilment of a day that is so highly anticipated that you just almost float through the day. 

Within 2 minutes of arriving at the foster home & waiting in the reception room, here comes one of the nannies around the corner with our asher girl.  I instinctevly walked up and took her in my arms.  I just remember telling her how pretty she was.  Stephen started crying instantly (this is normal in our house!) and then a few seconds later they brought out Camp.  Stephen took him in his arms and told him we loved him and that we had been praying for both of them.  We were filled with JOY!  it was a holy moment for sure.  we were both laughing and crying and laughing and just looking at each other!  this is for real!!!

then stephen passed off camp to me & immedietly he smiled at me.  THAT was the moment.  This sweet little boy that we had been praying for and longing for for almost 3 years (almost 2 of adoption & 1 of TTC) was in my arms.  and he SMILED at me!!! I cried.  This little bundle of blessings smiled at me, I was his momma.  THAT is when it became real.  and oh our little asher.  I kept thinking all day “what if we had said no”.  We didn’t have to accept her referral when we accepted camp’s but we did – she’s our daughter.  But WHAT IF we had passed it up?

I can’t even imagine, I am crying again just thinking about it.  She has the most fun personality.  She was talking talking talking all day.  She always wanted to be looking at everything & everyone around her and she didn’t cry until we were about to leave.  She has stolen our hearts!  and our sweet Camp, he was so shy, so quiet, so reserved, it’s like he has the wisdom of an old man already.  I know he is going to be a great man of God & a world changer.  But I’ll tell you what, Asher is going to rule the roost.

 

You know when people tell you that once you have a baby, you know what to do?  That it all feels natural?  I never really believed them & I’m not really a “baby” person.  Babies generally scare me, I always think I’m going to drop them but the vision and fear of dropping a baby has officially left my memory.  It WAS natural.  I can’t even believe it, I am a mom!  It’s like I knew what to do & just took control and did what needed to be done.  Looking at pictures & video of myself holding them and feeding them is surreal.  I know I keep saying that word, but it’s the truth -it’s how I feel.

 

I fell in love today.  With my two sweet little ones – Camp & Asher and again with their dad who is the best dad in the world (along with my dad who was there to see it all! love you dad!).

 

At the end of the day right before we had to leave, I took Camp an we were walking around the room & the Lord just gave me a sense of peace of we were right where we were meant to be.  I just wispered to him “this is the best job”.  and it is!  I know it’s not always going to be butterflies & roses – but to be their mom is the best job I could have.  Thank you Lord for letting us into this blessing.  For teaching us more about love than we could imagine.  for adopting US into your family.  for loving us & giving us the power to love them.

 

our last trip to ethiopia in January I remember leaving one of the orphanages we visited in tears.  after having held, loved on, prayed over babies – longing for our baby to be in our arms.  and today, that promise was fulfilled.  and it’s not just 1 – but 2 babiesWe have recieved a double portion!!
I watched the blind side on the plane yesterday & I lost it on the scene when Leanne was having lunch with her friends talking about Michael and a friend said to her, “you are changing that boys life!” and she said, “no, he’s changing mine”.  Our sweet Camp + Asher are changing our lives!  for the better.  We can’t wait to have them HOME with us!
that’s all for now.
love
wynne

Hey, I'm Wynne!

Hi, friend! First, I truly am so giddy that you are here. I want you to know I believe in you and all the ways you are growing towards living a more intentional life.  I genuinely hope you are encouraged from our time together here.

A little about me, I’m a type 7 on the enneagram, a total extrovert + people lover, entrepreneur, connector, storyteller, people gatherer, and passionate wife, mama + friend. I feel most alive when I’m exploring new places and surrounded by people I love. Give me a day in the outdoors disconnected from wifi, and I am a happy girl. I run on oat milk lattes, Jesus, gratitude journaling and kitchen dance parties with my four kids.
Welcome, come on in!

let'e be friends

  1. Wynne! I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to get to “watch” you through this process! Thank you for allowing so many of us to “walk” along… your sweet babies are already speaking Jesus into the hearts of all of us! Stories like yours help us remember who God is…and remembering who He is and what He not only can but WILL do is SO, SO important in this life! I love your story and I love our God who wrote it SO, SO well!! Congrats on motherhood!! It is one of the greatest blessings!!

  2. Refort says:

    How beautiful your family story is and how blessed I have been to be a fly on the wall. Congratulations on your new armfull of sugar sacks!!! Blessings and Prayers, Retha Fortenberry

  3. f.t.g. says:

    congratulations wynne, this is beautiful

  4. larisaa says:

    they are such beautiful babies! YOU’RE A MOMMY!!! i was so ecstatic when those pictures showed up in my instagram feed today! this is amazing, God is performing miracles and answering prayers. we serve an amazing God.

  5. Kara M says:

    I know we don’t know each other, but I just want to give you a great big hug!! I have tears flowing down my face. Congrats, Mom!! Your kids are PRECIOUS! Can’t wait for the day Josh and I become parents.

  6. Congratulations Wynne.

    Your words are beautiful, Your pictures are beautiful, Your excitement for being a momma is beautiful!

  7. Jenny says:

    SO beautiful!! I’m so happy for you and loved reading your sweet words!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

  8. Shay says:

    Wynne, It’s been a while since I reached out, but I just wanted to say how happy I am for your family! I’ve been following your story the whole time, and I love that you were able to share this special time with us!

  9. Wynne, I have to admit…I may have read the post 3 or 4 times now. It is beautiful & I am honored you shared it with all of us. What a blessing to follow your journey and finally “meet the babies.” Wow, we have been praying for them in our little home & are so blessed to share in the excitement! Enjoy those precious moments and praise be to God for giving you and your husband such beautiful children!!!

  10. Lauren says:

    completely in love with this post!! I am so so so so happy right now and I have a big lump in my throat. I can’t wait to hug you and celebrate with you!!! When I get to Ethiopia lets go to Kaldis and have a big cup of coffee and rejoice over what the Lord has done! I love you!!!!!!!

  11. Karie says:

    Congrats, amazing how open you’re hearts are. You will be great parents!!

  12. Breeann says:

    So beautiful! I am so very happy for your sweet family 🙂 Xoxo

  13. ourlovegrows says:

    Congratulations to you both!!! Your babies are so beautiful! I am so happy for you!!!!!

  14. L says:

    oh my goodness girl!! This is AMAZING!!! I love your heart! =) I share so many of your passions and interests…..I’m so thankful to have found your blog today.
    Congratulations!!!!!! =) How precious!!!
    Much Love,
    L

    allglorious-within.blogspot.com

  15. tears in my eyes as i read this – so beautiful. 🙂

  16. […] and shared.  I still sometimes pour through my old posts to read the thoughts I was thinking on the day I became a mom, or when I finally realized that I was thankful that my life isn’t […]

  17. […] The Day I Became a Mom – Wynne Elder  […]

  18. […] The day I became a mom.   As I re-read that post I wrote on the day that we received our double portion, I couldn’t help but be reminded of God’s faithfulness.  I needed that today.  A part of my endometriosis (and infertility) is that every month there is at least 1 day that I am forced to stay home, mostly in bed.  The bleeding is so heavy that I’ve felt lightheaded and dizzy when I get up out of bed, and somedays I just am so over it.  I want to have “that moment” again.  I want to be in a place ready to receive the good gifts God wants to bestow on me.  Most of the time I feel unworthy.  Today, I rebuke that I want to start praying and claiming Gods promises for me. […]

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