I told mama this might be a favorite session. The D Family is back! This time with a HUGE surprise! Party of five, turned party of seven when they adopted, is now a party of eight, coming soon, December 2022!! I couldn’t be any more excited to help capture their excitement and anticipation.
If you follow me, you’ve seen this family for a long time here. I adored their session last year, even though it didn’t make it to the blog, because…well…it was near the holidays. Need I say more? I may need to do a “looking back” post for that one. I considered adding them here, but honestly, these maternity images need to stand alone! They are stunning and gorgeous.
Mama’s words below will give you just a glimpse into how incredible this family is. Just a few highlights of their lives by way of reminder…
Daddy D is a shepherd to his church (yes, he’s a pastor), to his family (including two adopted boys), and he’s a professional in the recruiting industry (both his older girls work with him)! Mama D homeschools her three youngest children now that she’s successfully graduated two adult children who are pursuing amazing futures and higher education. The adoption of the boys will be finalized this year, and they cannot wait! And of course, the arrival of Olivia has everyone waiting…waiting…waiting with much anticipation!
Here’s more from Mama D:
Tell me about about the surprise of a new baby!
We had been blessed with three beautiful young ladies, who are now 20, 18, and 12…and the Lord blessed us with the opportunity to adopt two amazing boys which we will have fully through the adoption process as of December 2022. And then on April 29th, this year, at 2 am, we received another surprise! While this may sound crazy to some, we always wanted a big family, and we were thankful to be a family with 5 children, but after not “feeling normal” earlier this year, after a few laughs, and a few tears, at 2 am on my husband’s birthday, we both came to grips with the reality that I was pregnant (for the last time). For years, we struggled with infertility, and we never thought we would someday be a family of 8. We could not be happier – she is the surprise we always wanted!
How has the family been preparing for little Olivia?
WOW…where we do we start with this one? For starters, we haven’t had a baby in 12 years, so there’s the physical aspect, and I have done my best to prepare physically by working out as often as I can, but in addition to that, we have had to think about “baby gates” and “baby proofing” a house, which we haven’t done in a longggg time. But the biggest “PREPARATION PROJECT” has been finishing our basement and adding two bedrooms to our home, and almost doubling the size of our house. It has been several months in the making and a few sleepless nights, but we are so excited to be able to welcome her home. Lastly, but most importantly, there has been the preparation of PRAYER – many prayers of THANSKGIVING, but some of seeking God’s wisdom and guidance and grace.
Tell me about the timing of the adoption and baby’s arrival.
The boys’ adoption is nothing short of miraculous, as we always wanted boys, and this journey with them began in March 2020, when they moved in with us the week before “COVID shutdown week”. It’s hard to describe all that has happened in the last 2.5 years with our boys, but suffice it to say they are “home”, and we are all “family” together, and we could not imagine life without them! Watching them interact with their siblings day in and day out, watching them play football in the backyard, and watching them make friends and build a new community at church, has been something that in that first year, I never knew we would see. This all comes to culmination on their official adoption date on December 22 this year. In addition, our oldest son’s birthday is December 10, which just happens to be one week prior to Olivia’s expected birth date of December 17…the best part is they are saying that due to my “advanced age” they will more than likely want to induce a week prior! Do the math and you will find the irony in these dates…a complete family by Christmas for sure!
What is one thing about this season of life that you don’t want to forget?
I don’t want to forget the mix of seasons we are experiencing all at once…one child in college, one getting career experience while at home, one in the “tween” stage, and a few that are so animated and full of life that each day is an adventure, while also preparing for Olivia’s arrival and a new life starting all over. This, combined with the season of growth our church and my husband’s business are experiencing, all at once, makes for an interesting time. I don’t want to forget each of their smiles, the tears, the advice they seek, the lessons given, etc. To others, the fact that we love this season may seem strange, but we also know that one day this all slows down, and we are thankful to be here!
Describe what your family means to you.
Family is one of God’s greatest gifts. It is the first structure of government, the first community, the shelter from the elements of a world that in many ways, is seeking to find a purpose. Family is the first place we find identity, the first place we connect with – it’s where we first learn about love, loyalty, commitment, discipline – it is where we seek and find acceptance before we come to find it in God Himself…it is the foundation of our character that lasts a lifetime…family is one of God’s greatest gifts, and we LOVE OURS!
D Family, enjoy your sneak peek! <Kleenex, anyone?>
-Jamie
Parker, Colorado Family Photographer
Telling YOUR Story
