why adopt?

(and more specifically - why adopt Reggie)

(Not intended to convince anyone they should not have bio kids. Adoption isn't for everyone. Even though I believe these are good things, I don't ever plan to donate a kidney or do a 3 Day Walk for a Cure.)

1. Adoption is at the heart of the gospel. I, not being of Jewish origin, was adopted into God's family. For more on this, see this post and Romans 8 and 11.
2. As Christians, we are commanded to care for those in need. James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." Adoption is one way of doing this.
3. Actions speak louder than picket signs. Ms. April, Bryan and I are prolife in action. Everywhere we go, people see that adoption has been a blessing to us.
4. We believe adoption is a equal way to build a family.
5. When we decided to adopt one, we decided to adopt two (and, not-so-randomly, we decided we would adopt two boys of African heritage). We believe it will be easier for the boys to deal with adoption-related issues together.
6. Biology isn't important to us, but it might be to our boys. Our children are all the same to us. Lydia is as much a sibling to Brett as Reggie is. Reggie is as much our child as Lydia is. Biology doesn't make a family. But we believe in some way the boys will value this special connection.
7. The boys have basically the same adoption story, the same "degree of openness" with their birthfamily, and the same family to search for should they desire to do so as adults.
8. We have the means to do so. No doubt it will be hard having the kids so close together. And we will probably be living in our little house longer than we had hoped. But we had the money to cover the fees, and I am able to stay home full time to give the kids my full attention, and we feel we have a support system in place that we will need.
9. Honestly, we're avoiding some pain. Adoption is risky. Things can easily go wrong, and often do. Countries change policies; expectant mothers have changes of heart; foster kids are returned to their families. Knowing that we would adopt again at some point, this "situation" seemed like it was handed to us on a silver platter.
10. It gives people something to talk about. Seriously, how many people have YOU told about our crazy life???