At Adoption & Beyond, we love to take the time to connect with families and answer any questions they have throughout the adoption process. We also love to hear stories from adoptive families and see how their lives have been touched by adoption.
We’re grateful to have had the honor of hearing the Lohaus-Fast family story and how life has looked to them after the adoptions of their two children. Here is Randy and Karla’s story.
WHAT DOES LIFE LOOK LIKE AFTER ADOPTION?
Well, for our family it looks a lot like other non-adoptive families. We were able to adopt both of our kids as babies, and we went through the normal adjustment process that all new parents do. They have been such a blessing in our lives! We have enjoyed watching our kids grow and develop.
OUR CHILDREN
Our son is now 17 years old! Chris has participated in all kinds of sports, as well as martial arts, boy scouts, and church youth group activities. He enjoys video games, driving his truck, and working jobs. He has a very sweet girlfriend that we adore.
Our daughter is now 10 years old! Karolynn is the sweetest little girl I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with, and I am not being partial just because I am her mom. She has a beautiful heart and is very loving, giving, and accepting of those around her. She enjoys jumping on her trampoline, talking to her friends on facetime, and playing with our cats and dogs.
We have considered adopting again, and if we had more room in our house, we probably would have. We may foster in the future.
THE JOY OF OUR OPEN ADOPTIONS
Since our adoptions are both open, we have had the benefit of support and love from both birth families. We have celebrated birthdays, graduations, and Christmas with Chris’s birth family. Chris was even in his birth mom’s wedding a few years ago. He and his older brother walked her down the aisle. Karolynn got to be a flower girl.
Karolynn’s birth family lives further away, so we can’t celebrate as much together, but she does use facetime to visit with them occasionally. We keep up with each other through Facebook, and they have been able to watch Karolynn grow up through posts and visits online.
WE’RE JUST AS FULL OF LOVE AS ANY OTHER FAMILY
Our family may be created using adoption, but it is just as full of love as any other family. We have our shares of bumps, but our kids know that even when we or they are at their worst, there will always be love there to guide them back home!
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ADOPTION?
If you have any questions about the adoption process, or if you’d like to know more, you can easily contact us and we will be happy to help.
Interested in learning more about The Ultimate Guide to Adopting a Child? Check out our entire guide here.
Interested in learning more about The Ultimate Guide to Family Life After Adoption? Check out our entire guide here.