Not every adoption story is a happy one. Regardless of Down syndrome or adoption, each day brings with it new trials, but God’s mercies are new every morning.

It’s not about the “fairy tale ending” but walking by faith, uncompromisingly and courageously following God regardless of the earthly outcome, loving because He first loved us.

What might be the life that we would never have known to choose, we live in joy or through affliction, trusting in Him and his promises.

We never knew we wanted a child with Down syndrome until Colt was born and we learned that what we never would have known to ask for was an amazing gift from God.

We had never considered adoption, or adopting a child with Down syndrome, and now cannot imagine our life without Nic.

I am so thankful that God’s thoughts and ways are not mine and as the heavens are higher than the earth, so His ways are higher than mine, because if life had gone according to my thoughts and plans, I would have missed out on all of this!

I might still be looking at children with different abilities with a bit of sadness instead of celebrating those differences and seeing the gift in them. I might still fear a diagnosis or adoption instead of learning to walk in greater faith.

I would have missed out on the smiles and laughter that Colt and Nic bring every day and never have seen the beauty in The way God chooses to use the innocent, love and joy of two little boys who happen to have an extra chromosome.

Praise the Lord for continuing to grow our faith that we might have the courage to follow him wherever he leads.