Elina.Glow

Last Tuesday, we got a call about a one-day-old baby girl in the NICU. We had just 30 minutes to decide—and we said yes. That night, we went to bed believing they’d probably choose someone else.

The next morning, our phone rang: They chose us. An hour later, we were packed and heading to the airport. After a 10-hour travel day, we finally arrived—about to meet our daughter for the very first time.

Meet Haven Nevaeh Lawson 🤍

We named her Haven because it’s our prayer that her life would be filled with safety, peace, and protection—that she would always know she can find security not only in our arms, but in the arms of God.

Her middle name, Nevaeh, was given to her by her birth mama, and we kept it to honor her bravery and the beautiful choice she made to choose life. Nevaeh is “heaven” spelled backward, so her full name carries this hope: safe in God’s presence, forever.

We’ve spent the last 9 days by her side in the NICU. It’s been physically and emotionally hard, but even in the unknown, we’ve seen God’s hand—His timing and His kindness.

Would you pray for our baby girl? Pray that she grows strong and healthy enough to come home soon, to a family and friends ready to surround her with love. Adoption is joy and heartbreak intertwined, but through it all, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. She is worth every moment.

Last Tuesday, we got a call about a one-day-old baby girl in the NICU. We had just 30 minutes to decide—and we said yes. That night, we went to bed believing they’d probably choose someone else.

The next morning, our phone rang: They chose us. An hour later, we were packed and heading to the airport. After a 10-hour travel day, we finally arrived—about to meet our daughter for the very first time.

Meet Haven Nevaeh Lawson 🤍

We named her Haven because it’s our prayer that her life would be filled with safety, peace, and protection—that she would always know she can find security not only in our arms, but in the arms of God.

Her middle name, Nevaeh, was given to her by her birth mama, and we kept it to honor her bravery and the beautiful choice she made to choose life. Nevaeh is “heaven” spelled backward, so her full name carries this hope: safe in God’s presence, forever.

We’ve spent the last 9 days by her side in the NICU. It’s been physically and emotionally hard, but even in the unknown, we’ve seen God’s hand—His timing and His kindness.

Would you pray for our baby girl? Pray that she grows strong and healthy enough to come home soon, to a family and friends ready to surround her with love. Adoption is joy and heartbreak intertwined, but through it all, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. She is worth every moment.

42 years old. 5 boys. And one last, "crazy" leap of faith... 👣💙
I never thought I’d be back in a waiting room at this age, nervously flipping through magazines I wasn't even reading. Our house is already a beautiful, loud, soccer-obsessed chaos of five boys. I love them more than anything, but deep down? I’ve always dreamed of tea parties, braiding hair, and passing down my grandmother’s recipes. 🎀✨
Mark thought I was losing it when I brought it up last year. "We’re already outnumbered, babe!" he’d laugh. Но he saw the look in my eyes. He knew.
This pregnancy has been the hardest yet, but the hope of a daughter kept me going. Even my 16-year-old, Alex, joked that if it was another boy, we’d just have enough for our own football team! 😂
The night before the ultrasound, I couldn’t sleep. My hands were shaking as I filled out the paperwork at the clinic. Mark held my hand so tight. When the technician finally smiled and asked, "Do you want to know the gender?" our hearts stopped.
"Congratulations... It’s a GIRL!" 😭🙌
Cue the full-on, ugly crying. Mark was laughing and sobbing all at once. When we called the boys, my youngest, Jake, started screaming, "WE'RE GETTING A PRINCESS!" over and over.
After a decade of dirt, cleats, and brotherhood, our little lady is finally on her way. Never give up on your dreams, mama. Sometimes, the last try is the one that changes everything. 👑💕