Another Project and Hema's Thoughts on Adoption

I am relieved to have another Christmas project completed. I made Vela's cape. There were a ton of super cute fabrics, but I decided to stick with simple colors. I think she is going to love it. These pictures are pretty bad. The colors are a lot darker. Here is the Super girl side. I thought about doing both sides with something princess related, but Vela loves to play super heroes with her brother. (And remember, Superman was adopted too!!)

And here is the princess side. This one is actually a really pretty purple, not blue like it looks in the picture. The silver fabric was a bit of a pain to work with. I think I would try something different for the crown if I made another.

The next project on my list is Vela's quiet book.

And now for some thoughts on adoption from Hema. Enjoy!!

Adoption...hmmm...where to begin? Well I guess I will just start there...at the beginning! When Becky and I were dating and planning our future together it really didn't have to be said...we wanted children. We both come from large families and enjoyed our interactions with our siblings. We always spoke of a "large" family and jokingly threw out numbers, of which none were ever less than eight. After we were married we were busy with school, football and work and didn't think much of the fact that we hadn't gotten pregnant yet. After a year and a half we felt we needed to consult a doctor about the situation. It was one of the most devastating days of my life. We were told that we could not have children. We cried...a lot! We prayed... a lot! We mourned for the children we had discussed and dreamed of. I watched helplessly as the love of my life cried herself to sleep in my arms every night. She would put on a happy face for me and tell me that at least we had each other but there was an empty space that I could not fill. After much contemplation, discussion, prayer and fasting we submitted our paperwork for adoption. This was a long and tedious process and at times frustrating. After only a year we were informed that we had been chosen by a birthmother back east and that she was due in several months. We were so excited and prepared our home for this child. The child never came. We were informed that the birthmother changed her mind just as we were leaving our home to go to the airport. The pain...somewhat familiar...very close to what I felt when we were told we couldn't have children. Once again I watched the light drain from my wife. I could hardly take it. I was helpless! This caused us to pull back from adoption for a time. We cautiously continued our adoption efforts a year later and were soon chosen again. We prayed, fasted, and sought counsel from our parents and from the Lord. When we met our sweet birthmother Katie I felt such peace and reassurance that I was not forgotten and that Heavenly Father was aware of my pain. My son Hemaloto was born and the pain was gone. The pain of the previous years was only a memory. My broken heart was healed. Our eyes were filled with happy tears. I recognized the merciful hand of the Lord in my life that day and every day since. I could not comprehend a happier day then that...until my little Vela was born. Thank you Chelise! I understand better today the plan a merciful and loving God has for me and my beautiful family. Adoption is a blessing in my life.