As we're in the middle of this journey toward adoption, we're reflective of the fact that it's wonderfully challenging, enlightening and life-giving. We have moments of blinding sobriety and undeniable self-awareness, perfect clarity and mind-bogglery; moments when we feel invincible and insignificant at the same time.

If all the world’s orphans were a country, they’d represent the 7th largest nation on earth. More than 50 million children throughout the world currently wait and pray for a family and a home. And while 50% of all American couples have said they’ve explored adoption as a means to build their family, only 2% actually begin the process. And due to costs, far fewer than 1% will actually be able to see it through to a successful placement.

Adoption is a bigger undertaking than the average family can tackle by themselves. While it takes a village to raise a child, adoption takes village to bring that child home. Our hope in this is that our story will encourage others to strongly consider making adoption part of their own family. The costs top out at $34,000 by the time everything is said and done. We’d love to invite you to be part of this since it’s an extraordinary opportunity to build a community around a love for one individual. How much fun it will be to tell him or her someday!

All gifts are tax-deductible and are sent directly to The Cradle Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Additional gifts over $16,000 will help more families who are adopting! 

Feel free to pass our story along to those who might like to read it at adoptahuizenga.tumblr.com! And, we made a little film for birthparents who want to get to know us at http://youtu.be/hKNbanvtQuc.