Of Hope and Faith | An Adoption Story

When Chuck met Misty, he was a single parent of two kiddos: Maddi and Mason. Chuck received full custody and took on both roles to provide a great, happy life for his kids. Misty joined their family two years later and has since thought of Madi and Mason as her own.

 

Chuck and Misty discussed having children of their own and growing their little family, but after two years of trying naturally, they sought advice from their doctor. Misty started medication to help assist in getting pregnant, and six months later, they were still trying. Their doctor finally referred them to a Houston fertility Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE), who also came with a several month waiting list. After finally getting in with the RE and having tests run, Misty and Chuck received news that a few conditions were present that would make conception difficult. But the doctor was optimistic, so they pressed on.

 

Two rounds of IUI…both unsuccessful. And then, they found themselves facing the long and rigorous road that is IVF. Desperate for a baby of their own, they pressed on yet again. Numerous injections, bruises, emotional roller coasters, tests and blood work, $15k from savings, and time. Everything looked good with the embryos, so the transfer was scheduled. Misty was hopeful, really hopeful, until she received the call. The embryos were degenerating, not growing. That means no transfer.

 

Disappointment and sadness ensued, and yet, Chuck and Misty still pressed on. Hopeful. Faithful. IVF round two presented Chuck and Misty with optimistic doctors, more injections, hormones, and roller coasters. And then more news – the shot did not work. After a year of fertility treatments, feeling worn out, tired, disappointed, Misty and Chuck decided it was time for a new direction, a journey that would test their faith and patience more than they thought possible.

 

The road: Adoption.

 

Chuck and Misty’s journey through the adoption process was nothing short of long, full of waiting. Waiting months to even start the adoption process because they hadn’t been married quite long enough. Waiting for a homestudy. Waiting to become a ‘waiting family’. Waiting on a baby… The Willistons got their first exciting call in May when they were chosen by a birth mom. But before they could get too excited, she changed her mind and decided to keep the baby. And that wouldn’t be the last heartache for Chuck and Misty. August brought another call that they had been chosen, but after giving birth to her little girl just one month later, that mom changed her mind too. The same thing happened in October, and suddenly the roller coaster of emotions and heartache was in full force.

 

Chuck and Misty hit a high note in the adoption process the following month when they reached their adoption savings goal of $25k. Yes, not only is it emotionally trying, it’s expensive. But God is good and at least they were ready now, in every way, for the day He would place a baby in their home. Folks, I am happy to tell you {with tears in my eyes as I type this}, Chuck and Misty, Maddi and Mason, were gifted with the newest addition to their wonderful family on December 7th. Levi Nicholas Williston, born November 19, 2011 at a perfect 5 lbs, 9 oz, 17 inches.

 

Misty texted me the night before picking up her little boy and shared her joyous news, asking me to photograph this exciting and special time. I had been waiting for that text for more than 8 months {I shot their family photos for their adoption file back in March} and just a few days before Christmas, got my chance to meet the little blessing that is Levi Nicholas Williston. Now, I get to share him with you. Including excerpts from Misty’s blog over the past few years, please take a moment to view the Williston’s happy ending new beginning. {view in the window below if you can, it is better quality than full screen}

 

 

Thank you, Chuck and Misty, for such a beautiful story of faith, undying. Love, unyielding. And prayers, answered. I will always treasure having been able to be a tiny part of your beautiful story. Thank you <3 I love you guys!

 

Folks, I leave all of you with this thought, Misty’s thought, only because it is one of the most important things I took away from their long journey, and is so profoundly true: “The truth is, there are so many hurting people…and we all know it isn’t just infertility. Let ‘s be better pain seekers in those around us. Be sensitive to it, look for it. Seek it out. People aren’t usually shouting it out to the world. But for you or me to recognize their pain and give comfort…Whew. Monumental.”

 

Misty gave me permission to share the details of their story, and you can read more about their family’s journey here.

I will post the images here on the blog soon — video tends to downgrade the photo quality and you MUST see Levi in all of his adorable glory.