Why We Said Yes...Again

We had an incredibly special day today but we've been asked not write about it or post pictures. Sorry!! We can tell you we are so blessed!!

Saturday we will climb the Great Wall again but this time with Magnus. We're so excited to show him "his wall"! Since we can't give details about today, I'll post what I wrote on the plane yesterday - 

We have been asked more times than we can count about why we are adopting again. And why we are adopting a child who is so very sick. The simple answer is "because this is what God has called us to do". He has spoken to us in a way we have never been spoken to or called before. It's truly indescribable but one of the most glorious gifts we have ever been given. We believe everyone has been called in some way so if one of your callings isn't adoption, it's okay to not understand why we do what we do. We only ask for your love and prayers!

For those who have met Magnus, there is no doubt he has been an absolute gift to our family. A God-given gift! Nothing about his little life has been less than a miracle. He exudes pure joy and we see this same joy in the pictures and videos we have of Apollo. Oh how blessed are we?! That's right, WE are the ones who are blessed. Both boys have been called "lucky" time after time but what about their lives has been lucky? They were both born with very special hearts, which in turn, meant their birth parents likely couldn't afford the surgeries that would save their lives. They had to make the most selfless and loving sacrifice of giving their children up so that they may be saved. There is no greater love. We will always speak lovingly and respectfully of their birth parents and the love they have for our sons.

Another popular question has been about Apollo's heart needs. Even though he has multiple congenital heart defects like Magnus, Apollo's heart is much more complex. His heart only has one ventricle (single ventricle) and is dextrocardia (points to the right side of his chest instead of the left). He also has an ASD and VSD like Magnus along with pulmonary atresia. Finally, one of our cardiologists suspects he may have heterotaxy where some of his organs are on the opposite side of his body. As you as can see, Apollo is super special! He uses oxygen while he sleeps so we are anxious to get him back home and to the hospital. We will see our St. Louis cardiologist several days after being home and then we will fly out to Boston the following week and most likely stay for surgery. The difference between the boys' surgeries and futures is that Magnus's anatomy allowed for him to have a full bi-ventricular repair where his heart is operating as a "normal" heart should. Apollo will likely not be eligible for any type of full repair due to only having one ventricle. We understand what this may mean for the longevity of his life but our faith in God is great! So we will live every day to the fullest together!

Now the name game - did we choose Apollo because it's just a really "cool" name? No, it is much more meaningful to us. In our minds, we derived it from the Apostles. And just like the Apostles, we pray Apollo will be the hands and feet of Jesus. We pray he will proclaim His good name for all to hear. If he comes to love our Lord as Magnus has already, he will live such a beautiful and fulfilling life. Do we like that it's a pretty awesome name too - absolutely! And as his big sister, Anya, has said, "He will shoot for the stars!". Mike prefers the phrase "We will love him to the moon and back" in keeping with the spirit of the NASA "APOLLO" missions to the moon.

Last year, an adoptive father told us in China that it's not IF you go back, it's WHEN you go back. At the time, we didn't know we would be adopting again but those words etched themselves into our hearts. And here we are, 16 months later as we're about to complete our family and become the Duff Family of 7 on Sunday!!