Our Trip - Scott's Birthday

Cathy, Sue, Scott, Marlene (Mom), Mike, Denise, Lisa

I don't even know where to begin to describe what an incredible journey that our family went on. This trip was more than a vacation, it was the journey of a lifetime. Scott, my husband, was adopted. Our trip to Washington reunited him with his birth family for the first time ever.

As I've written before, the fact that Scott and his birth family were able to find each other was a miracle of God. Finding each other was just the first stop on a wonderful journey that will now last a lifetime. A journey of building life long family relationships and making up for the 44 years they missed.

Though we emailed and called his new found siblings prior to our trip, it was an odd situation to visit people who were perfect strangers. We were also strangers to them, but they welcomed us into their home and into their family. Though it was awkward at first for both sides, we soon warmed up to each other. It was also an emotional time to start with. For some, there were tears for their father, tears for their mother, tears for the pain of the past, and tears for this family discovering a long lost brother.

Scott and his half-siblings began to get to know each other. A time of discovery began, each learning about the other. A time of healing after many years of pain took root for this family and for their mother. A time of family bonding was set in motion. It was neat to watch new family relationships being forged before my very eyes. It was even greater to see how happy my husband was to finally know his family and his heritage. It was so cool to note the parallels in our family compared to theirs - common names, birthdays, etc... I sat in amazement as I watched his siblings, noting familiar facial expressions, gestures, personality traits, stances, and then suddenly realizing they were just like Scott's.

Scott's siblings had everything already planned and worked out before our arrival. We stayed at his sister, Cathy, and her husband, Clark's house. It was such a neat experience meeting them for the first time. They were the first face to face contact Scott made with one of his biological siblings. We had been so excited and anxious to finally meet Cathy and Clark! It was a momentous occassion. Clark and Michael formed an immediate friendship. Especially when Scott and Clark later used Michael as the volleyball in the pool. It's Michael's own fault - he told them to 'Bring it!' and they did:-) Cathy and Clark were such wonderful hosts. They opened their home to us, made us feel so welcome, and really went all out for us. We became fast friends. They also cooked fabulous food, too! Scott said he never got hungry while we were there! Our first day there, we just rested. However that afternoon, we did get to meet his sisters, Sue and Lisa, and his brother, Mike, and his wife, Sue. Oh my goodness, what an experience!

The second day was slotted for sight seeing. Cathy and her daughter Danielle took us to Seattle Center. The drive over and back was so beautiful! The view was scenic wherever you looked! To look out and see Mount Ranier and the Cascade Mountain range is indescribable! At Seattle Center, we got a feel for some of the city's culture. It was a very nice area with a lot of family oriented activities. We also went up the Space Needle. Scott hates heights so he wasn't too fond of the glass elevator to the top. He pushed me in front of him. Boy, what bravery! LOL! That day, we enjoyed hanging out with Cathy and Danielle and getting to know them so much better. They were just a delight! We really enjoyed thier company.

The third day of our trip was a little more emotional. Scott's sister Denise arrived from Oregon. Denise was the sister who had been searching for Scott for over 14 years. Scott couldn't wait to meet her for the first time. After she arrived and we visited a little bit, everyone drove over to Tacoma to meet Marlene, Scott's birth father's wife and his half-siblings' mother. Marlene greeted us with a sweet hug and kindness. She greated Scott with the longest hug. Marlene had always wanted to find Scott. She never gave up on finding him but never thought it would happen in her lifetime. Their meeting was such a powerful moment mixed with 44 years of searching, pain, and emotions. We think Marlene is just such an amazing woman. Scott got to see the home his siblings grew up in and the war medals that his birth father earned in Korea. This visit sunk deep in his heart as he absorbed as much as he could about the man his father was. Marlene was kind enough to show Scott pictures of his Dad, her, and the family through the years. Our visit with Marlene wrapped up with us watching videos of Ed, Scott's birth father, playing his guitar. Man, could he play! Too bad Scott didn't inherit that gift! Scott also got to meet his older brother, Jim, who reminds us of Scott's Uncle Paul.

Later, on that same afternoon, we went to Scott's sister, Sue's home, for a BBQ and to meet her children and grandchildren. Yes, this means Scott is a GREAT-UNCLE! Goes with his greys don't you think? :-) We had a fabulous time hanging out with Sue, her husband Chris, and their family. What a beautiful family they had! Oh, and the food was EXCELLENT! We helped celebrate their daughter, Deanne's, birthday. It was so neat to just hang out and get to know her and her family. They were so gracious! Sue is such a neat lady and her family was so nice! We had a blast!

Our fourth day in Washington found us touring the Waterfront. We visited the Seattle Aquarium with Denise, her grandson Christopher, Cathy, Clark, and our family. We took lots of pictures, again. Afterwards, we had a nice meal at the Red Robin's on the water - except for Brittany and Clark. They had ice cream instead! We then visited Pike's Place Fish Market. We walked up the most gosh awful flights of stairs to get there. Denise and I pulled up the rear on the hike up! I thought I needed oxygen! Whew! However, "The Market" as it's called is a definite stop on any tourist's itinerary to Seattle. It gives you a real feel for the culture of the city. It was just so cool!

Then came Saturday, another emotional day for Scott. His brother, Mike, and his wife Sue took us to the cemetary where Scott's birth father, Ed, is buried. Right beside him lies Scott's oldest brother, Eddie, who was killed in 1968 at the age of 15 as a result of a car accident. It was a sombering experience for Scott to visit the grave of the man who gave him life. A part of him regrets no being able to meet him in this life. He grieved for Ed and tried to wrap his mind around all that has happened, especially the past several months. Afterwards we all went over to Mike and Sue's home to hang out. We so enjoyed their company! Mike and Scott are a lot alike in many ways. It was neat seeing the two brothers together, interacting.

Saturday was also the big family reunion. Just about everyone in the family came. It was wonderful! There were so many people. It was the most enjoyable day of the whole trip. All the young cousins had a blast swimming and playing in the pool. Michael was in hog heaven to have new cousisns his age. Up until now, all of his cousins were way older or younger than he. We all hung out and ate lots of good food. And of course, there were pictures. For the first time in his life, Scott was included in the family pictures. It was neat seeing them line up in birth order! Scott and his youngest sister Lisa (green shirt) were dubbed "The Twins." They are the youngest two. The family teasing already had started up, everyone saying Scott and Lisa even had the same legs!

Then, they brought out a birthday cake for Scott and celebrated his 44th birthday. They threatened to catch him up on all the birthday spankings he missed. Ouch! They also had a sendoff for Scott's nephew-in-law, Eric, who was being sent to Afganistan the next day. We are praying for his safety!

Sunday, we went to church with Scott's sister Sue and his neice, Danielle. Sue attends Ranier View Church. What is so neat is that it was very similar to PCC. We enjoyed such a great worship time and message. Sue and Scott wanted to sit together. Another first for him - sitting in church next his sister. This was such a special moment! My heart was touched! Then we all went out for lunch and enjoyed Subway together!

Then came Monday. We went out to Rock Hard Pizza with his sister Lisa, her friend Pam, Danielle, Mike & Sue, and their daughter Crystal and her family. Lisa and Pam are just such fun and great to be around. We enjoyed the great pizza, too - Lisa's treat! We all enjoyed just hanging out and talking. Then we all went over to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream - Pam's treat! I swear it was the best ice cream ever! Good company, good food! I was stuffed!!!

Our last day was very nice. We had a picnic lunch with Cathy at the Tacoma Waterfront. Afterwards, we travelled to her daughter Kelly's home to meet her and her family. We enjoyed our time with Kelly, Matt, and their little girl Allison. Then we went back to a restaurant on the Tocoma Waterfront to enjoy one last meal with the family. Cathy & Clark, Sue, Lisa, Mike & his wife Sue, Marlene, Kelly, Matt, & Allyson all joined us for dinner that night. After a long prolonged talk, we finally were ushered out to say our last goodbyes before our flight. It was hard to say goodbye to family we had just met and bonded with. There were ltears, promises to keep in touch - which we intend to keep, and lots of hugs. We were all making preliminary plans for their visit to us here in Florida and about our next trip out there.

Cathy and Clark took us to the airport. It was hard to say goodbye. We cried, again, and gave each other numerous hugs. It was hard to leave. We just want to say thank you to Cathy and Clark for putting up with the five of us in there home. We also want to thank them as well as Marlene, Denise, Sue & Chris, Mike & Sue, Lisa & Pam, Jim, and Danielle for all you did for us while we were there. This is just an incredible family! We think so much of you all!

Scott has been very blessed and fortunate to have found his birth familly. He now knows the answers to many of the questions he's carried around for over 40 years. A huge burden has been lifted from his shoulders. Knowing this, he now walks around with the confidence of knowing his own history - which is something highly valued by a history teacher. However, he has been blessed with so much more than the knowledge of who his family is. He and his new found family are forging family bonds and relationships. Our children have been blessed to discover new aunts, uncles, and cousins, who , in Brittany's words, "Look like me!"

Scott is also blessed to have had two wonderful, loving parents who adopted him as their very own son. They have always been open and honest with Scott about his adoption. They have always supported his finding his birth family when the time came. He loves his parents and his 'little' brother. But like Mrs. Denny said, "There's enough love to go around."

Scott's story is so amazing. But Scott firmly believes God orchestrated all events from the time he was conceived to now. As Scott puts it, everything that happened was for a reason. God's plan is ALWAYS PERFECT and ALWAYS ACCORDING TO HIS WILL - even for a child born under less than perfect circumstances. Despite the circumstances of Scott's birth, God has used him to reach others for Jesus Christ. Scott's passion for teaching and to mentor young people carries over into every aspect of his life. Many trust him and seek him when they are experiencing problems in their lives. Through him, young people have been lead to Jesus Christ, young men have relied on his example as a godly man, students see a teacher who truly cares, his runners see a coach of integrity. And because he was at the right place at the right time, he was able to help save the life of a child. A former student had come to him for advice about a 'friend' seeking abortion. His advice - don't. And she didn't, why? Because of Scott's unique perspective - he was that unwanted child.

I am thankful for the man who is my husband. I am thankful that God brought him into this world despite the circumstances of his birth. I am proud, yes proud, to say I'm his wife.

I am sharing this story not just for my friends who read my blog. I am recording these events here for my children, grandchildren, and for all to know what God has done for us - especially Scott.

Why were we, of all people, so fortunate to find Scott's birth family? It literally breaks your heart to see the many thousands of people registered in various online adoption research databases. It's like finding a needle in a haystack! And to read the comments left by people so desparately searching for their lost family just tears at your soul! I know without a doubt that Scott and his family finding each other was the work of God's wonderful hand. We are humbled and blessed to have this longtime prayer answered!

I have one last thing to say before I sign off. I want to wish my wonderful husband a very, very happy birthday today, July 27, 2009! He is 44 years young! I love you so much and wish you to have a very special day. You deserve it!

In His Love, Cathy