Pelley Family Blog

For ages, Joanna has repeatedly asked, "Can we adopt a kid?"  The reply was always the same, either "It’s too expensive," or "We’re too old!"  Truth is, Mike and I had talked about adoption a few times - before we were married, and again after we’d had our two.  That second time, we actually did a bit of research and found out how expensive international adoption was (and international was what I’d always dreamed of).  The subject of adoption was never seriously considered after that, even though Joanna kept bringing it up.

In December, while on the way to ice skating, we were listening to Focus on the Family.  Dr. Dobson was interviewing Tony Dungy, coach of the champion Indianapolis Colts.  He was talking about how their family had adopted.  Joanna once again said, "Can we adopt?"  I said, "No, Joanna, Daddy and I really are too old."  I had no sooner said this, when Tony shared that adoption had been such a positive thing for his immediate family that his in-laws had adopted as well.  They were in their 80’s and had middle school children.  Well, there went my argument!

A few nights later, over dinner, Joanna said, very seriously, "I want to ask you something, and I don’t want you to blow me off this time.  I seriously think we should adopt."  Well, that night began a very serious discussion of just what adoption could mean in our family.  Over the next few weeks, we read, got online to see what children were available in Ohio, and did lots and lots and lots of talking.