Considering Adoption
The Taylors knew that they were meant to be parents and weren’t about to give up their dream because they couldn’t conceive. “Because of the health battles we’ve been given, we weren’t the type of people to just ‘throw in the towel’ and let our dreams of becoming parents get shattered” Mandi shared.
So, they began to discuss alternatives. They ultimately chose adoption as the safest choice for their unique situation. However, despite choosing this option, it didn’t mean that things were about to flow smoothly. Anybody who has adopted can attest to the fact that it is a lengthy and difficult process.
Starting a Family
Tyler and Mandi felt no need to take things slow and they were ready to start a family together. “We both knew we wanted our own family so greatly but didn’t know what God had planned for us,” Mandi said. Mandi had been dealing with Crohn's disease for the last 17 years of her life. Since being diagnosed with the disease, she has had dozens of surgeries.
She is currently being treated at a clinic and receiving monthly infusions and surgeries to keep the disease in remission. So, with her history of health problems and Tyler's struggle with PTSD, the path to starting their family wasn't going to go as smoothly as they hoped. The couple was having a very hard time trying to conceive a baby naturally.
A Bump in the Road
As is natural, the couple became increasingly frustrated and depressed as their weeks of trying to conceive turned into months and eventually years. "We tried for years to get pregnant but soon came to realize that it wasn’t going to happen, nor would it be safe for my body to sustain the miracle of pregnancy due to my illness,” said Mandi.
"After failed pregnancy test and failed pregnancy test, I talked to my doctors," Mandi said. "They were still hopeful, but I realized quickly that I couldn't gain weight. So I'm like, 'how am I going to be able to carry a child?" The couple, eager to become parents, weren't about to give up on their dream so easily.
Are There Any Foster Parents Around?
Tyler and Mandi were very open to the thought of becoming foster parents and recalled seeing notices about a need for qualified foster parents in their area. They had seen many commercials and announcements and understood the necessity of finding home for the many children and babies without one.
"We knew we wanted to pursue adoption in some form and it was then that we kept hearing our local counties cry for help with foster care. Day after day, we kept hearing the commercials asking for people to take the training and become licensed foster parents, as they were in great need of foster parents."
Taking it as a Sign
Tyler and Mandi saw all of these commercials and announcements as a sign that adoption was the right choice for them to make. They believed in God's intentions for them to adopt a child.
"We were scared but we knew God was pulling at our heartstrings and telling us that this is what we needed to do." So, they decided to apply for the licensing program in order to take the steps to becoming foster parents.