A Little about Us

Hi there!  My name is Jen and I am so excited that you stumbled upon my blog!  I hope to be able to share with you our journey of adoption and the blessing and stresses of raising a child with Down’s Syndrome.  Our prayer is that we might be help to others who are opening their arms to children in need.

I am a 32 year old mother of 4 and deeply in love my with amazing hubby.  About three years ago I had a very strong desire to have a child.  Seemed very odd to us because: 1. We were pretty content with our 3 already and 2. Hubby got snipped right after our daughter was born because we had major complications.  But each month without fail I’d get my cycle and fall into a depression that would last about 3 weeks before my HOPE of pregnancy came back.  How my hubby dealt with met through this I do not know!!  After about a year of non-stop roller-coaster emotions, I felt a tug to look into foster care.  After months and months of convincing hubby that I would be stable enough to let a child return back to their parents (and honestly convincing myself!) we started taking the steps to become certified.  The process took almost a year to complete.  Getting all our background checks, house up to code, even setting up a crib in our bedroom, all the T’s were crossed and I’s were dotted.  I was so excited to finally receive our first child.  But then…NOTHING HAPPENED!  For about 6 months we just waited…and waited…and waited!  I was getting frustrated and even told Juan once or twice “I wish we would just get a baby who’s parents are just out of the picture and they can be ours for good!”  I wasn’t sure what God was planning, but I know He was getting my heart prepared.  Around August (9 months before Jana was born!) I started having a recurring dream.  I was in bed with Juan and I had a baby girl on my chest asleep.  I knew in my dream that I didn’t give birth to her, but that she was ours.  I never saw her face.  I just knew I felt so complete and at peace.

On June 22, 2015 (Jana’s one month birthday) around 4 pm  I received a call from our social worker.  She told me she had a baby in need of placement.  The catch was, we would have to be willing to adopt her, oh and yea, she has Down Syndrome!  (We later found out that because of the Down’s they struggled finding a home for her)  This young baby didn’t even have a name yet!  At the time she was known as Baby Girl.  She told me we would also get to name her!  I was told to call Juan and call her back if we were interested.  I tried to stay calm.  I didn’t even tell him what I was thinking…which was “YES SHE’S OURS!!!” I explained what happened and almost instantly he said YES!  He knew, just like I did, this baby girl would be ours forever!  No matter what disability she might have.

So on June 25, 2015 after many tears, worry, and deep conversations with God, I met our 4th child.  I remember the day almost perfectly.  Seeing this tiny little peanut all curled up in a car seat.  She was beautiful and perfect.  I didn’t see Down Syndrome.  I saw a beautiful little girl who needed deep love and support.  One who needed a home because she had already gone through so much in her short little life.  It took till about 3am for me to truly feel like her mama.  Laying up with her, holding her against me, I just knew!  She was mine forever and it was truly God’s work at play!!  My dream had literally came true!  I was finally at peace.

Then on January 28, 2016, Jana finally became a Benito!

My amazing husband, partner and best friend, Juan.  High School sweethearts and still going strong!

Our biological kids.  Joey (14) Mason (11) and Jaylen (9)

Our beautiful little Jana