HYLAH and MEILIN for the Evans family — IA
Barb and Larry were married after meeting on a blind date in 2000. Each brought a child from a previous marriage into the family (Taylor now 18 and Travis 16), and additionally had two girls together (Madison 10 and Macy 7). They thought they were done. The birth announcement for the last daughter even proclaimed “Our family is complete”, but God had other plans.
Barb has a degree in early childhood special education and Larry is a project manager. Both are from large families. They had talked about adopting in the past but once Barb saw how many children with special needs there were needing families, it was over. They decided that they would adopt a child with Down syndrome and a year later were bringing Mia (now 4) home from Hong Kong! She has changed their lives for the better and everyone that meets hers as well!
The visit to the orphanage in Hong Kong, however, tugged at their hearts, and they knew they would be back. As quickly as they could manage, this family adopted a second child from Hong Kong, this time a little boy (Max 3), also with Down syndrome, and in remission from Leukemia. Mia and Max are 8 months apart in age and two children bonded to each other, and the other children in the family, immediately.
The Evans’ have lovingly watched Reece’s Rainbow for several years now though they had no plans to adopt again for now but then they saw Hylah’s story. The tragedy that she has already endured, the similarity of characteristics between Down and Williams Syndrome, and the resources they have in place for Max and Mia made them realize that Hylah would fit perfectly into their family.
Completing three adoptions so close together isn’t easy so they would appreciate all the support they could get to complete Hylah’s adoption and bring her home as soon as possible!
5/1/13—WAITING FOR LOA (letter of approval)
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at ourhandpickedangels.blogspot.com
