Sandi Brown feels like her family of 6 is ‘ordinary’. She calls them a family made of love.
Friend Meg DeZutti thinks Sandi and her family are anything but ordinary. So, Meg nominated Sandi to be a Mom Who Matters, giving the rest of us a chance to know this extraordinary woman.
Meg describes Sandi as a “fantastic wife to a loving husband and an amazing play-down-on-the-floor-after-reading-the-same-book-for-the-15th-time mom”.
But the road to having their current family has been a long one.
About 6 years ago, while undergoing fertility treatments that, for some time, had been unsuccessful, Sandi and her husband began the process of domestic adoption. It was at this time that Sandi’s fertility and adoption journeys fit together like puzzle pieces. Sandi’s very last cycle of fertility treatments were successful – she was pregnant. A mere 3 months later, they were given the name of a woman who was looking to give her baby up for adoption. Knowing Sandi’s past pregnancies had been volatile, they decided to try both.
On October 17, 2003, Sandi and her husband were in the delivery room as Kimberly was born. They adopted her and were allowed to take her home within 24 hours. A mere 12 days later, on October 29th, Sandi went in to labor and gave birth to Annie. Two beautiful baby girls – both healthy – both theirs.
Sandi believed at the time that Kimberly and Annie were the only children she would ever have. But more miracles were in the works – Sandi got pregnant again and even carried Madeline to term. She is now almost 4 years old.
The newest edition to their family – Paul – was adopted from Ethiopia. Sandi believes with all her heart that they were all meant to be a family. She says adoption has been the most amazing thing in her life. She even has a series of quotes that remind her of the special bond she shares with her children:
“Natural Child: Any child who is not artificial. Real Parent: Any parent who is not imaginary. Your Own Child: Any child who is not someone else’s child. Adopted Child: A natural child, with a real parent, who is all my own.” ~Rita Law
In addition to making her family her number one priority, Sandi has a blog and an Etsy store where she sells quilts. She is also, clearly, a wonderful friend. In her nomination letter, Meg said, “She finds time for those around her. She always seems to know when I’m feeling defeated by the adoption process and calls or texts to cheer me up. Sandi is extraordinary just by being herself.”
When asked how she balances it all, Sandi explains, ” I enjoy every moment. I don’t have a sparkling clean home and it is full of clutter, but my children are cared for and valued. I live by the saying, ‘Do something you love each day.’”
Clearly, Sandi loves being a Mom. And that matters.
If you would like to nominate someone for the WhyMomsMatter project, we would love to hear from you!
Also, be sure to listen to WhyMomsMatter on Blog Talk Radio, thaq is Friday at 12:30PST/2:30CST as we talk to both Sandi and Meg.
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