It was three weeks before I gave birth. My sister and her husband received a phone call. Violet’s birth mother, had just given birth to a baby boy. CPS was taking him away at three days old and wanted to place him in their home, for fostering. They didn’t even think twice: YES YES […]
Hi, I stumbled upon this site. I never met another Mallon before! He’s adorable.
Great story. Mallon is a lucky little kid to have a loving family like you!January 3, 2014 – 8:14 am
I know this is a little late, Arden, but I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing our family’s story. You have managed to capture some very intimate and joyful moments with your gifted eye. Reading your words brought back so many emotions for me… Andy and I are just so thankful for the blessing that our children are to our family, and that we had an incredibly happy ending to this chapter of our lives. I hope that our story is able to help or encourage others out there that are going on a journey (or plan to go on a journey) similar to ours. My advice to those that are … the power of prayer is incredible and STAY POSITIVE! God is GREAT! Peace and love to all!June 29, 2011 – 6:30 pm
Thank you for sharing this! It is such an inspirational story and had me tearing up the whole time! What a sweet blessing.June 29, 2011 – 2:47 pm
what a beautiful story, told through words and incredible photos.(I was coming by after the post written about you and shared on the studio link up on Friday’s) would you mind if I used your umbrella idea in a series of watercolor paintings I am doing of our adopted daughter? I have started a series of silhouettes and have a list of ideas- her down syndrome features are just so beautiful this way. I just didnt want to paint away without asking first.June 28, 2011 – 4:35 pm
I am visiting your site for the first time from Rebekah’s blog … and so delighted to read this beautiful story because we, too, have been blessed by adoption (five times over!) and we, too, understand the precious bond between cousins who have been brought together from different backgrounds and places and knit together as family. God bless!!June 27, 2011 – 9:54 pm
You are very talented at what you do, I just stumbled upon your website and I love your photos. If I lived in the Dallas area I would for sure contact you.June 24, 2011 – 11:22 am
Such a beautiful story! Our oldest son’s birth father also said he would contest the adoption…but when we met him in court for the first time (baby was only 3 days old), he walked into our arms and decided not to contest. God was so faithful. We have kept our relationships with our kids’ birth families and it has been a blessing for all of us. Our oldest is getting married next week…eeek! So blessed to read the story of your sister and her husband–their faith–their love–and God’s blessing on the situation.June 22, 2011 – 9:10 am
Thank you,
Arden for telling this beautiful,tender, miraculous story, especially for Violet and Mallon and for all of us.June 21, 2011 – 9:08 pm
Great story!!! I am a friend of Andy’s from high school…reconnected via FB and saw the journey. It captured my attention since I work for an attorney ad litem here in Florida that represents kids in foster care (NOT CASA/ guardian ad litem, but the attorney for the child). What Andy and Nicole did was amazingly unselfish and it is such a blessing that the bio father saw this and did the most unselfish act of all…gave his children the best, even though it was so painful. Foster parents don’t have rights and usually get treated so poorly. Kudos to the Tomme’s for sticking it out, having faith, and wanting to do what was best for the kids…God has certainly blessed you for it!June 21, 2011 – 6:33 pm
Thank you so much for sharing Arden! As it turns out, my husband and I are in the position where we may have to adopt as well. Even though it will be worth it, I get so scared thinking of all the waiting, pain, trials, and tears we may have to go through if we do have to adopt in order to have children in our lives. I always appreciate it when people are willing to share their stories so we who are going through the same thing can have ‘someone’ or something to lean on. Tell you family congratulations!
And, as always beautiful pictures – to be honest, since we’re moving to Texas (this week!) and adoption is in the picture, I’ve always wanted the process photographed, and I’ve even thought of emailing you and just asking you to be our photographer for when that day comes 🙂 So, watch out for an email from me in *hopefully* the next five years (max). You’re wonderful, as always!June 21, 2011 – 3:23 pm
I am crying and crying.
Too many times I see the opposite thing happen.
The kids go back.
And lives are forever changed.
It hurts to watch.
I am SO thankful for their happy outcome.June 21, 2011 – 2:12 pm
Arden,I can’t tell you how beautiful this post is. Thanks for making me cry at work! Thank you for sharing our story, as it may give hope to others. And thank you for capturing this amazing moment! Love.June 21, 2011 – 12:49 pm
You have me crying. Such a beautiful story.June 21, 2011 – 11:17 am
Oh great – now I’m crying! What an amazing heartfelt story Arden! Beautiful children, beautiful family – your images radiate the love you all must feel for each other. Thank you for sharing!June 21, 2011 – 11:12 am
Oh man….that’s just not nice….NOT NICE AT ALL!! Get me crying after I’ve already done my make up! Now I’m a blubbering mess with mascara running down her face!
I LOVE this post. It’s beautiful!
One of the families I babysit for everyday are foster parents and 2 days after their adoption of their last foster baby, the birth mom was in the hospital giving birth to her baby brother. 🙁 Same thing, same story, except the BF is in prison, and the mom is still fighting. But for right now, I have the 2 siblings every day together and I try to take as many photos of them together as I can…..for the “what if”. For just in case it doesn’t turn out right.
What a beautiful family!! Also reminds me of the day my baby sister became a part of our family! 😀 Man I love adoption stories!June 21, 2011 – 11:02 am
cried as i looked at these pictures…my sis and her hubby just adopted a baby girl this past january …. adoption is a beautiful, beautiful thingJune 21, 2011 – 10:59 am
What a beautiful story!! I cried as I read every word. The kids look so happy. So glad God blessed your family with such a precious gift. Pics are awesome.June 21, 2011 – 10:48 am
Wow!! That is so amazing! CONGRATULATIONS, ANDY AND NIKKI!!!!! Much love to y’all!June 21, 2011 – 10:44 am
[…] a year later and another adoption down… our sweet Mallon is TWO […]October 7, 2011 – 2:18 pm
by Arden Prucha
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