Bethany Christian Services Adoption Banquet

Tanna and I were so excited to attend Bethany Christian Services' adoption banquet/fund-raiser last month (which was National Adoption Awareness Month, by the way). Mac and Aimee Powell--pictured above with yours truly and my handsome DH--shared their adoption story, as did Ernie Johnson, the award-winning host and sports announcer. Afterward, Mac Powell and Mark Lee, founding members of Third Day, performed a few songs. It was a great program.

The Powells adopted a little boy from the Untied States earlier this year. They both shared openly about their experience, including how bonding with their adopted son went. (They have three biological children as well.) Mac Powell mentioned how so many parents talk about the love-at-first-sight feeling they have after their children's births. He said his initial reaction to his first child's birth was something like, "Oh, crap." LOL!

Seriously, though, he said he was concerned about adopting because he didn't really have that initial head-over-heels reaction with his biological children--but it certainly came with time. I can completely relate to this because I did not have that instant bond with Kate right after childbirth. Sure, I loved her and would have done almost anything for her, but it was more of an intellectual love. The head-over-heels love came a few weeks later. I don't think a lot of moms talk openly about this, but it is what it is. Anyway, I could completely relate to what he was saying.

As for how things are going now with their son, Emmanuel, Powell said they had no idea the joy he would bring them. "He just rocked our world in the best way," he said. In fact, the Powells shared that they are interested in adopting another child--even after another adoption attempt since Emmanuel joined their family didn't work out.

If you'd like to read more ... Here is an article about the Powell family that was published in Cobb Life Magazine.

A side note ... The Powells said that their friends--The Nassers from Alabama--were an inspiration to them when it came to adoption. I came across David Nasser's Web site as well as this post about adoption from a few years ago.

Another side note ... The Powells also mentioned that they had just been to see the movie The Blind Side earlier that day and highly recommended it. We hope to see it one day soon! Did you know some of it was filmed here in Atlanta?


Here we are with Ernie Johnson. He and his wife have adopted two children, including a son with special needs who was at the banquet. The Johnsons also have two biological children. What an inspiration this family is!


This is me with Laura, our social worker @ Bethany. She and her husband, Jason, just had their home study approved last month! They also are adopting from Korea--so exciting! I don't know if I mentioned this before, but Tanna actually knows Laura's husband from a long time ago. Small world!


Tanna and me at dinner. The food was OK--but you know how I am when it comes to food, so you can take my opinion with a grain of salt. And even some pepper! ha!


New friends who also are adopting from Korea--we were seated at the same table.


More new friends--they just welcomed their son home from Korea a few months ago. Another small-world story: They are neighbors with some other friends of ours!


Mac Powell and Mark Lee perform for the dinner guests. They were so great! I admit it was hard for me to focus for part of the program because there was a couple right in my line of vision that were very touchy-feely. Blech. I am not a massage person to begin with, but save it for later, people. TIA! (I took this photo from another area, BTW.)


I haven't even told you about the silent auction! This was really fun--I was really getting into it. These are some packages that Third Day donated for the auction. As you can imagine, they were wildly popular!


I had so much fun bidding on things and checking the auctions. (Fortunately, for the checkbook, I did get outbid on everything ... almost!) I bid on this University of Tennessee football signed by LANCE Kiffin! LOL! I kept thinking his name was Lance instead of Lane! Anyway, the bidding got too high for me--I think this eventually sold for $80-$90ish. There was a TON of University of Georgia stuff, but only this one UT item ... and only a thing or two from Georgia Tech. Oh well ...


Here I am bidding on the thing I DID win--a tub full of goodies from CNN! I got a great deal, and my family members got some great Christmas gifts. (We exchanged gifts over Thanksgiving weekend.) LOL! The presents were perfect because a few years ago when my brother and sister came to visit, we all did the CNN Studio Tour. Fun times!


Tanna and me posing in front of the world map. I think you can see just a bit of South Korea.

***A special thank-you goes out to our friends Steve and Diana (Jamie's parents), who watched Kate for us that night when our childcare fell through at the last minute (due to illness). THANK YOU!

P.S. Check out Mac Powell's Twitter page! He sometimes posts pics of his adorable family. :o)

P.P.S. The necklace I wore that night is one I purchased from an adoptive family's etsy shop, where they sell items to raise funds for adoption. :o)