I Love You Like Crazy Cakes

I first came across this book when Tyler and I were foster parents to our two sweet girls in 2009. We had joined a group at church called F.A.I.T.H - fostering, adopting, inspiring, to Him. There were all different kinds of families: Interracial, International, Local, Teens, Babies, etc... It was a pretty amazing group to be connected to!

We were at the book store looking at adoption/foster care books for our friends who had just left to pick up their baby girl form China. I saw a book called “I Love You Like Crazy Cakes”. It’s a beautiful story told from the perspective of a mother to the little girl she adopts from China. Sitting on the floor of the bookstore, I couldn’t even get through it the first time I attempted to read it.

We ended up getting the book because it was such a touching story. Last night, Aliyah carried it over to me and sat down in my lap. I started reading it to her again, and by the end my voice was cracking once again.

Tyler leaned in from the other room to ask me, “Why are you crying?” with concern.

“I read the Crazy Cakes book again!” I said back, laughing through my tears. It really is the most beautiful story.

There has always been a calling in my heart to adopt a child. Tyler feels it too. There are so many factors to explore - the money, planning, legalities that come along with adopting - but it’s an echo in my soul that can’t be ignored.

I know it sounds crazy to even be thinking about future children when we still have a little one and hoping to one day be blessed with another pregnancy... but I believe all dreams deserve to be acknowledged, no matter how far off in the future they might be.

Reading Crazy Cakes to Aliyah has me thinking more and more about the definition of mother. of father. of family.

I talk often about the experience of pregnancy and birth as defining my entry to motherhood - But that’s only because it is what I know. There are so many paths to becoming a parent. All of them precious. And honestly, we had a small peek into parenthood with our sweet foster babies. Despite the differences in the experiences of all mothers and fathers, we all hold one common denominator - the thing that resonates within every one of us gifted with the role of “Mama” or “Daddy”. Hearts are forever changed. A world is forever widened by the distinct blessing of calling a child your own.