Meet Sarah and Andy Justice – a happily married couple whose dream it was to become parents. However it wasn’t as simple as that, the Justice family struggled for years to conceive. Finally they begin a long, excruciating adoption process. One that would eventually lead to a successful adoption, but what follows a mere week after Sarah and Andy adopt will move you beyond comprehension. Grab some tissues, this story’s a tearjerker.
Times Two
The Struggle
Three years after Sarah and Andy got married, they were ready to grow their family. All they had dreamed of was being parents, and it didn’t matter whether they had more sons than daughters or vice versa. What they wanted was to be parents to healthy, beautiful children. But the road to becoming pregnant was stressful and filled with heartbreak. Sarah and Andy never imagined what struggles they would have to face and so early on.
The Struggle
Our Choice
After months and months of trying to conceive, Andy and Sarah knew they needed help. They didn’t understand why all their attempts to grow their family wasn’t working. They were devastated every time the stick came back as negative. That was when they decided it was time to locate a fertility doctor.
Our Choice
Expert Opinion
Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sarah and Andy Justice were struggling to find an adequate fertility specialist in their hometown. Family and friends kept giving out recommendations, some even taking to other cities in Oklahoma. However, no one they saw was good enough. They needed to look elsewhere.
Expert Opinion
Out Of State
That’s when they realized that they needed to broaden the scope, thus finding the perfect socialist – all the way in St. Louis, MO. Despite the long distance, Andy and Sarah were not stopping until they saw the specialist in order to fulfill their dream of becoming parents.
Out Of State
Bad News Hits
In 2014, the couple made the journey to Missouri by car, no less! Distance didn’t matter to Sarah and Andy, growing their family did. After driving for six hours, they finally reached the clinic only to receive devastating news. Sarah and Andy just weren’t prepared for the news the doctor delivered.
Bad News Hits
No Chance
They braced themselves for the worst but they couldn’t imagine just how bad it was. The doctor informed the couple that Sarah had no chance of conceiving a child. Naturally, the Justices were destroyed by the news the doctor told them. But that wasn’t all he told them.
No Chance
Option A
The fertility specialist delivered yet another blow. He informed Sarah and Andy that while they’re good candidates for in-vitro fertilization, their chance of actually becoming pregnant is just 10%. Furthermore the Justice’s were alarmed to learn just how invasive and expensive in-vitro fertilization is. Meaning their chances of becoming parents was quickly diminishing.
Option A
Bills and Bills
Ranging anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000 for just a basic IVF cycle, which insurance doesn’t cover, the Justice’s were looking at a bill somewhere in-between $30,000 and $60,000 overall. They weren’t prepared to spend that kind of money on something that wasn’t even a guarantee. While they did want to be parents, they knew that couldn’t afford a round of IVF.
Bills And Bills
Another Option
With all the numbers drawn, Sarah and Andy knew they had to pursue other options. Without hesitation, they decided that adoption was their only option. While they also knew that the adoption process could be just as grueling, they felt this was their only choice.
Another Option
Option B
As far as Sarah and Andy were concerned, they would stop at nothing until they were parents. They dove into the adoption process – which can often be a frustrating, grueling, process. Be that as it may, the Justice’s filled out a Mouth Everest stack of paperwork! This then leads to a complete agency review, so all they needed to do now was wait.
Option B
It’s A Yes
After a long 30 days, the Justices finally got word – their application was accepted! Sarah and Andy were over the moon! And of course they were, they were that much closer to becoming parents. However the home study was up next. The couple were worried how that would go but they remained hopeful.
It’s A Yes
Oh Baby
With constant hurdles to jump, Sarah and Andy knew that adoption was not going to be easy. Despite the obstacles that presented themselves, the Justice’s were determined to adopt a newborn baby, no matter what it took.
Oh Baby
House Study
When the day finally came for the house study, Sarah and Andy were really nervous. They answered all the questions and hoped their answers were what the agency wanted to hear. And of course they hoped the house study would go off without a hitch, they didn’t have to wait long for an answer either. The Justice’s passed the home study! But that wasn’t the final hurdle.
House Study
Interview Process
With the home study completed, the Justice’s had to undergo various interviews – which is completely draining and exhausting. Through a series of interviews with all prospective birth mothers, Sarah and Andy were under the microscope. However, their struggles were only just beginning. They had to wait for a birth mother to choose them and they had no idea just how long they would need to wait.
Interview Process
Yes, No, Maybe
Following a thorough interview process, Sarah and Andy received the wonderful news that a birth mother chose them to adopt their baby! Immediately they began planning, envisioning their future as a family, and they made sure they were there to support the birth mother through her pregnancy. But then just like that, everything changed.
Yes No Maybe
Heartbreak
Unfortunately, at the last minute, the birth mother changed her mind. When Andy and Sarah learned the news, they were utterly devastated. But they weren’t ready to give up. No way. In spite of this major setback, Sarah and Andy were nowhere near ready to give up.
Heartbreak
Moving On
Even after their heartbreak, the Justice’s carried on with the adoption process and had yet another interview. Ultimately the second birth mother said yes but again, at the last minute, this birth mother also changed her mind. Naturally Sarah and Andy were beyond disappointed but they still didn’t give up. Little did they know that they were about to receive one more call…
Moving On
A Chance
When the phone rang, Sarah and Andy were still emotionally destroyed but the agency was optimistic that this birth mother was different. That this time, things for Sarah and Andy would be different. All they needed to do was take a leap of faith.
A Chance
Meeting
Sarah and Andy met with the new birth mother, but they were still cautious. They had been hurt before and the couple didn’t know if they could handle such loss again. However, the meeting between them went really well! Sarah and Andy were feeling more confident that this time was different. In fact, things went so well that the birth mother even invited them to her ultrasound appointment!
Meeting
The News
The birth mother had not been to a proper exam before so she didn’t have a lot of information to offer Sarah and Andy. They were both learning about the baby at the same time and that was pretty remarkable for both parties. However, they had no idea the news waiting for them at the doctor’s appointment. Nothing prepared them for what the doctor said.
The News
Threeeeeee
Everything looks normal, says the doctor, hmm, wait. Everyone is holding their breath but when the doctor says, “I see three separate, strong heartbeats,” the entire room is overwhelmed with joy! That’s right, the birth mother is pregnant with triplets! No one saw that coming.
Threeeeeee
Unbelievable
When they heard the news, Sarah nervously asked the adoption agency, “What does that mean?” However, because it was technically one pregnancy, they clarified it counted as one adoption. So, if the couple wanted triplets, they could have them.
Unbelievable
Growing Family
Not only was the birth mother shocked but so were Sarah and Andy. However, for the Justice’s it was a sign – after struggling for so long to have even just one baby, here they were with three, healthy babies. Just like that. No way were they looking any further, they moved forward with the adoption process. Soon, they were about to be the family they always dreamed of being.
Growing Family
A Dream
Sarah and Andy were over the moon. While the news wasn’t what they expected, they welcomed it with open arms. “Wow! This is great,” they said. “It’s everything we wanted.”
A Dream
Tweaks
Immediately they went home and began baby proofing! On top of that, they also needed to buy everything in sets of three. Furthermore it was time to mentally prepare themselves – not only are they about to become parents, but to three children. All at once!
Tweaks
Really Happy
“No, really, we were very happy. Did we panic a little? Of course. But we were very happy,” said Andy. This was what they had been waiting for! After all those hellish months, Sarah and Andy were finally getting the family they always wanted.
Really Happy
Mom and Dad
Eight weeks early and the Justice’s get a call to get to the hospital right away – their babies are coming. After many hours, the birth mother delivers three, teeny tiny three pound babies. Hannah, Joel, and Elizabeth have arrived, and it’s time to meet mom and dad.
Mom And Dad
Newborns
Of course, Sarah and Andy are alarmed as their newborns were born eight weeks early. So before Hannah, Joel, and Elizabeth can come home, they have to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit for an extended time. As they grow stronger each passing day, Sarah and Andy fall deeper in love. They can’t wait to go home and begin their new life!
Newborns
A Week Later
However, a mere week after the triplets are born, Sarah begins to feel very sick. Thinking that it was just stress due to the adoption process and the fact that she has three newborns, Sarah decides it’s best to get checked. In any case, the doctor does a thorough examination, but when he informs Sarah why she’s so ill, she’s beside herself.
A Week Later
Positive!
Turns out that Sarah Justice…is pregnant! After years of unsuccessfully conceiving, Sarah received the most beautiful news. Especially one week after adopting triplets. But the surprises were only just beginning…
Positive!
Two More
Not only is Sarah pregnant, she’s pregnant with twins! I know, I know. Your jaw is probably on the floor just like ours. The new mom of triplets is now going growing her family by two more. While some would think this was bad timing, the Justice’s are over the moon. The big family they had always wanted, was happening.
Two More
Excited
“I was shocked and a bit overwhelmed because I got to thinking, added it up and I’m like, wow, if they go to term we’re about five babies in eight months. But we were really excited because it was something we’ve been dreaming of and longing for for years,” Sarah told the TODAY show.
Excited
What A Surprise
Andy and Sarah were definitely taking the unexpected pregnancy news in stride, but they also saw humor in their situation. Just imagine adopting triplets when you think that you can’t ever have babies of your own, and then you find out that you’re pregnant with twins! However the couple took the surprise pregnancy as a blessing. They now focused their energy on raising their triplets.
What A Surprise
Truly Blessed
Sarah and Andy were about to be parents to five children, who are all under the age of one – astonishing. While they felt totally overwhelmed, they knew just how blessed they were.
Truly Blessed
Ironic
As the couple had been struggling with infertility for years before turning to adoption, they didn’t know how much their lives would change. After adopting the triplets and then becoming pregnant with twins right away, they were a bit overwhelmed too. “It was more than a little ironic,” Andy said.
Ironic
Six!
And just like that, after nine months, Sarah goes into labor. Their lives were changing once again! But they were ready. This is what the Justices wanted. Andrew and Abigail are the newest addition to the Justice family – a family of six.
Six!
Pitch In
Together with the help of family, friends, and community, Sarah and Andy have all the support in the world. Moreover many members of the Tulsa Eastland Baptist Church aid Sarah and Andy at all hours – they donate food and cook meals, plus they provide the family with baby formula.
Pitch In
Helping Hand
When the Justice’s went back to work, many friends, family, and church members helped babysit. Furthermore, Sarah and Andy received tons of donations from total strangers all over the state. Things like bottles, diapers, clothes, and blankets were delivered to the house, day in day out. Especially considering the family went through over 300 diapers and 84 bottles in a week!
Helping Hand
C-C-C-Changes
Goes without saying but when you’re a family of six, many changes need to be made! Not only did they change their schedules but they also bought a bigger van. In addition to all that, Sarah and Andy also had to develop a method to be able to tell the babies apart. So they painted the babies’ toenails with a different nail polish color in order to remember who was who. This was especially crucial when it came to feeding time!
C C C Changes
Challenges
You would think that the new parents with five babies close in age would find feeding time, changing diapers, and other routines to be the most challenging. However, there were other challenges that they found themselves in. As we mentioned, they bought a bigger van and that’s because they needed to be able to transport everyone at once. That was a challenge they never even thought about.
Challenges
Viral!
What’s not surprising at all is that Sarah and Andy Justice’s story quickly made the news. From Facebook to news stations, the Justice’s had tons of followers who were interested in the family of five. Not long after the story went viral, Sarah and Andy got another unexpected surprise.
Viral
Love
“My husband says all we do is babies, everything else in life has pretty much stopped,” Sarah said. “But it was something we’ve wanted so badly that we love it. It’s not to say it’s not a lot of work and we’re not tired a lot but it’s great. We just really love having these children.”
Love
Six!
And then the family of five became a family of six! That’s right, Sarah found out she was pregnant again! Although Sarah and Andy wouldn’t have it any way, they were truly blessed. Sarah even told the Today show, “It was something we’ve wanted so badly that we love it. We just really love having these children.”
Six!
We’re Ready
While raising a baby can be taxing, the couple had already raised five at this point. They were veterans. Sarah and Andy were ready to for another baby and weren’t all that nervous. Although a new baby can always be challenging, no matter how experienced you are.
We’re Ready
Golden Throne
When Caleb joined the Justice family, Andy and Sarah had mastered the art of changing diapers. Although the time needed to change so many diapers in a day was an extraordinary ask. That’s why the couple were more than ready to start potty training. While potty training more than one kid is a nightmare, the Justices felt that it was their best option.
Golden Throne
On Alert
Any parent will tell you that kids grow up too quickly. As a result, Andy and Sarah needed to be ready at every minute for the next development in their children’s lives. Such as all the children needing to move to toddler beds at around the same time. Sarah called the process “an adventure,” but that it worked out well.
On Alert
Early On
Whenever you need to take the kids to preschool, doctors appointments and so on, it can be quite the task. And when you have six small children, it can be even more difficult. However that doesn’t stop Andy and Sarah from finding time to do things together. They go on morning walks, organize play-dates, and they are also teaching their kids to help out with chores.
Early On
Big Brothers and Sisters
While their children are still young, they have taken a real interest in helping out with baby Caleb. All of the older siblings “absolutely adore” Caleb, Andy and Sarah said. Andy and Sarah can even relax more as they feed their youngest without worrying too much about multitasking with all the other babies as well.
Big Brothers And Sisters
All Smiles
Even though they’re now a family of six, Sarah and Andy know they are extremely lucky. With Joel, Hannah, and Elizabeth (the triplets), Abigail and Andrew (the twins), and Caleb (the youngest), the Justice family is loving every minute of their hectic lives.
All Smiles
Dream Come True
During an interview with Babyology, Sarah Justice spoke up about life with six kids who are all under the age of five. She said, “Having a number of children is a dream come true. When you wait for something you appreciate it that much more when you get it.”
Dream Come True
Spiritual Couple
The couple credits religious beliefs. Andy said, “Besides, maybe it’s all connected,” while Sarah added, “We really felt this was something God wanted us to do,” Sarah said. “And sometimes, when you follow God’s will in one thing, it leads to the next thing.”
Spiritual Couple
Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
Between all the babies, the family used over 300 diapers weekly. Luckily, they had some amazing people in their lives to help them out. Andy commented at the time, “They’ve all been donated so far. We’ve been very, very blessed.”
Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
Pretty Wild
Now, think about this one…they spent more time trying to conceive than the amount of time Sarah and Andy welcomed their six new babies!
Pretty Wild
Sense Of Humor
Just two months after their adoption of the triplets, Sarah phoned her husband about her sonogram. She told him, “One is a boy.” He exclaimed, “One?!” Apparently, he already joked that they might have twins, but didn’t seriously think it would happen. He joked to Tulsa World, “That’ll teach me to keep my mouth shut.”
Sense Of Humor
It Takes A Village
Talk about a supportive community! Did you know that all of their friends and family organized a special weekly rotation to help out? They knew it would get hard with Andy at work and Sarah home with the kids. So, the Eastland Baptist Church helped them with home-cooked food and babysitting.
It Takes A Village
Connection
Even if the couple could have predicted they would have biological kids, Sarah claims they would never want to give up the triplets. In addition, Andy thinks the twins wouldn’t have ever come without the adoption. Andy says the adoption took away most of their stress they’d dealt with.
Connection
Sweet Family
Can you even fathom having six kids in under four years? Some people could barely keep six kids straight with all the sames and looking so similar. Then try imaging living with that chaos day in and out. However, this family was meant for each other. You could see how excited they were to warmly welcome baby number six.
Sweet Family
Potty Patrol
Potty training is no joke. Think about the struggles. Now, times five. The parents admitted, “Potty breaks are a big part of our day when you have five children at the same life stage.” We applaud them! Seriously.
Potty Patrol
Lifelong Company
Something beautiful about the Justice family is that none of the kids will ever feel lonely. They always have each other to lean on and look to when they have problems. Sarah said, “We never lack playmates and work to promote love and care between the siblings. Our children will always have a friend and will never need to feel lonely.”
Lifelong Company
Star Of The Show
Andy and Sarah probably never predicted feeding more than one baby at a time. Fast forward a bit, and the two are going through 80 plus bottles a week. Now, they’re past those days though. Young Caleb is the star of their house. All the older kids adore their younger brother. The parents shared that the older ones love to spoil him with hugs and kisses all day.
Star Of The Show
Playmates
Hearing the story of Sarah, Andy and their kids is astounding. From two to five, seven and then eight, many cannot fathom how they kept it together. Despite their challenges, the family proved resilient. Now, Sarah is a proud mother of six and is still grateful for how things turned out. She’s especially excited that all the kids will have each other as playmates for life!
Playmates