Open adoption is beautiful. Even before Gracie was born, we were able to communicate with her birthmother through our agency. We would send emails to each other. I posted the "This is..." post on our anniversary, October 23, because this is the email message we received from her that day:
Can you tell Josh and Lindsey that i wish them a Happy Anniversary. I wish I could have had their baby today so this day could be extra special for them. I got the card also, and i am also very happy to do this for them. I also want them to know they have nothing to worry about, when this baby is placed in there arms, they are the parents of it., and always will be. I want whats best for this little girl, and placing her with them is the best it could get. I just want them to know i think about them all the time and when i met them i felt a strong connection and would like to be friends with them, not just as the birth mom but as a person who cares.
Wow. She is absolutely amazing. Words cannot even describe it. She is one of the most selfless people I know. I love that Gracie will grow up knowing her birth mom and will be able to talk to her whenever she wants. There will never be any doubt in her mind that she is loved and that her birth mom wants the very best for her.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
We Met...(continued)
The day we got "the call," our social worker told us that the expectant mother wanted to meet us the following Thursday, October 11. She lives out of state, 7 hours away, and we were to meet at the Olive Garden for lunch.
We drove up on October 10, a Wednesday, got acquainted with the area a little, had pizza, and crashed at our hotel. Our hotel, by the way, was Springhill Suites. If you ever have the opportunity to stay in a Springhill Suites, do it! They are fabulous. The best part is that I scored an incredible deal through Priceline, so we only paid $70 for the night.
The next morning, DH and I were a bundle of nerves. We told ourselves to just be ourselves. After all, she had chosen us for a reason. Somehow, someone actually liked us enough to choose us to become her child's parents! I know, weird, huh? ;-) I decided to ditch the little notepad I had been writing potential questions in the entire trip up and just go with the flow.
We arrived at the Olive Garden 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled meeting. We didn't want to arrive after she did, figuring that wouldn't be good. The waitress asked to seat us, but we told her that we were waiting for our party and we'd let her know when they arrived. After our scheduled meeting time came and went, the waitress asked again to seat us, so we let her seat us. 15 more minutes went by. DH and I started to get panicky. Did she change her mind? Were we at the right Olive Garden? Is there more than one Olive Garden in the area?
At that moment, I got a call from our social worker in VA asking where we were because their social worker was waiting for us. Turns out, she was in front of the restaurant waiting for us (where we had been prior to the waitress seating us). The expectant mother had not arrived yet. She and her mom were running a little late and would arrive 5 minutes later. We waited in the front.
A few minutes later, she and her mom rounded the corner. I didn't know quite how to feel or what to expect until that moment. All I wanted to do at that moment is to immediately wrap my arms around this incredible girl. So I did. She had the biggest smile on her face.
Lunch went very well. We instantly felt a strong connection with both the e-mom and her mom. The social worker had an easy job because the conversation flowed as if we had known each other for years. E-mom was so sweet. We have so much in common and the match just made sense.
There were many, many God stops during this trip. After all they have been through, e-mom and her mom are two of the most unselfish people I have ever met. Simply amazing. Most of all, we are humbled and honored to be chosen to raise this e-mom's baby. Through e-mom's own words, "I feel like God chose you guys through me to be the perfect parents for this baby." Wow. Tears.
We drove up on October 10, a Wednesday, got acquainted with the area a little, had pizza, and crashed at our hotel. Our hotel, by the way, was Springhill Suites. If you ever have the opportunity to stay in a Springhill Suites, do it! They are fabulous. The best part is that I scored an incredible deal through Priceline, so we only paid $70 for the night.
The next morning, DH and I were a bundle of nerves. We told ourselves to just be ourselves. After all, she had chosen us for a reason. Somehow, someone actually liked us enough to choose us to become her child's parents! I know, weird, huh? ;-) I decided to ditch the little notepad I had been writing potential questions in the entire trip up and just go with the flow.
We arrived at the Olive Garden 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled meeting. We didn't want to arrive after she did, figuring that wouldn't be good. The waitress asked to seat us, but we told her that we were waiting for our party and we'd let her know when they arrived. After our scheduled meeting time came and went, the waitress asked again to seat us, so we let her seat us. 15 more minutes went by. DH and I started to get panicky. Did she change her mind? Were we at the right Olive Garden? Is there more than one Olive Garden in the area?
At that moment, I got a call from our social worker in VA asking where we were because their social worker was waiting for us. Turns out, she was in front of the restaurant waiting for us (where we had been prior to the waitress seating us). The expectant mother had not arrived yet. She and her mom were running a little late and would arrive 5 minutes later. We waited in the front.
A few minutes later, she and her mom rounded the corner. I didn't know quite how to feel or what to expect until that moment. All I wanted to do at that moment is to immediately wrap my arms around this incredible girl. So I did. She had the biggest smile on her face.
Lunch went very well. We instantly felt a strong connection with both the e-mom and her mom. The social worker had an easy job because the conversation flowed as if we had known each other for years. E-mom was so sweet. We have so much in common and the match just made sense.
There were many, many God stops during this trip. After all they have been through, e-mom and her mom are two of the most unselfish people I have ever met. Simply amazing. Most of all, we are humbled and honored to be chosen to raise this e-mom's baby. Through e-mom's own words, "I feel like God chose you guys through me to be the perfect parents for this baby." Wow. Tears.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
The Call
The past month has been so busy, exciting, beautiful, and nerve-wrecking! I was driving home from work on October 2nd, talking to my Mom on my cell, when I got a call on the other line. I told my Mom I would call her back because it was from the agency. I didn't really suspect anything, especially when it ended up being the agency's director. I figured if it was indeed, "the call," we would get it from our social worker, so I figured the director was calling to see if we were interested in attending an adoption class that was coming up.
Well, lo and behold, it WAS "the call!" The call we had been waiting for for almost a year. The call that we were starting to think would never come. A birthmother had chosen us!!!! We were chosen to become parents of her baby!!!! The baby girl was due at the end of the month!!!! Hello, Cloud 9!
The director called us herself because our social worker happened to have taken a few days off that week. She went on to explain that it was a situation we had heard about prior to this call, one I had felt a connection to for some unknown reason, unlike any other situation before. The birthmother wanted to meet us the following Thursday in her home state!
I frantically called DH....Crazy, Cloud 9 emotions followed...thrilled, nervous, excited, crazy! ECSTATIC! We are going to have another miracle!!!! Thank you, God!
I called my Mom back, she didn't answer. I called every phone number she had to try to reach her, but she didn't answer. Are you kidding me?!! She always answers her phone! I tried to call my Dad. Same thing, he didn't answer any phone, either! Finally my Dad called back and then my Mom beeped in....I think I told the news and made some kind of sense, but not really. Everyone was so excited!
That sweet baby's room has never seen so much action in one night. It went from bare to furnished and full of baby clothes and crib ready all in a few hours. Can you tell we were excited?!! I can't even begin to describe that feeling.
Well, lo and behold, it WAS "the call!" The call we had been waiting for for almost a year. The call that we were starting to think would never come. A birthmother had chosen us!!!! We were chosen to become parents of her baby!!!! The baby girl was due at the end of the month!!!! Hello, Cloud 9!
The director called us herself because our social worker happened to have taken a few days off that week. She went on to explain that it was a situation we had heard about prior to this call, one I had felt a connection to for some unknown reason, unlike any other situation before. The birthmother wanted to meet us the following Thursday in her home state!
I frantically called DH....Crazy, Cloud 9 emotions followed...thrilled, nervous, excited, crazy! ECSTATIC! We are going to have another miracle!!!! Thank you, God!
I called my Mom back, she didn't answer. I called every phone number she had to try to reach her, but she didn't answer. Are you kidding me?!! She always answers her phone! I tried to call my Dad. Same thing, he didn't answer any phone, either! Finally my Dad called back and then my Mom beeped in....I think I told the news and made some kind of sense, but not really. Everyone was so excited!
That sweet baby's room has never seen so much action in one night. It went from bare to furnished and full of baby clothes and crib ready all in a few hours. Can you tell we were excited?!! I can't even begin to describe that feeling.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Our Second Miracle Has Arrived
Our second miracle has arrived! Introducing...
Gracie Maya
October 31, 2012
9 lb. 5 oz.
20 in.
Gracie was welcomed into our arms on Halloween night at 5:12 P.M. She's gorgeous and we're so happy to finally be a family of 4.
1 Samuel 1:27
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him."
Gabby is such a proud big sister.
I will write separate posts for when we got "the call," when we met the expectant mother, our hospital experience, and adjusting to life as a family of 4. Stay tuned.
Praise God!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Sneak Peek
I know I have been very vague with my last few posts. There is a reason for that. Here is your Sneak Peek...
I promise I will fill you in on details soon. Thanks for being patient.
I promise I will fill you in on details soon. Thanks for being patient.
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