Just got off the phone with our caseworker. We are both running around like crazy trying to gather all the necessary documents and paperwork before the baby is born.
Birthmom has a doctor appointment yesterday, and she and baby are doing well. Our caseworker said that BM (birthmom) wants to have a conversation with me tomorrow. She is going to call me in the morning. I think it is a positive step towards building trust and confidence in us. But I am still nervous.I don't want to say the wrong thing or come across the wrong way.I want her to hang up the phone knowing she made the right decision and at peace with placing her baby with us. Please pray for me. I'm a mess!
Hubby and I are also preparing our home for the baby. We went to Babies R Us yesterday to get a carseat. WOW! I thought he was going to have to carry me out of the store! There is so much stuff there, and none of it is inexpensive!
Hope everyone is enjoying their day. We are going to do some family pictures later this afternoon, and then back home for soup, sandwiches, and game night!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Making Plans for Baby
Hey guys! It's been a while since I have posted anything. It's quite hard for one to write a blog when one has locked themselves out of their own computer! But I wanted to update ya'll, so I braved the weather to come use my momma's computer.
Everything is still a go for baby G. His is due to arrive pretty soon. The birthmom is doing good and taking care of herself, and seems to be at peace with her decision. Please pray that she continues to think about what is best for the baby, and that she and baby stay healthy. We don't even want to think about the devastation of something going wrong.
Several of you have asked how the process works, or when he will be "ours". So here is what I know.
No earlier than 72 hours after the birth, the birthparents will sign a relinquishment of parental rights. This will grant us temporary custody of the baby.
We will stay a hotel unless we are cleared to leave the state ( 5-10 days). We can then come home.
The BM has about 20 days after she signs the papers to revoke her signature and parent the baby. Beyond that, focus shifts from whose biological child it is to who is best fit to parent him.
We cannot actually file for adoption until 90 days after the birth of the baby. But we will have legal custody of him as soon as she signs the papers at 72 hours.
I know its alot, but as I like to say- IT IS WHAT IT IS. People do much more risky and extraordinary things everyday. I know God will give us the strength to withstand all of this. We are praying fervenatly EVERYDAY that the BM continues to think about what is best for the baby.
By the way, we did get to name the baby. We love his name, and are so excited to share it with you later!
Everything is still a go for baby G. His is due to arrive pretty soon. The birthmom is doing good and taking care of herself, and seems to be at peace with her decision. Please pray that she continues to think about what is best for the baby, and that she and baby stay healthy. We don't even want to think about the devastation of something going wrong.
Several of you have asked how the process works, or when he will be "ours". So here is what I know.
No earlier than 72 hours after the birth, the birthparents will sign a relinquishment of parental rights. This will grant us temporary custody of the baby.
We will stay a hotel unless we are cleared to leave the state ( 5-10 days). We can then come home.
The BM has about 20 days after she signs the papers to revoke her signature and parent the baby. Beyond that, focus shifts from whose biological child it is to who is best fit to parent him.
We cannot actually file for adoption until 90 days after the birth of the baby. But we will have legal custody of him as soon as she signs the papers at 72 hours.
I know its alot, but as I like to say- IT IS WHAT IT IS. People do much more risky and extraordinary things everyday. I know God will give us the strength to withstand all of this. We are praying fervenatly EVERYDAY that the BM continues to think about what is best for the baby.
By the way, we did get to name the baby. We love his name, and are so excited to share it with you later!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
NOW is the time for the runnin' man!
All of this is early information, but it's all I got! K from the adoption agency called earlier and said that the birthmom chose us as the adoptive parents. She commented on our active lifestyle and liked how we were laid back and not as "intense" as the other couple. Not sure what that means, but I'll take it :)
I am stupid-excited. Some of you party poopas have asked " what if this or that happens?". Well, there is absolutely nothing I can do to prevent what will be. All I know is that we are one step closer to adopting a sweet baby. We are trusting that God will see ALL of us through this process and protect our hearts.
Right now I need ya'll to pray that the birthmom is at peace with her decision and our relationship and trust grows stronger with each day. The baby is born in January, so hopefully she's spent some time thinking about this decision and is sure of the choices she has made.
Pray, pray, pray for the following:
Birthmom/Baby Health
Peace and Comfort about her decision
Brandon & I as we get our finances in order to travel and pay expenses
Gavin's understanding about what's going on
I am stupid-excited. Some of you party poopas have asked " what if this or that happens?". Well, there is absolutely nothing I can do to prevent what will be. All I know is that we are one step closer to adopting a sweet baby. We are trusting that God will see ALL of us through this process and protect our hearts.
Right now I need ya'll to pray that the birthmom is at peace with her decision and our relationship and trust grows stronger with each day. The baby is born in January, so hopefully she's spent some time thinking about this decision and is sure of the choices she has made.
Pray, pray, pray for the following:
Birthmom/Baby Health
Peace and Comfort about her decision
Brandon & I as we get our finances in order to travel and pay expenses
Gavin's understanding about what's going on
Monday, December 13, 2010
Potential Baby News
Whew! I've been a bad blogger. My apologies. Life has been crazy hectic around here. I am finishing up my coursework for my graduate classes, and Christmas preparations has taken reign of my spare time!
However, there has been some activity on the adoption front. We were matched with a couple up near Canada whose baby is due in early February. For whatever reason, they aren't communicating with the agency very well. So for the time being, that situation is on the back burner.
We have been presented to a birthmom in a neighboring state. She is due in early 2011. She was sent a handful of family profiles, and has seemed to narrow it down to us and another couple. She plans to take the profiles to a counselor today and review her options. The agency expects her decision by Wednesday at the latest. PLEASE PRAY for her as she makes ones of the biggest decisions of her life. Of course, we want to be the family she chooses for her sweet baby. But mostly, we want her to be at peace with her decision.
Based on my conversations with the agency, the other family probably has the advantage. The birthmom prefers both parents to be college-educated. I just hope that there is something, anything in our profile that stands out to her and tugs at her heartstrings. I hope she sees the love and committment in our marriage, the laughter and giggles at our house, and the wonderful life we could give to another child.
I will update when I hear something new! And again, please know how grateful I am that you care enough to read these blog posts. It really warms my heart to know that we have so much support on our journey to adopt.
However, there has been some activity on the adoption front. We were matched with a couple up near Canada whose baby is due in early February. For whatever reason, they aren't communicating with the agency very well. So for the time being, that situation is on the back burner.
We have been presented to a birthmom in a neighboring state. She is due in early 2011. She was sent a handful of family profiles, and has seemed to narrow it down to us and another couple. She plans to take the profiles to a counselor today and review her options. The agency expects her decision by Wednesday at the latest. PLEASE PRAY for her as she makes ones of the biggest decisions of her life. Of course, we want to be the family she chooses for her sweet baby. But mostly, we want her to be at peace with her decision.
Based on my conversations with the agency, the other family probably has the advantage. The birthmom prefers both parents to be college-educated. I just hope that there is something, anything in our profile that stands out to her and tugs at her heartstrings. I hope she sees the love and committment in our marriage, the laughter and giggles at our house, and the wonderful life we could give to another child.
I will update when I hear something new! And again, please know how grateful I am that you care enough to read these blog posts. It really warms my heart to know that we have so much support on our journey to adopt.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
We got mashed yams, yams with nuts, buttered yams.....
I must apologize to my momma Betty for our behavior during Thanksgiving dinner at the farm. Rolling our eyes and smirking when you handed us that pen and construction paper was completely uncalled for. Giggling with my hubby about how we would intentionally make our "hand turkeys" big and fat was rude and immature. The worst of all was definately when we sat down with you in the middle of the floor and made fun of the 18th century scissors ya'll were using to cut out these innovative turkey feathers.
But you didn't care. You tolerated our antics, as you always do. And look what you created. The most beautiful turkey we've ever seen! Hopefully, this is the beginning of a fun new family tradition.
This turkey, combined with the the cackling of all the girls cousins, 4 different versions of sweet potatoes, and my awesome butterfinger cake made Thanksgiving 2010 the best ever!
Poor Robyn, she hates sweet potatoes with a passion. Those yams about did her in!
In all seriousness, it was so wonderful to have the whole family there for a meal together. Papaw's house was filled with laughter, love, and the smell of pumpkin pie! I met baby Tori for the first time, Gavin got to go on a hike with uncle Conrad, and we all got to visit with out-of-town cousins.
We also had a great dinner with Hubby's family. As always, the food was awesome. We all plopped down on the couches after eating and visited for about 2 hours, while the kids wrestled and played in the floor.
We're healthy, happy, and blessed. Here's to a wonderful Christmas Season!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
6 Minute Turkey
My mom and sisters have heard Big G's version of the first Thanksgiving. It was so cute I thought I would share it with the bloggy world. It isn't verbatim, but it's close.
"The King wouldn't let us pray, so he put us on the Mayflower and shipped us here. We built houses out of wood and nails. The Indians showed us how to cook chickens on a stick. They showed us how to plant corn by putting fish in the ground. Then we had a long winter and ate 90 plates of food".
When asked how to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, he responded:
"Put on your boggin and boots. Get on the four wheeler and ride up the mountain. Shoot and turkey and yank its feathers out, because they don't taste good. Then mom will put some butter on it and cook it for 6 minutes".
Apparently, he has begun to notice that my secret ingrediant is always butter. Oh well, no one is complaining!
Happy Thanksgiving to all. May your fishy corn and 6 minute Turkey be everything you dreamed of!
"The King wouldn't let us pray, so he put us on the Mayflower and shipped us here. We built houses out of wood and nails. The Indians showed us how to cook chickens on a stick. They showed us how to plant corn by putting fish in the ground. Then we had a long winter and ate 90 plates of food".
When asked how to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, he responded:
"Put on your boggin and boots. Get on the four wheeler and ride up the mountain. Shoot and turkey and yank its feathers out, because they don't taste good. Then mom will put some butter on it and cook it for 6 minutes".
Apparently, he has begun to notice that my secret ingrediant is always butter. Oh well, no one is complaining!
Happy Thanksgiving to all. May your fishy corn and 6 minute Turkey be everything you dreamed of!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
We wear it well!
The "Adoption is Love" shirts are traveling far! Today they were worn by good friends in several different towns. Also, I know there are two Adoption is Love shirts in Washington state! I was not at all expecting to see my BFF Liz wearing hers this morning, but it brought such a smile to my face. I saw another one on a teacher at our son's elementary school.
As I've said before, this is no definite timeline for our adoption. We may get a child next month or wait until next Christmas. Either way, it is so comforting to know that the message of adoption is spreading throughout a little piece of our world.
I have to remind myself that the purpose of this blog shouldn't just be our journey to a child. It should also be about the miracle of adoption in the heart of every Christian.
God has the ability to take two seemingly hopeless situations and turn them into a beautiful forever family. You may not feel called to adopt, but every one of us is called to care. A simply prayer is a great way to start :)
By the way, I am beyond thankful that this is a TWO DAY WORK WEEK! I'm sure I am getting some amen's from fellow teachers right now!
As I've said before, this is no definite timeline for our adoption. We may get a child next month or wait until next Christmas. Either way, it is so comforting to know that the message of adoption is spreading throughout a little piece of our world.
I have to remind myself that the purpose of this blog shouldn't just be our journey to a child. It should also be about the miracle of adoption in the heart of every Christian.
God has the ability to take two seemingly hopeless situations and turn them into a beautiful forever family. You may not feel called to adopt, but every one of us is called to care. A simply prayer is a great way to start :)
By the way, I am beyond thankful that this is a TWO DAY WORK WEEK! I'm sure I am getting some amen's from fellow teachers right now!
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