The Last 76 Hours-
Life is like a…roller coaster; you never know what the next
turn will bring. That pretty much sums up the last 76 hours of our life.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 8:30am:
Jeff and I received a surprise phone call from our Adoption
Social Worker, stating she had great news. As I begin to pace around the
bedroom, sweat forming on my brow, and the phone shaking by my unsteady hand,
she proceeds to tell me they have a little baby boy for us, born on July 5th,
2013 (4 days old, at time of call). The parents are voluntarily relinquishing
their rights to the child and have chosen us. I have never experienced emotions
the way I did during that moment. On one hand I am composed while talking with
the social worker, and on the other hand I am a wreck pacing the room and ready
to totally loose it. She informs us we will need to wait for 48 hours to hear
more information that will be presented by the birth parent’s Social Worker. I
know what you’re thinking: what else…our thoughts exactly. The rest of the day
was toast. We were emotional wrecks!
Longest 48 hours of our LIFE!
Thursday, July 11, 2013 4:30pm:
Met with the birth parent’s Social Worker and our Adoption
Worker to hear the presentation of baby and his family. Anxious, nervous,
worried, excited, the list goes on of the varying emotions being experienced by
both Jeff and myself at this point. We hear more exciting and encouraging news
about this precious bundle of joy. They revealed he was 7 lbs, and 20.5 in.
long, healthy and eating like a champ. After hearing the dynamics of the family
and the baby’s current situation, the Social Worker asked how we were feeling. With
no immediate setbacks or concerns in moving forward we, with great joy, told
her we would love to hear more! She pulled out a picture. Oh boy, our hearts
sank. There I was looking at what could be our future son, all swaddled up in a
white hospital blanket with a blue and pink hat. Sleeping so peacefully. I
could not take my eyes off the picture. Moving forward met meeting the birth
parents the following day. Leaving that meeting we knew there was still huge
risks involved but we continued to rely on God for strength. We had made a
choice, no matter what if this opportunity did not work out we would be disappointed,
so we could either live the next hours/days in pure fear and doubt or we could
enjoy this gift of hope God has so graciously given us. We decided on the
latter option. What a joy ride it has been.
Friday, July 12, 12:30pm:
After a long one-hour and a half drive to the meeting
location, Jeff and I arrived to meet the birth parents and the Social Worker.
Baby boy was not present at this meeting. Jeff wanted to throw up the whole
drive there because of nerves and I just kept almost peeing my pants, needless
to say, we were a mess that was going to have to compose ourselves to be
empathetic and sincere to this struggling yet courageous couple. This was a
time about them and their needs, all our excitement, anxiety, joy, nervousness,
had to be put aside and delivered in a sensitive way. We know there are times
that God puts people in our lives to love, and sometimes these people are not
easy to love. One of our many prayers on the way to this meeting was that this
couple would be easy to love. As we walked into the meeting room and sat across
the table from two strangers who were considering us to surrender their rights
as parents to, I immediately fell in love with them. I admire their selfless
decision and commend them for their bravery. God was so present in this meeting
and everything went better than we could ever ask for. The couple absolutely
loved us as potential parents and had no hang ups about us as a couple or
individuals, they recognized that they could not give this baby the life he
deserves, and believe that we are the couple that can. We assured them that
with God’s help, we could! What a meeting. We hugged, took some pictures to
remember our time, and departed ways.
2 minutes later:
Social Worker calls, Jeff and I are hardly out of the driveway
of the office, “Their in! They want to move forward!” What an amazing relief.
Jeff and I had never felt God so close to us, the way we did during that
meeting. Even the Social Worker, during that phone call, mentioned she had
never experienced anything like that meeting in all the years she had been
working as a Relinquishment Worker. God’s name was glorified, and for that we
are so thankful! So what does “moving forward” mean?
Tuesday July 16th 10:30am:
We will go meet baby boy and spend an hour hearing from his
current caretaker, who has had him since he left the hospital. Oh and did I
mention I will be cuddling, loving, smelling, staring, more staring…all the
things a new mommy does with her new born, yes I said smelling, some of you
love “New Car Scent” I love “New Baby Scent”. Tuesday feels so far away, my
diaper bag is already packed.
Wednesday July 17th: THE BIG DAY!
Baby comes home! And that’s all I have to say.
Please continue to pray for us during these next several
days, weeks, and months as the process is not yet over, and there is always a
risk until the adoption is finalized. If everything goes as planned, we are
expecting it to take no more than six months! That’s incredible timing. What a
word, timing, God has done nothing but continued to reveal who he is through
this entire process. Jeff and my faith has grown, literally, by the hour, for
the last 76 hours.
*No names or identities can be revealed yet so unfortunately
no picture of baby or name can be shared. Please respect this and understand we
are eager to share and will do so as soon as we can. If you are a close friend or relative that
knows more information please do not share any info on comments made in any
social media circle. Thanks!