Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Story

I figure it's about time I sit down and let you all know how this little one (we still don't have a name -- but we will this weekend when Marcus comes out) came into our family. Because this post will not necessarily be super short, let me try to explain how quickly this all happened. It started on a Tuesday, and on Saturday I was handed our new daughter. That's fast. Last week, Tuesday, I was at Mothers' Group. Some of the ladies there are pregnant with their 2nd, and we were discussing what that will be like with 2 kids at home. I made the comment that I would be ok waiting until Samantha was walking and I could actually wake up in the morning before we had a new baby. (My morning routine has been, up until this point, getting Samantha from her crib when she wakes up and falling asleep with her on the couch for another 1-2 hours.)

When I got home from mothers' group, I talked to my friend, Marci, for a while. Then, I received a phone call from the director of the Provo LDS Family Services office. She informed me that someone had requested more information about us, but they couldn't find our file. (This is because they were calling us Marcus and Jenny, and we were filed under Roland and Jeanette. It gets complicated when you don't go by your real names.) I tried to call my parents, but noone was there. I emailed Marcus. And then I talked to his mom. I was just really excited that someone was looking at us.

About 45 minutes later, I received a phone call from our caseworker. She told me that we had been selected. The baby was born early, at 32 weeks, but was out of the hospital and doing really well in the care of a foster home. What?! She's already here? I couldn't believe it when she told me that the baby had already been born. Initially, I was thinking I would fly out the next day, Wednesday. I tried to call Marcus but couldn't track him down. I went over to MaryIrene's because I had to tell someone. I didn't want news to get out before telling Marcus, but I just could not NOT tell someone. This was big! I was shocked, lightheaded, numb -- it was a very surreal moment.

I finally was able to talk with Marcus, at 5pm when I picked him up from work. Marseille watched Samantha so I could talk with Marcus about the adoption stuff, but I never really told him we had been selected until we got home and he saw the bassinet all set up with one of Samantha's pink blankets. He was shocked an went through similar feelings that I had gone through about 4 hours earlier.

We decided to not just fly out and get this baby. It was a lot sooner than we had ever imagined, and we had a lot of issues we had to pray about. We were/are both concerned about Samantha's care and the attention she needs while having a little baby at home. The rest of the story is more personal, but I will say that I am very grateful for the power of prayer. It is powerful. We both felt a confirmation from the Lord that this baby is supposed to be in our home at this time. I didn't feel anything that told me it would be easy, just that it is right. On Wednesday night we made our final decision and I called the Detroit LDS Family Services office to let them know our decision. That was the commencement to our newest adventure and journey.

I am expected to be in Michigan for about 6 weeks while the paper work is processed in the court and things are finalized in here. Then we will have to get them finalized in Utah. I am grateful that I am able to spend this time at home, and not in a hotel, and that my parents are here to help me. And boy, have they been helping me. It's been really fun to be here and spend this time with them while going through such a transition -- though I do miss Marcus a great deal and know that Samantha misses their nightly wrestle! But Marcus will have the opportunity to come out here a couple times. In fact, we will see him this Saturday. During one of his visits we plan on meeting with the birthmother, and I am sooo excited for that.

Thank you for all of your comments on our previous post. I get more and more excited for everyone to meet her each time I read a new comment. I will get more pictures posted and I really want a picture of Samantha and her new sister together, but Samantha is sick -- so I'm trying to keep them apart for the time being. Some people will think we are crazy, and that's ok. I think we are a little off our rocker, but I find so much peace knowing that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. And this baby...well...she is just so easy to fall in love with! I feel so blessed to have 2 amazing daughters! Wow. We have 2 daughters. How did that happen? Maybe I should re-read this post...

11 comments:

Lori and Matt said...

Amazing! The Lord truly does bless us when we're doing what is right! Congrats you guys!

Annie said...

Keep the updates and pictures coming!

Annie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Annie said...

Keep the updates and pictures coming!

Amelia said...

Yes, you have two beautiful girls who are very blessed to have such faithful, loving, extremely amazing parents. Congrats again you two. Your little family and your lives make me smile.

Diana said...

I've been occasionally following your blog off of Danette's and have loved it so much--you have a darling little Samantha and every post you write makes me cry. This time is no exception. I think your new little girl is so precious--I love all of her dark hair and will look forward to finding out the name you choose for your 2nd miracle baby. Love to you and your family.

Erika said...

Wow. It's amazing how the Lord can put things into place so quickly, and often when you're least expecting it. I can't wait to meet your new baby. She is beatiful! Congratulations.

Sam said...

It's great to hear a little more of the story. What a crazy turn of events over the past week and a half for you guys! Congratulations, again. We're so happy for your family.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! We are so happy for you! We hope all goes well in the next few weeks. We guess this means you won't be coming to Hawaii to visit us any time soon :( Your baby is worth a lot more than a visit here.

Amy said...

I've been checking your blog daily in anticipation of the whole story. It's amazing! Thanks for sharing. Have fun with Marcus this weekend as a cute little family of FOUR! The Lord really does have a hand in our lives, and it is so comforting.

Judy H. said...

We are so excited for you! The baby is so cute. I keep checking to see if you have named her yet. Congratulations and enjoy! Sorry I'm not in Michigan to see all of you. You'll have to come back in the summer to visit so I can see her. You have such a cute family, these girls are so blessed to have such good and dedicated parents.

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