In November 2009, we decided to start the adoption process.
The application and home study process took about 9 months to complete. We loved the personal attention that we received at Bethany Christian Services. It was wonderful to have caring, Christian women who walked with us through every step. We appreciated their commitment to seeking the Lord in every aspect of adoption.
Once the paperwork was complete and our profile was on the web, we sat back and waited. I was convinced that it would be a LONG wait. I didn’t spend too much time dreaming about the day we would receive the “phone call.” After so many disappointments, my expectations were low.
On a Friday in late May, my husband and I were shopping and received a phone call from our social worker. Since the mall was so noisy, I hung up, went to our car, and called her back from there. The words “there are birthparents who are interested in meeting you” took a minute to register. It had only been THREE WEEKS since our profile went live! I could not believe what I was hearing! As we drove home, I remember staring straight ahead at the road in disbelief. Was this really happening?
Of course, the occasion called for a new outfit. I went shopping for something that looked cute and somewhat mother-like. I wanted to look nurturing but still cool, you know? I settled on a white, eyelet full skirt and a royal blue T-shirt. It was comfortable to travel in and looked nice too.
A couple weeks later, we were off to the beach to meet the birthparents. We arrived a little early so we would have time to eat lunch. Needless to say, it was a bit difficult to eat!
After lunch, I stood on a pier staring off at the sparkling water. I took many deep breaths, trying to still my heart. The breeze blew over my face. It was a moment in which I sensed the presence of God.
In spite of the nerves, the meeting went well.
We headed home and waited to see what would happen next.
On July 6, 2010, the phone call we had been waiting for came. It was summertime, and I had chosen to sleep in. I got up a little after 9:00 and poured myself a bowl of Cracklin’ Oat Bran. I checked my phone and had several missed calls from Ben and our social worker. With a mouthful of cereal, I anxiously dialed Ben’s number. He answered with, “Are you ready to meet him?” I squealed and some of my cereal landed on the carpet.
In a whirlwind of excitement, I packed our bags and waited for Ben to come home.
On our way out the door with bags in hand, Ben stopped me and gave me a big kiss. Our son was on his way into the world!
The 2-hour drive to the hospital felt much longer. We were stuck in traffic about 15 minutes out when we received a picture from the social worker. Our son was here! It was all I could do to keep from jumping out of the car and running the rest of the way to the hospital.
When we first saw our son, he was swaddled up tight. I was too nervous to hold him! Ben held him first and fed him his first bottle. He ate like a champ. It was a precious time.
A couple hours later, the nurses came to take our baby to the nursery. He had a fever and needed to be placed on antibiotics. We soon learned that he would be spending the next 10 days in the NICU. It was a difficult pill to swallow. We just wanted to go home! God knew what he was doing though. Those 10 days, we were able to spend time getting to know the birth family.
In November 2011, we decided to begin the adoption process for our second child. It is 2015, and we are still waiting. I have been tempted to give up several times, but we do not feel like our family is complete. I look around our dinner table at night, and I feel like someone is missing. I continue to walk the path that God has laid before me, waiting for His will to unfold in His time.