As I type I'm being stared at by a 2 month old little boy. I've been babysitting him and it has been great practice for us and even our house. Our nursery and baby things have been used and it's so fun to see a little one in the crib. Everyday something starts to make sense to me like when moms say they never get to sit down to a meal or take a hot shower. I'm starting to see that.
I've learned how to make a bottle with one hand (even my left hand), how to change an incredibly awkward outfit, how to install a car seat, and how to know when he just wants some attention. I even had my first experience taking him to the store by myself. A lady opened the door for me and complimented him on his cuteness. Yeah, I could get used to this.
We just took a trip to Indy to attend our last educational meeting. Derek planned the entire day and it was so nice to spend the day driving from surprise to surprise. He took me to the Indianapolis state fair where we saw bunnies and made a carnie man mad. We then had lunch in the park and watched children play on the playground. Then we headed to a neat comic book store in downtown which led us to the mall and dinner at our favorite place, PF Changs. Our day ended at the Bethany office where we attended our panel meeting. I can't tell you how much I needed that time away to recharge with my sweetie.
Our panel meeting was great, as always. Every time we attend Bethany we are reaffirmed in our agency choice. The staff is incredible as well as those who spoke at the meeting.
At the end of it we passed off our last paperwork and the copies of our profile. Irene, the domestic adoption direction, commented again that our profile was so unique (she's done this for over 30 years) and she can't wait to show it to mommas. Derek was so affirmed in that and it was a great way to end the day.
We are now "in the pool", meaning we could get a call at any moment and we are ecstatic!
That phone call will come from Kimber, our adoption specialist, and she could say two things:
1. There is a child born at Blahbity Blah Hospital with this history (medical, family, etc.). We will then pray about it and if we feel like God is calling us in this direction, we will race like mad people to the hospital, scoop them up and ride off into the sunset.
2. There is a birth mom (usually in her last trimester) who has read our profile and would like to have a Match Meeting with us. Kimber will tell us what they know about the child and their family and will give us a choice to meet with her or not. If we choose to this means that we will meet with her and see if there is a connection. We'll answer any questions she has and ask some of our own. If she and Derek and I feel like it is what God wants than we'll be considered "matched" meaning our profile will be taken out of the pool. At that time we wait for her to give birth and sign the legal paperwork. To make this very clear, being "matched" does not mean that the birth momma is forced to sign the paperwork in any way. It is absolutely her decision and is just the risk that we take. If she chooses to parent her child we will consider it a blessing just to know her and rejoice for that child.
As we move into this next phase of the process we ask for prayers for God's hand to be involved in every aspect of our journey.
Derek and I have been talking about what we can do to prepare for the little one's arrival. Although we know that it will catch us off guard, we're hoping to have as much prepared ahead of time so we can enjoy the "gotcha" process. We're putting the finishing touches on the nursery and my sweet friend is even planning a baby shower to help us prepare and celebrate (thanks A!).
