We have been chosen by a birth mother!!!
African American baby girl due next month on March 23rd. That is just a few short weeks from now! The birth mother is having a c-section so she will most likely have the baby a few days or up to a week before the due date putting it right at the beginning of my spring break. She is in Kansas City. Being so close to us is really such a huge blessing because we will be able to drive (yay, no plane costs!), and we can stay with family (yay, no hotel costs!). And, family and the boys can come down and visit us since it is only a three hour drive while we are waiting for the clearance to drive back to Iowa. Typically the stay out of state is about 10 to 14 days, but we don't know for sure yet how long we will have to be in Missouri.
We found out about this situation two weeks ago and we have spoken to the mother twice on the phone. We don't know yet what the first couple of days will look like after the baby is born but we will get a lot of that straightened out in the next few days when we sign all of our "match" paperwork. She has verbally agreed to the match at this point and we should be getting her paperwork back soon, and then we will be able to sign our side of it all.
I want to jump up and down and be SO excited, and I AM, BUT I am also trying to keep myself guarded a little even at this point. There is always the possibility that she may change her mind and decide to parent this child. Even after the baby is born, she will have to wait 48 hours before she can sign her parental termination paperwork...and even after that she could still change her mind up until she goes in front of a judge later that week. After she goes in front of a judge we have been told that we won't have to worry about it anymore, that she will be ours. Then the adoption will be finalized in the state of Missouri 6 months after the baby is born.
This is a really crazy position to be in...being so excited but also being so afraid all at the same time! We have been really praying for God's peace through all of this, and I honestly have felt it. We put this whole situation in His hands and we need to continue to put this last month in His hands as well.
Thanks to everyone who has been praying over this situation and we just ask that you don't quit!
We are praying (and hope you will join with us) for:
A HEALTHY baby girl!
A SMOOTH process to bring her home
An easy transition to a family of 5!
And for all the finances to come through.
We will keep everyone updated in the next few weeks as we get closer and closer to our baby girl! :)
Wow! Congratulations! That is the most exciting news! I have loved following your story and love your faith and how you put everything in God's hands. I understand the need to still feel guarded. I hope and pray that all goes well for your darling family!
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