We're Official!

I can't believe I am actually typing these words after 7 years of trying to have a baby and waiting for over a year in the adoption arena.  Jesse and I have been officially chosen to be the adoptive parents for a birthmom from Grand Rapids.  We are still in shock and can't believe it's true!

I got the call Friday morning.  I saw I had missed a call from our adoption worker and just assumed that we had forgot to sign some paperwork when she came over the previous Monday to update our stuff.  But about a half hour later, I received another call from a 248 area code.  (That's the area code our agency is in.)  So, I began to think something was up.  So, I checked my voicemail sitting at my u-shaped table with a student who was going to read to me.  As I sat there listening, this is a summary of what i heard, "Hi, Michelle, it's Dawn.  I'm calling because the birth-family in Grand Rapids has looked over your things and homestudy and wants to officially name you and Jesse as the adoptive family they choose..."  I told little Haley I'd be right back and ran to my friends room next door.

As I was running to Heather's room, Darlene (my aide who helps out every day) came in to see if everything was okay.  I sent her in to hold down the fort and I'd be there in a minute.  I ran into Heather's room and screamed, "They chose us!  They Chose us!"  I sat there and cried in her arms as I tried to listen to the message Dawn had left.  I had no idea what she was saying and I was bawling my eyes out.

When I came back into my room after a few minutes, Darlene had learned what had happened and was asking for details, so was my other friend, Cindy.  The kids were supposed to be reading to someone, but I think they were trying their best to hear what I was saying.  I feel bad because I lied to my kids and told them that I got great news about my friend having a baby and then I got something in my eye.  I was nowhere near ready to share it with them!

So I found out that the birthmom is 34 and has been struggling with drug addiction for a long time.  She has admitted to doing drugs until about 3 months into her pregnancy.  So, obviously that is a little bit of a concern.  We were told our next step would be to meet them in Grand Rapids, but after talking to Dawn, our adoption worker, again, she said that Theresa (birthmom) doesn't want to meet us.  She said she was instantly drawn to our profile book and knows we are who she wants, but if she meets us, she will pick us apart and find faults with us.  So, she doesn't want to meet us.  She also wishes to have a closed adoption.  This is pretty shocking, as we've been preparing for an open adoption for a long time.

Mark says he can't deal with the baby and deal with Theresa's addiction.  This kind of saddens me, but I know that we will be very open and hopefully eventually they will want some sort of contact.

We don't have details about the sex or anything other than what I already told you.  Oh, I don't know if I mentioned this...She's due December 8th!  So, we've got about 39 days...Just about 5 1/2 weeks!   AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!  God is good!