Many of you have asked, “What’s new on the baby front?” or “How’s everything going with the baby?” so I thought I would write a quick update to let you all know where we are and what’s next….
Monday, as in 2 days from now, we are going to fly down to Florida to meet Leah, our birth mom. This was one of the few things she has requested of us, to meet before the baby is born. I really felt strongly that we should do this for several reasons. First, she asked us to. I know that may sound ridiculous to most of you but put yourself in her shoes…..would you want to meet not only new people but the couple you have chosen as your adoptive parents while you are in labor? I’m pretty sure that will not be her finest hour and I wouldn’t want to be making introductions at that time either. Now put yourself in our shoes……this amazing woman has asked us to come meet her. Why wouldn’t we want to do that at a more friendly, less anxious time than labor and delivery? Who could say no to one of the few requests this woman has asked of us?
Secondly, and many of you have agreed with me on this, I think all of us meeting each other will make this situation more real for us all. We won’t simply be faces on an adoption profile and she won’t be just a person on the other end of the phone. To attach real, live, breathing, caring, loving people with the images we all have of each other will not only allow us to have a special bond for the last month of this pregnancy but will hopefully also solidify this adoption for all of us, especially Leah.
Another reason I feel so strongly about all of us meeting is that I truly feel that we did everything we possibly could have done in the previous situation. We did exactly what we were told to do and there is nothing we could have done differently to have changed the outcome. Going to Florida to meet Leah is something we can do that will possibly have a positive effect on the outcome. We are determined to do everything within our power to have a family. I know that sounds like an outrageous claim, but it is so completely true. I have jokingly said if she wants me to stand on my head and sing the national anthem in my underwear, I’ll do it! No questions asked!! My point is I refuse to let there be any doubt that we did not do everything we possibly could to bring this baby home with us. So, if that means we take a flying trip to Florida and back in less than 2 days, then so be it.
When I say “flying trip”, I mean that, literally! We are leaving Kansas City at 7:40 Monday morning and our return flight is scheduled for 4:30 Tuesday afternoon. Thankfully, we are flying non-stop, which is good for JP. Leah was so kind as to offer to pick us up from the airport! I politely told her we would meet her after we got there. I’m thinking I will be so nervous once we land that I will need a minute to get myself together before I meet the woman who has decided to change our lives forever! The drive from Orlando to Cocoa is less than an hour, so we will have time to take a breath and figure out where we will meet, etc. Leah has taken Monday and Tuesday off of work, so she can spend time getting to know us without trying to rush around.
I called our adoption advisor, Jan, the other day to ask a few questions about this “meet and greet”. She ever so kindly reminded me that we will all be nervous. I felt like she was talking about a bee, you know, she’s just as scared of you as you are of her! And I’m sure that is correct. I’m sure she is having some of the same worries that I am, like what if she doesn’t like me? What if she thinks I’m too old? What if she thinks I’m weird? Even worse, what if she doesn’t think I’m funny???????? (That was a joke!!)
Jan gave us a few talking points to discuss with Leah and she said to be sure to let her know that we want her to be comfortable. In my mind, I’m picturing me offering to give her a massage, a foot rub, play with her hair or cook her something yummy while JP looks at me like I’ve completely lost my mind!! Thank goodness I won’t be alone and he will be there to keep me grounded! He’s so good at that, it’s like we were meant to do this together!!
So, what happens after we meet? I honestly have no idea what’s next, except the due date is a month away from Tuesday!!!! I told my sister-in-law the other day, with everything going on in our lives right now, I’m just taking it one day at a time, literally. This weekend, I’m working. Monday and Tuesday we will spend with Leah in sunny Florida. Wednesday, I’m going to take a breath find out what else the state of Florida is going to require of us. Thursday and Friday I work and next Saturday we are going to celebrate the happy, happy birthday of our favorite Marshall D!! Sure, there are things we need to be doing to get ready and trust me, I will make sure that is taken care of. But one thing I’ve learned throughout this journey is that there is a time and a season for everything. I believe this is our transition season. We are moving out of our time to break down, weep and mourn and into our time to heal, laugh, dance embrace and love. Just as we move into the wonders of spring, with new life, new growth and new beauty, I pray JP and I are moving into new opportunities and new love as we find our way to our family. So, for now, we will just make it through this week!
A dear friend sent me an encouraging message today with a lovely note. Part of the message said, “One day it will all come together and everything will make sense. I will see God’s amazing plan taking me places I never dreamed of.” Her note said that reading this message made her think of us, that we are on our way to the family God has planned for us and that it will be perfect! We are so ready for our family and for our perfect!
Continue to pray for us, especially Monday and Tuesday as we take the next step on this journey. I know I have said this before but it bears repeating…..we are so blessed to have such an amazing support system of so many friends and family who love and care for us. I wish I could take you all with me so Leah could see that for herself!!!
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