365 Days

One whole year... gone in what seems to be a matter of moments.  One year ago today (Nov. 2nd) we got a phone call.  One we were hoping for, but not exactly what we were anticipating.   We were waiting on more information about a baby that would be born the next week.  Instead we got a call saying there was a baby girl already born waiting for us!  Talk about a shock.

A couple of months ago, our adoption consultant Courtney was telling our story to another adoptive couple while we were all having dinner.  Courtney described our conversation that day like this, "That was probably the strangest reaction I have ever had from a client.  Amy just said 'I need to call Jimmy'." We all laughed about it because at that moment I really was shocked and needed to process it all. 

I remember the details of that day vividly.  The long list of things that had to be done before I could leave town. ( In case you don't remember, J was out of town and actually only 45 minutes from where Pumpkin was born.)  It was Election day so I had to vote.  The van needed to be serviced and ended up needing some additional work.  Clothes had to be washed and packed. Bubba had his last football game that night. I wanted to make Pumpkin a gown for the hospital pictures, and I did. I was so excited I could hardly concentrate to get it all done.  I finally laid down at 3 am and was up again at 6. 

We pulled out as soon as we could get my van from the shop.  My phone was ringing constantly - the adoption agency, Courtney, the social worker, family and friends wishing us well, Jimmy- taking care of details on his end.  There is no telling how many minutes I racked up on my phone that day.   Then we arrived and waited for what seemed like forever.  There was even a fear that we wouldn't see her that day.  But alas, we did.  And in that very moment time stood still.  I remember getting the first glimpse of her while the nurse chatted away about how she was doing.  I really wanted to just ask her to be quiet and give us a few minutes to bask in the moment. 

The cameras were rolling and flashing away and I could hardly believe it was real.  She was beautiful.  I carefully unwrapped to count fingers and toes, still nervous that I would find something wrong.  But I never did.  She was perfect.

There has been lots of lost sleep in the last year. Grey hair has appeared on my head.  I have been accused of being her grandmother. ( Maybe he could see the grey better than I could, LOL)  But I wouldn't trade it for anything.  It's not easy to have a baby in the house, but oh the joy that it brings.  Pumpkin has been such a blessing to our entire family as well as our friends.  For the first time since my dad passed away, my mom didn't dread the holidays.  Bubba finally became a brother.  And his love for her oozes out of every pore on his body.  I've never seen a teenage boy be crazier about a baby girl. 

 

 

I'm not making this stuff up either.  Bubba and I have recently had some deep conversations about adoption.  He wants us to do it again.  That my friend excites me.  I'm not talking about adopting again, although I love that thought.  It's the fact that my almost 14 year old son is talking about it.  He gets it, he really gets it.  Having more children doesn't divide our love, it multiplies it and obviously he understands that.  He has never complained or felt that he has been cheated because we now have another child who needs us as well.  For that I am grateful.  His spiritual maturity amazes me as well.  Last week he asked if we would adopt again.  I asked him what he thought about it. His reply was " I think it was worth it."  This week he asked me again.  I told him I wasn't sure right now and explained how expensive it was and we just couldn't do it right now.  His reply?  "What is God telling you to do, Mom?"  I explained that I wasn't really sure.  "Well, if He tells you to adopt, don't you think He will provide?"  OUCH! That stung.  But Bubba is so right.  What is He telling us to do? I'm not sure yet. But if He gives us the green light I know that He will provide at just the right time.  Now to muster up that mustard seed faith!