I have really got to be more consistent with these adoption updates. Oh, wait! We are almost to the end of the adoption process.

Let me catch you up… Hattie Jo was born November 25. We took her birth mother to her scheduled appointment (she had already been dilated 5 cm for two and a half weeks) and from there straight to the hospital. Within 40 minutes of check-in Hattie was here, well before the doctor. The action drama of those moments from leaving the office up until delivery is quite a story, but one we usually just tell in person. The emotional drama of the next two and a half days was quite draining and incredibly rewarding.

First the hospital checked with the birth mother and then immediately offered a room for Rachel and me to stay next door. We were able to see Hattie almost anytime we wanted, while the birth mother took care of all the all the feedings and diaper changes. People came and went, more than were expected, and each brought about a stronger feeling of uncertainty for Rachel and me.

We became more and more concerned that we would not be going home with Hattie, that her birth mother was experiencing a change of heart, would ask a family member to take the baby instead. When it finally came time to leave, she revealed her true conflict, “Don’t let her hate me. Please don’t let her hate me,” she begged.

What a revelation. We drove home in tears of happiness, and arrived home at 12:30 am Thanksgiving Day. What a Thanksgiving it was.

And now 7 months later, our little girl is the greatest blessing I can imagine.  Two weeks from today we will finalize her adoption, tying up all the paperwork, getting a new birth certificate, allowing us to get her social security number. AND we will officially dedicate our little girl to God, surrounded by friends and family and church at our home.

Both ceremonies will formally and officially acknowledge what is already a fact. Hattie Jo is already completely a member of our family and we daily pray that her life will honor God.  That said, I am excited for both and can’t wait for July 21 to get here.

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