It's August!!

We are officially into August, and are 3 weeks away from the estimated due date!!  What does this look like for me as an adoptive parent?  The closer we get, the more nervous and anxious I become!  After all the waiting and working with Mommy D, we will soon reach the end of that wait.  Will she continue to choose us to parent her child, or will something come up that will cause us to be "empty handed"?  Some people are asking me if I am excited.  Yes, I am, but I am also trying to guard my heart in the event that something should happen and we lose yet another child.  If this were a normal pregnancy, we would know that after delivery that the child is ours and that nothing, but God, could take the child away from us.  We would have a name picked out, the nursery all ready, etc.  For an adoption, we have the bare necessities ready.  We have not yet chosen a name, but have a list of some of our favorites.  My nesting instincts have kicked into overdrive, so now we are mostly ready for whenever this precious baby enters the world.  We moved a dresser into the bedroom so that we could get the clothes that we have organized and ready, hoping that as I pulled out each cute and adorable outfit, that we would get to see our baby wear those items.  We finally opened up our travel system, still new in its box from other failed matches, last night so that the car seat would be ready to grab.

The bottom of the pack n play is filled with the items we will need to grab when the time comes to leave for the hospital.

I have the phone with me or on me now 24/7 just waiting to hear for any updates.  Since Mommy D, last I heard, still does not have her medical card, she has not been going regularly to the doctor.  Therefore, we have no idea how she and the baby are continuing to progress.  They had suggested at her last appointment that her due date may be moved to Sept.  We pray this will not be the case for more than just being anxious for the wait to be over.  Depending on when in September the baby would be born, it could cause a complication with our home study as it will be due to be renewed then. The kids are very anxious for the baby to come home and are daily praying for the baby's safe arrival.

For our prayer drive, we still have some days left in August that are available for praying for Mommy D and the baby.  Please continue to be in prayer as we get close to the end!  The social worker said that there is a chance Mommy D will want me to be in the delivery room with her (and the social worker).  We haven't yet had a chance to finalize birth plans with Mommy D, but know that even the best plans can change once the event actually occurs.  If I/we are asked to be in the delivery room, please be praying that I will be the friend and support that Mommy D will need.  Although I have delivered two of my own children, I have never been in with someone else, much less someone that I don't know all that well and I am kinda nervous about that.  We pray that labor and delivery will go smoothly and safely for all involved!

We continue to be amazed at how the Lord is choosing to bless us.  We have had a family not only donate some nice bottles and a bottle warmer, but they also chose to donate part of their garage sale proceeds towards our adoption.  It is so touching to see how the body of Christ can come together and encourage one another. 

Two last prayer requests (they have been scattered throughout the entry), school will be starting up soon and we just pray that God will work out ALL of the details between getting into the groove of school as well as being there for the delivery of the baby and then getting back home and adjusting to a new baby in the home with the new school schedule.  All three kids will now be in school!  So thankful that Skeeter's work will give him some time off after the baby arrives so that he can be home during the initial adjustment period!  We are also in the midst of trying to get estimates done on the damage done to our house from the recent hail storm.  So we will be trying to get that all repaired and finished up in this whole mix as well.  God is good and HE is in control....now to see what HE will do!