It's a....

Like I said, it has been a whirlwind month for our family!

On June 19th, I called Karen at Bethany office to ask a few questions and get advice on an issue.  As we were getting off the phone, she asked if she could call me later that night when Russ got off work to talk with us together.  Thinking she just wanted to be sure we were all on the same page, I nonchalantly told Russ to make sure to be home by 6:00.  The last thing we expected was "You were chosen by a couple.  The baby is due in July..."  After filling us in on full background information and facts we needed to know about the birthparents and baby, she asked us to pray about it.  Then she said, "Ask God to work fast.  We'd like to set up a meeting for you to meet the birthparents on Friday." Three days away!  We immediately began praying.  We were thrilled, nervous, prayerful, and overwhelmed. I called Karen on Wednesday to let her know we would love to meet the birthparents on Friday.

Russ and I left town Thursday afternoon for a last minute, incredibly anxious, amazing beginning to an overwhelming journey.  Friday morning, we arrived at the Bethany office full of nerves and questions.  I made sure I knew where all the restrooms were in case I needed to throw up.  Meeting birthparents is nothing you can prepare for.  How do you look into the eyes of parents who want to trust you with their most precious baby.  Indescribable respect and love!  That is what we felt for these two people.  Our meeting was a-ma-zing!  All I can say is...meant to be!  We talked and talked and talked.  We laughed and laughed.    We cried...well Karen and I did.  Ha!  We hugged.  We shared a precious moment. We spent 2-3 hours with Millie Janalee's birthparents, and it was an amazing meeting.  One day, I can talk to Millie Janalee about the day we met her birthparents...and what a wonderful day it was!  I can talk to her about their interests, their personalities, their love for each other and for her.  I immediately felt a love for these two.  Truly special people.  Incredibly special bond.  What an honor to be a part of their life and for them to be a part of ours.  I never could have imagined how special this experience would be...and it was just the beginning.

After our meeting, the pregnancy counselor predicted Millie Janalee would be born July 4 week.  Two weeks away!  Wow!  There was so much to take in.  Everything in adoption is up in the air.  Yes, the birthparents made a plan to place their sweet girl with us.  However, there is always the possibility of changing their minds and deciding to parent.  We knew we didn't want to share with everyone yet, but I also knew we would need some help getting things together in the coming days.  So, we decided to tell our families.  We immediately began trying to plan how we could get our families together and how we would tell them.  Amazingly, everyone was in town at the same time!  We traveled all over town, but we were able to tell our families together the following day.

I wanted to make it special.  It was a completely unexpected, long-awaited surprise!  We stopped by Hobby Lobby before leaving Jackson to pick up black envelopes, chalk, pink ribbon, and white notecards.  I woke up early Saturday morning to print "It's a Girl" cards and tie ribbons.  Our stomachs were in knots!  We still had so many emotions, anxiety, and doubts.  But, we were thrilled with the news and absolutely elated with our meeting with the birthparents.

We stopped by Pickwick first for a short boat ride. During one of our stops in the water, we sprung the news on the Smithites.  They were in shock...surprised...so excited!  Auntie Kristin cried.  Uncie Dustin and Uncie Lee were completely shocked.  Sheila was so excited!

Guesses...

It's a Girl!

Next, we drove into town to my grandmother's apartment.  We did have to ask her to end her card game with her friends.  They were all gone by the time we arrived.  Sorry ladies!  Ha!  My parents met us over there to be surprised with the news that "We were matched!"  Tears were shed around the room.  I'm pretty sure Daddy was still crying when we left!

Guesses

"It's a Girl!"

Lastly, we drove over to Russ's parents' home for a family cookout.  I can't believe everyone was able to be there on such short notice!  As we gathered for the prayer just as we always do, Russ interrupted to share the news.  Tears were shed and everyone was shocked and excited!  We made them wait until after supper to reveal the gender.  It was so hard not to let a "she" or "her" slip during conversation.

Guesses...

Sweet Sam guessed "Boy!"  So cute!

"It's a Girl!"

Did I mention that our families were sworn to complete lock-down secrecy!?  It was painful for everyone, I know.  Russ and I were so anxious and we tried to stay guarded until everything was over.  So, I apologize for so many of you who didn't know anything!  It was for our protection...and for yours.

If you are doing the math...it was one month before we would meet our sweet Millie Janalee!  One month of private family conversations and secret purchases and quiet excitement and nervous tears and desperate prayers.  It was another month of growth and another month for God to show out!

And He did!