Labor Pains

What a week it has been! I hardly know where to start and even feel myself giving a big sigh as I write this. A week ago, I received word that the attorney in Michigan needed to get in touch with the birth mom because there was another form that needed to be signed. Come to find out, this form should have been signed when the other papers were signed but for some reason was not. So the birth mom left town and headed back to Toledo , OH where she was living prior to moving back to Michigan during her third trimester without telling anyone.

At the same time the birth mom had her phone turned off and was unreachable. So finally a family memeber reached her on Thursday by calling some random numbers that were found on a cell phone that the birth mom had borrowed weeks ago. The birth mom was informed that there was another paper for her to sign but indicated that she may or may not return to Michigan on Friday. Well, long story short, she did not return and was again unreachable until Sunday afternoon when she resurfaced. So I got the number she was at and called and said that I would drive to Toledo, OH (which is a 2 hour drive one way from where I am staying) and meet her at McDonald's so she could sign the document. Well she didn't show and kept delaying us. So we asked to go to her directly and she gave us the location of a party store in a not so great part of town. So we went there and she finally showed up over an hour after our agreed upon time. It was definitely awkward, but I was able to bite my tongue, get her to sign the paper and immediately left. Please pray for her, she is very lost and still has 2 children in her care.

So this morning I took the form to the lawyer's office here in Michigan and he hand delivered it to Lansing to the ICPC Office which is about 1 hour from here. They received it and have released my homestudy to the state of Indiana and I am waiting on a call so I can leave. I packed the car and am hopeful that I can leave today, as I just got word it could still be tomorrow:(

I did not have to go through the actual labor of childbirth with Sophie, but this process has definitely been a labor in itself! Thanks to all of you who have been praying and offering your support! I have definitely felt it and so has Jeff. Please pray for Jacob who has been sick with croup and for Jeff who is worn out.

Happy 9th Birthday Jacob Daniel!

Jacob Daniel Spires born October 11, 2000 at 8:43 am weighing 9lbs 8oz. I can't believe you are 9 years old today, it honestly feels like you were born yesterday. I thought we told you we're not having anymore birthdays:) Oh, that's right you told me "mom, you can't stop me!" Which is so true buddy. No matter how I would like to slow down the clock, I wouldn't trade all we have been through for anything. I eagerly await the years and memories to come (but perhaps we could skip adolescence!)

As I sit here today and look at your baby sister, I am reminded of all the sweet memories of you at this age. You were the happiest baby, despite not really sleeping for your first 18 months and you smiled everywhere you went. Even when you were sick, dealing with your health and asthma problems. And you were all boy, kicking or throwing a ball all the time. It was obvious from a young age that you were passionate about life and I am proud of the way you have succeeded at home, in school or on the field and it is proof that you will really go far and I can not wait to watch you.

But most of all, I love your tender heart. You are such a loving young boy and I pray that Daddy and I can continue to shepherd your heart as you grow into the man God has intended you to be.

So today, even though I cannot be with you in person, I am thanking God for your sweet, young life and I am so grateful that God gave us you. Happy Birthday Honey!

Pretty In Pink!

My brother and sister-in-law had a birthday party yesterday for my sister-in-law's mother, who happens to be Sophie's biological great-grandmother. So many of Sophie's biological extended family were here for the party. (In case you were wondering, her birth mom was not here.) So in light of Sophie's debut, we went all pink with ruffles! She even had her eyes open for the photo shoot, unlike the others where she is often sleeping! I always knew it was true that baby girl clothes are cuter and more plentiful, and while I resented it when I shopped for my boys....I suddenly am loving it! I am so grateful for her and how much we have already bonded during my stay in Michigan. It is one of the blessings of being here! But, it is still true that I need to get home to my boys, especially the biggest! Jeff has done an amazing job of single parenting in my absence, and I am so blessed!

Constipation

Constipation- noun a state of slowing down, sluggishness, or inactivity.

Sophie has been struggling with constipation of the poopie kind. And after a change to Soy Formula, things have really started moving:) Well, I wish the same was true for the process of our return to Indiana. I can officially say the process is constipated!

After being told that our home study was forwarded onto the Michigan ICPC office last Thursday, come to find out our Child Protective Services Background Check had not been completed and held up the home study from being forwarded on. So, I was assured that in fact it was forwarded onto the office in Michigan today. Not only that, but Michigan has a slower process than Indiana and it could take 1-3 weeks from today to get an approval and an ok to return home.

I really am not coping well with the news. Sunday is Jacob's 9th Birthday and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are coming in from Arizona for their yearly visit and there is a baby shower for her and many festivities at Anderson University Homecoming for the 20th Anniversary of the Men's Soccer Program, where my hubby and his brothers all played. I am trying to have faith and believe that things will start moving soon.

Two Little Men, A Baby and A Daddy!

Daddy, Jacob and Sophie

Daddy, Caleb and Sophie

Jacob and Caleb on their first day of school!

Reverse Order

Well, we completed our home study in record time but it did require that I make a trip back to Indiana without Sophie. On Tuesday, I drove the 4 1/2 hours back for a 40 minute appointment with a social worker and a quick visit with my doctor to complete the medical form. Sophie stayed in Michigan and received plenty of love from my friend and sister-in-law who watched her. I loved on my boys and hubby and then turned around and drove the 4 1/2 hours back to Michigan. The offer was made to stay the night, but I could not think about being away from her that long:)

Usually the home study is done early on in an adoption process, even before there is a placement. But we are definitely doing things in the reverse order here! I am not sure I understand completely what happens now, but will try to describe it in layman's terms. The home study is currently being forwarded to the ICPC Office in Michigan (Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children) who will sign off and then it will go to Indiana ICPC Office and they will sign off. This is an acknowledgement between the states that an adoption is in process and the ICPC approval will be my ticket back home! The adoption process will continue and finalization will be in Judge Dennis Carroll's court in our county in Indiana. Judge Carroll is a great Christian man who has also adopted. So we are excited about finalization, but that will take 3-6 months.

I really am hoping to be home by Oct 9th, but there is NO guarantees about the time frames. The attorney we hired in Michigan is doing his best to use his contacts at the ICPC office in Michigan to expedite this in Michigan. Unfortunately, I have gotten word that things can move slowly here:( So, we can only pray at this point.

Even though this time is a gift to bond with her and spend the one-on-one time with her, I desperately miss my boys and hubby. She is such a pumpkin as you will see from these recent pics! Her cheeks just keep getting jucier and jucier!

Contentment

I love these pics of her, she is so precious!