The Whole Story...

I suppose a blog post is very much in order today.  If you follow Terrance or I on facebook then you already know that we brought our sweet baby boy home today. What everyone is wondering is "how?"!!! Believe me, we are still in shock! Let me start from the beginning.

On Thursday (April 27) I recieved an email from the social worker who completed our home study. A local young woman had contacted her about giving her baby up for adoption. She was due to have her baby on May 21st. Our social worker, Joanne, wanted to know if we would possibly be interested in this situation. We prayed about it and then replied yes. We knew it would be a very different process than what we were expecting as it would be completely outside of our agency.

On Friday morning (April 28) I randomly checked my email as I was getting Lucas and myself ready to go to MOPS. I was shocked to find another email from Joanne. She was letting me know that the birth mother had gone into labor early that morning and had given birth to a healthy baby boy. She also wanted to know if we were still interested. I called Terrance at work and after we both got over the initial shock we agreed that, yes, we were beyond interested. We felt that this was a gift from the Lord! I called Joanne to talk about the details. She filled me in on the details quickly. I found out that he was 6 lbs, 11 oz, 19 1/2 inches long, and totally healthy. She also told me that the birth mother was meeting with a family that morning but that she very much wanted to meet with us as well. We set up a time to go out there with Joanne that evening.

That evening we went up to the hospital with Joanne and met the birth mother and this sweet baby boy. The moment we laid eyes on him Terrance and I were gonners. As we were sitting and visiting with the birth mom (and getting some cuddles in with baby boy), she decided that she wanted us to be his adoptive parents. We were thrilled and so amazed. She did ask that she have all day Saturday while they were still in the hospital to have with baby boy to have some closure and say her goodbyes.

Saturday (April 28)  was pure torture. We waited and prayed and waited and prayed. We knew that this day was critical. The birth mom could change her mind at any time and we weren't sure if we should prepare for the arrival of this sweet baby or not. We truly prayed that the Lord's will be done in this sweet baby's life. We prayed that he go wherever he was meant to go. Whether that be with us or his biological mother. Terrance, Lucas and I tried to keep ourselves distracted but it was so hard! Thankfully we had amazing friends and family who were praying us up and encouraging us constantly. It was such a help to get through the longest day!

This morning (April 29) we got a call at 7:30 am from the birth mom. She was going to be released from the hospital in about an hour and a half and was ready for us to come get baby boy. I don't think I have ever been more excited to get a phone call! I won't lie, Lucas and I may have done a little dance! Lucas went over to a friends house and Terrance and I headed for the hospital. We got there and had to wait for little man to be discharged, but when the time came his birth mom was so incredibly strong. I am still amazed at how lovingly she said her goodbyes. I thanked her from the bottom of my heart and we both held back tears.

I still can't belive that we have sweet baby boy Grayson in our arms here at home. Four days ago the idea that I would be bring a baby home today would have seem absolutely insane to me!  I know that our road isn't over though. His momma could still change her mind. Terrance and I are continually praying for God's will and grace over this situation. Since all of this happened over the weekend we were unable to do a lot legally. We and the birth mom will have to go to court this week for her to offically sign over her rights. After that she will have 10 days to change her mind. While we love Grayson with everything we have already we know that his sweet little life may not be meant to be with us. I hope and pray with all my heart that he is meant to stay with us until he is grown, but I know that there is One much wiser than I who knows from beginning to end what Grayson's story is.

Thank you for all of your love and support. We have been touched by so many people through this journey. Your prayers have meant so much to us, and we covet them even more now. Please pray for our family, baby Grayson, and his sweet birth mom.

With Love,
Mandy (and Terrance and Lucas too!)

Garage Sale Recap

We had such blast at the garage sale two weekends ago. It was such a blessing to have friends come out and help us put it together. To be honest, Terrance and I were shocked by the out pooring of volunteers and by the amount of money we were able to raise. Our goal for the entire sale was to make $1000 total. We were able to make $1804.20! God is so good! He absolutely blew our expectations out of the water.

Friday was the busy day for sure. We made $1200 that day and most of it in the very first hours of the sale. We had shoppers show up before the sale had even offically started. A couple of ladies were shopping our of the garage as we unloaded. Luckily I had the majority of my volunteers on Friday. God knew I would need them! It was mass chaos for sure. I am so grateful for the group of friends that came and sorted through the piles and piles of stuff! Saturday was slower but still profitable. By the time the sale was all through, Terrance and I were EXHAUSTED!!! And thrilled of course! We could not have asked for a better weekend!

I am not the best photographer on the planet. I usually just forget that my camera is in my bag and then kick myself  later for not taking any photos. I did manage to take some photos at the garage sale, mostly of the first day, so I thought I would share them with you today.

The garage half emptied! We started unloading at about 7 am on Friday. Needless to say, we had a lot of stuff!

The awesome sign my friend Jenny made!

Still unloading the garage

A flattering (not) photo of me manning the cash register. And, yes we did use Lucas' toy register. :)

Terrance wasn't able to be at the sale much of Friday since he was unable to take the day off of work. He did manage to stop by at lunch to "supervise" the cupcake stand. ;)

Shopping!

My sweet friend Lauren set up a cupcake and lemonade stand. I must say that her cupcakes were a hit!

This is a photo of the sale midday on Friday. Believe it or not A LOT of stuff was gone by then.

My friends Ali and Tara helping us get ready for day 2!

Lucas had a blast testing out all the toys before they sold

Sweet friends Lauren and Brittany sorting out all the clothes for round number 2!

I must give a quick shout out to everyone who donated, volunteered, shopped and prayed. Our family is so incredibly blessed by you! This was all made possible because of your giving hearts. THANK YOU!!!

Love,
Mandy

Ready to Roll!

I suppose it is about time I update! Life has been quite full these past few weeks. Terrance and I feel like we are on a roller coaster lately. We have truly been learning to fully trust in the Lord on a daily basis. We are in the middle of the waiting, wondering, hoping, and wishing phase. I don't think we realized how hard it would be to just sit and wait. We just keep praying for patience and endurance during this time of waiting.

 We are just a few days away from the garage sale and we are so excited to get it going bright and early Friday morning. We have been so blessed by the donations we have received. This sale wouldn't be possible without those!  My wonderful friend Jenny also designed a flyer (below) for us. I have been posting this everywhere. Please pray for a big turn out and great weather! We are ready to see what God is going to do this weekend!

Unfortunately we are having to cancel the bake sale at Rivers and Spires. Because of where the Clarksville Family Adoption Group's booth is located at the festival they are not allowed to collect money at all. We are still beyond grateful that they would even consider supporting our family and we know that God will provide in another way.

I am very much looking forward to updating the blog next week to share with you all the results of the garage sale. Be looking out for that next post!!!