Here is a general break down of our trip:
June 19, 2015 - We left to head down to Jeremy's Grandfather's funeral.
June 20, 2015 - We went to the funeral and spent time with family.
June 21, 2015 - We said goodbye to Jeremy's sweet Nana, and started our drive.
We drove as long as we could and around Midnight we pulled off to a hotel for some much needed rest.
June 22, 2015 - We finally hit Florida!! What a crazy long drive. I mean you cross 3 states just to get there...When we finally arrived it was close to 7:00 P.M. and my sweet cousin and his wife created an incredible meal for us! Our first "real" meal in two days. Nothing like loads of fast food options...
June 23, 2015 - We woke up early and drove the hour and half drive to meet our birth mama. We got there rather early, so we did some sightseeing.
We drove as long as we could and around Midnight we pulled off to a hotel for some much needed rest.
June 22, 2015 - We finally hit Florida!! What a crazy long drive. I mean you cross 3 states just to get there...When we finally arrived it was close to 7:00 P.M. and my sweet cousin and his wife created an incredible meal for us! Our first "real" meal in two days. Nothing like loads of fast food options...
June 23, 2015 - We woke up early and drove the hour and half drive to meet our birth mama. We got there rather early, so we did some sightseeing.
Needless to say...we tried to sightsee and keep our minds off this crazy meeting we were headed to. Finally we couldn't wait any longer and decided to head to our rendezvous - "Olive Garden". We got there still to early to sit and wait, so we tried shopping. We were so nervous! My cousin put it best: It is like showing up on your first date with the engagement ring in hand...you pray they are just as into it as you are.
We got to the restaurant and waited for a few minutes for our agent to show up. She was so sweet and made us feel more at ease! We now just were waiting for our birth mama and her mother to show up. Then I saw her pull up (I knew her based on a picture we had recieved). My heart was racing.
When she walked in, she gave us a big hug. She was so sweet!!! Honestly, it felt so natural (as natural as such a situation can be). We sat down and started trying to get to know each other. Although se was completely easy to talk to it is still a bit hard to figure out where to begin. The hardest part is keeping things focused on the right subjects. You are discouraged from discussing "personal" stuff or talking about the baby constantly. She was so easy to talk with and we tried to make sure both she and her mother felt at peace. During this meeting she asked what our plans were for the next few days. Since we didn't have any "plans" she asked if we could meet for lunch the next day and meet her children. We of course agreed.
June 24, 2015 - We drove back in and had a meeting with our agency and finished up all the final paper work! It is so crazy!! We also found out that once we are dismissed from the hospital, our only job was to cuddle with our baby girl! They will handle all the paperwork from there.
After finishing up we headed to meet our birth mama. Unfortunately we were unable to meet her kiddos, but we were able to go have lunch with her. It was such an amazing time! She was so honest with us about what her life had been like and asked us a number of questions as well. It was wonderful to hear her heart. She said, "It is time for me not to be selfish." What a beautiful image we have to share with our daughter of her birth mama's selflessness and bravery! At this meeting she asked to see if we could come early before the doctor's appointment to have breakfast at her mother's house and meet her three children. We excitedly agreed!
June 25 & 26, 2015 - We spent both these days with family. It was fun to hang out with family that we rarely get to see! We also went to meet the family that we will be staying with during the delivery and waiting period. This was an arrangement created by my aunt (and the Lord), and is so amazing! Seriously, this family is a gift form the Lord! They were so helpful! They have their pray group praying for us and some of them have volunteered to bring us meals during our stay, plus they have a car we can use as well.
June 27, 2015 - We showed up at our birth mama's mother's house for breakfast. We were rather nervous and excited. We were finally able to meet her children, and they were precious! We felt so at home with them and they were so loving towards us! After breakfast we headed to the doctor's appointment. It was here that we finally were able to hear our baby's heartbeat! What a crazy experience. Our sweet birth mama even told us we were welcome to video the whole thing! What an amazing woman she is!
That day we started driving home. We were exhausted but so grateful for this amazing experience! It was so hard to say goodbye to her after our quick but deep friendship began over the past week.
June 28, 2015 - We stopped off in New Orleans for a little baby moon. This was our first moment just the two of us (well, except for the dozens of hours in the car...). It was great to eat good food and walk around such an "interesting" city.
June 27, 2015 - We showed up at our birth mama's mother's house for breakfast. We were rather nervous and excited. We were finally able to meet her children, and they were precious! We felt so at home with them and they were so loving towards us! After breakfast we headed to the doctor's appointment. It was here that we finally were able to hear our baby's heartbeat! What a crazy experience. Our sweet birth mama even told us we were welcome to video the whole thing! What an amazing woman she is!
That day we started driving home. We were exhausted but so grateful for this amazing experience! It was so hard to say goodbye to her after our quick but deep friendship began over the past week.
June 28, 2015 - We stopped off in New Orleans for a little baby moon. This was our first moment just the two of us (well, except for the dozens of hours in the car...). It was great to eat good food and walk around such an "interesting" city.
Thank you so much to all of you for your prayers and support! They were felt and greatly appreciated. Please continue to pray for our birth mama as she gears up for such a difficult experience.
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