On December 16th we received a phone call that would change our lives forever. Our social worker from Heart to Heart adoptions called with a last minute situation that had come up with a birth mom. Being that we had recently had a failed placement and that this was the 9th call of this kind we didn't have any expectations. The birth mom, whose name is Shemica, had just contacted the adoption agency the week prior. She was 39 weeks along and needing a family fast. Heart to Heart had already brought her and her 18 month old son David out to Utah from Washington DC where they lived. She was scheduled to be induced the next day. An ultra sound had been done the day prior. The baby was healthy and ready to come but the sex could not be determined. The doctor was leaning towards girl but couldn't be sure. We agreed to be shown to her along with 5 other families. From there we waited just like we had all the previous times. You end up ultimately preparing yourself for being told that she has chosen someone else so that you can move forward. We had gotten good at that but also had the experience now of knowing what it felt like to be selected, and further more the horrible experience of that then not working out. We knew anything could happen and we waited. On Wednesday we got another call letting us know that Shemica had cancelled her induction. She had not yet chosen a family and was overwhelmed by having to make that decision in labor or even after the baby came. She rescheduled her induction for Friday and was doing her best to make a final decision. Again we waited. That afternoon another call came. Our social worker told us that Shemica was very interested in our family and was wondering if we would be willing to speak with her on the phone, which of course we were. I conferenced with her right then from work and Rob spoke with her that evening. We both had great conversations with her. She was incredibly mature and genuinely concerned about the welfare of her child. After that we waited for our social worker to call us back with whatever news was to come. Around 7:30 that evening we were told that Shemica was sure that we were her family. We were guarded but this time felt different, it felt right. We couldn't help but get excited about the new possibility of becoming parents again. Shemica wanted us to come the following day so that we could spend some time together before the baby came. Thank goodness that Grandma Janie was available right away. Aiden had a preschool party the following day and we needed to head to Utah. We didn't want Aiden to have to deal with another disappointment so we choose not to tell him anything other than we were going to Utah for a little while. He is always so excited to stay with my parents. The anticipation that we felt was so overwhelming. We were scheduled to have dinner with Shemica and our social workers Thursday evening. We just prayed that we would have the courage and the strength to take it all one step at a time. Dinner that evening went great. We had a lot of good conversations and laughs. We headed back to the hotel that evening feeling hopeful, but knowing that the next few days would determine everything. Utah law will not allow a birth mom to sign relinquishment paperwork until 24 hours after the baby is born. They have until then to change their minds. Once paperwork is signed the decision is irrevocable. Again we prayed that we would have the strength to make it through another day and that Shemica would continue to be at peace with the decision she had made. No matter what happened we knew that a new little life would be entering the world the following day and we were excited to be part of it.
