Now that you all know the good news about our little man, I can tell you some more details.
When we went to court on that Monday, we anticipated being there for the long haul. God, however, knew otherwise. No sooner had we warmed up the most uncomfortable benches known to man (seriously people, don't worry about your tax dollars being wasted in court house comfort) than the social worker came to us and asks us to step out into the hall.
This has never happened before, but I assumed it couldn't be a good thing. Once out of the ear shot of others, she looks at us and says,
"[Baby D's] birth parents called on Friday and said they want to relinquish."
Luke and I just stood there, in complete shock.
She continued, "So most likely today's case will be continued until they've had time to sign and then had their 7 days."
Still, shock.
We re-enter the court room and sit. We wait and wait and wait on the judge, who finally showed up 1.5 hours late.
Finally, I get (what I think) is our continued court date and we leave. (Later, I learn that it was, in fact, rescheduled sooner.) However, I'm still leery because I know that the birth parents still have to show up to sign the paperwork.
Finally, that following Wednesday (the 18th) the social worker calls and tells me that they have signed the relinquishment paperwork.
Luke and I decide not to tell many folks because birth parents have the option of "revoking" their relinquishment for 7 days. For 7 days I am busting at the seams. You see, I rock at keeping other people's secrets, but my own...NEVER.
So, last week when I was stressed to the max, it was all because (well, mostly because) I had not yet heard from the social worker to confirm that the birth parents had not revoked.
Now that he is legally free for adoption, the final paperwork and adoption could take only a few months to be complete...or as little as a couple weeks. It's really up to the government and how fast they want to push paper. We couldn't be happier!
Our sweet little boy,
In our hearts, you've been a Beaver since the first time we laid eyes on you. We knew we would always love you, no matter the outcome, from your first days at home.
Lucas and Ashlee were so excited to finally be the "big" brother and sister. They love you so very much.
Our friends and family have also loved you so very much, from day 1. News of your arrival traveled so fast, and immediately prayers for you were being heard by a gracious, powerful and loving Father in heaven. And, He heard them all.
As the months passed you grew and grew, and so did our love for you. Somedays were a struggle, but not because YOU were a burden, but rather the emotions of understanding the situation, seeing the pain and knowing, one day, you will have to hear the truth. But, our precious one, God is so good.
You see He knew, before the world was ever formed, that you would be born. He knew that you would come into our home. He knew that we would love you so very much. He knew that you would leave your birth family and become a part of ours. And, as He reminded me so much in the very beginning, He still knows all the days before you. He knows His plans for you, my sweet son, and they are blessed and marvelous and filled with hope.
So your father and I pray that we will shepherd you in the ways of the Lord. We pray that you will grow to be a man who loves, obeys and follows God's call on your life. We hope that you will always know just how special you are, how much you are loved and how you help to complete our family. We pray that you will one day look back on your past with a tender heart and an understanding spirit. We pray that you will see the special purpose God has for you in our family.
Our precious baby boy, we are so blessed, honored and humbled that the God who created the heavens with His very hands, would choose us to be your forever family. As we prayed over you, the same God who named each and every star, also revealed to us the perfect name for you.
When we went to court on that Monday, we anticipated being there for the long haul. God, however, knew otherwise. No sooner had we warmed up the most uncomfortable benches known to man (seriously people, don't worry about your tax dollars being wasted in court house comfort) than the social worker came to us and asks us to step out into the hall.
This has never happened before, but I assumed it couldn't be a good thing. Once out of the ear shot of others, she looks at us and says,
"[Baby D's] birth parents called on Friday and said they want to relinquish."
Luke and I just stood there, in complete shock.
She continued, "So most likely today's case will be continued until they've had time to sign and then had their 7 days."
Still, shock.
We re-enter the court room and sit. We wait and wait and wait on the judge, who finally showed up 1.5 hours late.
Finally, I get (what I think) is our continued court date and we leave. (Later, I learn that it was, in fact, rescheduled sooner.) However, I'm still leery because I know that the birth parents still have to show up to sign the paperwork.
Finally, that following Wednesday (the 18th) the social worker calls and tells me that they have signed the relinquishment paperwork.
Luke and I decide not to tell many folks because birth parents have the option of "revoking" their relinquishment for 7 days. For 7 days I am busting at the seams. You see, I rock at keeping other people's secrets, but my own...NEVER.
So, last week when I was stressed to the max, it was all because (well, mostly because) I had not yet heard from the social worker to confirm that the birth parents had not revoked.
Now that he is legally free for adoption, the final paperwork and adoption could take only a few months to be complete...or as little as a couple weeks. It's really up to the government and how fast they want to push paper. We couldn't be happier!
Our sweet little boy,
In our hearts, you've been a Beaver since the first time we laid eyes on you. We knew we would always love you, no matter the outcome, from your first days at home.
Lucas and Ashlee were so excited to finally be the "big" brother and sister. They love you so very much.Our friends and family have also loved you so very much, from day 1. News of your arrival traveled so fast, and immediately prayers for you were being heard by a gracious, powerful and loving Father in heaven. And, He heard them all.
Some folks prayed for you while they traveled to distant lands.
Some came from far away cities just to meet you.
And our friends right here, they loved you too, from the very start.
As the months passed you grew and grew, and so did our love for you. Somedays were a struggle, but not because YOU were a burden, but rather the emotions of understanding the situation, seeing the pain and knowing, one day, you will have to hear the truth. But, our precious one, God is so good.
You see He knew, before the world was ever formed, that you would be born. He knew that you would come into our home. He knew that we would love you so very much. He knew that you would leave your birth family and become a part of ours. And, as He reminded me so much in the very beginning, He still knows all the days before you. He knows His plans for you, my sweet son, and they are blessed and marvelous and filled with hope.
So your father and I pray that we will shepherd you in the ways of the Lord. We pray that you will grow to be a man who loves, obeys and follows God's call on your life. We hope that you will always know just how special you are, how much you are loved and how you help to complete our family. We pray that you will one day look back on your past with a tender heart and an understanding spirit. We pray that you will see the special purpose God has for you in our family.Our precious baby boy, we are so blessed, honored and humbled that the God who created the heavens with His very hands, would choose us to be your forever family. As we prayed over you, the same God who named each and every star, also revealed to us the perfect name for you.
Aaron Thomas
You are loved, beyond measure, not only by our family, but by a God who formed and created you with His own holy hands.
