Our Daughter!

It is with much joy, and trust me....lots and lots of excitement...and right now tears that I give you all this news. Yesterday at about 11:50am our adoption agency called us with "the call". The call we'd been waiting for...for a very long time. I'm counting all those months, well, actually years of trying to conceive. They all ceased to be when I received this call. We have a baby girl...we have named her Halle Grace. She was born on September 26 in Tyler, TX and from birth has been in a very loving foster home. She weighed 5lbs and was 19" at birth. She's little and oh so cute!!! And...we love her so much already.....in fact, I woke up this morning just needing to get up. Trust me that doesn't happen very often. I know that will be changing in the next few days. I needed to come here to the computer and blog about MY DAUGHTER!! All our fears have been put to rest, we'll except packing and doing all of that....what to bring? For me, for her? For Aaron, just kidding...he usually takes care of all of that for me! So many miracles happened for us yesterday. Halle's birthmother wants to meet us and have an open adoption...we are so excited about that. We want to know this incredible woman who sacrificed so much and gave our daughter life. So...we will most likely leave on November 19. I know...that's soon....but of course, nothing will seem soon enough. My heart just ached this morning as I thought about holding her for the first time. What it will feel like...ahhhhh!! I can't wait. More than that, I can't wait to see Aaron holding Halle...I'm sure buckets will be needed for my tears. It's a good thing God takes care of those for me!! We do have a family we can stay with in Texas....praise the Lord. AND...we are actually really looking forward to being there. The agency doesn't require we stay in Tyler which is good...we have always wanted to go to Austin and we'll stay near there. We may be gone over Thanksgiving, but...we'll be here in spirit. And...I just want to say what's really on my heart. My Dad, passed away two years ago on November 25. He would be so excited for us right now and you know what....I think he can see this from heaven he's looking down and saying "Well done, Ape (that's what he called me)....you made it. You persevered...you didn't give up.....you prayed and had faith.....be blessed! What great way to remember this time. Now will always remember being with Halle on November 25. So...please continue to pray for this new Mommy & Daddy as they transition to life with a little one. We know everything will work out, but...there are so many details to take care of as we travel, leave work...you know...all that stuff! Pray for the birthmother and the foster family...I'm sure it won't be easy for them to see Halle go! Give us strength and grace. OH...one more thing...if you'd like to see a picture of her. Please post your e-mail address in a comment. I can send it to you then. BUT...we can not post it on a blog, facebook or myspace. That's what the agency has asked and we need and want to follow the rules.....

Blessings to all of you from this new family of THREE!!!