Birthmother's Day

While reading our Adoptive Families magazine I came across a little article about the very special day in May.  It's Birth Mother's day.  In 1990 the Saturday before Mother's Day was designated "Birthmother's Day" by a group of birthmothers.  I this, that day I want to honor and recognize all those birthmothers that chose life for their children.  More specifically, I want to honor Halle's birthmother, Michelle.  What an amazing sacrifice she made, what love she showed and what an AMAZING, wonderful gift she gave us in our daughter, Halle Grace.  When Halle is old enough we will share with her about her story and her birthmother.  We already do talk about her and her family as well as her dear foster family, whom we are still in contact with.  We sent Halle's foster mommy, Mary Lynne, an e-mail wishing her a Happy Mother's Day with a sweet picture of our little girl.  They cared for her for her first 8 weeks and can I just say did a wonderful job!  Mary Lynne provided us with pages of handwritten information about Halle and sent along such sweet memories all with little handwritten notes, punched with little feet!  The outfit she wore home from the hospital (so sweet and so little, a preemie size that was still too big), her Halloween costume, a dress Mary Lynne had made...I will cherish that FOREVER!!  When we left Texas with our little girl we knew God's hand was all over this adoption.  We love Halle's birthmom and her foster mommy so much!  So...on this day we honor you two!  AND....I can not write this post without honoring my dear friend Dena.  My sweet Dena is a birthmom who chose to give life to her daughter Julia...what an AMAZING example of God's love...if you ever meet Dena...ask her about her testimony.  I guarantee...you'll be very blessed....

"Mother's Day Chocolate"

Aaron and I subscribe to Adoptive Families magazine.  Each time it comes I scour it thoroughly...I love the information it provides and love, love, love to look at all the pictures of the cutest little kids EVER!!  We can't wait to send a picture of Halle in to them in hopes of getting it printed!  So...in the June issue that we got in May there was this AMAZING story.  I looked for the link to it on their website, but...I could not find it.  I have posted it here in it's entirety.  Be blessed AND...get out your kleenex.  I read it to Aaron one Saturday morning and both of us were crying.  I just felt such a connection with this Mom....I had felt like her so many times on Mother's Day.  I have a few more posts as we lead up to Mother's Day, the day I have been looking forward to for many, many years!!!

On May 6, 2007, my husband, George, and I were leaving church when I said to him, " I don't want to go to church next Sunday."  It was selfish, but I couldn't help it.  Each year, on Mother's Day, the preacher asks all of the mothers to stand and be honored with a special token-usually a piece of chocolate.  The gift is trivial, of course, but it denotes something more, something I didn't have and wanted so much: a child to love.  For several years, my husband watched me quietly cry into my hands during the ritual.  He didn't protest when I told him I couldn't bear it again.  But that day, our lives changed suddenly and, it seemed, miraculously.

Surprise!

A friend called while George and I were at lunch.  She told us to call another friend of ours, who is an OB/GYN.  He'd delivered a baby the day before, and he wanted to talk with us, but didn't have our cell numbers.  We sped home in stunned silence as we realized what might be happening.  

George and I dialed our friend's number from the kitchen.  We stood at opposite sides of the counter, staring at each other with wide eyes, as our friend told us that a young woman had delivered a healthy baby girl at his hospital the day before.  During his follow-up rounds, she had asked him if he knew of a family that might adopt the baby. 

The baby girl had black hair and olive skin, similar to mine.  Our friend said she immediately reminded him of me.  He asked if we were still trying to conceive.  We told him about the emotional roller-coaster we'd been on, and about the most recent failed IVF.

We spoke about the baby's health and the birthmother's circumstances.  I'll never forget what came next.  George asked, "How long do we have to think about this?"  Our friend said, "The mother's leaving the hospital in 40 minutes."

George and I looked at each other, and each saw the answer on the other's face.  We didn't even hang up the phone to talk it over.

"Yes!" we both exclaimed.

During the seven-hour drive, George and I fell into periods of contemplative silence interspersed with manic discussion-what names did we like?  How would we manage our work schedules?  What did we need to do to our house?  How amazingly, unbelievably, wonderful was this?  

We held hands as we walked into the hospital.  It was late, and the halls were quiet.  George and I felt so very small as we were led to the nursery.  And from the moment we laid eyes on our little girl, we were in love.

The sweetest thing

We had to remain in our baby's birthplace for two-and-a-half weeks to complete paperwork.  The next Sunday, George and my mother (who'd also driven a long way to be with her new granddaughter) slept in.  I was feeding my daughter a bottle when my cellphone rang.  It was George's cousin, who lives in our town and goes to our church.  

"Shelley," she whispered.  "I'm in church.  They're saying the Mother's Day prayer."  She held the phone up, so I could hear our preacher's words.  

"He's asking all the adoptive mothers to stand up," she whispered.  Then losing control, she shouted into the phone, "Shelley, STAND UP!"

There I was standing in the living room of our rented home-away-from-home, laughing and crying.  George and my mom came in to see why I was making so much noise.  But this time, I was crying the happiest tears I'd ever known.  And in my arms, I held something sweeter than all the Mother's Day chocolate in the world.

I'm sure....you cried like I did...I cried again while typing this.  All those amazing, wonderful feelings of getting "the phone call" came back to me again.  The feelings I felt the first time I saw Halle and her birthmother placed her in my arms!!  WOW!!  God is so very good!!  I have been a mother since November 21, 2008.  This is the most challenging, yet rewarding, thing I have EVER done.  But...this weekend I have been thinking of those women out there who want nothing more in this world than to be a mother.  I'm praying for them....praying God will bless them with this joy.  Whether it be through adoption or giving birth themselves.  Please join me in praying for them.  

Hallelujah!!!

When we had had Halle home with us for only a short time...a month or so...our dear friend Carrie shared with me that she had been praying that day and God had laid Halle on her heart. So...she began to pray for her....and God gave her the word "Halle"lujah. How cool is that? Our heart rejoices and sings everyday over our dear, silly (I say that truthfully, ask anyone who spends extended amounts of time with her) beautiful daughter. We praised our Jesus with many "Halle"lujahs since she came to our house. About a month ago Aaron's dear Great Uncle Merle sent us and e-mail and he enclosed this: "We recognize that the word "halle" is what the Jews sang when they went up to ZION>>>the Holy City of Jerusalem! Praise the Lord.! Hallelujah!" How cool is that? When we picked the name Halle Grace it was one we both agreed on, thank goodness, Aaron had nixed about 6 others on my list. We never even thought about the significance....all I can say is HALLELUJAH!!!!

On my heart

Over the last few days I have been thinking about a few things....and these three ladies specifically have been on my heart: Kim, Megan & Kristin.  They all are three single and all three love the Lord Jesus.  I have committed to praying for them everyday.  You see....I was once there.  I was a single gal in my late twenties wanting nothing more then to find a man to spend the rest of my life with.  I had dated some guys in my early twenties and late teens...two specifically I thought I would marry...sorry Kyle & Luke...I don't think you'll ever read this, but...if you do...I still care about both of you and without the experiences I had because of you two I would not be the woman I am today.  You see I believe God had a hand in both of those relationships.  The circumstances evolving from them taught me to be the woman I am now.  Isn't that crazy?  Well, not really.  HE knew...knew what would happen.  I look back now and say WOW....God...you are AMAZING!!  Kyle ended up married to a sweet, sweet girl I went to high school with and I love her...she is PERFECT for him.  In fact, we go camping with their family every year.  Luke married Kim and had FIVE count them....FIVE girls....I do not know Kim or Luke's FIVE girls...they live in Texas.  But...I have heard from friends that Kim is perfect for him.  I think of me and my infertility....how would that have been???  Hmmmm......God knew, see???  Through both of those relationships I learned not to let a man, except Jesus, rule my life.  You see, my identity is not found in Aaron, it's found in my Jesus!!!  That is one of the sweetest things Aaron has ever said to me early on in our dating relationship.  I had worked so hard to let Jesus rule my life...and to give my relationships to HIM.  When Aaron and I married on December 5, 2003 we each married "God's Best".  That's right...we waited...but, oh my, was that hard.  We waited, sometimes, not patiently, for the ONE God had for us.  I'm praying that Kim, Megan & Kristin will find God's very best....SOON!!  Because, you'll find him when you least expect it...sometimes, like me...when you had given up.  Will you pick someone in your life to pray for everyday??  Join me......

Fresh Fruit Trifle

This is what I made for Easter dinner at my Auntie Gail & Uncle Gary's. It's a favorite among the family....you can see why! So...I thought I'd share the recipe with you all!

2 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, very soft (light kind is fine, but not fat-free)

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup sour cream (I use light)

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 to 1 tsp almond extract (I use 1 tsp)

1/2 pint whipping cream, whipped with 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp almond extract and 1 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 angel food cake (make your own or just buy one from the grocery store) torn into pieces

Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar until very smooth. Add sour cream and extracts, then fold in the whipped cream mixture. Fold gently until smooth, trying not to lose the volume. Next, fold in the angel food cake pieces, then layer in the clear glass trifle bowl with your choice of sweetened fruit. Be sure to drain the juices off the fruit quite well so the trifle does not become a puddle of juices.

ENJOY!!!!