We are now A Host Family

A woman that worked for our previous agency when we adopted LilyRose is now working for Spence-Chapin in NYC. She called me a few weeks ago and asked if we would consider being a "Host Family" "Yes, we would love to I said". So we sent our paperwork over to them and thought it would take a few months, but no, that wasn't the case since we have all of our clearances. We got a call on Wednesday morning asking how soon we could take a baby in? I said "how soon do you need us to?" 4pm today was the answer. So as of 4:30pm on Wednesday April 16th, we have a newborn in our home. She is the cutest little peanut ever. It's actually called "Boarding Parents" The birth mothers have up until 30 days to decide if they would like to parent the child or put them up for adoption. We are in no way able to adopt these children at all. The birth mother has already chosen an adopted family. Everyone thinks I am nuts. "Aren't you going to get attached to this baby?" "How are you going to give this baby up when the time comes?". My answer to these questions are this, "Yes, I am attached to this baby already. She is with me 24/7. My arms ache when I am not holding her." "But, if and when the time comes that her birth mother wants her back, or decides that she will place her for adoption, I will give her back." If her birth mother wants her then that is truly the best place for her to be. I am sure this BM is a young girl who is scared out of her mind and needed just a little more time to get comfortable with the idea she is a mother now. If she decides that she will put this child up for adoption, then I will hand over this child to a woman who never had the pleasure of being pregnant and giving birth. She will know the greatest joy in life, becoming a mother. I have experienced that joy 2 ways. Giving birth and adoption. Then when this sweet child leaves my home, I will go into my room and cry. Yes, I will mourn and I will never forget her. But I feel that I am giving this child a safe and happy, healthy start in this life. For the short amount of time that she is here with us, she will be loved and held and snuggled and loved some more. She is a beautiful baby and I hope she has a wonderful life.

I am hoping that those of you that read this and think you might like to be a Host Family and you live in the NY area, please call Spence-Chapin. They are in major need of Host Families. Please, won't you open your home and hearts to these innocent babies and help give them a loving start in life? If you want more info feel free to email me. I really hope someone will call or email.

Just saying hello

I can't believe it's been this long since I posted here. So many things have been going on. First off, we finally Baptised LilyRose on March 30th and she looked beautiful. It was a very small gathering and I am sure lots of people will be mad at me, but with Jack's adoption things are very tight right now and that's why I kept it super small. I planned it in a short time as I wanted my brother to be here for it. I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to use my new computer. Yes, that's right, I am posting this from a brand new laptop. A gift from my brother.

Isn't he a great brother?!?!!!! Unfortunately, Ralph went back to Iraq on Monday night. Even though he is a pain in the ass sometimes, it is super hard watching him leave. He will be home for good in October of this year. 6 months isn't really a long time away, but for us it seems like an eternity. I can't wait for the day I pick him up at the airport for the last time. That will be a great day for all of us.

LilyRose is doing great. She talks up a storm and 90% of the time it is loud and clear. She's funny, cute and sometimes very shy. Other times she is like a social butterfly. She has the biggest crush on my niece's boyfriend. When he walks through the door she gets this look on her face and just floats into his arms. I think it's the cutest thing ever, my husband on the other hand holds his heart and cringes. Joseph is doing great also. He made the Travel Team (baseball) He beat out some 10 year olds and is super proud of himself. Their uniforms this year are awesome looking. He looks so grown up out on the field. He had his first double header on Sunday. It was really cold out so I didn't make it to the field this time around. Anthony said he did really well, although he got hit by a pitch and his arm was swollen and bruised. He made sure he showed everyone that came to the house on Sunday.

So other then my brother leaving and that our adoption of Jack is killing me, things are good here. My children are great and that makes life worth living.