"Mom, Tell Me The Story Again"

So, the story she loved to hear is how we were blessed with her.

We had horrible pregnancies - longer story. We always wanted 5 children - don't ask why, we don't even know. So after having the three boys, we looked into adoption. We were ready to go. We prayed and sought the Lord to bring us the child of His choosing.

I remember one day I got a phone call from some friends who had also adopted. They said they know a pastor whose teenage daughter is pregnant and she is giving the baby up for adoption! We were elated! We were given all the attorney contact information, and did all the paperwork, etc. It was a shoe-in since the daughter had some Asian in her, and of course would want her baby to go to an Asian-ish family.

One day, full of anticipation and excitement, we received a letter from the attorney saying that the young mother had chosen a family on the East Coast to give her baby to. The disappointment was strong, to say the least. At the same time, we knew God had a different plan.

Well, we did our home-study and got all our ducks in a row for our next try. We would go to Bethany Christian services frequently to look through the books of children waiting to be adopted. We knew one thing: we did not want a drug baby.

We found 3 siblings, who also had Asian in them! They were 3 girls, all young and very close in age. We prayed about it and decided to go for it. With fear and trepidation, we awaited the committee to make the decision from the 3 families who had applied for them. We got a phone call, saying "I am sorry, they chose a doctor and his family". Sad beyond grief - but still trusting that God had something else in mind.

We saw a special on Junk Science - exposing the drug baby horrors. There IS no long term effects from it! (another long story in itself) - next morning we call the adoption agency and said "we will take a drug baby".

I went to the agency and once again looked through the books. When I brought home this picture of "Chae Love Morgan", the boys laughed and said "she has no neck!" then quickly named her Squash Blossom. There was something in her picture that drew me in.

In March, we applied to be considered for her adoption. Once again, we were up against 3 other families and a committee was to decide. I waited with baited breath the day of the meeting - wringing my hands and praying. The phone rang, I had half a notion to not answer it. It was Donna - our case worker. I said "Hello?" after what seemed a very long pause, she said "Congratulations! It's a girl!" By now, Julianne was 8 months old.

I called my friends from church - they descended on my house with balloons and celebratory greetings. We sat in the backyard together and sang hymn after hymn. It was the most surreal experience, knowing we were going to get a baby soon!

A few hours later, Donna met me to give me the baby book that the foster mom had so lovingly put together.

We prepared to greet her, went to Oregon to get her from the foster home, and the rest is history. We love her, and she loves us :)