Thankful

So this last week before our first big fundraiser is proving to be a busy one. Between work, finishing up banners to advertise, picking up more donated items, loading up the uhaul truck Friday night, we well as going around posting up the posters/banners, making sure we have everything ready for Saturday morning, it's just a busy week. I'm not complaining, sure, it's a lot of work, but if we're half as successful as we hope to be with Saturday's event, then it's worth it.

Since we did our last round of IVF we had been praying for God to bless us with another child. That cycle didn't work, and the prayers for another child stopped briefly until we began to explore adoption, but the prayers didn't stop completely. They continued for help to realize that there was another plan for us even though we had no idea what it would be, and that we'd be able to get through it by pulling together as a family and supporting each other. Well, we see what the other plan is, it's adoption, and we know it won't be any easier than IVF. Our prayer for another child is being answered, just not in the manner we originally expected.

There are so many things playing into adoption scenarios that it can't be easy. Someone is giving up their child with hopes that that child will have a better life, they love that child as any parent would, and there is great sadness associated with that, no matter which part of the adoption triad you are (biological parents, adoptive parents, or child). I think that seeing our child's first mom's emotions is going to be the hardest thing for me, and I have no doubt I will be crying right there with her. Heck, I can't even get through the videos at the information meetings with the different agencies without crying. What a sap! But seriously, it is very emotional. I think it will be extremely hard to have a baby placed with us, and have a bioparent decide to parent and the child we thought we would have is given back. In Maryland, they have 30 days to decide that for sure after signing consent. It's a risk, but everything is. There were risks associated with our IVF cycles. Doesn't make it any less worth it though.

Right now we are just praying that our support system will stay strong as we go through this journey. We pray for good weather on Saturday, and a great turnout. We pray that if we are faced with some tough decisions along the way that He will guide us in the right direction. Our prayers are being answered one way or another, and for that we are so thankful.

We are also thankful to the people helping us. One of my mom's friends gave her a donation on the bus yesterday, and didn't want any raffle tickets in return, just wanted to help. Thank you Ms. Pat! And there is a girl who posted a comment to one of my previous posts and has offered quite a bit of items for our yard sale, so we will be meeting with her tonight to pick them up. Thank you Morissa! Thanks to Kerry, Mitra, and Mary from work who donated items for us to sell as well! And thank you to everyone who continues to support us on this journey. You don't know how much it means.