Inspired

Well, my sister-in-law has inspired me to start a blog. Thanks, Christine!

It seems it has been only a few short months when we announced we were adopting. Most of you know the process was long a painful, but ultimately rewarding. 'Kinzer,' Mu-mer' and 'Bubba' (I will use made up names to protect our privacy out in internet world) are doing so well. They are all growing, glowing and CLIMBING! Yikes!!!

On November 5, 2008, we were called to ask if we would be willing to bring home another baby. 'Mu-mer's' biological parents had delivered another child on November 3rd. There was enough concern about the baby's safety the Department believed the child should not be allowed to go home with the mom. So, after a lot a quick praying we said yes. So, my friends, IT's ANOTHER GIRL.

We will have to continue the same long painful process. So, adoption cannot take place until that has been completed. Yes, you guessed it, they are fighting the process again. The mother's attorney is actually fighting that the baby should have never been removed in the first place. They have requested a jury trial to determine if DHS should have removed her in the first place. Thankfully, 'our side' can bring up the fact that this is the FOURTH baby that mom has had, and (oh, yeah) the prior THREE have been removed from her care! She doesn't have custody of any of her four children. We are very prayerful that this goes well. We have become quite attached so our hearts will be completely broken if things don't.

Currently, we have to have visits four hours a week. Two hours with mom and two hours with dad. It is excruciating! They tell me we will have to continue this until the bitter end.

After baby was placed with us, I became concerned something was wrong. It turned out when she eats her pulse ox drops very low. As a result, we have had to put her on oxygen. We have a very advanced oxygen set up in our house. Let's just say that Steve's ingenuity has really come in handy! We have the 50 feet of tubing hanging from our stair case and hand rails via...wait for it...bungee cords! Now the other three cant' get caught in the tubing. The oxygen has helped a ton. Now we are dealing with massive acid reflux, but they tell me this too shall pass. The biological mom called me and the caseworker and told us that as long as the baby is having medical issues, then she can't live with her. She said it is too scary. Remember we are dealing with a mom with an IQ of about 40 so I thought, overall, this was a very responsible thing to say. Let's just hope her attorney will think so as well and do the right thing!

Well, I think this brings everyone up to speed. I will try to keep you posted, but for now please keep praying for us!