Almost Ours... and a new name

For the past several years a little pair of Christmas pajamas (size 12 months) hung in a closet. I had bought them on clearance thinking I may give them away... or maybe I'd have a use for them. The red pajamas have a Christmas present on the front, and states, "Perfect Little Present."

And I had a perfect use for them this year. :-)

With Birthmom's parental rights no longer existing (she did not revoke her relinquishment), we now consider our little Screech Owl to be "almost ours." We will have to wait 4+ months as the courts terminate the rights of an unknown father. Even with the wait, we are now allowed to start calling our Screech Owl by the name we have chosen for him:

Joshua Richard

Joshua (a strong godly man of the Old Testament, like Noah, Isaac, and Daniel) means "God Rescues" and "God is Salvation"

Richard is Noah's middle name, Grandfather's first name, which was passed down from his father. So, Joshua with be the 4th generation with Richard in his name. 

Needless to say, we are very excited!



Can't you tell?



I may finally get my blue-eyed baby...



A beautiful, and perfect little present, indeed.

The Unexpected.

Going to court, we felt peace that things would likely fall on our side... potentially leading to the adoption of our sweet boy. Not that we have ever wished ill on Screech Owl's birthmom. We simply want to keep him safe, knowing she does not have the ability to do so.

We were shocked as we walked out of the courtroom 20 minutes after entering it, knowing Birthmom had made the choice to give Screech Owl a better chance at life. She relinquished her parental rights.

Now, she has until 5:00 on Wednesday to change her mind... and technically, we need to wait until Friday incase she mails in a revocation. So, we wait just a little longer to fully rejoice.

What does this mean for us (assuming she does not revoke her relinquishment)?

Adoption of a son! Giving him a home, a family, a place to belong. A new name. A name, Lord willing, we will start calling him at the end of next week.

Because we have to wait out some other legal issues regarding the paternal side, it will be several more months before the adoption is finalized. My hope is that it can be filed in May, and maybe, just maybe, I will have an extra sweet birthday present. 

God is the giver of unexpected gifts. After so many years of loss and goodbyes, I am in awe of how God has used our pain to bring us a son. A son intended for us since the beginning of time. To God be the glory!

My Helplessness and His Faithfulness.

It doesn't take much to remind me how I am truly helpless. One can put on the facade of empowered, strong, fearless human... but seriously, who are they fooling? As a human race we are weak. Foolish. Stubborn. And helpless.

I'm feeling extra helpless this week, as we are 7 days away from court. Being in that court room reminds me of how helpless I am as a foster parent. Holding my son as his small body jerks out of control during his latest seizure reminds me how helpless I am as a parent. 

By God's grace, His faithfulness is so much bigger than my helplessness. This hymn has been playing over and over in my head today as my heart feels weak and weary from 9 days straight of nursing children with the flu. Court, and my Screech Owl's future, is never far from my thoughts.

I pause to remember God's faithfulness to us through the years of fostering, and parenting...

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee
,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,

As Thou hast been,Thou forever wilt be.



Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!





Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;

Join with all nature in manifold witness,

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.





Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own great presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

~Thomas O. Chisholm 1923