(If you just want to see pictures scroll down)
Everything began Sunday evening. We had gone to church and Robby got home with the kids about 3pm. I stayed for choir till about 4pm. When I got home Robby was napping and so I had dinner and laid down to rest a little myself. Robby and I got to talking and the phone rang about 5pm. I almost didn’t answer it because I figured I could call whoever it was back later. Well, I’m glad I picked up because it was Larry our LDSFS caseworker. At first it didn’t even strike me as strange that he was calling on a Sunday. I had trained myself long ago to not get excited when someone from LDSFS calls because it is quite likely not anything exciting. So he says to me, “You’ll be glad that we caught you at home! There has been a little baby girl born in Utah and the birth parents are interested in choosing you! They would like a conference call as soon as possible.”
Okay, talk about shock, excitement, and emotion all rolled into one moment! As soon as we got off the phone we called the caseworker in Utah. It just so happened that this caseworker was the same caseworker who worked with us when we were placed with Jenna. That was another wonderful surprise! She quickly arranged a call with us and the birthparents who were still at the hospital.
We had a wonderful 45 minute conversation with them. They told us that they chose us because we felt so familiar to them when they saw our website. They were both very easy to talk to and we enjoyed getting to know them. So many things were discussed. Thinking back I remember enjoying hearing their laughter when the discussion was light-hearted, and I was touched by the emotions they shared when we talked about why they were choosing adoption. They were both very in tune to the Spirit as they made their choice, and we felt honored that they wanted us to be Olivia’s parents.
After our call ended at about 6:30pm or 7pm we (or more primarily I) became frazzled trying to pack everything that we might need for a week in Utah while also calling to tell the family and anyone else we needed to notify. We discussed flying and decided against it since it would be WAY expensive for 4 tickets at such short notice. I must admit while packing I felt like I was in a dream and couldn’t get all my thoughts to flow in one comprehensive pattern. By 8:30pm that night we were on the road to the Salt Lake area of Utah. We stopped for the night at midnight in Flagstaff and got up early the next morning to drive from about 7am till 5pm and arrive at the LDSFS agency for placement. The trip at times seemed slow and at times seemed crazy because we were worried for a little about road conditions and about picking up a car seat for baby Olivia. Many thanks go to Andra, Robby’s mom, and my mom for being our information source on the road by checking the internet when we need them to. (Things would have been a lot more hectic without you!)
We arrived just after 5pm and got settled before meeting Olivia’s wonderful birthparents and birth grandparents (on her birthmom’s side). The spirit was so strong in the room. We could see and feel the emotion that Olivia’s birth family felt. There was a sense of peace though as we met together and talked about our lives and their hopes and dreams for little Olivia. When the time felt right, Olivia’s birth family took a private moment to have a final moment with her before placement, and then they handed her to us and we embraced sharing our feelings of gratitude and extreme love for each other. I can’t even think about it without crying. My tears are for joy for Olivia’s arrival in our family and also in grief as I think about the incredible sacrifice that they made for her. Words cannot express our gratitude.
I am sure you are interested in seeing pictures so here they are with thanks to Uncle Tommy for saving us by bring his camera cord so we could download the pictures from our camera (It’s hard to remember everything when you are packing in such haste. :)
Our first moments with Olivia
Our first family picture with baby Olivia
Sleepy little babe
Uncle Tommy says "Hello!" to little Olivia
Sleepy little babe
Showing off her cute little body
Olivia says hello to everyone...
18 comments:
Wow, she's beautiful! I cried reading your story. What a wonderful thing to have happen in your family. And my goodness! Jenna is so big!! It seems like you were just barely sending newborn pictures of her. Thanks so much for sharing and again, congratulations!
Thank you Sharon! I've been waiting all day for you to post this. We are so excited for you and cannot wait to meet her---I'm dying! She is an angel.
Robbie,
Emily and Aaron think your new little sister is really cute. Now Emily knows why you are in Utah. Be careful bringing her home!
What an amazing story! Olivia is certainly a beautiful White family addition! I'm sooooo excited for you.
(And I thought I was rushing around trying to get everything ready for our new baby. Now I feel like I have all the time in the world--in comparison!)
Congratulations!!!
Oh, she's such a tiny girl. I can't wait to hold her.
Sharon, you look very pretty in that first picture with her.
Give her lots of kisses from us.
She is sooo cute. Those last two pictures are precious. I loved reading your story - I need a tissue. What a blessing! I'm so excited for little Olivia. She has the greatest parents in the world.
BTW, Forrest said she fits perfectly into your family, b/c you're all petite.
Congratulations again, all of you. Though I probably won't get to meet her until April, I'm still excited for that. Who knew it could happen so fast? Sometimes the Lord really does shower us with so many blessings there is barely room to receive them. :)
Okay I'm crying right now!! Good luck with EVERYTHING!
Oh Sharon. I am so happy for you and your family. Thank you for sharing you personal feelings and experience.
I've been thinking about your sweet little family and have been praying for a little addition. Thanks for sharing the touching story of how sweet Olivia joined your family. Enjoy every moment, even the sleepless nights! Congrats and continued blessings.
Congratulations! We were so excited to receive the news of little Olivia. She is beautiful! What a wonderful experience to be able to meet and visit with her birthparents, they sound absolutely amazing! Aren't we so blessed to have these incredible people in our lives?!!! I look forward to catching up with you some time soon!
In the photo with Sharon and Jenna, I almost didn't notice that Olivia was there. :) Have fun this week - hopefully Little Robby doesn't nail you too hard with a snowball.
I'm so excited for you! Congratulations!!! She is beautiful, and I love her name! What a wonderful blessing.
WONDERFUL!!!!! I have to admit I just sat here a cried like a two year old. It was just a mere 6 months ago we were in teh VERY same situation. I can sooo relate to this story!!! I feel teh same as you, emotions running strong and also grief at the same. It is hard to describe unless you have "felt" it. You are guys are awesome and I have been praying that your little one would find you....and she DID!!!! YEA!!!!!!
Congrats! We are so happy for you! She is just beautiful. Have a great time getting to know each other.
What an amazing couple of days! Olivia is gorgeous! What a great experience to have with her birthparents. Thanks for sharing your story.
WOW! The tears won't stop! I'm soo excited for you! I love the picture of the 5 of you together. Oddly enough that picture just feels right. What an amazing experience you guys had with the birth parents. That sound great! I'm sure the Lord will bless them for their selfless sacrifice! I know they are in my prayers. And so are you as you adjust to the life of 3 little ones! I wish you the best. Enjoy and I can't wait to meet her! Congratulations Li'l Robby and Jenna. I'm sure you'll have so much fun with your new sister!
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