How Seth Became Ours

So how did our family end up with a precious domestic baby boy when we weren't even looking for it? Let me share with you about that Awesome God we serve and how things always work out always for the good of the Lord.

As many of you may know, we are in the process of adopting internationally. This is a very long and treacherous process. We are pretty much on standby until we are called that we have been matched up with our baby girl. Until then, all we can do is wait. It's been about 11mths since we began this process but my hubbie and I have remained faithful in knowing that God's timing is indeed perfect, and this was affirmed to us by our "miracle baby" Seth.

In this blog, I will not be using the real names of the people involved as to keep their privacy. I was approached by a women who used to work in the same office building were we had our office. This women, we will call her "Jill" knew that we were in the waiting process for a baby girl internationally. Jill approached me one day and asked if Herb and I would be interested in adopting a baby domestically?

Before I go any further, let me just say that Herb and I were not interested in adoption period. The Lord has used orphans around the world to touch our hearts. One orphan that God used was now my beautiful nephew "Kai" - Kai came home from China alittle over a year ago and blessed our lives incredibly. He was the beggining of the adoption world in our family. He was the one who soften our hearts to even consider adoption, after meeting and seeing how much you can love a little person without giving birth to them, both Herb and I realized that the Lord was very much leading our lives toward adoption and wanting to bless us tremendously.

Going back to our "miracle baby" Seth - after "Jill" approached us and asked the question, were we interested in adopting a newborn. My first thought was "wow" We would finally have a baby, but yet my heart was on the lookout guarding itself from a reoccurence of pain and sorrow. I inquired about who the BP (Birth Parents) were and what their history was. "Jill told me that the BP were related to her by marriage. It was a young couple, BD (Birth dad) is 31ys old and BM (Birth mom) is 24yrs old. Seth's BP come from a disfunctional background. The BP were pretty much homeless when we came into the picture and finacially they could not keep the baby. I told her that I would discuss this with Herb and I would get back to her. In reality, what I really wanted to do was PRAY ABOUT THIS. I did mention it to Herb and he almost instantly said YES, let's do this. I said to Herb - you know as much as we want a baby, we need to invite the Lord into this situation because maybe this is not what HE wants and it will turn out to be a nightmare. I knew deep within my heart that if this was coming from the Lord, that all would be well but if not this would be a disaster.

So, we both prayed and prayed about this domestic adoption. I said Lord if this is not your will for us, I pray that you remove it from our lives. You have given me much peace about not being able to get pregnant and I just want to live out your will for my life. Weeks went by and I just keeping being at peace with this adoption. So, I approached "Jill" one day and I said "ok - we will accept this adoption if the BP are serious about this". She told me okay that she would try and reach them and let us know.

About a month or so went by, we never heard anything from anyone, meanwhile we kept praying for the Lord's will to be done. I approached "Jill" and said to her - "well have you spoken to the BP about this baby, and she said Yes - but they are going to try and keep the baby. I said "ok" no problem. There was no emotion on my end because I was trying to guard my heart and leave it to GOD. When I got that answer from "Jill" I figured that was God's answer. So, we went on with our lives. This was around May 2007, the BM was around 6mths pregnant by this time.

So, April 30 - May 4th, 2007, our family had planned to go on the "Music Boat". It is a Christian Cruise with over 16 Christian bands and over 40 concerts through out the week. The boat was sailing to Jamaica. The day before we are scheduled to leave on this cruise. I get a call from "Jill" stating that the BM has just been arrested for writing bad checks and for sure they could not keep the baby.

Upon going to jail, corrections had taken her to the hospital to confirm that she was pregnant. She was immediately placed on bed rest because she had "Placenta Previa" and this could cause her to go into premature labor. The BM wanted to make contact with us to let us know that they were definetly now not keeping the baby. As this just put frosting on the cake when it came to their financial burden.

Florida Law states that if a women gives birth in a correctional facility - the baby automatically goes to foster care, unless there is a private adoption taking place and I guess the BM knew that and she wanted to be sure that her baby did not end up in foster care. After receiving the call from "Jill" - and she confirmed that this was a go, I immediately spoke to Herb and we contact our attorney. The attorney had advised that as long as we had our paperwork in order, if she did go into premature labor - the baby would not go into the system because a private adoption would already be in place. So basically, we were on a time table.

On top of all of this the BP did not live her locally, they were living near Gainsville. So it was going to make things alittle harder for the attorney to have them sign off on paperwork being that they lived far away.

So, the Lord continued to move mountains in this adoption. Everyday that went by, HE just keeped confirming and affirming that this is what HE wanted for us.

Once we got all the paperwork in order, we had to sign a contract. Florida Law states that the adoptive parents are responsible for paying any expenses to make sure that the baby is in a safe enviroment. So we had to pay for their living expenses, food and clothing. When I say that this couple had nothing, they literally have nothing. They were living in a tent at a campsite with some friends.

Eventually, the BM got out of jail - she was sentenced to (6) mths house arrest w/probation supervision and weekly drug testing. (Another known blessing) because if she was out an about in the streets, who knows what she would have been doing while pregant. Herb and I relocated them and put them up to live in those weekly motels. Their expenses have to be paid until (1) month after the baby is born, which will be Sept. 6th. Of course, all expenses have been paid through the attorney and then forward to them.

Once they arrived locally, the BM immediately received medical attention - all her medical records were forwarded to us and we have a good solid background for Seth, which is really important. All drug testing that was done on her came back negative, HIV Test came back negative and considering her circumstances, she remains pretty healthy.

Going back to the Christian Cruise we were on, the Lord really spoke to my heart during that week, thru devotions, praise and worship and even guest speakers. One of the first people that I ran into on that cruise was the president of the James Fund, and this is what my eyes first saw after keeping this domestic adoption in prayer.

"The James Fund, partners with its customers in a shared mission: Reaching out to orphans and widows by showing them the love of our Heavenly Father". You can read more about the James Fund at http://www.jamesfund.org/

Later on that same week on the cruise, the Lord said to me "Ily it's not about you having a baby, it's about me using you to care for one of my orphans". I knew right then and their that everything was going to be ok. At that point, it no longer mattered how that baby was going to be born because it wasen't about me having a baby, it was and continues to be all about HIM allowing us to care for his orphan child.

The scripture that lead this whole adoption Journey came from James 1:27 - where it reads "What God the father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world".

In essence, Herb and I were being used not only to care for his orphan but to also care for his widow. You see the Birth Mothers parents both died from drug abuse. Seth BM was places in foster care at the age of 17yrs old, which plays a HUGE factor in why she placed her baby for adoption. She told me that she was in foster care and it was horrible and she would never ever want any of her children to end up there.

You know, Herb and I met with the BP several times and one of the things that I told her is that I respected her for making the ultimate sacrifice of placing her baby for adoption. Most girls her age would have chosen the easy way out (Abortion) but she loved this baby so much, that she carried him for 9mths and then gave him to another mother to raise. That my friends is the ultimate sacrifice. I pray that the Lord guide Seth's birth parents, to protect them and help them find their way. Herb and I will forever be grateful for the gift that these BP gave us and never will their be a day that goes on without a prayer for both of them.

The next blog will be the emotional 48 Hrs at the hospital upon Seth being born.

Last Night's Adventure

Last Night was the funniest thing ever. But before I get into what happened, let me tell you how Seth's progress is going. We were having some problems with eating and the formula he was on. He is currently on Enfamil Lipil with Iron. Well, it appeared that he was straining to do a bowel for a couple of days and it would seem that he was having stomach pains. He was very gassy and sometimes appeared to even have some colic. After speaking to his doctor, they advised to keep him on the same formula and just increase his frequency of feeding. I had him initially on a four hour schedule but now during the day he is waking up every 2.5 - 3.0 to eat and is eating now 3-4 oz depending on his hunger, this change was much better for him, also we made the hole in the nipple alittle bigger (Seth adjusted to this nipple very well and now he has mastered it). He has much less gas, he is now going to the bathroom regulary and hardly any stomach pains. And YES! Seth is still sleeping through the night, which leads me to share last night's adventure. This is what happened, Herb gave him a feeding at 9:30pm, he drank 4.0 oz and was pretty alert for a couple of hours. I figured I would give him a feeding at midnight and he would be out for the night. At about 10 minutes to midnight, I decided to bath him (which by the way he loves to the extent that he falls asleep in the bath). So I prepared the tub, undressed him and began to pour the warm water on him, he immediately fell asleep, about 10 seconds later, I see and hear a bubble in the water, when I look - there was caca everywhere. I figured quite rapidly that Seth is a multi tasker - he sleeps, bathes and does caca all at the same time. I could not believe it. I immediately cleaned up the water, finished his bath, put on his PJ's and gave him a bottle. Seth slept from about midnight until a quarter to six in the morning. We are very blessed as he is a great sleeper. Below are pictures that I took this morning of him as he went to his happy place on his swing. Have a beautiful day !!

Love,

A proud and happy Mama

Baby Shower

Here are some pictures of the baby shower that our extended church family had for us.

Our church family had been with us during the time of sorrow when we lost our son baby Emmanuel so now that the Lord had given us another son - everyone is just overwhelmed with God's goodness and Mercy.

Thank You Jesus !!!!

What's new with Seth James

Well my friends - Monday August 20th at 11:14pm made two weeks already that our son Seth James was born. It's hard to believe that two weeks ago we were receiving a call at about midnight to say that our son had been born and for us to head to the hospital.

Update on Seth: Friday August 17th - Seth had his 2nd week appointment with his pediatrician, it was a weight check, pretty much to be sure that he was gaining weight. When Seth was born he weighed 7 lbs 11.6 oz, well within those couple of days in the hospital, he lost 5 oz, he was 7 lbs 6 oz. On Friday Aug 17th - he had gained 7 oz within 7 days (yep an ounce a day). As of Friday his weight was 7 lbs 13 oz and he grew 1/2". Seth's next appointment to the doctor will not be until about a month, were he will then get his first vaccination shots. All in all - Seth seems to be doing good, he is always getting smothered with kisses by his mama and the rest of the family. He is yummy, yummy, yummy !!!

Pictures of our cuddle bug on Day 9

Seth James sound asleep




















This was taken bright and early this morning

(Po-Po comes in before she goes to work to do
her daily routine with him) Kissin him all up
















This is the very cool cradle swing I was talking about. Given to Seth by his cousins Kristy & Alex

















Big Brother assembling the cradle swing for him





















Seth's new Toy !!! Yep he is in heaven

















Awww !!! Daddy and Seth taking a power nap after a full day at work.












BIG Man and Little Man bonding with one another.

Day 9 Since Seth Was Born

Today was a pretty laid back day. Both Seth and I were very tired this morning, so we slept in an woke up around 10:30am. After doing the usual, feeding Seth and laying him near a window so he can get some sun, there was a knock on the door and to my surprise it was UPS delivering a very big box for us. Thank goodness Anthony was home (my BIG man), it was the Rainforest Cradle Swing that was bought by our niece and hubbie and sent to us via UPS. Being very excited about this, I had Anthony almost immediately, assemble it and before we knew it, the swing was assembled and their was Seth, swinging away enjoying every minute of it. It is a very cool swing, it has lots of cool colors and the best thing about it, is that it reclines and Seth can actually sleep in it. It is very practical and cute, Thank you Kristy & Alex for that wonderful gift.

So let's see what else happened today, oh yeh !!! I get a call from my hubbie around 1:00pm, he was ectastic to inform me that he took the AC CONTRACTORS TEST to become a licensed contractor in the state of Florida, and he passed the test (which by the way he passed with flying colors - yes Herbie got an 80%). So I am happy to publicly say that we will be expanding our business to also include air conditioning work. Honey, I am very proud of your hard work, your persistency, your achievement, and most of all your loyalty to your family. Always, trying hard to give your family the very best and you do, and I am very thankful for that and more. Thank you baby.

Okay and last but not least, I must share this because it was the funniest thing ever! Although, I don't have any pictures to prove this but it was too funny not to share. This evening, I was getting ready to take Seth a bath. He was asleep, so I prepared his tub, undressed him, and began to bath him, Can you imagine that this little guy slept right thru his bath. Literally, I would pour the warm water gently over his body and his little head, and this child did not wake up. Seth did not open up his eyes not once. I was blown away at how much of a deep sleeper he is. We are absolutely and totally blessed. After his bath, I massaged him with baby lotion all over, put on his PJ's and fed him. He is now drinking about 2 1/2 - 3 oz of formula. He is on a 4 hour schedule and pretty much sleeps all night. Did I mention how very blessed we are?

Tommorrow, I will post pictures of his cradle swings and share more pictures of our little man. Until then have a blessed and beautiful day, Peace !

The Gift We Could Not Give Eachother

I came across the Lyrics of this song and I just fell over. I could not believe that they was a song that pretty much describes our domestic adoption. Here are the Lyrics. I am on the hunt to find the song to add to Seth's blogsite.

The Gift We Could Not Give Each Other
Words and Music by Michael Mclean

When she was a little girl she held her dolls like children. Dreaming of the day when she'd have babies of her own. Now those dolls lie on a shelf as lifeless as the dreams she dreamed. It's become the deepest ache her heart has ever known.There's a man who's trying his best to comfort her with roses.Telling her he'll find a way to make their dreams come true. He's been saying this for years, but now his tears reveal the truth. In his heart he fears there's nothing else that they can do. Then a gift is given, a phone call straight from heaven. There's a child that's nearly due that a young girl's giving you. She gave more than just one life when she makes of this man and wife a father and a mother. She gives the gift they could not give each other. More than we could ever know this couple thanks the heavens. Every time they hold their child, they feel they hold the world. Words will never be enough to share the way the family feels. From deep inside their hearts they want to tell that girl: Not a day is ever through till we've thanked the Lord for you. Your sweetness lingers near in our hearts and thoughts and prayers. You gave more than just one life when you made of this man and wife, a Father and a Mother.When you gave the gift we could not give each other. You have changed our lives forever. Only you and God above could give this gift of love we could not give eachother.

Who, What and When did this happen

This is our story about Seth James.

After pretty much being infertile for it seems like forever, my hubbie and I decided to try Invitro Fertilization back in 2003. Running a 50-50 chance that I could get pregnant, I did. We were over the moon with happiness. Into the fourth month of my pregnancy, we began to endure complications as it seemed that there was a problem with the baby.

It turned out after carrying the baby for 7 1/2 months, I had to give birth to our stillborn son, Baby Emmanuel. It was a very long journey for me my hubbie and pretty much the entire family. After struggling with infertility, I finally get pregnant to only lose the baby 7 1/2 mths in the womb.

But our faithful God and his infinite plan always carried me through.

Today August 14th, 2006 - I proudly annouce the birth of our new adopted son Seth James. Seth came into this world on August 6th, weighing 7 lbs 11.6 oz and 19 1/2" long.

This domestic adoption was very emotional, again our faith carried us through day in and day out. In the next few post I will go into detail about what this domestic adoption entailed and how life is for us now that our little man is home.

I want to give God all the glory and honor for orchestrating this domestic adoption. For allowing me to be still and listen to your voice even though I was surrounded by many distractions throughout this process. You told me many times to remain faithful to you, to TRUST YOU above all things and that you would do the rest. How blessed we are dear Lord to be able to take all of our thoughts and worries and hand them over to you and you will carry the cross for us as we make our way toward our journey.

I love you Lord more than the whole world and back. Thank you for being my heavenly father, my source of srength and my rock.