Jason and Jenny

Here is a quick weekend update.

What we did this weekend:

• Waited
• Went to the National Civil Rights Museum (twice)
• Waited
• Ate
• Waited
• Went on a walk where we are staying (we are SO blessed to be here)
• Waited
• Got Jason’s hair cut and my bangs trimmed at Fantastic Sam’s (mistake)
• Waited
• Went to church with some good friends
• Ate
• Waited

What we are waiting for:

Basically we are waiting on word from the birth parents. They have not made a decision as to parent or make an adoption plan (as far as we know). Their social worker from Bethany has been out of town this weekend and will make contact with them again on Monday (tomorrow).  Our social worker has told us to stay in Memphis until baby is released from the hospital (sometime around Friday).

What to pray for:

• God’s will be done (He knows our kid)
• Our growth in patience and leaning on Him for comfort
• Peace (the thought of having to do this again makes me want to crawl in bed for a week and cry)
• Baby (health, well being, care in the hospital)
• Birth parents (clarity, comfort, healing, wisdom)

What will we do this week:

Wait… Jason is trying to make contact with some bigger businesses here in Memphis, so he has set up some meetings with old colleagues. I might be helping some friends with a house renovation (waiting for some deliveries and running some errands for them while they work). I am SO thankful for something to keep me occupied, for even a few hours a day.

How are you feeling?

We are tired. We are nervous. We are hopeful. We are excited to see what this week holds. There are many emotions and any and all can come out at any given moment. We are SO thankful for friends in Austin and Memphis who have rallied around us. People helped up pack, found is housing in Memphis, stayed at our house, fed our feral cat, kept our poodles, sent us text, posted comments on facebook / twitter / our blog, called us – We feel loved. I also wish everyone could be here to see where we are staying  - AMAZING. We will write about this amazing place in a later post – they have La Croix, Truvia AND a part poodle dog! I am in LOVE!

Thank you God. Thank you friends. Thank you family. We are blessed (no matter the outcome).

We turned in our paperwork in December and were told at the time it would be anywhere from 2 hours  - 6 months before we got a call to be placed with baby Ford. There are only two couples willing to take an African American infant (us and another family). So, we could get a call any day. We have had MANY question about timing and fundraising. Here are the answers:

Q – How long will you know before you have to leave Austin and go to Memphis.

A – It depends on the birhtmother. If a birthmother chooses us before the birth, we will know a due date and will have a time frame. If a birthmother calls from the hospital that she had a baby and wants to terminate her rights, we could get a call once the baby is born. If that is case, we will have a couple of loose ends to tie up in Austin, pack, and head to Memphis.

Q – What happens once you are in Memphis.

A – As far as we know, we will either pick up the baby from the hospital or pick up the baby from interim care (depending on where they are). Then we have to wait about 2 weeks before we can come back to Texas. During that 2 weeks we will be the baby’s caretakers. In that 2 week period, Texas and Tennessee will file paperwork as part of the “Interstate Compact Agreement” that says we can take the baby over state lines.

Q – Where will you stay?

A – We don’t know. We have friends that live in Memphis and people have offered to help up find a place to stay once we get the call.

Q – How is your fund raising going.

A – We have been abundantly blessed by friends and families generous gifts of money, gifts and baby supplies. We are almost to our goal. We are keeping the money in a separate account. Once we reach our goal, we will let you know, but know if you continue to donate we will use that money to fund Jade Rose Ford’s adoption or we will send it to someone else who is adopting (if our finances change before that time). Just know we are being careful stewards of your donations!  If you would like to donate you can email me or donate using the paypal link in the sidebar.

Q – Can you call me, text me, email me when you find out?

A – No promises. We will promise to call/ email/text our immediate family, supporters, and church. If you want to keep up with the latest we will post something on twitter/facebook/this blog when we hear something. If you hear the news and want to forward it to others, please feel free to do so. I just have a feeling once we get that call, email/phone/text are going to be the last thing on my mind.

Q – Can we come to Memphis during those two weeks?

A – Because we will be bonding with this new little person, we would ask for you to stay home, snug in your beds. If we need reinforcements, we will not be shy to ask. We will also be posting update on our blog and twitter. We promise to communicate via the internets to the bet of our ability!

Stay tuned…

I heard you lost your mother and can not find her.

Me too.

I know you are hurt and it feels like life can’t go on, but it does. Hey, I have an idea. Because I really like you, and the world doesn’t need another motherless daughter, can I be your mom?

If you would let me, I will propose the following:

• pray for you daily
• kiss your bumps and bruises
• percieve your needs and meet them
• make your breakfast, lunch and dinner
• read to you at night
• sing songs over you
• fix your hair for picture day at school
• take you shopping for school clothes
• skip school with you and take you to get your hair cut if you need a mental health day
• throw you birthday parties
• put you to bed with chicken soup and a black and white movie when you are sick
• introduce you to art, opera, and table manners
• teach you how to write a proper thank you note
• teach you how to hot roll your hair and apply make up
• talk to you about dating and pray for your future spouse
• help you pick out your college
• help you figure out what God wants you to do with your life
• take you to coffee when you change your major for the 3rd time
• decorate your first dorm room and apartment
• be there when you bring home Mr Right Now and Mr Right
• take you wedding dress shopping
• help you register
• sit on the front row at your wedding
• help you decorate your first home
• take care of you after you bring home your baby
• spoil your baby
• host drama-free holidays
• take care of your kids so you and your husband can get away

Does it sound like a deal? I hope so! Maybe one day soon, we can shake on it.

Love,
Your Soon-to-be Momma