Chicago to Memphis to Indy and Back!

A lot's been going on since we last posted. Traveling and healing from broken bones mostly. I had my wrist surgery on July 24th and we hopped on the plane for our whirlwind trip the next week. The first big event was my cousin Katie's wedding in Chicago:



Zander, besides doing an amazing job as the ring barer, showed us all new, previously dormant, sides of his personality: casanova and party animal! He FELL IN LOVE with the flower girl and insisted on holding her hand constantly as they had been instructed to do while walking down the aisle. He also partied till midnight at the reception, dancing non-stop with countless partners. And we were worried he'd be too shy!

After all the fun in Chicago we made the trip to Memphis to our adoption agency. Here we were able to meet with our birthmother, her sister, the birthfather and two agency social workers. During the 2 hour meeting we had a good, honest discussion about big topics like race (mom is white, dad is African American), religion and our hopes and dreams for this baby girl. Dad, 20, was very honest that his family is not supportive of this decision to adopt even though they have said that they would not help him care for the baby (he has already signed all of his rights away). Mom, 23, is very confident in the decision and has a lot of support in her family, particularly her sister. She already has a 4 year old that does not live with her because of her lack of resources and she does not want to repeat this. Overall, it was a great meeting and we are very happy we had the opportunity to make the last minute trip. It was definitely surreal thinking that our daughter was in the same room growing happily in birthmom's tummy!

So, the plan from here is mom will call us when she goes into labor (she's due August 29th) and all three of us will hop on the first available flight to Memphis, hopefully arriving in time to take our daughter home from the hospital. We will then have to stay in the area for about a week while all the legalities clear. Then we can bring her home! We are definitely busy making preparations (and it isn't easy when you have only two fully functioning limbs!). I am still off work for another month on disability so that helps, even though I still have a ways to go before full recovery.

Back to vacation...we wrapped up with a few days in Indiana, visiting relatives on my Mom's side including my amazing grandparents who have been married 69 years! Zander loved all of it!

Reading books with Great Grandma.

Playing games with Great Grandma and Grandpa.

Watching the fish with Cousin Carrie.

Paddleboating with Papa.

Driving the (BIG!) tractor with Cousin Trevor.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!