Here's how it's gonna work...

For those of you interested in our adoption escapades, read on. If you're not interested, I also give you permission to read on (or go grab a sandwich).

#1- Baby is "due" on or around August 27th. (Technically, he's due on September 17th, but his birthmother has had all four of her other kids 3 weeks early, hence the August 27th due-date).

#2- He's going to be born in Mississippi. His birthmother can't travel to Utah anymore, so we're going to Mississippi to pick him up.

#3- Yes, that's right. I said Mississippi. I told everyone it was Georgia, but I was totally wrong.

#4- Good thing it'll be Mississippi, because we get to stay with cousins Derek & Heather, which will be a lot of fun and save us a big wad of cash...

#5- We have 3 names picked out for Baby. We'll see what he looks like and go from there. (And, no! I'm not telling you the names!)

#6- As soon as birthmother goes into labor, the agency calls us and we fly on the next flight out to Mississippi.

#7- While on the plane, we count the seconds by saying "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississippi," and so forth. And we anxiously smile while we do it.

#8- When in Mississippi, we meet Baby at the hospital. Then, 24 hours after Baby is born, birthmother signs the relinquishment (this is where she gives up her rights of being his mother). Once the form is signed, there's no changing her mind. Due to her circumstances and her commitment to adoption, we are not worried that she'll change her mind before she signs. Also, Jared & I feel very strongly that Baby is meant to be in our family, and that the Lord has a hand in this.

After the relinquishment is signed, we get to take Baby back to the hotel. We hang around for 3-4 days, until the Custody Hearing. This gives us custody of Baby for 3 months. After we get custody, we take Baby up to cousin's house.

While we're at Heather & Derek's, we'll be waiting for ICPC to clear (this means we're getting permission from Mississippi & Utah to bring Baby across state lines). This takes 5-10 days. Mississippi is supposed to be a "fast" state when it comes to ICPC, so hopefully it will be closer to 5 days.

SO... when ICPC is cleared we get to take Baby home (which means two more ridiculously expensive last-minute plane tickets). We'll have two "post-placement home visits" from the agency in the next 3 months, in which they make sure we are good parents. (duh! we're gonna be AMAZING parents... they should know this by now! After all, they know more about us than we do). Then, after 3 months, we get to finalize the adoption.

After finalization, Baby can be blessed and be sealed to his mommy & daddy for time and eternity.

And he will be ours. We've waited so long for him. We love him already. He will be beautiful. And we will be the 3 happiest people in the world- Mommy, Daddy, & Baby.