Sam and Amy started adoption proceedings about 11 months ago. They thought it would be a good idea to apply and get the process started knowing the wait could be long. Since we have several friends that have adopted, we were all prepared for it to take some time. Well, God had other plans and He opened the doors and sped Sam and Amy through the process in record time. Because of their references and qualifications, the social worker put them at the top of the list for a baby. Sam and Amy applied, finished all their classes, inspections, interviews, training, etc. in about 3 months...very quickly and without as much as a fraction of a hiccup! They actually finished the last step, which was CPR certification on Saturday, July 23.
The following day Steve and I went shopping with Sam and Amy and let them choose a car seat and stroller. Amy's parents furnished the nursery with a crib and changing table. It was a new experience to go shopping for baby things without a clue as to when the baby would be coming, but Sam and Amy had to have certain things in place like a bed and car seat to satisfy the social workers.
Now all we had to do was wait for THE phone call, which usually takes several months or longer. The waiting was excrutiating. After all, the call didn't come until two days later!! Yep, I said two DAYS!! Tuesday morning July 26, I was doing my early morning grocery shopping at Raleys, when my cell rang. It was my kids ringtone, so I knew it was one of them and I knew it was an unusual time to be hearing from them. I fished my cell from my purse and the caller ID showed Amy's photo! My heart started beating double time and I answered the phone.
Amy said, "Phyllis (social worker) just called!"
I replied, "Yes, and ...?"
She said, "She wants Sam and I to meet her in her office to discuss a baby."
All Phyllis told Amy was that it was a baby boy and he was still in the hospital. Amy was upset because she couldn't get a hold of Sam. She called him at work and he didn't answer, which usually means he is in a meeting. I told her to relax that he would call her back as soon as he could and to keep me posted. We hung up and guess what I did?!? You got it, I stood in the middle of Raley's and the tears started flowing. I wandered around for a few minutes, gave up, paid for what was in my basket and needless to say, went home with about half of my groceries.
Shortly after I got home, Sam called. He was on light rail on his way home. Amy had called Phyllis back and got a little more info. The baby was 9 days old, but because he was about 6 weeks early, he was still in the hospital. He was doing well and would be ready to go home in a few days. If all went well at Phyllis's office, they may be able to go see the baby that afternoon. I said, " Ask her if we will be allowed to visit too please." I hung up and again more tears.
Next phone call is a couple of hours later. Sam and Amy are calling on their way to the hospital and yes, we can visit too. I realize the minute Sam and Amy see that precious baby boy, I will become a grandmother. I gather all the info I need concerning where we need to go and hang up. Of course, more happy tears.
As soon as Steve gets home, we're in the truck and headed to the hospital. When I walked into the room and saw Sam holding a beautiful 5 pound 8 ounce baby boy, I instantly knew all the hype about being a grandma was true. I had no idea the connection would be so immediate or so intense. That was my grandson and I was in love. Sam and Amy looked like the proud new Mommy and Daddy they were. It's a moment I'll always treasure!At this point the hospital staff gave Sam and Amy all the privileges of the parents and we got grandparents rights which meant we could visit whenever we wanted. Sam and Amy named him Jacob. Jacob still had a feeding tube because he didn't eat as much as they wanted, so he had to stay for a few more days until he would finish bottles on his own.
I was so proud of Sam and Amy during this time. They practically lived at the hospital. They didn't want to leave Jacob and they were already so entrenched in their roles as devoted, loving parents that no one would ever have known they hadn't conceived and given birth to Jacob. Steve and I visited every day because we just couldn't stay away. At feeding time, we would watch Jacob drink his bottle and chant, " chug, chug, chug," in an attempt to encourage him to finish his bottle so he could go home.
On Sunday morning, July 31, my cell phone rang in church. Well, I had put it on vibrate and it started vibrating across the table. I grabbed it and headed to the exit door so I wouldn't disturb the service. It was Sam calling from the hospital and he said, " we are heading out of here with Jacob...he is coming home!"We stayed for the rest of the church service and I told all my friends, Sam and Amy's friends, and basically anyone that would listen that my grandson was on his way home! It was a joyous day!
Sam and Amy still had to go through the rest of the adoption process and it would take many more months before the adoption was final. We were not allowed to post any pictures until Jacob had his final court date. God blessed the rest of the process and Jacob officially became Jacob Michael Lerman on March 5th. The judge even commented on the speed of his adoption process...she said it must be some kind of record! .jpg)
