Gottcha Day

Today is our 6th Gotcha Day with Leanne, Cameron and Justin. I remember the day so well....

It was cold and rainy much like today. I was getting ready for work when the phone rang and I thought to myself "I wish they were calling with a placement, I would never have to work again". When I answered the phone I heard "Lacy, we have your kids. When can you pick them up?" I was in shock to say the least. I guess I should share how our caseworker knew they were "our" kids.

Chad and I had struggled with infertility for years. We (well I) went through many treatments including pills, shots, surgeries and a lot of tests. Nothing was working and I was getting depressed. I decided while we were "trying" I would volunteer with our local Children's Services agency and become a big sister. I took all of the classes had my back ground check and was able to be matched with a little girl about a month later. The volunteer coordinator called me with several little girls profiles to choose from. I do not know how or why I choose the child I did, without hesitation I choose a 4 year old girl named Leanne. Leanne was so sweet and quiet. In fact the coordinator told me on the first visit to see Leanne that I should not even expect her to talk to me. When we pulled up and she found out who I was she leaped into my arms and gave me the biggest hug she could. We were both in shock, but thrilled at the same time. I met all of Leanne's family including her two younger brothers.

After Leanne and I had been matched for a month or so the kids were all moved to foster care. They were moved to a really nice home in our town and I was still able to see Leanne as much as I wanted. I continued to visit with Leanne often and after talking with the foster mother, Chad and I decided to become licensed to adopt just in case Leanne needed a home. We started the classes in November just after Leanne and her siblings were reunited with their birth family. Chad and I continued our classes during the holidays and were licensed foster to adopt in February 2003. While we were taking the classes we told the agency we would only take temporary placements so we would not be full, just in case Leanne needed a placement. The agency had not called us for anything and we were beginning to think they never would. Seventeen days after we were licensed we got "the call". The lady from the agency called and asked us to take Leanne as well as her 3 siblings. Oh, and they wanted us to pick them up in 3 hours! I called Chad at work and had him come home. We scrambled to get a crib, more beds, dressers and mattresses. We had to get diapers, clothes and food all the things people have months to prepare for and we had 3 hours.

Walking in to pick the kids up was the most surreal feeling ever. We were so excited to be getting them, yet they were so sad to be leaving their family. They were so sad, yet looking into those dirty tear stained faces I knew they were meant to be ours. We piled our new family into the car and headed to tar*get to finish getting the things we needed. We were on our way home at almost 10:00 when I looked at Chad in horror and said "we need to feed them dinner!". I promised them that would be the last time I fed them at 10 o'clock ever again. We took them home and got everyone settled. We dropped into bed around midnight exhausted from the emotions of the day.

My life has not been the same sense. I went from being a lonely and depressed young women who was longing for a baby to hold. To a mother of 4 getting hugs and kisses, volunteering at school and snuggling on the bed reading bedtime stories. I can not imagine building my family any other way. The Lord created these children to be our children. For us to love and cherish like no one else could. I thank him for his gift each and everyday. I love these kids more than life itself. They are my REAL children, they are REAL siblings and we are a REAL family.

Not flesh of my flesh
Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart,
But in it.
~Author Unknown