Meet the Birthmother

Well I let the cat out of the bag on Facebook last night because Levi was doing engineering on the computer.  For those that don't know, at the meeting with Danielle yesterday, she revealed the gender of the baby.  It's a GIRL!  Finally, my dreams of smocked dresses and flower headbands are coming true.  She has named her Gwendolyn, which we like LOVE!  We will call her Winnie.  Levi and I are both fans of The Wonder Years.  The girl on the show was named Gwendolyn, but they called her Winnie.  So Winnie will be placed in our home in either August or September.  Danielle is due September 2.

So now to talk about the meeting, now that I got the really exciting news out of the way.  God was present in that room with us and it was a wonderful feeling.  When Danielle greeted us, she had the biggest smile on her face.  She talked about how nervous she was.  In fact, she called her mom before our meeting to talk about how nervous she was.  Her mom told her, she guaranteed that we were more nervous that she was.  Danielle was adopted, so her parents know first hand what we are going through.  We learned that Danielle has a 15-month-old daughter, Scarlett who lives with her parents.  Danielle plans on moving back home after placement to help raise her daughter.  Her parents have custody of her right now, but they want to give Danielle custody as soon as they feel she is ready.  Danielle talked about how God had given her an enormous sense of peace last week after reviewing the profiles.  She finally knew she was making the right decision.  Cindy, had told her before she viewed the profiles, that God had whispered her name to one of these couples, but didn't tell her which one.  When she called Cindy to let her know she picked us, Cindy informed her it was me who God had whispered her name to.  Danielle cried and knew God was in control of this entire situation.  That actually affirmed her decision.  We were there for close to two hours learning more about her.  She has big plans after placement.  She wants to go to school to be a psychologist and hopefully help birthmothers.  She said she would LOVE to attend A&M!  That of course brought I smile to our faces.

Danielle has dark hair and brown eyes.  She is a little taller than me with a beautiful olive complexion.  She is part Hispanic.  We learned that she is contact with her birthmother.  The birthmother (birth grandmother of our child) lives in the Spring/Woodlands area.  She has numerous birth siblings.  Her birthmother knows that Danielle has decided to place and has been a huge encouragement.

Danielle's adoptive father, Mason and my dad share a birthday.  That came as a shock to us.  What are the odds?  Only God!  Her adoptive father is a design engineer.  Her adoptive mother is a high school spanish teacher.

Our next meeting will be with her parents.  They want to meet us since we will be the one raising their granddaughter.  I'm so excited to meet them.  They have a unique perspective since they to have been in our situation.  I think that will make it easier for them.

Danielle is planning on giving birth at the hospital that my brother and sister were born, Brazosport Memorial.  Again, only God could make this possible.  This means that our daughter will be born in the same county as me!  Danielle's adoptive parents are from Lubbock, which is where Levi was born and still has lots of family there.  Just thinking about all the things that interconnect us already is nothing short than AMAZING.

Now on to a prayer request, the maternity home Danielle is staying is currently having some financial struggles.  Please pray that the maternity home can keep her there until placement.  Danielle is in a loving, stable environment and we wouldn't want that to change.

Thank you for your many prayers, texts, e-mails and messages the last couple of days.  It was so encouraging that so many people were praying for us.  The prayers of the righteous are heard LOUD and CLEAR!  We are so blessed to have so many friends and family praying for this incredible journey.  What huge testimony Winnie will have!

Now off to go buy smocked dresses and flower headbands!