Introducing Our Handsome Son....

CALEB MATTHEW JOSEPH was born on 1/17/11, brought home yesterday and was officially ours today at about 3 PM.  We are emotionally overwhelmed right now, so grateful for God's blessings.  When we got the call I looked at Zach with tears in my eyes, so thankful that we decided to meet K four months ago.  What a blessing she has been for us.  She is a beautiful young woman and we love her so very much.  We are in awe of God's intricate work in this entire situation! 
We ask for your continued prayers for Caleb's entire birth family.  I can't begin to imagine the grief that they are feeling today and will continue to feel for many days in the future. 
Can't wait to show him off.  God is good and hears our prayers....thanks so much for the endless prayers so many of you have been praying!!
S&Z

HOME!!

We arrived home today with baby at about 4:15 this afternoon.  He was welcomed home by his grandparents who were all here to meet him!  Now that everyone has left, he's eaten, changed and sleeping....YESSSSSS!!
Today was an emotional day.  Of course we are thrilled with bringing our son home, but it was definitely hard to see K grieve.  I just can't imagine what she's feeling....she is an awesome woman and we are so excited for the open adoption plan we have decided on.  I really think it's going to be amazing for us and for baby.
We're hoping for a little sleep tonight, but realize that may be wishful thinking.  K is confident in her plan and set to surrender tomorrow at 2:15.  We are very hopeful, but continue to remind ourselves that things can change in an instant.  I promise to post all the details about our little guy tomorrow afternoon or evening once we know he's ours to share.
Love to all!! 
With smiling hearts,
S&Z

Birthday Boy!

Today I got a call about 10 this morning from K's grandma that she was at the hospital in labor.  She was 5 cm dilated, so I finished up at work and headed home.  Zach and I packed the car and were on the road within an hour.  We arrived at the hospital and within 2 hours he arrived....a healthy 8 lb 7 oz baby boy!!  He is adorable and we are head over heels in love with him!  We got to spend about 5 or 6 hours with him today and have had an awesome experience with K and her family thus far.  More details to come towards the end of the week.
We are so grateful for your prayers during this stressful time.
S&Z

Anticipation....

As the due date draws nearer I find my self becoming more anxious.  I now not only freak out every time I get a call or a text, but I also wake up in the middle of the night and check my phone, just to ensure I didn't sleep thru our call from K.  It's actually getting quite ridiculous.  I've been trying to keep myself busy, and have taken up sewing and completed a baby quilt...actually I'm started on my second, just to keep my mind occupied.  But as much as I've enjoyed sewing it only distracts me for so long.  So here I am blogging to take up a few minutes of my time, and fill you all in on....well nothing actually ;)
I'm so excited to meet this little guy, to bring him home and welcome him into our family.  We appreciate your thoughts and prayers now more than ever, as the first few days will be the most nerve wracking for both of us.
Blessings,
S&Z 

It's a new year!

As the ball dropped on New Years Eve, I don't think I was ever so happy to see a year come to an end.  And it's not that I'd change what we've been through, because as crazy as it sounds I wouldn't, but I am definitely ready for brighter, baby-filled days.  What Zach and I experienced in 2010 has made us stronger in faith and in love.  I'm not sure why we went through all the heartache, but I know that our story, our testimony will provide encouragement to adoptive couples down the road.  I feel confident in saying that, because I have turned to two women who have experienced failed adoptions and their encouraging words have helped us get through those rough days.  I know that if they can do it with the help of God, we can too!  A lot of people have said to me, "it's just terrible that you had to experience such heart ache" or "I just can't see why you would have to go through something like this" and all I can say to those rhetorical questions is we may never know why, and really who are we to question God...He's a big guy and I'm pretty sure He knows what He's doing!
Anyhow onto those brighter days....3 weeks from tomorrow is K's due date.  We continue to have contact with her and are optimistic about bringing our son home this month.  We plan to see her one more time before the baby comes to celebrate her birthday with her family on Sunday.  We are definitely excited, but nervous about those first 72 hours.  I just have to keep reminding myself not to allow my emotions from our previous situation overtake this one.  These two women are very different and they developed adoption plans for different reasons.
We are ready to go to the hospital when we get "the call" from K and I'm pretty sure I think I'm getting "the call" at least 5 times a day at work.  As the due date grows nearer I'm thinking that number will increase.  I've been trying to put my nervous energy to work at home being productive around the house and preparing for the chaos a baby will bring into our lives....a chaos that we will accept with open, grateful, loving, and longing arms!
Blessings to all of you for this new year!
S&Z