February 13, 2001

Wow! It is so hard to believe that it's been six years! Six years ago today my husband walked into my office and shared some news with me that changed my life forever. Now, please know that at the time, it was the busiest day at my office that we had had in five years. We were going through a NATIONAL audit and I was extremely stressed. He strolled in and said "Let's go to lunch". I thought he'd lost his mind! I snapped (as I'm sure you can imagine) that I was too busy to go to lunch. He soon got a very serious look on his face and said "THEY CALLED". They? I didn't have a clue who he was talking about. He said it again and stared deep into my eyes. "They???? You mean....the baby?" Yes, the baby. Jonathon had been praying for TWO years for a sister and now the adoption agency had called! Sal said the birthmom THOUGHT it was a girl and I said I KNOW it is. "So when is she due" I asked. Sal replied, the 27th. Still not all together, I asked the 27th of what? He said THIS 27th. My head felt like a tornado was in it. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! We were expecting a baby in TWO weeks! Well, those of you that know the rest of the story know that our little gift came ONE week later!

I'll never forget going online that very evening to purchase her bedding - even though we didn't have a nursery put together. I wanted the "girliest" thing possible and found it. White eyelet with BIG pink satin bows. We already had a name because her brother had told us what it would be....Clarissa Faith. There was so much to do to prepare for her that I really had no idea where to start. All I know is, I did good to function.

The week that followed included meeting her birthmom. We drove to Abilene and had lunch with Cristina at the Spaghetti warehouse. I felt so grateful to her but had such a sadness for her. She had lived such a hard life. I remember leaving Abilene and praying to God to protect my baby. MY baby.....wow! No one knows what it is like to adopt unless you've been there. My baby...I was driving away and leaving my baby in another woman's womb and trusting her, whom I didn't even know, to give her life. Truthfully, it is an emotional rollercoaster that is not for the weak of heart but it is worth the ride!

When we returned home, we finally told Jonathon (this was on a Friday). He couldn't wait! We finished out the week trying to take care of things at work and then with rocket speed, prepare our home for our new daughter. Well, the week went by quickly and sure enough she came early.

As I reflect back, since that time, I have always seen February 13 as a special day. It is the day that my life was changed forever. I think about where God has taken us during these last 6 years. Clarissa.....what a blessing it is being her Mom. She makes me laugh, cry, pray, and watch in awe as she develops into her own little person. Has it been an easy six years? Absolutely not! Would I trade it? Absolutely not! I often joke that my laundry hasn't been caught up since that day in February 2001 when they called us and my life went into a whirlwind. Well, tonight it is still in piles but she is growing up, right before my eyes, and one of these days.....I'll get to the laundry. Until then.....I'll continue to thank God for that call that came 6 years ago today and for Cristina, who saw in us, what she wanted for this little girl.