J.R. Briggs
Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep
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Big news for the Briggs!
As many of you know, Megan and I have absolutely loved the experience of adopting Carter. We wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s hard to believe that was three years ago! We’ve also been proactive in our decision to adopt a second child. For the past nine months we’ve been on the “waiting list” with our adoption agency.
Many of you have asked on occasion, “Any news on the adoption front?”
To which we’ve responded with the same thing: “We’re still waiting…”
But last week we got the call we were waiting for: a birthmother in Michigan saw our profile and decided she would like to place her child in our family!
Two Sunday nights ago a phone call was arranged between Megan and me, the birthmother and the adoption agency. We had a great conversation, learning about the birthmother’s situation, learning about her life and sharing more about our story. The birthmother felt confident that our family was the best for her situation. Last week she went to get an ultrasound and found out she will be having a baby boy! It looks like Carter will have a little brother…
We’re excited, overwhelmed, numb – and everything in between – especially since the due date is March 4th, which is less than seven weeks away!
The birthmother would like to meet us – and we would like to meet her – before the birth. Looking at our schedules the only time that worked for us was this weekend. So we’re in the car today driving to Michigan in order to meet over lunch with the birthmother (and her mother) …and then drive back home. It will be a very long drive for a very short visit, but well worth it.
We’re scrambling to get everything in order. In addition to a trip to Michigan and stocking up on diapers and formula there’s way too much to do. There are many emotional, legal, relational, financial and logistical hoops to jump through in the next few weeks.Emotionally, we have to hold this loosely, as adoption situations can be complex and there are many things out of our control. As exciting as adoptions are, they are also extremely emotional. Birthmothers often have a change of heart in the hospital, deciding after the child is born that they would like to parent the child. While we have no reason, at this point, to believe that the birthmother will change her mind, Megan and I have to mentally and emotionally prepare ourselves for this possibility.
So we proceed forward with confidence, but also with a large dose of reality.
Although this is our second adoption, we still feel excitement, anxiety, numbness and joy with incredible regularity. As Megan says, though we do not experience physical labor pains when becoming parents through adoption, we are at the beginning of emotional labor pains.
We’re excited!
We’ll keep you posted.
Janine said...
1We are SO excited for you, Briggs family! Many prayers, good wishes, and peace being sent your way!
01/22/10 11:18 AM | Comment Link
Chris S said...
2Congrats, Briggs! We are so excited for you all. Carter’s going to love it.
Chris
01/22/10 12:39 PM | Comment Link
Gordon said...
3SO EXCITED for you guys! It’s been incredible to see God work through you and in you in this journey! Bekah and I will definitely be praying for you in the midst of this with all of the mixed emotions and all of the plans still need to be made and transitions that need to be prepared for.
Blessings in the journey!
01/22/10 1:17 PM | Comment Link
esther said...
4Great news JR and Megan! Will keep you all in our prayers.
01/22/10 1:20 PM | Comment Link
Becky said...
5As an adoptive mother, I connect so much with the emotional strain of adoption. It’s a wonderfully difficult process. Blessings to you all!
01/22/10 2:33 PM | Comment Link
rb said...
6JR,
As you begin this journey, look at today’s date and tell me that God’s hand is not in this! Our prayers are with you and Meg and the birth mom you will be meeting with.
Love and hugs,
~rb
01/22/10 3:40 PM | Comment Link
The Gang's Momma said...
7I’m usually a lurker here. I read quick and I move on. But I had to stop and say my heartiest congratulations to you all. May the strong, mighty hand of the Christ be all over the whole process. May the comfort of the Holy Spirit’s presence be strong and overflow from you to the birthmother, filling all the cracks of fear and doubt. May the Father’s love give you great compassion and HIS wisdom that flows from it. I’m praying all weekend for you guys!
01/22/10 7:02 PM | Comment Link
Shelley said...
8Wow! I had no idea Carter was adopted but as a child that was adopted, you are doing such a wonderful thing! God bless you and Megan and I will pray for you all as you go through this process again.
01/22/10 9:36 PM | Comment Link
Nancy in Bucks County said...
9Praying…!
01/22/10 9:59 PM | Comment Link
jason salamun said...
10That’s amazing!!! Congratulations to the Briggs clan!
01/22/10 10:28 PM | Comment Link
Christine Schmidt said...
11I’m so excited for you! It’s such an awesome privilege to be parents and to open your home to another child. I’ll be praying that everything goes smoothly and that you will feel an instant bond and connection when you meet this weekend.
01/22/10 10:53 PM | Comment Link
Collette said...
12Congratulations to you, Megan, and Carter! Keeping your family and the baby’s birthmother in my prayers.
01/23/10 6:54 AM | Comment Link
Heather in Olympia said...
13Being a birthmother myself I pray that this will go smoothly for you and that you will have a wonderful lifelong, blessed relationship with your son’s birthmother. I have a wonderful relationship with my daughter’s parents that only God can provide.
God Bless
01/23/10 10:48 AM | Comment Link
DougG said...
14JR,
Hang in there, hope and pray it goes well, our two were almost flawless and know other’s that did not fair too well. Just think, you will soon be a “sitcom” family … 4 unrelated “actors” on the stage of life choosing to love, laugh, cry, etc. because God says so.
DougG
01/23/10 1:26 PM | Comment Link
Lauren Lockhart said...
15Congratulations! I’ve walked through both adoption scenarios with my brother-in-law so I know how incredibly sensitive this time is for your family. We will pray that God’s will be done in this situation and utmostly that He will have His hand on this baby’s development and safe entry into this world.
01/23/10 2:07 PM | Comment Link
J.R. Briggs » Baby update » Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep said...
16[...] of you all know that we’re in the exciting and exhausting process of adoption a second child (for context read this). We’re excited/overwhelmed/numb/thrilled/scared to death. Which means we’re pretty [...]
02/20/10 12:59 PM | Comment Link