Happy Birthday Aaron!

It seriously seems like only yesterday we got the call. It's a moment I'll never forget. I had already spoken to our social worker earlier that morning when she called to tell us that we were officially licensed.

"Are you going to be around later?" she asked me.

"Most likely," I responded, assuming she just wanted to chat about our new licensure and stuff.

I'd been anxious about seeing the signature government code of 000-000-0000 on the caller ID of my phone for a few weeks, hoping each time the phone rang it would be DSS calling to tell us that we were official and that they had a child for us. I was busy attending to the needs of our three children and barely looked at the phone when it rang. I answered, "Hello."

"Hey Jessica, it's me," our social worker stated.

"Oh hey, how are you?" I respond, still not even considering that this is THE CALL.

You know, sometimes, people like to point out the coincidences in situations. For me, I don't see coincidences, I see God. There's a saying that goes "Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous." Actually, I think it should read "Coincidence is when you choose to not see God working."

It's not coincidence that our license went through on his birthday. It's not coincidence that God prompted our hearts to pursue fostering just about the same time his birth mother discovered him growing inside of her. It's not coincidence that he fits so perfectly into our family. No, it's not coincidence, it's God breathing blessings into our lives.

I began to make small talk with our social worker just like I always do when she calls. Instead, she cuts me off, "Um, Jessica. Are you guys ready to take a baby?"

"What?!? Yes!!"

She goes into detail about why he was removed, that he was born that morning and some family history.

"Oh my goodness! I can't believe you're already calling us with a placement!" I stammered.

"Don't you want to call Luke and make sure you want to take this placement?" she asked.

"Uh, I guess. I know he will want to but I guess I probably should just as a formality, huh?"

We hung up and I called Luke at work.

"Hey honey. Guess what?"

(I wish I could remember his side of the conversation, but I don't, so I'll just give you my side.)

"We got the call! There's a newborn baby boy at the hospital, he was born this morning and they asked us to take him!!"

Naturally, Luke said yes. I called our social worker back.

"Hey! Luke said yes, we will take him!" I nearly shouted.

"Well, since he was just born this morning the pediatrician wants to keep him overnight. And since it's a Friday, we won't file the non-secure petition until sometime on Monday. I'll call you Monday and let you know what it's looking like. But, since Monday is juvenile court, it might be hard to get a signature. Don't hold your breath, okay?"

What! I was beside myself. I couldn't believe our first foster baby was laying in a hospital less than 3 miles from my house and I couldn't hold him or love him or anything. It was a long weekend.

On Monday there were some paperwork hold ups and by the end of the day the pediatrician wanted to hold him over another night because of his billiruben levels.

It was Tuesday, June 10th when we finally met our second son. I remember our social worker calling to tell me she was at the hospital about to leave for our house. The kids were all down for their naps and the house was very quiet. Then, I saw them, our social worker and the investigator walking up our sidewalk carrying a tiny baby in a much-too-big infant carrier.

He was tiny and precious. My heart melted.

They brought him in along with a small diaper bag a one change of clothes sized 3-6 months (he was 5lbs 2oz, so they were a little big). I half listened to the social worker tell me, again, all of the information she knew. I couldn't focus on her words because I could not take my eyes off this precious baby boy.

The social workers left and I changed him from his smoke filled clothes into freshly washed preemie clothes that I had dug out of our closet over the weekend. I cuddled him and kissed his fingers. When Lucas and Ashlee woke up (they were still in cribs at the time) I carried him into their room to meet them (they were still sharing a room). Ashlee squealed and Lucas looked confused.

Our life has never been the same.

Aaron Boy,

We love you so very much. You are truly God's blessing poured out on us. I cannot imagine what our life would be like had we chosen not to obey God and proceed with His plans for our family. Everyone around us thought we were crazy, but we knew that living out God's desires for us would mean infinite joy. Little did we know that YOU would become that promise of joy! With each breath you take, each smile, each giggle, God reaffirms His calling upon our family. I love you with my whole heart, sweet boy. You bring our family so much happiness. I pray that God will use your story to reach people who do not know of His grace and mercy. I pray that you will boldly proclaim His love. I pray that you will grow into a man who, just like your earthly father, desires to live in obedience and love with our heavenly Father.

We love you sweet boy. Happy Birthday!

Momma