CHAPTER 31

NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON'T
We continue to find new things to praise God for. Caleb had an ultrasound today and you'll never guess what they found. Yup, his other KIDNEY!!! It was just hiding...right above the one they had seen. With as difficult as it was for the ultrasound tech to find it today (with Caleb "out"), it's not wonder they couldn't find it when he was in the womb.


Joseph gets the scoop from the ultrasound tech. (Mandy, in the background, did our homestudy and has been doing a lot of driving papers back and forth between our agency, our lawyer and us. Thanks, Mandy!)

THE BEST SLUMBER PARTY I'VE EVER BEEN TO
I am actually writing this from a very nice maternity ward room at the hospital. Caleb is snoozing in a bassinet to my right. And I get to be here with him until we take him home tomorrow (Tuesday, March 20th) between 4 and 5 p.m.

We arrived here around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon (Monday, March 19th). Joseph's Mom followed us down here, just itching to finally meet her new grandson in person. And shortly after we got here, Caleb's Uncle Arthur stopped by on his way home from work. Both of them had to leave before too long to avoid the worst of the traffic.

Joseph stayed then until about 7 p.m. when we said sad but hopeful goodbyes. He headed home to do some necessary errands, get a decent night's sleep and work tomorrow until it's time to come pick us up and take us home.


Getting acquainted with Grandma


Uncle Arthur is used to the "pink hat" variety of this size package.

KEEPING IN TOUCH
As we were getting settled into our room here, Katrina called. It was good to get to talk to her and have the opportunity to pray with her over the phone. She wanted to know how "Andrew" is doing. When I told her we had family visiting, she asked if they thought he was cute. I told her everyone who has seen him or seen pictures of him just raves about how handsome he is. Our agency has helped get her settled into a home in the area that is set up for women in situations like she is. That was such a relief to hear. In response to my asking how she is doing, she said, "I'm still sad." I was glad she called and I'm sure it took a lot of courage on her part. We appreciate all of you who continue to keep her in your prayers.

ANOTHER VISITOR
After Joseph left, a dear friend from church stopped by. When Vicki's son, Henry, was born 3 & 1/2 years ago, she invited me to spend a night with her at the hospital. I think it was about 6 years ago that we began to deepen our friendship through a weekly women's prayer group. During these years there have been times when I think she longed for me to have a child almost as much as I longed for it myself. What a treat it was to watch her holding my baby and to compare pictures of me holding baby Henry to the reality of me with Caleb. On a side note, I have been saying for several days that some of Caleb's features remind me of Henry. When Henry was born, I thought he was the cutest baby I'd ever seen. I'm sorry, Henry, but I'm afraid Caleb has displaced you.


Vicki and Caleb

THE HOME STRETCH
Before we came to the hospital today, we met with our lawyer and signed a bunch of documents. He will go to court around 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday and, provided everything is approved (which we trust it will be), Mandy (from our agency) will drive it all the way from the courthouse in Everett, to us here at the hospital so that we can take Caleb home at last.


Joseph outside our lawyer's office.

A FAMILY OF THREE
I keep looking at this picture in disbelief. We have sooo many pictures of the two of us from the last 10+ years. But now, there are three of us. Glory to God. We are so humbled by this beautiful blessing he has bestowed on us.


This one speaks for itself (and yes, it is a "self" portrait).

[P. S. If you don't mind leaving the first letter of your last initial with your comment, that would be great. I know quite a few Rachel's and Sara's (and probably more than one of some other names, too) and sometimes it's a little tricky to figure out which one of you is leaving the comment. I love the comments, though, so please do keep 'em coming. Thanks.]