Kenzie's Story

(This is detailed for Kenzie's benefit)

We were first contacted by Kenzie's birthmom on September 10th via our "It's About Love" profile.  Over the next few days we e-mailed back and forth with "getting to know you" questions.  Then a week later she sent us an e-mail that said that she had chosen us "to be the parents and big sister to this baby."  As soon as I read that, the tears started to flow.  We had been spending the last 15 months trying to find our baby, and it had finally happened.  She explained to us that there was some risk involved, but we felt strongly that everything would work out and that we had to move forward with faith.  Faith that if it was meant to be, it would happen.  Faith that if it didn't work out, we could handle it.  Faith like Kenzie's birthmother already had and was asking us to have.  Lastly, faith in the unknown and the willingness to say "We have done all we can do, now we leave the rest up to you God." 

We called her that night and set up to meet with her and her caseworker the next morning (Sept 18th).  The drive down to meet her was very quiet (anyone that knows me knows that is a rare occasion).  Travis and I were both experiencing a lot of anxiety.  So many concerns running through our heads, "What if we say the wrong thing?"  "What if we start talking and she realizes we are complete dorks?"  "What if she doesn't like us?"  etc.  When we arrived to meet her we decided to say a prayer before going in.  That helped a little bit but I was still extremely nervous and anxious.  Once we went into the room and we were introduced I gave her a hug and all the anxiety and nervousness just left my body.  I felt like I had known her forever!  Our meeting was so comfortable and we talked for over an hour getting to know each other and discussing details of the adoption. 

For the next two weeks we sent texts back and forth to each other with different questions and updates on her pregnancy.  After her doctor's appointment on October 2nd, she sent me a text saying she was hopefully going in later that day and to make sure our bags were packed.  Wow, was it really that time!?

At 10:30 P.M. we received the text message that she was on her way to the hospital and that she would update us after she was admitted.  The next update came close to midnight saying she had to have some antibiotics and the delivery would be delayed at least 4 hours.  We decided to go ahead and take Leah to our friend Heather's house so we wouldn't have to disturb them in the middle of the night.  Then we could also get a little sleep before heading to the hospital (1 hour away).  This is the part where men and women are completely different...Travis slept for a few hours and I laid in bed wide awake staring at Travis and thinking, "How can he sleep?"

The alarm went off at 2:30, we were out the door by 3:00 and to the hospital by 4:00 A.M.  We were able to go in and visit with the birthmom prior to the birth and spend a little time with her.  Then it was back to the waiting room where we tried to get a little more sleep.  At 8:02 we got the text that it was time and at 8:06 we got the text "Kenzie is here!!!"

We sat there with mixed emotions.  We were so excited that we were here, and our thoughts and prayers were with Kenzie's birthmom knowing what she was about to experience.  About 20 minutes later we were invited back to the room.  On our way to the room we were anxious and wondering what it was going to be like.  What were we going to say?  We walked in, I looked at Kenzie then went straight to her birthmom and gave her the biggest hug and my eyes filled with tears.  At that moment all of the anxiety was gone and we knew that this was meant to be.

We were privileged to have the experience of watching them clean Kenzie.  The nurse styled all that hair into a "faux-hawk" with a bow, and then wrapped her up and handed her to us.  Travis and I sat together on the couch holding Kenzie and spent the next 1-2 hours in the room with Kenzie's birthmom.  During this time there was a very strong spiritual presence and it was a wonderful experience that we will cherish forever.

We decided it would be nice to let Kenzie's birthmom get some sleep after being up the entire night.  We went and got breakfast and spent some time calling family.  While we were gone Kenzie's birthmom was able to have some alone time with Kenzie and we are so grateful that she had that opportunity.  Later that evening her birthmom was discharged, but before she left we all spent a few minutes together in her room to say goodbye.  We look forward to the ongoing communication we will have with her.  Being at the hospital was a completely new experience and we are so thankful that Kenzie's birthmom let us be a part of it.