Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Keeping Up With Those in TN

Howdy Y'all!

I have had a few people ask if I still talk with Harper's birthmom.  Before Harper's birth, we emailed back and forth and I had set up a texting app on my phone that allowed me to give her a different number than my cell phone number to text.  We pretty much talked every day.  So, I thought I would give you an update on how we communicate now with a few of my favorite pictures from the last week or so sprinkled throughout.



My mother-in-law was so afraid for me to continue to talk to Ariel after Harper was born, but I thought it was common courtesy to continue to the lines of communication.  She had just went through something so brave and courageous and I wanted to make sure that she was feeling okay with her decision.  I wanted her to make sure she understood that she had picked the right family.  So, just about everyday for the first week, I sent her a text message just to check up on her and she how she was feeling.


We are obligated by the agency to send pictures and letters to Ariel - one in the first 30 days, then two more per year for the first 5 years and then once a year until she is 18.  However, I decided to go a bit further and actually do something so she could see pictures more often.  I set up a Shutterfly account and I update pictures pretty frequently on the site.  Both Ariel and her dad have access to the site and they are able to make comments on the photos.  Again, I want them to rest assured that Harper is at the right place and that her family loves her so much.


Ariel and I text each other about once a week - sometimes she initiates the text and sometimes I do.  On Friday, I received a letter that she had been awarded a scholarship from our adoption agency to help with her schooling so I immediately texted her to congratulate her.  And, whoops - I broke the news to her - she hadn't even heard from the agency yet.  At least it was good news.  :)


When it was time for us to write our first letter, instead of picking out a couple of pictures, I actually sent Ariel about 15 pictures of our little cutie patootie.  I wrote Ariel a letter telling her about Harper's "milestones" like how much she is eating, sleeping, etc.  Since we met Ariel's dad - and really enjoyed meeting him - I wrote him a little note too.  They were both so appreciative of the letters and photos.  The relationship between us and them is just so easy and almost comes natural.


I have thought about this a few times - if Ariel would have changed her mind and kept Harper, I know that she would have been loved by Ariel and Ariel's dad.  She may not have had all the money in the world, but I know she would have been rich with love.  It is sad for me to say that I just don't feel the same way about our disrupted adoption in March.  I feel sad for Kinley/Emma and I hope and pray that her life is good, but I am just not optimistic about it.  I would love it if you guys and gals could continue to pray for her to have a good life.  I know that Harper was meant to be with us, but it doesn't make me wonder about Kinley/Emma any less.

Toodles!




2 comments:

  1. What a cute little bundle of joy! Thanks for visiting my blog!

    ~Robin

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  2. Congratulations on your BEAUTIFUL little Harper! I am so thankful that you are keeping the lines of communication open with her birth mom. Our daughter's birth mom later said that those first few weeks were the hardest, and that it helped to much to see pictures and hear from us! It took awhile for our open relationship to grow, just like any relationship, but it has been such a blessing to us all!

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