These past two weeks have been full of so many miracles! So many of you have asked about our trip, and so I wanted to blog some of the many miracles we experienced while getting Samantha.
On Friday Dec. 7th, Jonathan came home from school and said an ice storm was coming and that we should leave right away for North Carolina. This was a bold decision because they weren't going to induce our birth mom until Dec. 17th, and that's a long time to be away from med school. We said a prayer and both felt that we should leave. We stayed the night in Kentucky and at 4:30 am the next morning, we got a call that our birth mom was in labor. We were already half way there and got to hold Samantha when she was just a few hours old!
We also had the blessing of staying in a time share in North Carolina. Jonathan's dad flew from Utah and checked us in so that we had a nice place to stay with our newborn. And it was nice...complete with a private jacuzzi! It was so nice to have a kitchen and living room, three bathrooms, and cable tv!
When Samantha was released from the hospital, the nurse said she needed to go to a pediatrician right away because her billirubin was high. Well, we didn't know any doctors and our birth mom couldn't give us a referral because we were staying two hours outside of where she was. So we called the bishop in New Bern (where we were staying) to ask him or his wife for a referral to a good ped doctor. Well, turns out the bishop IS a pediatrician and we got Samantha in the next day. Her billirubin was down and she was just fine.
During the middle of our second week in NC, we were getting nervous about going home. Jonathan's school said he had to be back on Thursday to make up tests before the break. We were praying for clearance to leave so that we could leave together. The clearance didn't come and Jonathan flew home on Wed. night to make up tests, leaving me alone with Samantha in a city I didn't know. Jonathan checked me into a hotel before he left. Our birth mom and her family were so kind and I spent some time with them. They fed me and helped me feed Sami. It was fun to spend time with them and get to know their family better. Finally on Friday morning we got clearance and so we are home for Christmas, a wonderful miracle!
One of our greatest blessings ever has been our birth mom! We love her more than words can say! She loves Samantha so much and her sacrifice has made our dreams a reality! She is one of the best people we know and we love her family as well. I am so grateful that she is a part of our lives. It was a miracle that she found our profile online, and I am still amazed that she picked us!
It is the season to celebrate miracles, especially the miracle of our Savior. As I look into Samantha's beautiful face, it is easy for me to picture a newborn babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in manager so many years ago. How grateful I am for the miracles in my life: my Savior, my family, and my friends. Thank you for all of your prayers on our behalf, we truly felt their power! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
These past two weeks have been full of so many miracles! So many of you have asked about our trip, and so I wanted to blog some of the many miracles we experienced while getting Samantha. 
Today I put on my "Tiger Pride" sweater for the last time as a full-time employee. It has been more difficult than I thought it would be to say goodbye. I have learned so much and felt so much love from the staff and the kids. My work at the preschool has been such a huge part of my life, a part that I know that I will miss very much. I know that I am leaving for the best reasons, and I can't wait for all of my friends at the preschool to meet Samantha. So to all my preschool friends, here's a shout out to you: THANKS for the good times, you will be missed!!
