7-28-08

Wow it is hard to believe Donavan will be 7wks old Wed. He is doing so well. He has truly blessed our lives in so many ways. There are so many people that has been brought together to pray for him and us. I must say Darrin and I have been truly changed by this experience. I know God has great things in store for him. He looks far bigger in these pictures I took yesterday (notice the end table legs and it will put his size in more perspective). He is truly a wonderful and happy baby. We still have not heard anything yet as far as the Aunt and possible relative placement with her other than she has found out she is also pregnant now. That is a good thing for us. I am sure it is a blessing for her. Please continue to pray for us and God to do the impossible and clear the way for us to adopt him. We love you all and pray for God's blessing over you.

7-15-08

It has been a while since I last posted. I did not realize it had been that long. I tell you having an infant requires alot of time. Well Donavan had a doctor's appointment this week and he has gained some weight. He now weighs in at 8 lbs 8 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He is finally out growing all his premie clothes. He is 5 wks today. Tomorrow I have to take Donavan to MUSC to have an ultra sound of his head and a picture of his ribs. Nothing major but he has a larger soft spot and his ribs on the left side looks as though he maybe one rib short. I also talked to his social worker today; she informed me that SC finally forward the paperwork to the state where the aunt lives. They will then do the fingerprint check, background, and a quick homestudy. It will be up to them to accept or deny her. A small bit of hope: The social worker found out that the aunt just found out she is exspecting (pregnant). That can make a big difference. They don't look highly on placing a baby in a home where there is another newborn on the way. It will just depend on how they look at it. Please remember the mother of Donavan in your prayers. She was released from jail a little over a week ago. They have set up a supervised visit for her with Donavan on Monday. However she has already returned to the house that is full of drugs; and of course DSS is highly upset. We have been praying for her. Well that is about it right now. Please continue to pray for us. I am going to try and get some photos put on the blog of Donavan soon. Love to you all!!!

7-1-08

Everyone is asleep but me tonight. It's my shift to be up with Donavan although he seems to be sleeping very good right now. It is almost time for his next bottle @11:30pm. Boy is he growing like a weed. He is doing very well. He is already holding up his head or at least trying. He has also started to try and roll over. He also smiles and sometimes laugh. He is much more alert now too. Still no word about his future yet. There are alot of people who are praying with us. This I am extremely greatful. Alot of the family knows, mom had to go to the hospital Monday afternoon. She has a severe intestional bug. They gave her lots of fluids, a very strict diet, and meds. They sent her back home late that day. She is doing much better. The last few weeks Mike and Darrin both had this same bug. It just hit her far harder since she is up in age. By God's grace Donavan and myself have not caught it. Thank you Lord!! Darrin has been such a tremendous help with Donavan. He tries to take over on the weekend at night and usually once during the week with staying up with him since he has his nights still mixed up. That way I can try to catch up on sleep. Of course he took off when mom went to the hospital and picked up Donavan. He still way too young to sit at a hopital with only being 3wks. He is still to vulnerable to catching something severe. Then that night I had a bad migrane so Darrin watched him during the night and got up with him during feeding times. I know I am truly blessed with Darrin. Well that is about it right now. Love you all and keep praying!!

6-28-08

Hope all is well with everyone. Donavan is doing very well. He has gained at least a pound. I must say he is growing like a weed. He is a very good baby. For the most part he got an excellent report from the Doctor this past Monday. He is developing fine. One main concern when a baby is born addicted to drugs sometimes gaining weight is very hard for them. Not Donavan though he is putting on weight as we write!!!! The doctor is scheduling an ultrasound of his soft spot on the top of his head. It still has a little more fluid than what the Doctors likes to see. So it is better to be safe than sorry especially sense the mother had no prenatal care or was seen by a doctor during her pregnancy. Well Donavan's social worker came out to do her monthly visit this past Thursday. She is extremely nice and just fell in love with Donavan. She did fill me in a little more as to the process of the out of state aunt trying to do a relative placement. Donavan's social worker received her paperwork Friday 2wks ago and forwarded it to the State's office for South Carolina. Then they forward it to the state office located in her state. Then they will proceed with all the background checks, fingerprints and home study. They will be the one to determine if she is approved. It could take up to 90 days. The state she lives in is far harder to get approved than here in South Carolina. So right now we just pray and wait to see what God will work out. Please keep us all in your prayers because 3 months with an infant is a lot of bonding time for us on our part. Well guess that is it for now!! Love you all

6-21-08

I talked to Donavan's Social worker late yesterday afternoon and she was able to give me some up to date info about Donavan's future. Right now she has recieved the paperwork from an aunt in Virginia requesting a relative placement with her. We have found in the past that usually goes through. So right now it looks as though Donavan is likely to placed with her. Of course there is always the possiblity it won't pan out but more than likely it will. Of course they know if it doesn't we want to petition to adopt. She is in the process of filing a TPR(Termination of Parental Rights). As of right now it won't take long before they place him depending on passing all the legalities. We are enjoying while he is with us. Continue to keep us in your prayers because that is the very thing that God gives us strength and hope to keep pressing on. Love you All!!

6-17-08

Well Donavan is doing very well so far. We took him to the doctor yesterday. She said he was doing wonderful. He has almost gained all of his weight back from his first weight at birth; he is only and ounce off. She also stated that he had recovered very well through the detox of the drugs. There are no more tremors finally. His eating has exploded today. We do not have any new info yet about his future. They just assigned his worker to him yesterday. I look to get a phone call in the next day or so to set up a visit and hopefully give us a little more info on his future. We are praying and hoping for God's will. We are loving and enjoying him for as long as God truly allows us. Keep us in your prayers and love you all.

Ps. I must say he has took off with our hearts!!

Donavan's Picture!

6-13-08

I only have a minute but I wanted to fill everyone in. They are bringing a 2 day old newborn boy today. In fact they should be arriving in less than 30 minutes. I must admit I am a little nervous. I do fine a year old and up but a newborn is going to be new territory for me. They are bringing him straight from the hospital. He tested positive for drugs so he will also be going through detox. Please keep us in your prayers. As soon as I can I will post his pictures. Love you all!!!

Boy's and Girl's Room

Well we have got the kid's rooms set up with a lot of help from family and friends. We still need to hang some pictures, odds, and ends but for the most part they are ready. Aunt Pat, Uncle K, Becky, and Billy brought up some beds and a bunch of stuff from Amanda and others. We are very greatful. We have also had a lot donated by a very dear friend Rose Carter and her family. Thanks so much to everyone.

NO NEWS YET! KEY WORD "YET"

Well we have not heard anything yet about any placement meetings. Now Darrin and I know of 3 different sibling groups that our home study has been pulled to present to the placement committee. Two of the sibling groups that we know specifics about are off active status and put on hold for placement committee meeting. One specifically we have a huge shot at that is the group with their picture on the blog. I have to admit this is the hardest part for me especially during this whole journey of 3 years we have gone through. Simply because me personally, I am a person who sets goals to achieve and if I have a goal to go for with a specific point to get to especially with a time than I am much more stable yet with this situation you have no idea but wait for the CALL that can happen at any moment in any day. So I figured I would sit here and specifically thank some key people in our life.

* My Lord because he puts up with me through out the day going from giving thanks to Him to questioning why. He still shows me mercy and Grace.
* Darrin my husband- He truly is my dearest and best friend. Especially lately I have been an emotional wreck. When I call him in tears or need him to just listen He makes time for me and encourages me constantly when I seem to doubt. I am so proud and thankful for the new job God has truly blessed you with.
*Mom and Mike-Just like many of our friends and Family they have been with us each step of the way on this emotional roller coaster. Many of our close family and friends know of the major set backs we have had this past 6 months especially with health issues, job layoff for us both,and our financial issues. Thank you both for what you have done to help us get through this because you both have done alot behind closed doors that only you and us know about. If you hadn't we would not be here. Thank you so much.
*George and Cheryl-Thank you so much for the constant encouragement. There have been times when we seem so discouraged and you listen and encourage us both. Thank you.
*Aunt Pat and Uncle K-Thank you for what you have done for Darrin and I specifically. You have been a wonderfully support. Also Willing at the drop of a hat to bring us whatever we need for the kids. You are a Godsend.
*Becky-Thank you for constantly thinking of us and always keeping your ears peeled open for a child and trying to help us. Thank you for helping Aunt Pat with anything we need.
*Amy-Thank You so much for caring and calling. You are always checking up on us to make sure we are OK. You are huge help to me.
*Teri Neal Amanda Kelly Jimmy Kristy and all the other family-Thank you all for what you do. You all have helped in many many ways. Looking to give with what you have, encourage our situation. You all are appreciated so much.
*Stacey Simokat(Our Social Worker)- You are truly a God Send. I have heard and read so many horror stories about social workers who do not care or have time to deal with their parents. You have such a kind and compassionate heart for me. You take my calls and answer my questions no matter how many times I bug you to death. Even with your case load of more than 70 families you take the time for us. You stretch out your hand and comforting words with each day and seek out to persist when it seems you hit a brick wall with getting responses from the children's social worker. Thank you for your persistence.
*Jay and Robin-Thank you for caring about us and for trying to help with the search for children. It means so much. We love y'all so much and have enjoyed each time to the fullest y'all have been to stay with us. We apologize for not getting down there yet.
*Church Family and Friends- Thank you all so much for your constant support, prayers, understanding, and help.

*Other Family-Thank you for all those who keep up with us through our immediate family and pray and help in ways we do not know.

I know each of you are as excited, on edge, hopeful, waiting, eager for the children as we are.

As we find out any info we will keep you informed Love you all heaps and bunches

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