Happy Birthday Hannah! (One year ago. . .)

Today is Hannah's first birthday!  Where, oh where, did the time go? 

As I reflect on our life just one year ago, I have to tell you friends, I am amazed.  Around noon this time last year, I was at home probably sitting on the floor reading and petting Molly.   I was probably putting off chores and trying to plan dinner.  I had no idea that the biggest, best, most overwhelming surprise of my life was about to happen.

Around noon this time last year, Hannah's birthmom was not feeling well- having some tummy trouble.  She thought if she just took it easy her stomach cramps would go away.  A little later in the afternoon, her sister noticed that the cramps were coming 4 minutes apart and suddenly asked, "Could you be pregnant?"  After a run to the drug store and a positive pregnancy test, an ambulance was called.  Labor and delivery and surprise: Anna Elizabeth was born at 7:54 pm, all 5 pounds 8 ounces of her.  Her grandmother called her best friend to ask for prayer and advice on anyone she might know who could adopt this baby girl.

This best friend was at a Bible study with my friend Sabre.  Sabre said, "Aaron and Leslie are going to adopt.  They finished their home study.  I think they are just waiting.  Let's call them."  And so they did.

Around 9 pm, our phone rang.  Aaron and I were working on our adoption profile for prospective birthmoms to choose us.  Aaron looked at the caller id, saw the name and gave it to me thinking it was about book club or babysitting for Sabre.  I answered the phone and stopped breathing for a minute or two.  Sabre went on talking and giving me the few details that she knew.  She asked if we were interested.  I gave the phone to Aaron who looked at me like I was crazy (he still thought it was about book club).

So, of course, Aaron wanted to know more details.  We talked with the best friend and her daughter off and on until midnight.  The birth family had decided that we sounded pretty good and wanted to meet us.  We finally decided that we better look at some names!  Then we took some tylenol pm so that we would get a little sleep.  We would have to get up early to have a phone conversation with the grandmother around 7 am and then hopefully head to Memphis, Tennessee, to meet this precious baby.

And that is how our new family started.  Everyone shocked.  Everyone over-whelmed.  Everyone wanting the best for this little girl who came so unexpectedly. 

As I reflect on the miracle of Hannah's birth, I am also a little sad.  Aaron thinks I am too sentimental, but everytime I see a sonogram picture I get sad.  Hannah never had a sonogram picture.  She didn't have pre-natal vitamins or a doctor's care.  No one anticipated her birth with wonder and joy. 

At the same time, I know in my heart and my head that my Heavenly Father knew Hannah from the very moment she existed.  He knit her together in the womb- she was fearfully and wonderfully made.  He protected her and cared for her.  And He orchestrated all the details and events that led to her safe delivery.  And He planned everything according to His purposes to bring her into our family and what it would take to make her Hannah Catherine Gentry.  I am so so thankful and I praise God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost for all of his loving kindness towards us.

I will continue this wonderful story tomorrow.