Milagro Means Miracle

November has been a month of extreme lows and amazing highs.  It was 2 1/2 weeks ago that I sat in my LDS Bishop's office and told him that I was angry at God and that I felt like he didn't answer my prayers.  It had been 8 years of prayers for a family, and not one of them had been answered.  Nathan and I were at our breaking point, and we had never felt so depressed or discouraged as we headed into yet another holiday as a childless couple.  It was at this breaking point that we received a phone call asking us if we would like to take in a 1 month old baby girl.  We were told it could happen as early as the 18th.  Nathan and I were in shock and beyond excited!!  Ward members offered cribs, blankets, car seats and clothes for the arrival of the baby girl.  On the 18th, we were told that we would have to wait until the following week, and MIGHT be able to pick up our little miracle.  It was an anxious week for us waiting, but finally on November 24th, 6 weeks to the day she was born, we were told we could go to the DCFS Office and get her.

All of this was made possible because last February we decided to contact DCFS and pursue adoption through foster care.  I read success stories online and talked to friends who had adopted, and hoped that our efforts in attending 40+ hours of classes would pay off.  Has it ever!
We know a few things about Mila, she was born to a chronically homeless mother, who has done drugs, and yet Mila so far is perfectly healthy. We think her name is short for Milagro because she is of hispanic decent.  She has been in the care of her grandmother, who was her guardian  for the first 6 weeks of her life.  Grandma is 66 and just couldn't continue caring for her. We have met Grandma and she wants her to be adopted, she seemed to be happy when she met us. Mila's biological mom has an order to appear before the court on Dec. 8th, and if she doesn't show (which she has failed to do so far) the state is going to terminate reunification and pursue adoption for her.  Best case scenario, we could adopt around May, and we are hoping for the best case scenario.  Nathan and I have fallen in love with her, and we can't help ourselves. Everyone that has met her has fallen in love with her!  She is the sweetest, best baby.  She started smiling this week, and recognizes our faces and likes to coo at us.  Of course there is always the chance that it won't go the way that we want, but we are so hopeful and so grateful for our little miracle, our little Mila.