Adoption Story --- Part 15 - The Final Chapter

In case you missed anything:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13

Part 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday September 8^th, Caleb was 3 days old. Matt had to go to school. Paramedic school was so difficult and they were so strict he couldn’t even get out of class to go pick up the baby so we had to make arrangements with Michelle, the Agency and the hospital to do the “placement” in the evening. We got to the agency at 6 pm. Michelle, her mom, and little Caleb were already there.

We went into our caseworker’s office to wait and wait and wait. We were waiting for Michelle to sign the papers relinquishing her parental rights. Her caseworker came and pulled ours out into the hallway. She told her that Michelle was having a hard time (of course she was) and that Satan was working hard against her, she might not sign the papers. Our caseworker came back in and she told us what was going on and she suggested that we pray. We were both crying. Our caseworker offered a prayer.

Within about 15 minutes Michelle’s caseworker came back. The papers were signed. We followed the caseworkers into another room. In walked Michelle holding little Caleb. He was gorgeous!! She looked so tired. She was in pain both physically and mentally. We talked for a while. She asked if I wanted to hold him. My arms were aching for him. We talked a little more and then she said she wanted Matt to hold him. She said that she needed to see him in his daddy’s arms. Then she held him again for a few minutes. She kissed him goodbye and placed him in my arms. She left crying. It was all over.

This experience that night was one of the most heart wrenching experiences that we have been through. We were so happy and overjoyed while at the same time we felt like the lowest scum on the face of the earth – we had taken this woman’s child. We stayed there for a little while crying. I held Caleb close while Matt loaded us the car with gifts from Michelle and her mom and all the stuff the hospital sends home with new babies.

We got home at about 9:30. We were greeted by two sets of happy grandparents and a very proud big sister.

Caleb was healthy and happy. March 25^th 2006 we went to the Temple once again – this time to have Caleb sealed to us for eternity.

The End.

Sorry we have decided that our family is complete….unless some strange turn of events takes place…….