That Life Changing Call

I can't believe I'm finally getting to write this post. It's a post I've only dreamed about writing since I started this blog. I've heard stories of this happening. I just didn't want to believe it could happen to me. But it totally did! You know, that "out of the blue here's a baby for you just come and get her" sort of thing. It almost seems to good to be true. Everyone kept telling me God's timing is the perfect timing. While we all shake our head and agree with everyone when they say that, sometimes it can be hard to believe. This is true when you've had so many heartbreaks on your journey. I can honestly say, they were right. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. I was somewhat prepared, but not expecting anything. I had gotten ahead of the game at work. I had exactly 38 days of paid leave, and there was exactly 38 days left of school when I got "the call." So here's our story of God's perfect timing to make the Browning's a family of 3.....

It was April 10th....

At work that day I was really getting stuff done. I had my grades done and finalized ready for report cards. I had my appraisal stuff all done ready for my final meeting. Lesson plans were done and submitted. Check. Check. Check. As I looked in my Google drive at the long term sub plans I'd typed in early January, I had a sad thought that I might as well delete them since I wasn't going to be needing them this school year. Yet, I just couldn't make myself do it.

Later at home I realize I'm out of baby wipes (I really like to use them). I don't want to go to the store, so I go into the "nursery" where I have a ton of wipes from a shower back in December. I think to myself, "I might as well use these. I don't think I'll be needing them anytime soon."

At 5:00 that evening I'm putting away dishes and looking at the clock thinking: "It's only 3:00 in Arizona. They're still working. There's still time for them to send me some intakes for a baby...."

15 minutes later.........
My phone rings. It's Dana. I knew it wasn't bad news. There's only one other possibility. But it couldn't be....or could it? Dana pretty much asks me if Cooper and I want to get on a plane to Phoenix to go get a baby girl. You can imagine my shock. She tells me to call Becky (our case worker) for details. When I call Becky, she gives me all the details on our baby girl. She was born on April 6th and was beautiful and healthy. She was going to be discharged in a couple of days. Consents were being signed that night. It was all becoming too real. We did have to wait a few days before the final consents were signed, and there was some minor drama, but it really wasn't too bad. We booked a flight out for Thursday afternoon. That would give me plenty of time to pack. I wasn't going to Arizona in the state I went last time. Nope. I'd be prepared! Next, I make all the phone calls.

April 11th.....

I go to work thinking I'm going to have the day to get things in order. Ha! I get a phone call around 12:30 saying my baby is being discharged today. Well, guess I'm headed to Arizona a day early. Basically, I had to up and leave right away if I was going to pack and get things in order before our evening flight. And that's what I did. Man! Was I glad that I got ahead! I went straight home and started making preparations. Our flight kept getting delayed, so I changed it to a flight that had a small layover in New Mexico.

A much needed Starbucks run on the way to the airport. I don't care if it's after 5:00 pm, I was in for a long night.

Just hanging out in Albuquerque, NM on the plane anxiously waiting to get to our daughter!!!

While we were waiting, we took that opportunity to check our messages. This picture of our baby girl was waiting on us. Our first glimpse at the beauty that would soon be our daughter!!! 

By the time we get to Phoenix, get our bags, get our car, and arrive at the house we're staying at....it's after 10:30 (AZ time). We are exhausted, but so excited. Becky was in the kitchen with Tom and Susan (our gracious hosts) where she turned that kitchen into a delivery room and presented us with our daughter!!!

Our first time meeting our baby girl. We couldn't believe how tiny she was!!! She weighed only 4 lbs and 13 oz when she was discharged from the hospital!

If you can't tell, I'm so in love. It was definitely love at first sight/snuggle!

Our first family picture!

We spent the next 2 weeks in Phoenix as we anxiously awaited the "all clear" to head back home to Texas. Details about our stay in AZ coming soon.....

Hannah Emily Faith Browning

Born: Friday, April 6, 2018

Weight: 5 lbs 7 oz

Length: 17 1/4 in

How we chose her name:

Hannah: Hannah in the Bible prayed to God for a son, and the Lord heard her prayer and gave her Samuel

Emily: Her birth mother gave her the name Emily, and we wanted her to have a name that represented her birth parents and her adoptive parents

Faith: We prayed to God and had faith that he would hear our prayers and send us a child to love

Browning: Baby girl will legally have our name sometime in late October!!!

"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him." 

1 Samuel 1:27 ESV