Celia's Story

Her eyes- the most beautiful shade of blue.

She is simply HEAVENLY!!

I continue to receive questions about Celia, and after rereading the pages of this blog I realize that I never really shared how God placed her in our lives. My prayer is that HIS HEART is evident through our family and the treasures we continue to receive yet are so unworthy of.

This picture cracks me up. She loves to suck in her lips and this is right after she was doing it. Notice no tube but a red place where the tape should be. She was in her carseat on the way to the hospital for tube replacement.:(

Basically, God knew about her and put us together. Really.:) We were not pursuing another adoption at this exact moment but were praying for His guidance and clear voice when it was time for us to move forward again. And He knew that we should have as little time as possible to think!! Celia was actually 2 days old when we found out about her from someone who knew someone who knew someone who knew of us.:) She got my number from Charlie's therapy center and called my cell completely out of the blue! Her birthmom, R, was very young and had no prenatal diagnosis. The fact that Celia has Down Syndrome had NOTHING to do with her decision- I want to make that absolutely clear. There was an adoption plan in place from the very beginning but things fell through when the diagnosis was made. I was able to speak with her birthmom on the phone that very first night (Thursday) and we met her at the hospital Friday about 2 hours from our home. I will never forget the words that my dear husband said as we left the hospital that first evening. Overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions I looked at him and said, "So, what are you thinking?". And he said back to me, "I think we just met our 5th child." God knew.

Celia spent 11 days in NICU before being discharged into our arms. During those days, we made almost daily trips back and forth from home to hospital. Long drives filled with prayer and much talking between hubby and I. One Wednesday was planned for her birthmom to sign. We planned to lay low that day and not visit the hospital thinking that she would want some time alone. That morning I received a call from R asking us to come. She wanted us to be with her when she signed. As in SITTING BESIDE HER!! Thank you, GOD, for those moments with R. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of her healing. I feel as if I was able to witness a glimpse of what our Father did for us through Jesus. The act of a mother releasing her child. Heart breaking and so incredibly selfless.

The evening of discharge Celia's birthmom walked us out and watched us drive away. Tears, oh my! We do still have occasional contact with her and have seen her a couple of times in the last few months.

Looking up at Mommy!

Headbands are a constant accessory these days to help hold her tube out of the way. Not a favorite of mine but they serve a purpose.

God continues to use each of my children to teach me such different things. And our perfect warrior Celia fights on. With all of her might she gets through each and every day. She shows us (and the nurses at the Children's hospital:) over and over how physically strong she is. But with every poke and taping and reinsertion of her NJ tube, my heart crumbles a little more. It is so hard to watch. She fights and cries more and more. In her 4 short months, my girl has taught me more about what it really means to be strong than I have learned my entire life. STRONG! She is my tiny hero!

You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.

2 Samuel 22:40 NIV

In Him,

E