I cannot begin to express to you the giant sigh of relief that was felt on the morning of June 4. After a long, blessed year, Tripp finally became a Vineyard. He's been ours in our hearts for so long, but he's finally ours in the eyes of the court! No more random visits, daily progress notes, medical logs, or hiding my cleaning supplies and knives in weird places. I am so proud of my wonderful husband and daughter for the willingness to be a part of the adventure that last year took us through. I love our families and the way they wrapped themselves around all three of our boys and loved them as if they would always be ours. I love my God and how He held ours hands through two giant heartaches and carried us to our finish line. He is a big God with gentle, capable hands. I don't know how people who don't know the Lord deal with these kinds of situations. We've spent time in some places we never thought that "people like us" would ever go. I've spent time in the CPS office and time waiting to see a Medicaid doctor at the free clinic that took foster care insurance. I've waited in line to have a child paternity tested and spent some very up close and personal time with people whose lives are filled with heartache, tragedy, mental illness, and dependency problems. I'll be honest that it was hard to keep my pride in check the past year, but I think the perspective it gave Jerry and I on the lost, is priceless. At times we wanted to choke some of the people and families involved in these situations, and other times we were just broken for them. When I look at Tripp, it's surreal that he's here and in my home. Years of prayers and waiting for this miracle are over. My prayers are now blessings and praises. Overwhelmed! In love! Loved by the King!
