Court

A year ago we were going to court on April 27th to fight for Lilly. When I think back and remember that week I am flooded with so many emotions. I remember just a few days before court we had just put Lilly to bed and I started to weep uncontrollably. David helped me outside because we didn't want her to hear what I can only describe as my heart breaking. David and I spent hours on the porch that night, crying talking and praying. I don't remember everything that was said, but I do remember David telling me that God had given us Lilly to protect because He knew we would fight for her. David then asked if Lilly was able to protect herself yet, the answer was no, then he simply said then we are not done. We need to fight. That settled my heart enough to carry me through the next few days.
Our attorney told us our case was a long shot and that the probability of us winning was slim, but we felt God telling us to fight, believe and stand. She asked us what we would gain by fighting, David said simply the more time we have with Lilly the more we can love and protect her.

The morning of the 27th came and its easy to remember every detail. My in-laws came to the house that morning to watch Lilly. We wanted her to have a fun day and not be affected by the emotions we were all feeling. We knew that we were in battle and ready or not, the day had arrived. Since the war began we had been asking people to pray with us and for us. There is so much to be said about the power of prayer and the power of agreement. Our church family rose up and stood with us and held us up. They are an amazing family. They had faith when mine seemed shaken. Our pastor was the only one allowed to come with us the day of court, and it was so comforting to have him there. As we walked in, I saw one of our church family members just driving around the courthouse, she said if she couldn't be inside she would just drive around outside and pray. That little hand wave as we saw her when we walked in, helped me have the strength to keep going. As we made that walk in, I know deep inside both of us all we really wanted to do was to run home, grab our baby girl and flee.

We met up with our attorney, social worker, our birthmom and her counselor. Once court was in session we were sworn in and informed that the proceedings would be closed and we would wait until in the hall until we were called. The wait began. Tensions were high and felt by all. As court began all we could do was have faith and try to keep each other calm. It was difficult to "keep my calm" and appear I had it all together when all I could think about was a sweet little baby at home. During the next 3-4 hours we sat, we paced and we took a million deep breaths although I never felt like I could catch my breath. The court took a lunch break and found out the same person was on the stand the whole time. Our attorney spoke few words to us as she wisked away our birthmom to help prepare her for the stand. We were told that the morning session was not going well for our side. David and I came home during the lunch break. I grabbed Lilly as soon as I walked in and I think I rocked her the whole time. All I could think was how I didn't want this little baby to go anywhere. I fought tears and I think the tears won. Lunch was over so quickly and we had to drive back. We didn't say much the whole drive we just held hands and fought more tears. As we walked back into the courthouse, we prepared for another long afternoon of testimony. We quickly found out that our attorney was talking to their attorney. What felt like forever was really only a hour or so. Our attorney walked down the hall and rushed us into a little room. There we sat face to face with the opposing side. Our attorney started the conversion out with words I will always remember ..."Rebecca and David everything you have hoped and prayed for is about to come true." Then we hear from him that he is going to sign the termination papers and that Lilly will be ours. After another tense 30 minutes, the judge agreed and it was done. We walked from the court house in shock. Complete shock! We got in the car and quickly called our Pastor, I think I yelled We Won! He signed the papers and we won! A few more phone calls later and David and I were home. I ran as fast as my little short legs would carry me I  opened the door and screamed...."We Won! We won! Its over we won!"

As I look back at this time I am still amazed and flooded with so much emotion. We had a miracle. God had given us Lilly and she was in our arms to stay. Our attorney called the next day and said she couldn't explain what happed. She said our side looked like we would lose that day and she has no explanation but she witnessed a miracle. Our birthmom said it best when she said the reason we won was simply because we had more Jesus people on our side than they did. To know every detail of our journey with Lilly and to know how God performed is simply a miracle. One day I will share everything but for today, I simply say, We Won! Our God performed His miracle and gave us our daughter. Was it easy? No! Did I feel like I had no more faith to pray? Yes! Did I give up? No! Do I understand it all? No! Would I do it all again? In a second! We have the best of God right here in our arms. We have been given our dream, our miracle our Lilly. No one can say God doesn't or can't move mountains, our mountain was crumbled and We Won!