Sweet little family

Yesterday we went to court with our attorney in Dallas....birth mom's rights were terminated and we were granted temporary custody. Temporary meaning we have not heard back from the state's paternity registry to see if "dad" registered himself, claiming paternity.  If the answer is no, then we go to court again and his rights are terminated and we gain permanent custody until our final adoption court date in about 4 months. If the answer is yes, we still have custody, we serve d

"Dad" with a lawsuit, he has 20 days to respond that he wants to fight us for custody... Meaning hire an attorney, show up in court in Dallas (he is in Austin), and then prove himself hit and able to care for Cooper. We will cross that hurdle when it gets here...should know by July 1st. 

Last night when we got to the hospital we couldn't get to Cooper because the legal department needed to check the authenticity of our court order...so enjoyed dinner with some friends, Jennifer & Jason Larson, from when I worked at Camp Lone Star. This morning we were ready and waiting to hear from the nicu supervisor that they had approved our entrance, that call came at 9:15am. As we waited I was reading my daily devotional, and it fit so well for our situation today 

"Creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by it's own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself wil be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the wil of God." Romans 8:19-27 

Then it's followed by the verse that will be a part of my next tattoo...Romans 8:28...thanks to my brothers tattoo piggie bank savings :) it shall be spent soon! 

That scripture was so fitting... I'm loving my devotional, that's more like a Bible study and focuses on prayer- "Whispers of Hope:10 weeks of devotional prayer" by Beth Moore. If you awe looking for something to speak to you, pick it up! :)  

Now back to our day......We were scrubbed in at 10am when nicu opened back up. We got to meet with the doctor and hear he's doing great. He's had a few breathing issues, so we are looking at being sent home next week. We've enjoyed every minute of sitting and just holding him. Learning to feed him at the right angle and such! Most importantly loving our snuggles! 

He's so funny when he eats, he would rather sleep, but the nurse said its because he pigged out earlier this morning! 

The doctors and nurses have been so amazing, congratulating us and celebrating with us! We anxiously await our two favorite nurses from the first round to have a shift so we can celebrate with them. We were a little surprised by the welcome we have had, but are thankful for how it's played out now! 

Thank you for all the prayers, throughout this roller coaster they have been felt!  Keep praying for his breathing to develop (developmentally appropriate, so no sadness for still being here), paternity registry answer quickly and for it to be a no, and praises as we are elated!  And please continue to pray for birth mom and her transition! 

Love to you all! 

Bryan, Jess, Cooper and PB too

I'm 6lbs 6.8oz now!