March 16, 2007
bombshell
i get emails and comments from folks every so often asking for an update on the girls. for those of you who are new readers or for my older readers who have suffered memory loss (mark? jon? darrell? hehe), last year, smsmh and i were granted visitation with two little girls who had been taken from a non-related extended family members home and placed into foster care. the case worker was hoping to allow us to develop enough of a relationship with the girls so that they could be placed with us.
long story short, their mom was aggressive and diligent enough with her court appointed checklist that the courts are now in the process of placing the girls back with mom. from everything we'd heard from family, she's really working hard and is getting great counseling and support from healthy people.
anyway...a couple months back we had heard that she was pregnant again. fast forward to this week and smsmh and i were planning on taking a trip up to mariposa (just outside yosemite national park) to visit with my grandparents one last time before they move back down to southern california. knowing that the girl's mom lives in the area, and that she might have the girls back, we explored the possibility of stopping by for a visit so that we could get to know the mom and see the girls again. smsmh was finally able to talk to the mom and our visit was set for sunday afternoon.
yesterday, the mom called smsmh back and had this to say (paraphrasing) "i've been thinking about this for a long time and after talking to you yesterday on the phone, i know that this is the right decision. i'd like to ask the two of you to adopt the baby when it is born in may".
yes. an infant. in may.
i'm still in shock as i write this. i wouldn't be honest if i didn't say that i'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around this. an infant, in may. woah. the training side jeff starts thinking about how this will impact his life. what does that mean when it comes to ironman in fall? how will this impact my overall fitness? etc, etc. i am in the best shape of my life right now and have never felt as strong and confident in my physical abilities. don't get me wrong, this is just a simple subset of the emotions/thoughts that are coursing through my head right now. i'm not completely fixated on how this will impact ironman florida and i'm not so wrapped up in my fitness and training that i can't see all the positives. i figured, this is my training blog, so it bears mentioning.
anyway, things are not in stone, obviously. we need to get an attorney, meet with the mom, figure out expenses, etc. but, chances are real good that i'll be taking on a new role come may; the ultimate coaching position.
Posted by jeff at March 16, 2007 8:14 AMComments
Yay! Jeff and Smsmh are going to be parents! Better register for a running stroller.
It's always the athlete-side of me that questions if now is the time to try for that baby and I just can't let go of it yet. I think it's perfectly acceptable to have those feelings. But you guys are going to make great parents. Congratulations and I'll see you in a few weeks.
Posted by: Meredith at March 16, 2007 8:37 AMYay! Jeff and Smsmh are going to be parents! Better register for a running stroller.
It's always the athlete-side of me that questions if now is the time to try for that baby and I just can't let go of it yet. I think it's perfectly acceptable to have those feelings. But you guys are going to make great parents. Congratulations and I'll see you in a few weeks.
Posted by: Meredith at March 16, 2007 8:37 AMI left a comment but for some reason I don't see it.
Congratulations to both you and smsmh. Despite the fears of what will happen to your training goals (which is probably the #1 reason I'm not a mom yet), I think you guys are going to make great parents.
I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.
Posted by: Meredith at March 16, 2007 8:41 AMWoohoo!!! Jeff, this is such terrific news! I'm so happy for you two.
Being a parent is truly the best experience. So many tears of joy in store for you. I've got some now just thinking about the joyful future you have ahead of you.
Congratulations my brother! :)
Posted by: Mark at March 16, 2007 9:24 AMWoohoo!!! Jeff, this is such terrific news! I'm so happy for you two.
Being a parent is truly the best experience. So many tears of joy in store for you. I've got some now just thinking about the joyful future you have ahead of you.
Congratulations my brother! :)
Posted by: Mark at March 16, 2007 9:24 AMoh, and by the way, thanks for recognizing my memory issues. Now that you have an infant on the way, you will shortly be joining my club. :)
Posted by: Mark at March 16, 2007 9:26 AMWowee. That is some awesome news, man!
Congratulations!
Posted by: Flatman at March 16, 2007 9:29 AMWOW!! the mom thinks you are angels. Congratulations.
Life as you know it will definitely change for about 3 years and then you get to have a camping partner.
This is awesome news! Congrats to you both.
Posted by: ali at March 16, 2007 9:53 AMWow. Wow wow wow. Fantastic news.
If I were you? - I'd check into IM's rollover or refund policy. Just be a Dad for a while.
(And trust me, it's great...)
Posted by: Donald at March 16, 2007 10:02 AMThat is super exciting news! I am so happy for the two of you. I don't think there is ever an ideal time but you will make it work.
Posted by: Laurie at March 16, 2007 10:03 AMOh, I remembered. I can't remember the errands I have to run on the way home, though.
This is such great news. Like Laurie stated there may not be an ideal time but you know there's so much that we aren't really in control of. That little baby will be fortunate to have the two of you as parents.
We'll be expecting pictures.
Posted by: darrell at March 16, 2007 10:31 AMW-o-W! That's really exciting! I'm so happy for you!
You'd be a great dad, and I'm sure your wife will make a super mom!
Posted by: Karin at March 16, 2007 11:13 AMI'm practically crying tears of joy for you. That is SO fabulous. So very fabulous. I'm so happy for both of you!!
oh the training thing.... you might want to practice training on no sleep. That might be part of your new training plan! You won't mind, though. Nope - not at all.
Posted by: 21stCenturyMom at March 16, 2007 11:19 AMbombshell indeed. let's hope it all moves forward with positive outcomes.
Posted by: david at March 16, 2007 12:30 PMThat's (potentially) great news, Jeff. You might find your priorities really shift and an Ironman dream gets deferred. That's parenthood.
Posted by: Anne at March 16, 2007 12:59 PMNeeto. You'll adapt your training schedule as needed. You'll do great. At both. Gina Kher placed 4th at IM Kona this past year after having to severely reduce her training schedule due to a sick child. You never know ...
Posted by: Cindy J at March 16, 2007 2:12 PMWOW. I hope this works out. Keeping you in my prayers will give me a nice distraction. As for your concerns, you are correct in thinking that your life will never be the same again. But you will adjust to allow for it all to happen. Your wife seems very supportive and I am sure that you can work something out for the ironman training. It's just the beginning. Congratulations.
Posted by: Juls at March 16, 2007 3:06 PMWOW. I hope this works out. Keeping you in my prayers will give me a nice distraction. As for your concerns, you are correct in thinking that your life will never be the same again. But you will adjust to allow for it all to happen. Your wife seems very supportive and I am sure that you can work something out for the ironman training. It's just the beginning. Congratulations.
Posted by: Juls at March 16, 2007 3:07 PMWow! That's amazing news, Jeff! I know these things are very fluid and change all the time, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that it all works out.
Posted by: Jon (was) in Michigan at March 16, 2007 3:50 PMwow, congrats jeff...keep us updated as time permits! amazing stuff.
Posted by: brent at March 16, 2007 7:50 PMPretty amazing how fast things can change in our world! All the best to you and Lori as you navigate through this amazing new time in your lives!!
Posted by: Jessica at March 16, 2007 8:05 PMThanks for the update, I have been silently wondering how the situation developed. I find the new opportunity to be absolutely positive, I can think of no better father for the new arrival, just make sure both of you are totally committed to the journey (I really have no doubt).
Posted by: Jack at March 17, 2007 3:36 AMI had been wondering how things were going! That's such wonderful news, congratulations to you both. I'm also glad to hear that the mother seems to be getting the support that she needs, and is making a turn for the better. I can't help but think that you were helpful to her in some way. :)
Posted by: TriZilla at March 17, 2007 5:32 AMI really hope things work out for you, Hip. It must be weird not really knowing one way or the other. It's good to hear the mother is doing better too!
Posted by: Patrick at March 17, 2007 2:32 PMWow. Wow! And I can tell you, for free, that this will heavily impact all training and physical fitness goals from now until...the rest of your life. Oh well. So. Worth. It. Fingers crossed.
Posted by: miagoddess at March 17, 2007 3:37 PMWhat Mia said! But in such a good way. You'll be challenged in a way that ironman could never challenge you. You'll grow in ways you didn't think possible. You'll love in ways you didn't think possible. Don't forget that being nervous and questioning is totally normal, so cut yourself some slack on that count. And congratulations! I don't know you, but I do, and I know you two will make terrific parents.
:)
"Bread upon the waters" - does that fit? Congratulations to all of you! The birthmom has taken quite a big step in putting her trust in you and Smsmh, and you two are truly worthy. I am a birthmom myself, and am heartened to hear that someone has chosen you :)
I can't wait to hear all about it!
Posted by: Karen in Calgary at March 18, 2007 7:37 AMnow that's one bombshell. in may??? other people take a lot longer to get a baby, you know?
wow, I hope it all works out, and you will be pushing a jogging stroller in no time.
Posted by: Thomas at March 18, 2007 8:00 AMyou'll have many years to train . . . wow . . . what a gift!!
Posted by: susan at March 18, 2007 11:02 AMJeff!! Oh my gosh! This is great, very unexpected news! Please let us know what we can do to help you guys (we have a little experience with new borns:) )! Very awesome!
Posted by: Stephen Baker at March 18, 2007 11:48 AMI was determined to post this to your blog today "Jeff, I read blogs while I'm eating lunch. And everytime I click on your link I get sorta queezy when I see that finger in the eye thing...."
....but now, I'm just in total shock. Jaw on the ground. That is so cool!!!!! Keep us informed!!!!
Posted by: Amy at March 19, 2007 8:01 AMI was determined to post this to your blog today "Jeff, I read blogs while I'm eating lunch. And everytime I click on your link I get sorta queezy when I see that finger in the eye thing...."
....but now, I'm just in total shock. Jaw on the ground. That is so cool!!!!! Keep us informed!!!!
Posted by: Amy at March 19, 2007 8:02 AMI read while eating lunch too, and that pic is a little gross, but this post was so exciting and unexpected! Congrats - everyone really is having babies around me - even in blog world
Posted by: chandra at March 19, 2007 8:43 AMWow. Just... wow.
Posted by: Dawn at March 19, 2007 9:21 AMwhoa....is right. Congrats
Posted by: brit at March 19, 2007 1:29 PMOh wow. Exciting and huge news! What a big decision for you guys!
Posted by: Elizabeth at March 21, 2007 10:54 AMWow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so late to the party to say congratulations, but I am THRILLED for you! Best news, and we'll keep you guys in our prayers!
Posted by: beverly at March 22, 2007 3:04 PMHi Sweetie, I'm still crying tears of joy for you and Lori!! This is a God thing all the way!! and thank you for having such big, big hearts to accept this precious gift into yours. I can hardly wait to hear him call you da! da! You are an awesome young man and so well suited to be a daddy. This new little one is getting a gift from God too - you and Lori as parents.
I love you dearly,
Mom :)
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