Meeting Nekeita!

Dustin and I met Nekeita a year ago today. To think about the day we spent with her truly almost brings me to tears. I blogged about this woman several months ago, and was able to post some pictures of her as well. If you haven't read that blog, please feel free to. http://ourliladamsfamily.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html She is incredible.

This blog is going to be about our feelings that day. As Dustin and I got ready for our adventure we had so many mixed emotions. We had such great disappointment from the day before and didn't want to get our hopes up. Yet, here we were going to meet a woman and child who might pick us to be their adoptive family! Its HUGE!!!

On our way to Layton Dustin and I just kept trying to figure out questions, looks, and most importantly what in the hell we would have on the radio when she got in the car. Sounds crazy right? Probably but when you are on display and advertising yourselves to make a family, you really do think about everything! I think we decided on a mix of U2 and Sarah McClachlan.

Once we got to Layton we called to let Nekeita know we were here. Within minutes out walks a beautiful woman and little boy. She looks maybe 5 months pregnant and is beaming. I get out and introduce myself and she gives me a huge hug. Instantly all the little fears of what kind of music disappears.

It was so easy for Dustin, Keita, and I to talk. We were able to chat like we had been friends for an entire lifetime. It was really such an amazing experience. Everything just felt so right.

We took Keita to lunch at Joe's Crab Shack and then headed to the Fashion Place Mall to pick up some things she needed for her hospital stay. As we were in Motherhood, Keita asked Dustin and I what we wanted to name our baby. We said Dustin Carter. At that moment Nekeita took hold of her little belly and said "Well, hello there Dustin Carter." And that was it.

By the end of the day Keita had told us we would be the adoptive family for her little boy. We had an amazing time together and had agreed to see her the following day.

As Dustin and I left early that evening we were on cloud 9. We both kept saying we didn't want to get our hopes up again, but now it seemed even more real. We just spent the day with this amazing woman who was carrying our son.

We went to Dustin's sisters house after and started trying to figure out what we were going to do each day with Keita. Once you are placed it is the adoptive families opportunity to spend a lot of time with your birth family. Which is great, unless everything costs a ton and money is tight!

As we were planning what to do with Keita on Saturday my cell phone rang. Jane from our agency was calling to ask how our day with Keita went. We told her how amazing it was, and she said, "Congratulations! Keita felt the exact same. She has chosen the two of you to be her adoptive family. Tomorrow we will be signing our placement papers."

HOORAY!!! We called all sets of parents that night and asked if they would take a day to meet Keita and host an activity. We were trying to save money but still have the opportunity to spend time with Keita. They all happily agreed.

So, our first trip would be to Logan, the following day, to spend the day with Dustin's family!