Friday, August 8 through Sunday August 10

Since the little miss and I were ready early, we began walking to Jere and Kristen’s house. Reuben and Judi eventually came along and picked us up.

Getting acquainted with Jere and Kristen’s dog, Jake.

Kristen often has fresh flowers to decorate their table.

A yummy salad.

Lasagna was the main dish.

There were a few desserts ~ this was my favorite.

After Jana and Jared played their current music lesson songs, Judi gave us a delightful concert. She was in her glory – to have a piano – and we were delighted to listen.

These two quickly became good friends.

The idea of chess came up and Ian challenged Reuben to a game.

Reuben eventually won.

He has a few more games and moves under his belt, but Ian did well too.

Cerwin and Jared working on getting a remote car moving again.

Jere cleaning up from supper while Kristen put things away.

Jesse playing a game.

Playing with Jana’s cell phone.

Showing her a computer game.

Playing with Jake.

Splashing in the pool.

The chicks had grown since I last saw them a week ago, and they had been moved into their own barn.

Walking away from the chicken barn.

Jared and Jesse swinging and Cerwin and Jere discussing something about the swing set.

Jere playing with Jake.

More splashing with Jana and Kristen.

Thought we had a wonderful evening with Jere and Kristen’s family, there was a “heaviness” in the air. Reuben and Judi had become concerned by a report from their adoption attorney earlier in the day ~ that the birthmother wanted to hold her baby who had been born a day earlier.

~~~

Saturday, August  9

It is a good thing when birthmothers keep their babies. However, the adoption had been planned for weeks, and when we learned on Saturday that the birthmother decided to keep her little boy, we were broken-hearted for Reuben and Judi – and their hearts were certainly broken.

By Saturday afternoon – right after hearing the disheartening news – they began packing to head home to Wisconsin.

Though our faces are smiling, our hearts were sad.

We hoped that they might be with us for a few weeks – until the legalities were completed for leaving Pennsylvania with their new baby.

Oh, how we miss the hugs, smiles, and laughter of this little girlie.

 We know that God must have better plans, but saying goodbye was so painful for them and for us.