Introducing Olivia Rose Morris

Olivia Rose Morris

Born: 6/15/15

Weight at Birth: 5lbs. 9oz.

Length at Birth: 18 in.

Hair Color: Blonde with hints of red

Eye Color: Maybe blue

     We would love to introduce y'all to our newest daughter, Olivia!  We started seriously considering adoption 19 months ago. We completed our lengthy applications 14 months ago.  We became a "waiting family" 11 months ago. Then on Monday, June 15th, we got a call in the afternoon that our birth-mother was going into to labor and to get there quick.  It took us 7 hours to get from Lubbock to the little town in south Texas!  

     Our drive was filled with excited conversations, debates on names, and beautiful signs from God. At one point we switched on the radio and happened to catch a praying of the 3rd Joyful Mystery of the rosary, the Birth of Jesus. We saw some amazing, towering outdoor crosses in different towns we drove through.  As we passed San Antonio, a beautiful firework show decorated the night sky.   We were called at around 5 pm to find out that we had a healthy baby girl waiting for us.  We had no idea what the sex of the baby would be before that point.  It wasn't until just before midnight that we drove into town and made our way to the hospital.  

     We quietly entered the nursery and got to see Olivia for the very first time.  She was so tiny and in an incubator.  The nurses couldn't really tell us any details due to legal constraints, but it was such a relief just to hold her little hand for the first time.  She ended up being fine and had no real complications.  

    Our birth-mother (I'll refer to her as "Eve" for privacy sake) originally wanted a closed adoption.  This means she did not want to meet us, know who we are, or have any contact with Olivia. This was kind of a shock to us because the agency showed us how beneficial to everyone an open adoption can be.  As we left the hospital in the wee hours of the morning, our social worker called us to say Eve wanted to meet us and could we come to the hospital right away.  

    It was very nerve racking to walk into that little hospital room.  As much as we wanted to meet her, I was terrified about making a good impression.  Eve is wonderful.  She's strong, brave, selfless, and gracious.  She told us that she had been to three different abortion clinics, but couldn't go through with it.  Eve knew that despite her cruel and painful life circumstances, it wasn't this baby's fault.  As Eve and I made our way to the incubator for her to see Olivia for the first time, the fierce love she had for Olivia filled the entire nursery.  The tears that streamed down her face will forever be etched into my memory and on my heart.  It brings to mind this quote:

      The next few days were a blur of nurses, beeping machines, night feedings, meeting Eve's youngest son and mother, rocking Olivia, Skype calls to our parents and Clare, and talking with our social worker.  After a long and intense 48 hours, Eve and her husband signed the papers to offer Olivia up for adoption.  Every emotion possible was pulsing through those hospital halls.  Eve still wished for this to be a closed adoption even though we assured her that she could change her mind.  Praise God though that in the weeks since, Eve has asked for more pictures of Olivia.  We hope we are on the path towards a real relationship with her.  

      We are back home and have been overwhelmed with love, support, and gifts from so many loved ones.  We can never thank all of you enough.  We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing group of people.  Clare is over the moon in love with Olivia.  She is so happy to be an older sister and can't get enough of her.  Life is great. God is good. Our hearts are full.