Love from Michigan.

Our Michigan couple has 'accepted' us! I have to be honest, that when it didn't happen as quickly as Ohio, I started to get a little nervous. Maybe they wanted a family that didn't have children already? Maybe they don't like blondes? Maybe my 5'2 (and a half) frame is too short for the 5'10 Irish/German brunette?

Michigan was also given a week to look at our profile, and chose us within 24 hours. Thank you, Lord, for not making us wait on this!

Both of these profiles have been referred to our adoption agency to start the openness arrangements. I remain hopeful that we will be able to communicate directly with them prior to the transfer.

I did learn that the couple that had adopted Ohio's other 6 embryos had previously "accepted" all 9, but after they did not achieve pregnancy (for whatever reason) with the 6, they "released" the other 3 back to Ohio. I can only speculate as to what reasons for that may be. Maybe they were disenchanted with the embryos, with the process. Maybe they tried two transfers with these embryos and decided to pursue other options after they were not successful. I'm trying not to analyze it too much. Ultimately, these embryos were "released" back to Ohio so that we could adopt them! Is that too Pollyanna? I don't think so. I think that's God.

I have to admit that yesterday I was very bummed that we now have two sets of embryos from two different couples. It's like adopting two babies at the same time from two different birthmoms. If you're unfamiliar with this process, it just seems straight weird. Heck, even I will admit it feels a little weird.

But now I'm actually embracing it. One of the benefits of an open embryo adoption is that we now have the pleasure of embarking on this journey with another couple who is JUST AS INVESTED in the outcome as we are. That is another family, another extended family, another prayer circle, many states and time zones away, who want this to work just as much as we do. Now, we've doubled that pleasure by having TWO families, two extended families, two more prayer circles who want this to work just as much as we do. That is just plain awesome. We feel humbled and privileged that these couples have chosen us to try and further the lives of these embryos and, God willing, be their parents.

I've always been humbled by the selfless acts of birthmoms. Today, I am humbled by the selfless acts of genetic families. These families love these embryos. They are their flesh and blood (in really raw form). These couples also struggled with infertility and loss and grief. And I'm sure that when these embryos were created, it was a miracle, and they never envisioned "giving them away" to a couple they had never met. We feel privileged that they would hand over such an amazing gift of life to us.

One other neat fact -- Michigan's 4 embryos that we are adopting were likely frozen within days/weeks of when Brae was born! That is just plain cool.

As a practical matter, I do not know how the embryologist will work out the whole thawing process in our situation. I suspect, but do not know, that she will thaw Ohio's 3 and transfer whichever ones survive (1-3). Then if Ohio's doesn't result in pregnancy, we will go back again and try with Michigan.

I have my thyroid test next Tuesday. That test will likely determine whether we are going in September or November for our transfer. How lovely that a tiny butterfly-shaped gland in my body has so much control. I do feel that my thyroid levels have definitely changed in the last 6 weeks, because I have so much energy I have difficulty falling asleep at night. I'm like a flea on a hot skillet -- constantly. So I hope my thyroid has not over corrected.

"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am TRUSTING You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You." -- Psalm 143:8.