One more thing...

Please make sure you read the post below this one, which is also new. I don't usually make 2 posts so close together, but I figured this should be shared as well. I have had a few people ask me about this, and I figured even though it is a difficult situation and a little personal, it is better to share it on here so everyone has correct information.

Arkansas Law for Adoptions by Mandy:
According to Arkansas law, no papers relinquishing parental rights can be signed until after the baby is born. Then once papers are signed, the birth mother will have up to 10 days to change her mind about relinquishing her child. However, a new law was created that allows the birth mother to state that she would prefer to only have 5 days instead of the allotted 10 to change her mind. Any time during those 5 or 10 days the birth mother may change her mind and take her child back. After that time, the adoptive parents are legal guardians of the child, and the birth mother has no rights toward him or her. 6 months later the adoption is "finalized" and the child is officially "adopted" by the adoptive parents (rather than them just being guardians-my understanding anyway). After the 5 or 10 days, the only things that can "disrupt" an adoption are if the birth mother was coerced into signing the papers (she must be able to prove it, and going through a reputable agency makes this MUCH less likely), or if the birthfather hasn't been in the picture but decides to show up and claim parental rights. However, if the birthfather hasn't been around at all, a claim can be made that he abandoned the child and so forfeited his rights at that time. Thankfully we are going through an agency because I don't understand how all that works.

That is the law in a nutshell. Let me know if any of you have any additional or corrected information to add, and I will gladly update. Basically I want you to know that as excited as we are, we still have that little bit of doubt lingering in our minds, that she could still change her mind. Feel free to ask questions if you have any, and definitely still keep our family in your prayers as we wait for Carter!