WOW!! I am sooo overwhelmingly grateful for all the comments on the blog, the emails, and the phone calls that we have received since our post that we are approved to adopt. There are no words to explain how much they have meant to us. At one of the classes we went to people started sharing all the negative responses they've received from others about adopting. I was kind of surprised...so, after hearing those comments I became very nervous and worked myself up a plan on how to handle things......well, with each encouraging and excited comment, I felt a huge burden lifted. I cried after I read or heard all your positive things. You mean so much to us. I love you all!! Thank you, thank you thank you!!!!!
We will definitely keep everyone up-dated. Right now we submitted our home study to 7 different children and sibling groups. The individual case workers will review all the submitted home studies and then decide on 3 families that are a good match and then our home study will go to "committee". They will then decide which family (out of the 3 submitted) would be the best match for the children. If we get the nod....we'll get a phone call and then our lives will come to a screeching hault as we'll only have about a week before we go and pick them up. I hope we get a match soon!!! I am NOT good at waiting :)
BREAKING NEWS!!!.....We are adding children to our family!!
We just received word today that we've been approved to ADOPT!!! It has been a long, long, long and very time consuming 6 months. But, we are finally official!! (Cyndi & Margene.....this is our big news). This is just the first step....now, we need to find the children that are suppose to be part of our family and then work through all the hoops to make them ours. In case you are wondering, "Where did this all come from" Here's the scoop. (Warning it's a long one...I'll try to hit on all the possible questions you may have.....get some popcorn) It's been an amazing miracle and blessing. I have come so close to my Savior. I just love it!
About 6-7 years ago I was walking with a friend and was discussing infertility and all the emotional stages that I went through. It was such an enormously tough time for me. I was trying to explain things to my friend that I knew there was no way she would understand. Infertility is just such a loss. It's difficult to explain. Even though the discussion initially started off about helping a friend of hers , she seemed to sense some spiritual cues and it soon turned toward me. She mentioned adopting and I kind of waived it off because I'd thought about that before but it just wasn't something that would work with me. Well, from that day on, little things started to happen in my life that had me face to face with adoption. Like, the next Sunday at church, the combined Bishop's discussion was on LDS services adoptions and teenage pregnancy. Just little things like that would happen here and there. Slowly I opened my heart to it and I decided to mention it to Bob. When we were on a date, I asked him what he thought about the idea of adoption. He paused for a moment and then said, "Yeah, that would be great." A little more investigation and time went by and we decided that it wasn't just our decision. We needed to ask Amanda and Nathan. At a family home evening, we brought it up. They both thought about it and said very decisively, "NO" We asked why and got some reasonable answers. So, we dropped the subject. We were all doing great but our lives kept running into situations with adoption. The biggest one recently was one of my good friends adopted a baby and I was able to be close to her through all the struggles and problems. It was an emotional roller coaster. I would think, phew...maybe it's a good thing we're not adopting...but then, there remained this nagging feeling of...well maybe.... I was especially touched when we attended the sealing of this new little baby to them in the temple. My heart was slowly being softened and I no longer had any rejections of adopting. But, I knew it wouldn't be possible unless EVERYONE in the family felt the same way I did. Bob and I both were on board, but I felt prompted to wait until the kids wanted to also. So, I just kept quiet.
Then, out of the blue this last October. Nathan mentioned something like, "Mom, I think we should adopt." I had a momentary loss of all speech.....where did this come from? I hadn't even talked about adopting for a few years now. I finally found my voice and asked if he just said that he would like to adopt. He said, "Yeah, I guess so". Then Amanda, who was standing in the room piped in with a , "Yeah, I'd like to also". What was happening???? Stop everything!!! I sat down with the kids and asked them a few more questions. I soon learned that the spirit had been working on them also for the past 3 years. I wanted to cry right there in front of them. Did they even realize how amazing and wonderful they are? That night when Bob came home. The three of us (and Toby) gathered around him and excitedly told him that we wanted to adopt. He was as shocked as I was. The entire night was spent talking about the what ifs and answering questions.
The next month I spent researching different options and agencies. We decided to work through LDS services and so a few of my dear, dear friends spent time filling out reference forms for us. In January, we were finally able to meet with a man from LDS services. There was just one small problem....for a few days before the meeting, I started to get feelings like LDS services was not the way to go. I shared this with Bob on the way down to our meeting. We both decided on a few questions to make sure to ask and to pay close attention to our feelings. Sure enough, afterward, we both felt STRONGLY to go a different direction. We should go through the State. These are children that are currently in foster care. We put things on hold at LDS services and went head first into the State of Oregon. We had to do a mandatory set of classes (24 hours worth) before they would allow us to apply. So, Bob and I went to all the classes. They were a huge blessing and we came home and shared various scenerios with the kids. It opened it up to a lot of "what if...." discussion and we were able to share more of what we wanted and didn't want in an adoption. Then we did the normal application process.....and our dear friends had to spend more time and re-do a reference questionnaire for us...plus our parents were able to do one for us this time. I have to do a shout out for our parents and my friends Candace, Katie, Clarka and Heather...thank you!! We then did all the paper work, finance reports, FBI check, physical, drug tests, home inspection, etc. I even answered a questionnaire of 121 questions. My answers ended up being 22 pages long. Talk about time consuming!! During this time, we decided as a family to keep it to ourselves....just in case we were denied or our thoughts changed.
We decided that we would be willing to adopt up to 3 children. Oh my!!!.... our family could grow significantly!! As I look back over the years, I can see how Heavenly Father has prepared us. We are at a perfect position right now. The kids are at a perfect spot in their lives also. I can see how wise it is to do this now and not 3 years ago. I also can't believe how each step of the way has been accompanied by an even more solid confirmation from the spirit. We know there will be trials and struggles ahead. This is NOT going to be easy. But, we also know that this will bring us more joy and happiness than we can ever imagine. If it's anything close to the spiritual promptings we've received through these last few years....we'll be set! Now, it's going to be amazing to see the way the Lord works with which children come into our home. I can't wait to meet them!! We are all excited...with a little scared of the unknown attached also :)
About 6-7 years ago I was walking with a friend and was discussing infertility and all the emotional stages that I went through. It was such an enormously tough time for me. I was trying to explain things to my friend that I knew there was no way she would understand. Infertility is just such a loss. It's difficult to explain. Even though the discussion initially started off about helping a friend of hers , she seemed to sense some spiritual cues and it soon turned toward me. She mentioned adopting and I kind of waived it off because I'd thought about that before but it just wasn't something that would work with me. Well, from that day on, little things started to happen in my life that had me face to face with adoption. Like, the next Sunday at church, the combined Bishop's discussion was on LDS services adoptions and teenage pregnancy. Just little things like that would happen here and there. Slowly I opened my heart to it and I decided to mention it to Bob. When we were on a date, I asked him what he thought about the idea of adoption. He paused for a moment and then said, "Yeah, that would be great." A little more investigation and time went by and we decided that it wasn't just our decision. We needed to ask Amanda and Nathan. At a family home evening, we brought it up. They both thought about it and said very decisively, "NO" We asked why and got some reasonable answers. So, we dropped the subject. We were all doing great but our lives kept running into situations with adoption. The biggest one recently was one of my good friends adopted a baby and I was able to be close to her through all the struggles and problems. It was an emotional roller coaster. I would think, phew...maybe it's a good thing we're not adopting...but then, there remained this nagging feeling of...well maybe.... I was especially touched when we attended the sealing of this new little baby to them in the temple. My heart was slowly being softened and I no longer had any rejections of adopting. But, I knew it wouldn't be possible unless EVERYONE in the family felt the same way I did. Bob and I both were on board, but I felt prompted to wait until the kids wanted to also. So, I just kept quiet.
Then, out of the blue this last October. Nathan mentioned something like, "Mom, I think we should adopt." I had a momentary loss of all speech.....where did this come from? I hadn't even talked about adopting for a few years now. I finally found my voice and asked if he just said that he would like to adopt. He said, "Yeah, I guess so". Then Amanda, who was standing in the room piped in with a , "Yeah, I'd like to also". What was happening???? Stop everything!!! I sat down with the kids and asked them a few more questions. I soon learned that the spirit had been working on them also for the past 3 years. I wanted to cry right there in front of them. Did they even realize how amazing and wonderful they are? That night when Bob came home. The three of us (and Toby) gathered around him and excitedly told him that we wanted to adopt. He was as shocked as I was. The entire night was spent talking about the what ifs and answering questions.
The next month I spent researching different options and agencies. We decided to work through LDS services and so a few of my dear, dear friends spent time filling out reference forms for us. In January, we were finally able to meet with a man from LDS services. There was just one small problem....for a few days before the meeting, I started to get feelings like LDS services was not the way to go. I shared this with Bob on the way down to our meeting. We both decided on a few questions to make sure to ask and to pay close attention to our feelings. Sure enough, afterward, we both felt STRONGLY to go a different direction. We should go through the State. These are children that are currently in foster care. We put things on hold at LDS services and went head first into the State of Oregon. We had to do a mandatory set of classes (24 hours worth) before they would allow us to apply. So, Bob and I went to all the classes. They were a huge blessing and we came home and shared various scenerios with the kids. It opened it up to a lot of "what if...." discussion and we were able to share more of what we wanted and didn't want in an adoption. Then we did the normal application process.....and our dear friends had to spend more time and re-do a reference questionnaire for us...plus our parents were able to do one for us this time. I have to do a shout out for our parents and my friends Candace, Katie, Clarka and Heather...thank you!! We then did all the paper work, finance reports, FBI check, physical, drug tests, home inspection, etc. I even answered a questionnaire of 121 questions. My answers ended up being 22 pages long. Talk about time consuming!! During this time, we decided as a family to keep it to ourselves....just in case we were denied or our thoughts changed.
We decided that we would be willing to adopt up to 3 children. Oh my!!!.... our family could grow significantly!! As I look back over the years, I can see how Heavenly Father has prepared us. We are at a perfect position right now. The kids are at a perfect spot in their lives also. I can see how wise it is to do this now and not 3 years ago. I also can't believe how each step of the way has been accompanied by an even more solid confirmation from the spirit. We know there will be trials and struggles ahead. This is NOT going to be easy. But, we also know that this will bring us more joy and happiness than we can ever imagine. If it's anything close to the spiritual promptings we've received through these last few years....we'll be set! Now, it's going to be amazing to see the way the Lord works with which children come into our home. I can't wait to meet them!! We are all excited...with a little scared of the unknown attached also :)
I am NOT a good home-schooler!
Anyone who has been over to my house and was greeted by Toby the dog will understand why this comic cracks me up!! To our credit, however, we did attempt one class of obedience school. But, Toby did not pass the class. It was the funniest experience yet!! We finally determined that our dog must have ADHD. He just was soooo excited the entire class period that he couldn't look at us long enough to listen. Even the instructor had problems. Ohhhhh, how this dog fits in perfectly with our family --- Ha!!!
A Day for McKay
In case you're wondering who McKay is......he's one of the 28 "cutest in the world" nephews that I have. It was his day to get baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.....and he became an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!!! I love McKay because he always has a smile! He was so excited today. He would squeeze his hands really tight and just smile and shake with excitement. I loved spending the day with him (and my parents, Adam and Lindsey's family, Holly's brother's family, Holly's parents, and the rest of Holly and Dan's family - phew) Baptisms are always so amazingly spiritual for me. I always end up with tears of happiness in my eyes. The more and more I learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more emotional I get when I watch this sacred ordinance. I LOVE being a member of the church!!! And I'm soooo glad McKay is too!! Here's some pictures of our perfect day!...Thanks McKay!
McKay and his Dad (my brother, Dan). See how cute he is!!!..McKay that is...Okay, Danny is too.
McKay's biggest fans. The normally smiling McKay is not smiling too big in this picture because his mom just told him...no goofy faces - ha!
Same fan club...different location. What do you do with so many people....you head to the beach....even though it was SNOWING off and on and 30 degrees! We can officially be classified as nut cases. But, true to form....we had a BLAST!! Couldn't have had it any better!!
One of Heavenly Father's wonderful creations....an adventurous boy's paradise!!! Who needs to go to Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland?
We came....We saw....We conquered the wall!! Watch out Helaman's stripling warriors!
One of Amanda's many talents....Hint...look at the sucked in nose. (you may need to click on the picture to make it bigger). I must say this one really makes a parent proud!! Actually....I can't do it...can anyone else?? Go ahead and Try it...suck in your nostrils!
Bob's photography skills in action. Isn't this a cool shot? Although, I think one of these seagulls was the one who POOPED on me!! Yep....I got pooped on....yucky!!! (Hey...is that blue sky???)
Another fun photography moment....my mom and dad walking along the beach. They are just soooo cute!
Party of 26 please! We gave the workers at Mo's restaraunt a "firery furnace" type of training when we showed up to eat there. But, they pulled it off and we LOVED the warm clam chowder and other fantastic seafood! Perfect ending to a perfect day!! (well, "perfect" day is subtracting the getting pooped on by the seagull - hee-hee)
Amazing Amanda strikes again...Scholar Athlete!
The family (minus Toby the dog) were invited to the highschool's scholar athlete dinner and awards ceremony for Amanda. Nathan was all moans and groans about another boring thing...until we mentioned that they would be serving Panda Express for dinner. Boy did he pork down on the orange chicken!!!
Such a cutie!
Look at that!!...Since I know how busy Amanda's been....this 4.0 is HUGE!! She is truly Amazing!!
On the way out, we had to stop and read a poster that Amanda had made for leadership....It's HUGE!! I love all the things the students want from the Administrators.
The SUN....drop every possible responsibility and run to have fun!!
Even though our house is still turned upside down, we had to bag it all and run outside for some fun on Sat. It was in the 80's and a picnic at the park was calling. Amanda made all the sandwiches and Nathan packed all the sporting stuff and I got Toby.....Bob was frantically trying to finish cleaning the garage (the only responsible one of the group). The only rule was that Amanda couldn't run....still a NO-go from the doctor. We had a BLAST!!
WHAT THE........????
WE GOT ROBBED!!!!
No, not really....we just moved our furniture to the garage so we could rip the carpet out....on to the "getting new carpet" phase of the never ending home improvement project. (Can you tell where our couches were? -ha!!)
Sooo..... here's a Family Home Evening idea for you....I'm thinking I should submit it to the Ensign :)
Lesson....watch the NCAA championship game.
Activity.....rip up the carpet in your house! (this is especially fun for young boys!) Hey look...you can kind of see our latest tile experiment....when it's all finished, I'll get a "real"
picture up...promise!
Treat....eat DUST and CARPET PAD PARTICLES!!! Looking at this picture, you might wonder...."what in the world kind of low quality camera do they have???" The dots are dust and carpet pad particles! Can you believe that?? We should have been wearing masks!! I wonder what kind of damage we just did to our lungs!
There you have it....guaranteed to bring your family closer and your home more enjoyable. For sure you will have a LOVELY and welcoming home to enter into the next day :) Boy, if noone used me as a role model for raising kids before...for sure they will now!
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