When we used to live in Idaho, it was rare that you ran into adoptive families. I don't know if it was the area we lived in or what but since we moved to Colorado, we have noticed that adoption is much more of a common occurence. And not just in the LDS community but all around. I can think of 7 or 8 families alone in my ward that have or are in the process of adopting. Some have infertility issues, some have health issues, and some just do it to do it. Whatever the reason, I feel lucky to associate with all the open and amazing families.
I'm part of an adoption support group that I try to go to when I can and we just had a get together this last Friday. The moms sat and chatted about lots of things, where we're at in the adoption process, funny things that sometimes go wrong (like our hilariously erroneous homestudy), and many other topics. The kids all played outside on the slip and slides and the trampoline and then we had a potluck lunch. What a great way to get together and strengthen each other and have my kids interact with other adopted kids and see what a positive experience it can be. I just feel very lucky to live in the area where I do where we can get the support we need as an adoptive family!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Bella
So I stopped by the Redbox tonite to see if anything looked good. There wasn't a whole lot in. I noticed a movie called Bella and from the little bit it said about it, it looked ok so I got it. It's a drama that had totally unknown characters. It's pretty slow moving but I thought the actors in it were really amazing and I love deep story lines and good acting.
You find out right in the beginning that the main girl is pregnant. Not till halfway through do you even hear the word adoption and by the end, it just surprises you how much adoption played a huge part in all these people's lives. The thing that really moved me is all the different experiences these people had in their lives separately and how it all brought them together in the end. A girl who has no desire to keep her baby becomes friends with a guy who quietly listens and then offers different choices to her and his influence changed her life. You don't see the child or even hear her name (Bella) till the last scene of the movie which was so heartwarming and bittersweet. And there I sat bawling on the couch...what a sweet sweet blessing adoption is.
You find out right in the beginning that the main girl is pregnant. Not till halfway through do you even hear the word adoption and by the end, it just surprises you how much adoption played a huge part in all these people's lives. The thing that really moved me is all the different experiences these people had in their lives separately and how it all brought them together in the end. A girl who has no desire to keep her baby becomes friends with a guy who quietly listens and then offers different choices to her and his influence changed her life. You don't see the child or even hear her name (Bella) till the last scene of the movie which was so heartwarming and bittersweet. And there I sat bawling on the couch...what a sweet sweet blessing adoption is.
Monday, June 23, 2008
What We Do
Robb
He graduated from Utah State University in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Production Managment. He then took a job with a computer memory manufacturer in Boise where we lived for 6 years. During that time he took the time out to get his Masters in Business Administration. Since 2006 we have lived on the front range of Colorado. He now works for a telecommunications manufacturer as a Senior Production Planner. He loves his job and works very hard at it. The production line he is over is run in Bangkok, Thailand so he has been able to travel there a handful of times and I have been able to go with him once which was an amazing and exotic trip to take together.
Kris
I have played the violin since I was 8 and knew that's what I wanted to do "when I grew up." I graduated from BYU in 1997 with a Bachelor of Music having an emphasis in secondary education. I have taught private violin lessons on and off for the entire length of our marriage. I've also had the chance to teach a string class at a charter school here locally. I enjoyed that but the one on one connection with my students is really what I love. I've had the chance to play in 1 professional symphony and many other local and community groups. I've put that kind of commitment on hold for now as I raise my kids. I'm grateful that I am still able to teach out of my home and do what I love but still be here for my kids.
He graduated from Utah State University in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Production Managment. He then took a job with a computer memory manufacturer in Boise where we lived for 6 years. During that time he took the time out to get his Masters in Business Administration. Since 2006 we have lived on the front range of Colorado. He now works for a telecommunications manufacturer as a Senior Production Planner. He loves his job and works very hard at it. The production line he is over is run in Bangkok, Thailand so he has been able to travel there a handful of times and I have been able to go with him once which was an amazing and exotic trip to take together.
Kris
I have played the violin since I was 8 and knew that's what I wanted to do "when I grew up." I graduated from BYU in 1997 with a Bachelor of Music having an emphasis in secondary education. I have taught private violin lessons on and off for the entire length of our marriage. I've also had the chance to teach a string class at a charter school here locally. I enjoyed that but the one on one connection with my students is really what I love. I've had the chance to play in 1 professional symphony and many other local and community groups. I've put that kind of commitment on hold for now as I raise my kids. I'm grateful that I am still able to teach out of my home and do what I love but still be here for my kids.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Our Story
This could be a long one but I'll try to give you the abridged version.
Robb and I married in December 1996 in the Salt Lake Temple after meeting in our mission in the Canary Islands (Spain).
I graduated from BYU in 1997 and we moved to Logan, UT where Robb finished his degree. While we were at Utah State, we decided it was time to start our family. After one unsuccessful year, we were just about to start fertility medications when I was rushed to the ER with severe pain on my right side. I thought I had appendicitis. This is when the doctors determined I had endometriosis. Endometriosis doesn't always mean the end of the road but it has proved to be a major roadblock for us.
Three years later and after surgery, myriads of other tests, and fertility medications, we felt strongly that we should look into adoption. Nine months to the day after we called for information at LDS Family Services, our first son, Zackary, was born in San Diego, CA on September 20, 2001.
Three years later and after surgery, myriads of other tests, and fertility medications, we felt strongly that we should look into adoption. Nine months to the day after we called for information at LDS Family Services, our first son, Zackary, was born in San Diego, CA on September 20, 2001.
We were placed with him at midnight and on the way back to my sister-in-law's we ran out of gas on I-5 and we didn't even care! We had our baby! What an amazing change to our lives that was.
When Zack was 14 months old, we decided to start the process again because we feared it would take longer the 2nd time. Well, about 9 months later we were placed with our second son, Bryce. He was born in St. George, UT on the 4th of July, 2003.
When Zack was 14 months old, we decided to start the process again because we feared it would take longer the 2nd time. Well, about 9 months later we were placed with our second son, Bryce. He was born in St. George, UT on the 4th of July, 2003.
And did Zack love his new baby brother!
So we had two boys that were about 22 months apart, not exactly what we planned, but we took it and loved it. They are now such good friends (and cohorts in crime).
Sometimes adoption can be scary and people have bad experiences but both our relationships and experiences with our birthmoms were amazing. They were both very different as were both placements but we are and continue to be blown away by the strength they had to put aside their own desires for the benefit and well being of their babies. They are both unbelievable examples to us.
After about 3 years, we decided we would try some fertility treatments again. I took my first step into a fertility clinic and, I have to admit, it just never felt quite right. We went through 2 rounds of artificial insemination and I was DONE. All I felt when leaving that place was anxiety and I just new it wasn't right. In the next few months, both Robb and I had a few experiences that both led us back to adopting again. We prayed about it separately and the night we prayed about it together was so powerful. There was no doubt in our minds this is what Heavenly Father wanted for our family. Our boys were so excited when we told them we were going to adopt again. They can't wait to give loves to their new baby brother or sister.
So here we are, paperwork done for the third time, and waiting on our next little tyke. We are so grateful for the family God has created for us through adoption. I'm so grateful that Robb and I were able to find each other and that we are both so passionate about building our family this way. We feel the Lord has blessed our lives immensely and feel honored to give these little babies an eternal family to be with forever.
Here We Go Again
I decided to start a blog dedicated to our third adoption. It will be more of a journal as we wait and anticipate and also another resource for birthparents to access us and to learn a little more about us.
I was talking with a friend the other day about a 20/20 episode I just watched about a birthmom and her process of interviewing 5 adoptive couples and how she chose one. I felt like I was going through our 1st and 2nd adoptions again and was reminded of the intense emotions you feel, the fervent prayers that take over your life, and the desire to just know what to say and know what is going to happen. Infertility is a struggle but so is the adoption process...just a different kind. Now that we are to the waiting stage again, all these emotions are flooding back. You wish there was some way to bypass all of it to just get your baby but it is impossible to discount all a birthmom goes through and the spiritual experiences that happen in between. Bittersweet is such an understatement.
I was talking with a friend the other day about a 20/20 episode I just watched about a birthmom and her process of interviewing 5 adoptive couples and how she chose one. I felt like I was going through our 1st and 2nd adoptions again and was reminded of the intense emotions you feel, the fervent prayers that take over your life, and the desire to just know what to say and know what is going to happen. Infertility is a struggle but so is the adoption process...just a different kind. Now that we are to the waiting stage again, all these emotions are flooding back. You wish there was some way to bypass all of it to just get your baby but it is impossible to discount all a birthmom goes through and the spiritual experiences that happen in between. Bittersweet is such an understatement.
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