November is National Adoption Month! Happy Month! So to kick things off, I thought I would write our story. Our journey to and thru adoption. Here goes...
At the age of 7 I was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes (aka Type 1). It was an uphill battle for my parents and I as we learned how to manage the disease. For a seven year old it was hard to understand. By the time I was eight I was controlling it by myself. At the age of 15 I was told by a doctor that children would never be in my future. It was years later that I found out she told me that as a scare tactic. She told me that so that I would take better care of myself. It was around that point where I stopped controlling my diabetes. Why control it, if I can't have what I always wanted? The years went on and I realized I could be a mother thru adoption. My life plan changed. I graduated high school went off to college. I finished 3 semesters of college and had the feeling to move home. I followed that feeling and I am so glad I did. I moved home, and who did I meet? You guessed it! I met Rocky! Rocky took his time asking my out, but as soon as he did, we have been together ever since. When things were getting serious, and we were talking of marriage and family, I told Rocky that children may not be in our future, and if he wanted to break up with me I would understand. (I still believed that doctor!) He looked at me eyes to eyes, and said, "We'll have kids." I knew at that moment that we would be together forever, and that we would have a family! It was one of the best moments of my life! Rocky and I were married 9 months after we met, and were pregnant 9 months after that. Our sweet boy came into our lives. It was a long labor, but he didn't want to come out. I had a c-section. Life was good. Rocky was in school, and we were so happy to be parents. We thought then about having several children. We tried again, and three years after our boy was born, our little girl was born. The pregnancy with her was quite a bit different. I was so tired, and I hurt all of the time. With an ultrasound they found I had a soft ball size cyst growing on my ovary. Not only was my body trying to nourish the baby, but it was also trying to nourish this thing! The doctors were contemplating surgery. I feared this. After many prayers from family, and a priesthood blessing from Rocky, the cyst was gone! Completely! What a miracle! It didn't end there though. My baby kept growing and growing. Being diabetic, I naturally have bigger babies. Well she got so big that things started pulling away from where they were supposed to be. I had placenta previa, and the scar tissue from my first c-section would rip and tear. She got so big she was ready to come out. Contractions started, but way too early. I was on bed rest for almost 4 months. 3 weeks before her due date Rocky noticed how tight my belly was. I couldn't feel the contractions because I was hurting so bad just being pregnant. We went to the hospital, and they prepped me for another c- section. When the doctor cut me open he said, "I don't know what is what in here. Is that your badder?" Come to find out I didn't heal well from the first surgery, and then to have another giant baby in there stretching things out made all my innards change shape. Ha! At the time it wasn't funny. The doctor asked if I wanted my tubes tied after he pulled my baby out. I couldn't make that decision. My daughter wasn't breathing. I just wanted to be sewn up, and go and hold her. So that is what we did. Days later the doctor came in and basically said we shouldn't have any more children. He said if I did the ripping and tearing could cause internal bleeding, and would kill me or the baby or both. Both Rocky and I knew this would be our last pregnancy, but we prayed anyway. We both felt it was our last pregnancy, but it was not our last child. Thus our journey to adoption started. We started paperwork when our daughter wasn't even walking. Then with a job change we stopped until we were settled in a new job, and in a home. We started up again and were approved to adopt in December of 2007. We have been waiting ever since. We have met several birth mothers, and have had several calls, emails, and opportunities. We have said yes to all of them. Our Father in Heaven has a different plan for us though. Some days this is hard to understand. Both Rocky and I have had spiritual experiences concerning adoption. We know our children are out there. I love adoption. I love the amazing friends and family we have met thru this process. I love and appreciate all the prayers on our behalf. Yes, the wait has been long, but we could not have done it with out you! Thank you for loving, and praying for us! Our day will come. Be an advocate for adoption this month. Spread the word on how families can be together forever! Tell friends about couples you know who are hoping to adopt. Most adoptions are happening because of word of mouth. (A friend of a friend knows someone who is placing.... great I know a family who is hoping.)
This is our story. Any questions?
Look at these beauties! (Children included) We took a chance this year and threw in some sunflower seeds along our fence line. We planted 15, 4 came up. I am so thankful that only four came up. They grew over 8 feet tall, and produced thousands of seeds. We had never harvested sunflower seeds before, so we were all looking forward to it. We had to saw off the flower heads, then scrape the seeds out, soak them, roast them.... and we are still eating them. The next part was fun. We took turns karate chopping the stalks down. Unfortunately, the stalks were stronger than we were! HA! We ending up sawing them down as well, and then pulling out the roots. It was a nice way to wind down the summer. 
Here she is. My Pinkie. This was her first day of school. She is so excited to finally be going. When we pulled up to school, she said she wanted to walk up by herself, then as she saw all the kids, she asked if I would walk her up. With a big hug, and a wave good bye she was off. As I drove away for the school, the tears started falling. I can't believe my baby is in school. She has been by my side since she was born. When did she grow up???? She is loving it, and does not stop telling me what she has been learning. She was student of the week last week. I love you Pinkie! Keep up the great work!
Here is my bud. This was his first day of school this year. When we pulled up to the school he said, "Uh, Mom? Will you walk me in?" Of course my heart leaped with joy, but I agreed. So we walked him to his class, he went right in without a hug or a goodbye. I guess as a mother I will take what I can get. Needless to say there is always a big hug when he returns from school. I can't believe how quickly my boy is growing. He is so smart, and so kind. Oh Bud, I love you! I am very proud of you!
Here it is! After a long week in Utah, I rolled my suitcase into our room, gasped, and burst into tears. My darling husband of nine years made me this bed. Yes, he made it! Isn't it wonderful? I had no idea he was doing this. It was the best surprise ever!!!!! All week long he told me he was helping our friend build a shed. I had no reason not to believe him. I guess it is okay to lie when gifts are involved. HA!
