Adoption. It's about Love

Man!!!! I have really been stinking at the whole blog about adoption once a week challenge. I missed last week because 1: I was traveling, and 2: adoption is a challenge for me to talk about in this setting. So to make up for last week I will try to make two posts in one.

About a week and a half ago I did another scary thing in relation to adoption. I spoke to the child welfare class at BYU-Idaho about my story. I have shared my story with people before and I am pretty open about it with those who know. But this time I was scared to death. There's something about talking to a bunch of Mormon kids that really gets ya. So, I put on my best dress, wore my cutest heels, used a little extra deodorant, went in there and did my thing. I talked about LDS Family Services and the training they have given me as I have worked with potential birth-mothers to understand all of their options. I shared my testimony of adoption and the beauty it can bring to everyone involved in hopes it would change the closed minded perspectives I often run into about adoption. I feel that social work students are generally more open minded but I am often surprised with the point of view many have in regards to this topic. I still don't know if what I shared was effective or even useful, but hopefully they will remember my thoughts and stories as they work with unwed mothers and are able to make a difference some how in their lives.

Now, for the second post:

I was trying to think of something really good to write and all of a sudden I thought of my good friend Alicia and her beautiful family.


I have known Alicia for about....13 years. She was the Cool, Beautiful, fun Laurel when I was the brand new awkward Beehive. She was so good at making me feel valued and important even though I was much younger. She and her husband Shawn were high school sweethearts (I remember her talking about him in young womens church group) and really they are the cutest couple. They have two beautiful little boys and are so excited to bring a beautiful little girl into their home through the miracle of adoption. Adoption often happens through word of mouth so just keep them in mind as you go through out your day. And when the topic comes up, here is the link to their adoption profile: Shawn and Alicia for you to share and pass along.

(I stole some pictures from their adoption profile. I hope you don't mind Alicia)

Seriously Alicia is one of the MOST creative people I have met on this planet. I am always in awe at her ability to make everything around her look so great! She really has an eye for beauty! She is a strong woman who I still look up to just like I did as a little 12 year old beehive. Her testimony of the gospel always inspires me and makes me want to strive to be closer to the spirit and do good always. I do not know much about Shawn other then "he is the best guy on the planet." (that's what she'd say and how she acted about him when she'd talk about him in young women's) He sure is a hard worker and does great at supporting their wonderful little family.

Their adorable boys!

Please go check out their profile and learn more about them. I wish I could send you all copies of their pass along card above for you to give out and spread the word. Most of you who read this blog are LDS and should be very familiar with the concept of pass along cards. They are a wonderful wonderful family and I would love to see them welcome a new little baby into their home.

One more thing on Shawn and Alicia

Okay I just got on facebook and realized that my friends Shawn and Alicia have an adoption page on facebook. So not only should you go visit their adoption profile but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go like their page on facebook. You may not think that would be a big deal but every little bit helps right!?

Here's the link: Shawn and Alicia


It really does help! Watch this video about how a couple adopted through Facebook. http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Family_Adopts_Child_Via_Facebook_Washington_DC.html

I only wish that more people read my blog so that I could reach more people. For all my blogging readers out there I would love it if you did a post on Alicia and Shawn to help them reach more people and find their birth-mother and sweet baby!

Oh Baby! Oh baby!

Here are the latest of my beautiful pregnant sister and my little nephew! Have I mentioned that I can not wait for him to get here?!? Well I can't!! She is looking more and more pregnant every time I see her! I am so excited for little Smudge (that's his nick name right now because a smudge is a little Mark.....get it?) to come because I want to see if he gets his good looks from me! Just kidding! But really......

Love you Liz!!! You are one good looking prego!

Can you cook a frozen turkey?

The older I get the more I realize some things don't change. You always, have bills to pay. There's always laundry to do. And you always act the way you did when you were 5 around your siblings. We all grow up and change in different ways but I have found I ALWAYS revert to the same old role I had growing up.

This week I played that part again when I got together with a few of my siblings for Thanksgiving. Let me introduce the roles we play when we are around each other to you.....


This is Elizabeth. She is the oldest and the most responsible. She seems to always know what the right thing to do is and she does it. As the oldest it is understandable that she is a bit motherly. (not to mention she is obviously in the motherly way) She is patient but sometimes forgets that fact when the next character comes into play.

This is Deborah. She is the second child and a pretty bossy one at that. She doesn't take much seriously and is a bit of an attention hog. She is full of rambunctious energy that can get the party started. She struggles censoring her remarks and often just says exactly what is on her mind. Oh......and heaven help you if you cross her.

This is Eldon. What a guy he is! He is the go to man taking every order that Deborah throws at him. (Eldon, put your shoes on before you walk in the snow. Eldon, use a plate. Eldon, please come turn off the light for me. Eldon, don't do this. Eldon, don't do that. Eldon, wear a coat!) HE is paaaaatient. This man fixes everything and is always looking for ways he can help. He is pretty inventive in how he does things and is always trying to stream line everything he does to either save time or work. He likes to joke around and is one REALLY smart dude! (I sure do love him. I tease and boss him a lot but I'd also defend him to the death if any one messed with him)

And then there is this guy. He joined our sibling squad a little late in the game so I can't tell you how he acted when he was five. But I can tell you how he acted 5 years ago when he joined rank. This is Mark. He is the brother in law but we just call him brother. He is a very smart analytical thinker and enjoys explaining how things work and likes a little spotlight himself. He can be a sarcastic dude who likes to tease ya here and there. He has a way he likes to do just about everything and likes for you to do it that way to. He is lots of fun and very handy to have around.

Now that you've met everyone hopefully you can picture us all in a room. Liz, explaining to me how to make candied yams....I'm giggling as I drop green beans into the uncooked pumpkin pie and tell Eldon not to pick off the veggie tray....Eldon decides to try to catch olives in his mouth as he wipes up spilt something by skating across the floor with towels on his feet.....and Mark is....well he was in the other room watching TV mostly.

We cooked all day and ended up eating pretty late. But for the most part all of Liz's experimental recipes were great and the frozen turkey made it out of the oven very moist. We had a great thanksgiving and I sure am glad I was able to spend it with the people who bring out the worst in me! (just kidding! I love you guys!) Here are some pics....

Okay, these candied yams...or sweet potatoes (apparently they are the same thing) took me all stinking day to do. You have to boil them peel them, slice them, make the stuff that goes on top.....to much work if you ask me.

Eldon making a floral center piece to get extra credit in his class.

Our beautiful Center piece! Good Job Eld.

What a good brother! When you grow up in the middle of 4 girls you can't escape getting your hair done or your toe nails painted. He humored me when I wanted to see if I could straighten out the waves he'd been complaining about.

Our awesome turkey! Thanks Liz!

The sibs

Oh look! The married people.

Our beautiful table Liz created

The food we slaved over ALLLL day minus the turkey. Boy was it yummy

The first snow of the season

A few weeks ago Rexburg Idaho had it's first snow of the season. Let's be honest, this desert grown girl is NOT a fan of the cold. I would so much rather play in the sun then the snow. However, I do appreciate the snow for about a day. Lorelai Gilmore always takes a walk in the first snow of the season because she says the snow is romantic. I couldn't agree with her more. I do think the snow is romantic and that is why Devri and I went for a long walk to appreciate it. Here is proof that I did appreciate the snow for at least one day!

Best Roommate ever!

We had to take a taste of the fresh snow

Dev showing the fact that she can do WAY more push up then me!

Organic Snow cones! (Way better for your body and way better for the environment)

Beautiful Rexburg in the snow

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

I love Christmas! I love the sounds, the smells, and I even love the cold! (please note as soon as Christmas is over I am ready for the cold to be over too!) In our house we always had to wait until the day after thanksgiving to put up our Christmas tree and decorate the house. My roommates have found that tradition to be the same in their houses as well.

This year I have just been dying for Christmas to come! I can't wait! So last Saturday we had our own little roommate thanksgiving feast since every one will be out of town starting this weekend....aaaand then today we put up our Christmas tree!

I bought this tree for twenty dollars last semester and I just LOVE it. It's a bit of a charlie brown Christmas tree but it works for a charlie brown college apartment.

Devri and Kaiti were in charge of the "fluffing"


And we all hung the ornaments.

And the finished product! (well at least until Kaiti brings back more ornaments from home)
Merry Christmas!!!!!
I am sure I am not the only one who is stoked 2010 is almost over!

Adoption

Some times I read The R House Blog. November is adoption awareness month and it's author has issued a challenge to celebrate by blogging about adoption everyday. When I read her challenge I knew there was no way I could blog everyday, but I decided I could blog at least once a week. I don't know if it is the lack of sleep or what but I am finding myself a bit emotional tonight. I have never spoken about adoption before on my blog and honestly I am at a loss as to what to say. It may be because this is something that is so close to my heart that I don't share my feelings about it very often if at all. The thought of talking about it on cyber space is a bit paralyzing. But I made the goal to take the challenge and so here it goes.....

I feel like I should write something quick and uplifting about adoption and then my goal is done for the week! With regards to the topic....This year has been a hard one for me. HA How is that up lifting? I am getting there. Yesterday as I was cleaning the kitchen, I couldn't help but think about how different my life could have been. I am usually pretty strong when it comes to this but sometimes.....you just can't help the what ifs. After my minute vacation on the other side of the fence I began to think of all of the joy in my life because a choice was made for adoption to be a familiar thing.

I feel very strongly that adoption blesses the lives of all parties involved.
For those who for whatever reason are hoping for children, adoption blesses them with the gift of parenthood. People often say that no other joy exceeds that of being a parent. Adoption gives that joy to couples who are not able to experience it otherwise.

For the birth parents who choose to place for adoption it gives them opportunities to provide their child with a home they always imagined for them. Although adoption is made with the welfare of the baby in mind it often allows the birth parents with opportunities to grow and develop in wonderful ways.

But most importantly adoption is a blessing for the child. In most cases the child is loved and adored by both a mother and a father in a stable home. That sweet child is often given every opportunity the adoptive couple can afford. That little baby not only has one family who thinks about them and prays for them, but they have two families who do that.

I wish I could express the joy that can come through adoption but I lack the words.

My heart is full when I think of how it has touched my life and the lives of those I love so dearly. I feel like in this society adoption is thought of as the easy way out and is very under appreciated. However adoption is probably one of the greatest tender mercies the Lord can provide. It requires a great amount of selfless love that in my opinion makes adoption a difficult choice but a huge miracle to the lives of so many people.

Adoption is an incredible gift and I truly am grateful for it's blessings in my life. It enriches my life daily and continues to refine and bless me.