Gage's Story Part 1

I love my boy's adoption story's they are both nothing short of miracles. As many of you know it is not a simple process to adopt a child nor do I think it should be. It is tons of paperwork and interviews and then once you get past that you need to set up a profile and if you really want to be "marketable" a blog. At times it seems so overwhelming trying to "sell yourselves" but we always knew that we were not looking for any baby but we were looking for the children that were meant to be in our home. We got officially approved to adopt again in July 2011. Once you get approved the agency encourages you to tell everyone you know your hopes to adopt and then the waiting game starts. I would check our email about 6 times a day the first few months hoping that a potential birth family was interested in us. Months went by with nothing. And then on February 25, 2012 day came! The Email: We had been emailing back and forth with a potential birth mother for a few weeks but our gut was not telling us that she was the one but you never know so we were still talking with her. So I went to check my email to see if she had emailed us and instead a saw a new contact. I opened it up and read the email. It was one line asking us one simple question. I got up off my chair and ran into the bedroom where Justin was. I told him about the email and we had that calm feeling come over us. We emailed back and forth a few times and each time was very short and very simple. Then a few days later our social worker called us and told us that they wanted to meet us! Of course we were so excited and nervous. You see the adoption world is a lot like the dating world. When you are meeting with a birth family for the first time it is kinda like your first blind date. So being a girl what do you do when you go on a blind date buy a new outfit and get your hair done. So that is just what I did I stressed about what to how to do my hair and what gifts I should bring them. Because those things are all so important right? Okay a little ridiculous I know but when you feel you have no control those little thing help. The whole time I was freaking out about our first meeting Justin stayed calm and kept telling me that they were the one's. This made me even more nervous because he said the same about Jackson's birth family and he seemed so confident that I didn't want to get my hopes up and go through another failed adoption. The Meeting: So the day came to meet A and N. We thought it would be best not to take Jackson with us so we could really sit down and get to know them. We met at their agency with our social. I was so nervous but at least this time I did not puke my guts out right before. When we walked and we saw A and N we fell in love with them right away. I can't even remember everything we talked about but the thing that stood out to me the most was every time A and I looked and each other it just felt familiar to me. We stayed about an hour and then we left saying we would keep in contact and maybe go out to dinner. So we did just that. This time we brought Jackson so they could meet him. We thought it was just another interview and had no idea that they were going to give us this.

They knew we were U of U fans and they made these for us. The card explained that it was not an easy decision but they wanted us to be their son's parents. We were so excited and shocked I could not believe it. When we were done with dinner and got in the car a could not stop doing the happy dance and Justin kept saying I told you it was them I am always right. He thinks he is always right on this one I was so glad he was.

We are now a family of 4!

Our newest little miracle Gage, was born on May 10, 2012. We are thrilled to have another little boy in the family. Jackson has loved every minute of being a big brother. We can't believe how blessed we have been through the miracle of adoption. My boys adoptions have been both so different yet so much the same. We feel so lucky to have two beautiful boys with the two most amazing birth families. We can't imagine life without them.

Disneyland

Back in October we decided to take a last minute Disneyland trip. Justin has been looking for a new job for about a year now. He was offered one in October so we decided before we did not have a lot of vacation time we should take advantage and run to California. We are so glad we did.
We decided to drive, but we were a little worried to be in a car for 10 hours with how active Jack is. We drove for 7 hours then decided to get out at an outlet mall. Once we got there Jackson went nuts! He could not stop running and literally diving into clothes. The only thing that stopped him is he finally missed the clothes and took a nose dive. After that we thought that maybe we went a little too long.
When we got to the hotel we were so excited we could hardly stand it. Jack on the other hand kept on sniffing and saying "it stinks bye bye home." The kid has such a strong sense of smell. He often lets people know that their home stinks, or if a woman nearby has perfume on he makes sure to let everyone know that it stinks. Sometimes being to mom of a toddler can be embarrassing.
The next morning we went to Disneyland and it was so magical. Justin and I love Disney but to take our son with us this time was a million times better. The first ride we took him on was the Matterhorn. This is when having a really tall two year old helps. Jackson is a little thrill seeker so of course he loved it! By the end of the day I was exhausted but Jack and Justin we still running strong. We spent two more days in Disneyland and the third day Justin's parents met us there. Jackson was is heaven showing them all the new things he had been doing.
We wanted to wait until Jackson was a little older but we could not help ourselves. I am so glad we went. The memories from the trip will be ones I cherish forever!

What Gives Me Joy!

We finally got a new computer that will actually let me download pictures! We have been busy this fall with the fair, pumpkin patches, Halloween, and a quick trip to Disneyland. I will get all of those posted soon.
Lately I have been feeling very grateful I guess it is with Thanksgiving coming up. Two weeks ago at church we had a lesson in Relief Society where we all got up and shared one thing that gave us joy. It had a big impact on me. I think so many times it can be so easy to look at the the things we want in our life, and not the things that we have. Here are just a few things that give me joy.

- I love when we ask Jackson what his name is he will say, "I don't know." But if he looks at a picture of himself he will say, "Jack."

- My Dad has always called Jackson J.J. and recently Justin's dad has been calling him J.J. too. Last night we were all in the kitchen and Jackson said "J.J. Pa" (he calls his Grandpa's Pa.) So Justin asked him if he likes J.J. or Jackson better and there was no question. Jackson belted out J.J. so all night he walked around the house saying J.J. I love how much he adores his grandparents it is one of my greatest joys.

- Getting phone calls from my sister just to chat.

- When Justin gets home from work, walks in the door, and gives us both a big hug and kiss.

- How Jack always reminds us to say prayers no matter where we are.

- Our bedtime routine with Jackson. We brush teeth say prayers and then he give both of us a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, and he milks it so he doesn't have to go to bed yet. We milk it a little ourselves, you can never get enough hugs from your kids.

- I love date night. We don't do it often enough but I love spending as much time as I can with my hubby.

- I love to sit down and read blogs. Home decor blogs, food blogs, photography blogs, craft blogs you name it. Time wasting on the computer does give me joy.

- I have so many good friends that give me support, love, and joy.

- Sunday's. We go to church then either hang out at home all day as a family or go visit grandma and grandpa.

- I love a clean house. I am not a very organized person but when my house is clean I love it!

- Good food. I love to cook and have Jackson "help" me. If I could be in the kitchen baking and cooking all day I would.

- Jackson is waking up and yelling mama so I better go. Hearing that little man yell mama is one of my greatest joys. There were a few years that we weren't sure we would ever hear those words. Man I am one lucky mommy.

Jackson's 2nd Birthday Party!

I can't believe my baby is 2! He had such a great time running around with his cousins and friends. Thanks so much to everyone that came we seriously have the best family and friends.

Lazy days of summer, more like crazy days of summer!

This picture sums up our summer! We have been running non stop. Between all the camping trips, firework shows, BBQ's, and getting approved to adopt baby number two(which we should finally be officially approved in a few weeks) I feel a little like Jackson myself. So tired I can't even get my eyes closed before I fall asleep and forget about washing my face first. We still have fair season which my parents are very involved in and Jackson's 2nd birthday party coming up, I am also trying to complete an adoption blog in the next two weeks. Which means I should stop blogging and go do something productive.

Photo bomb of our crazy summer!

Poor little guy is allergic to everything. Thank goodness for children's Allegra!

Dancing to his own beat!