August Fun! Anniversary Trip and Adoption excitement.

Baby Count Down Chain

We are so excited for Aleana to come that we made a paper count down chain,  I think we are down to 32 days until Aleana arrives!

 Taking down the links, look the chain is getting shorter!

  Our 6th Anniversary Trip

 We took an Anniversary Vacation down to Price were Curt and I met, dated and lived for the first year of our marriage.  We have been married for 6 wonderful year!

Here is some pictures of the park we helped build and helped recruit volunteers to help build.

This is the student center at the College we used to call CEU, but is now USU Eastern.


This is the room where Curt and I officially met at Club rush the first week of school

walking into the student center

 Our service group were we did service together and got to know each other better  

Mr. Wildman one of CEU'S Mascots

 My old dorms, were I lived when I first went to school while Curt and I were dating. 

 we had a fun trip it was a nice walk down memory lane, to be reminded about how we got started.

My First baby shower

My Friends Damaris and Heather Holmes put on this shower for my friends and family in Logan.  It was so much fun to see  friends and family.  Thank you Damaris and Heather!

 My good friend Nicole who just adopted his cute baby boy

 I am excited to use this, it is a Cook Book for toddlers and babies along with a food processor.

I got a lot of cute clothes, blankets and other stuff, thanks everyone!

Here are a few more entries from my journal.

Monday August 6^th 2012

         I had a neat experience today. Curt and I took Jesica to our first doctor’s appointment with her.   It was a little awkward  when we first picked her up because it was the first time we had seen her since we met her at the Face to Face with Charity and Sara.  We had each talked to her on the phone a couple of times but not for very long.  The most recent conversation was about seeing if we wanted to see an ultrasound and seeing if we wanted to set up an appointment to go to a place called fetal photos in Ogden.  We were both excited about the idea of possibly seeing an actual ultrasound, rather than just the pictures if the previous one.  

         Once we got on the way Jesica pretty much talked the whole way, telling us about the problems they have been having with their dog eating the carpet and having to lay new carpet.  Letting us know about the challenges of the pregnancy, of how the baby moved a lot and how it felt like she was scratching her uterus with her finger nails.  She also told us about her horrible heart burn not letting her sleep and not letting her eat anything except shredded wheat. 

         When we got to the doctor’s office Jesica checked in and then we just waited until it was our turn. While we were waiting Jescia showed us cute pictures of her little girl Brooke and told us about how she had gotten sick and had a seizure that caused her and Jeremy to take Brooke to the hospital. I know that she loves her daughter and regrets leaving her.  I can tell she also love the baby she is carrying but knows that she has made the right decision to place her for adoption.

          When we got into the room Jesica climbed up onto the table carrying her little briefcase organizer thing, she said that she feels important carrying it and that she brings it so she can write things down and put things on the calendar.  She seems to be pretty organized and on top of things.  The doctor came in and started the checkup by asking her how she feels.  She told him about the heart burn and he gave her a prescription that would help, and I hope that it does. She also mentioned that she has sharp pains that she thinks are contractions and they are worse when she is up doing things.  He told her to rest.  I would not mind if the baby came a little early but not to early that it will endanger her life.

         During the checkup the doctor asked who we were and she said that we were the adoptive couple and that we were adopting the baby.  He was excited for us and asked us about our process.  I think Jescia may have felt a little uncomfortable with this. 

         Later Jesica asked about setting up another ultrasound and he said that they only do that if they find out it is medically necessary.  However when he went to measure her stomach he found it was measuring big and it was cause for an ultrasound, we are coming back tomorrow for an ultra sound! 

        Then the doctor took the heartbeat of the baby, at first I did not know what it was but then I realized it was our baby girl’s heartbeat.  It was so cool to hear it and I knew for sure that there was a baby in Jesica and that little baby was going to be ours!!

         After the appointment Jesica had to talk to the finical aid rep.  While we were waiting we got on the topic of what the baby looked like.  Jesica said that the baby had her nose but a little more turned up and pig like, like the birthfather Mike.  That was the first I had heard her talk about the birthfather so I asked a few more questions.  She told us that people told him he looked like the guy Fred from “Drop Dead Fred”; I will have to find a picture.  She said that he was about 6’1” and very white with reddish brown hair.   Now I know a little about the birthfather, I hope I can get little more info as time goes on.  

          

         While we were waiting for Curt to get the car Jesica and I stopped to look at baby clothes outside the gift shop.  She was all excited about some of the clothes she saw.  Then she looked at me and said “Now you get to do this too”.  It made me excited and gave me hope that everything was going to go through because she was referring to me being excited and shopping for clothes for the sweet baby girl she is going to give birth to.

         On the way home she told us that she has been so board that her and Jeremy went out and bought a goat and that it is living out back at Jeremy’s mom’s house.  She said that her little girl Brooke loves the goat and gives it kisses.  She is excited about getting free goat milk and told Jeremy’s mom that it will be a great lawn mower.   I think it is fun to hear all these cute stories about Jesica that I can hopefully share with Aleana someday.       

Tuesday August 7^th 2012

         Today was the day I first saw my baby girl!!  Well at least the closest thing to seeing her until she is born.  We got to see the ultrasound! It was one of the coolest things ever.

         I picked up Jesica about 10:00.  As we drove I asked her about the heart burn medicine to see if it worked.  She said that it worked better then she thought it would and that she got to eat a big bowl of menudo.  Which I think would be gross, but she was excited about it. I asked her if she saw her goat and she said that she was not planning on it but that Jeremy's mom called while they were picking up the medicine and said that there was a three point buck in the back yard with the goat.  She said they headed over but that the buck was gone by the time they got there, however Jeremy’s mom got pictures of it.

         I called Curt when we got to the hospital and he came to meet us.  While we were waiting Jesica was saying that she could tell the baby was upside down with her feet at her ribs.  We could see Aleana’s little hand pushing against Jesica’s stomach.  We also could tell Aleana had the hiccups. It was funny to see Jesica’s stomach giggle.

        Curt got there and Jesica was surprised how fast he got there.  We explained that Curt just worked up stairs in the business office.  She said “Oh good, so if I go into unexpected labor someone will be there fast”.  I am guessing she wasn’t us there for the delivery!  We will have to wait and see for sure when we have the hospital meeting in a few weeks.

        We were called back and took to a room by a nice young man who was going to do the ultra sound.  He said that he was a student and would be doing part of the ultra sound and observing.  He also said since he was learning and that he would take a longer look at the baby.  A few minutes later a nice young women came in to assist.  They were really nice, funny and made us feel very comfortable.  They asked Jesica who we were and she introduced us as the parents of her little baby.  It is reassuring to have her call us that.  They asked us what the babies name was going to be, Curt wanted me to tell them but for some reason I was really nervous to say the name in front of Jesica, so I made Curt tell the name.  Lucky everyone liked the name even Jesica.

        I thought it was really amazing when we actually got to see Aleana’s heart beating.   It is amazing to see how well her body works even when so small.  Aleana was upside down with her feet up near Jesica’s chest, so it was a little difficult for the ultra sound tech to get good pictures.  It was funny when they would find something like a hand or a foot the lady would say isn’t that cute, so there was a joke going back and forth between the guy and the girl about saying cute.  It was really funny when they lady was trying to get the 3D pictures of Aleana’s face the guy kept saying oh that is just so cute.

It was neat to see the brain, organs and the body parts, but I loved being able to see Aleana’s face and get a picture of what she will look like.  Jesica was cute and kind of emotional when seeing the pictures because she realized how much Aleana looks like her two year old Brooke. She kept saying “She looks so much like my like girl”, “She has Brooke’s noes.”  I hope she is doing Ok, and going to be able to handle all of this.

It was also cool to see that Aleana was going to be born with hair. While the lady was trying to get a good view of Aleana’s face she pointed at white fuzzy patch on her head and told us that it was hair.  The lady said “mom better get those hair bows ready.”   I just smiled to myself.  We received a CD of the pictures so here is a couple of picture. 

        On the way home Jescia and I were talking about how cute she was and that she was going to send pictures to Mike to show that she has his nose.  We also talked about Aleana’s hair and how cool it was that you could tell she had hair.  Then Jesica turned to me and said “Your baby is going to have hair.”  That just made my heart flutter hearing her refer to the baby she is carrying as mine.

       I dropped her off and she said that she would be calling before the next appointment on the 20th to make sure we were going to take her.  I reassured her we would, I think she is still a little nervous about everything and wants to make sure it is all going well.  I am too, so we just need to keep in contact and help each other through the process, Heavenly Father will also be with us through it all

                                                 Tuesday August 20^th 2012

Today we had another doctor’s appointment with Jesica.  I picked her up and as we were driving she told me a little more about her daughter Brooke and her seizures.   She said it was a natural thing when a baby gets a really high fever to protect the baby.  Jescia said that she had it until she was two and that her first daughter had problems with seizures as well.  I know it is possible for any child to have seizures but with the history I will watch Aleana close.  Jesica also said that Brooke’s favorite color was purple and that is her new favorite word. She really loves her little girl. 

            When I first walked into the doctor’s office I saw my friend Liz who I recently found out was pregnant.  I had not seen her since her wedding and talked to her on the phone once.  It was fun to see her and catch up a little.  We saw her a couple more times around the doctor’s office and got to meet her husband again.

Jesica’s appointment went well we found out that the Aleana is growing healthy and is in the 42^nd percentile.  She is going to be a little on the small side, but I am ok with that and I am sure that will be fine for Jesica.  It was cool to be able to hear the heart beat again.  We already love her so much and can’t wait for her to be here.  

We took Jescia to get a cupcake at Temptation Cupcakes.  We were waiting at the light and Jesica asked if we had been there before.  We said no and then Curt asked if we wanted to go. We were able to get a purple one for Brooke.  I am sure she loved it!  It was fun to do something with Jesica besides just going to the doctors.  We found out that Jesica’s favorite Holiday is Halloween, she is so excited for the parties and the costumes.  We also found out Jesica loves Dr. Pepper and Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups.

We also went to the temple to do sealing’s, it was nice to be surrounded by the spirit and be reminded of the sealing power.  We are excited to bring Aleana to the temple to be sealed to us.  After the session we took the elevator down to change and go get dinner, but the elevator came to a screeching stop and the doors slowly opened on to the second floor.  We took the stairs down.  While we were changing we both had the feeling that maybe the spirit was telling us that we should go to the celestial room, well I guess there could not have been a more obvious prompting.  

After dinner we took a little walk and enjoyed some quiet time on the bench out on the hill of the temple.  I love the temple and I am so glad I can have my family sealed together in those holy walls.   

Tuesday August 28^th 2012

We had another doctor’s appointment with Jesica.  I picked up Jesica and took her up to the hospital.  Jesica thought that the doctor was going to be checking her dilation so I just waited in the waiting room.   Curt came down so that he could ride home with us.  Jesica came out and said that everything was going well and they were going to check to see how the baby was coming out next week.   We got in the car to take her home and when we got to her apartment Jesica could not find her key anywhere.  She called Jeremy to see when he was going to be home and he gave her a hard time about losing the key.  She joked with him about her fish being alive and that he had to give away his goat.  We drove back to the hospital and she could not find them in there.  We decided to head into Hastings to kill some time, as I went to climb out of the car I saw something shiny on the floor and I reached down and saw that it was her key.  Jesica was so excited because now Jeremy did not have bullets to tease her with.  We decided to walk around the store for a few minutes.  We are glad that we found her key.   We are grateful for Jesica and our relationship we have with her.

Friday September 7, 2012

On Tuesday we had our Pre Hospital meeting with Jesica and the caseworkers.  We found out that she wants us to come up to the hospital right after she is admitted and wants us to be there the whole time so that we can have the baby in our room with us. She may even want us in the delivery room and I might get to cut the umbilical cord.  She wants us to get pictures and even have our parents come to see the baby in the hospital.  Then we are going to do placement the morning she get discharged from the hospital.  The birth and placement is going to be an amazing and emotional few days.

Wednesday’s doctor’s appointment was good and Jesica is progressing along well and the baby is healthy.  She is already 1.5 centimeters dilated and 50% efface so the baby could come a little early.  Which I think we would all be fine with, especially Jesica.  

We went over to Jeremy’s mom’s house for Brooke 2^nd birthday party.  We had a little birthday dinner with Jesica, Jeremy, Brooke and Jeremy’s Mom.  Brooke was so cute she loved her cupcake and the candles; she didn’t want to blow out the fire.  She also loved the party blower toy and blew it over and over.  She was so excited about her presents.  Her dad bought her a princess tent she loved and opened some of her presents while sitting in it.  Her mom got her a light bug that shines stars on the celling.  She also got bubbles, puzzles and footy PJ’s.  We got her a purple Dora Shirt with cute purple poke-a-dots sleeves.  She was so cute.  I am glad we could go because it was fun to spend time with everyone out side of caseworker meetings and doctor’s visits. 

That night I also went to Heather Dutson’s house and had a girl’s craft night.  Michalenne, Erin and Heather Holmes were there.  We made hair bows for our little girls.

 I am very excited for my baby shower tomorrow Debbie, Kathy and my mom have worked hard.  I also want to see what cute stuff I get for baby Aleana.      

Saturday September 8^th 2012

I had my second baby shower today.  This is the one Debbie, Kathy and my mom put on for me.  It was so much fun!  The theme was nursery rhymes.  Each treat was based on a different nursery rhyme.  The guests were asked to write a nursery rhyme to go with my gift and I had to guess what the present was, based on the nursery rhyme.  Some people got really creative and I had a hard time guessing and other we pretty easy.  So many people came, I had aunts, and cousins, Grandma Taylor, friends, neighbors etc.  It was fun to see old friends like Sable and Felicia who I have not seen in years.  Sable is going to do Aleana’s new born pictures, I am so excited.  Felicia brought her baby girl who was just precious.   We did not have enough chairs set up and people ended up sitting on the floor.  I spent most of the time opening up presents.  I got so many cute and wonderful things, I felt spoiled and Aleana is going to be spoiled.  I was excited about the present my grandma gave me, it is a Jenny Jump up; I did not even know they made those.  I am also excited about the vibrating seat my Aunt Jane and cousins got me.  I know I will use it a lot. I also got a tummy time mat from my mom’s cousins, a bunch of clothes, blankets, bath tubs, bath stuff, food, diapers etc.   I am really grateful for the love and support that we receive every time we turn around.  I am so grateful for Debbie, Kathy and my mom for putting this together; I will have to do something nice for them.

                                                  Thursday September 13^th 2012

I just got back from another doctor’s appointment with Jesica, hopefully only one more until the baby comes. Things went well at the doctors, Jesica and the baby are still healthy, but she has not dilated anymore.  So I guess there is not much fear that she comes during the baby shower on Saturday. 

 I found out that Jesica was married when she had her first two girls.  It is interesting find out bits and pieces of her life.  Jesica is getting so ready to have this baby and nervous that the baby is going to get bigger and hurt more to come out.  She is hoping that she will just have this baby on Monday while she is at the hospital for her next appointment.  She was talking to Curt and me before she went back for her appointment and told us that she is so ready to have our baby.  She also said that hearing the babies cry makes her excited that Brooke is not a baby.  I think she is also excited that she does not have to take this baby home and care for her with how tired she is right now and how tired she will be after giving birth. From the way she is talking I don’t think we will have to worry about her changing her mind.  

Jesica also told me that she is working on quitting cussing since she came to Utah; she said that it is harder than quitting smoking because it is a mental thing, but she warned me that she may swear in the delivery room because of all the pain and to be forgiving.   Also when we were driving over to the hospital an older couple was getting ready to cross the road and Jesica said that guy reminds me of my dad except my dad was taller.  It was this old white guy, now I am confused because we were thinking her dad was Hispanic.  Her life story is a bit confusing to me, but I love her.   

I remember Jesica telling me that she had dread locks before she moved to Utah, that little Willow tree could not have been more perfect because the girl had dread lock breads in her hair.  The lord was bringing her to us while she was still in Las Vegas with her dread locks.  This path of adoption was already being placed before her and the Lord was preparing us.  The Lord even had his hand in us picking out the perfect gift to touch her heart. 

We are getting so excited for this baby to come; I have packed and repacked the clothes I want to take to the hospital for Aleana to wear after she is born and for placement.   I don’t think it will be the last because I may get more newborn clothes at the shower on Saturday.  Ahhh! I am going to be a mom soon!!  

Monday September 17^th

          I had another doctor’s appointment with Jesica today.  Jesica was nice and healthy just tired and her legs hurt.  She is very ready to have this baby and we are very excited to have her join our family.  The appointment was good she is now dilated to a 2 and 75%.   She still has a little way to go, but the baby could really come at any time now!!

            On the way home she talked about her sister and mentioned how she wants to start her own bar and grill.  Jesica said that her sister is strong and determined and she believes she will do it someday.   Jesica said that she is more of a homemaker and that she wants to stay home and raise her kids.   She wants to be a PTA mom who comes to all the parties and makes cookies for bake sales.  Jesica said that before her mom had the rest of her brothers and sisters that she dressed as Elvira and handed out candy to Jesica’s class for Halloween.  Jesica said that she wants to be that mom.  It was a little hard for me to swallow seeing how much she loves her kids, and realizing how hard it must be to give up another.  I said you can go into Brooke’s classes and help with all the parties and she will love it.  She said that this is what she wants to do.  I hope that she is not changing her mind at all about placing her little girl for adoption.   It is her decision.  Although I still feel that the adoption will go through.

Curt and I started a project of redoing an old dresser made by Curt’s Great grandmother.  Curt sanded it down so that we can re-stain it and add new knobs.  We are getting so excited and hoping that we are ready for her to come. 

Friday September 28^th 2012

I hoped that we would have had a baby home with us by now, but I guess she is too comfortable or too shy to come out.  As of today she is 4 days late.  We are getting anxious for her to join our family, but more so we feel bad for Jescia.  Each time she goes to the doctors and gets sent home without having had the baby she gets more and more discouraged and upset.  To make things worse Jeremy is getting upset with her because the doctors have not induced her yet, he thinks that somehow it is her fault.  I felt so bad this past Monday the 24^th of September, she was going in thinking that they were going to induce her, but they just striped her membranes and sent her home.  For many that will put them into labor within a couple hours or a few days, but it did not work for Jesica.   She went back in yesterday for an ultra sound to check and see if the baby was healthy (she was and she weighs 8 pounds).  She was hoping to ask the doctor if she could be induce, however the doctor was in a delivery and did not even see her.  Now if she does not have the baby by Monday she has another doctor’s appointment, I hope and pray that they will induce her because by then she will be 7 day overdue.  I really just hope that she has the baby over the weekend and then she will be out of her misery sooner.  I think about her often and she is always in my prayers. 

It's a GIRL!!!!

 

         We are going to be adopting a baby girl in September! We are so excited, but also kind of nervous. We have been waiting for about 3 years and never really new if it was going to happen.  I am excited to be a mom but I am also scared, this little girls life is in my hands.  The Lord has trusted me with a great responsibility and I will do my best.  I have learned a lot over the past 3 years that I think will help me be a better mother. Thanks to all those wonderful moms I have been able to watch and learn from.  Thanks for all the practice you have given me by letting me watch your kids.  I am also glad for all the experience I have had through my work.  All of these experiences and the Lord will help me to be a good mom for this sweet little angle.

         Now to let you know a little bit about our amazing adoption story. It started about three weeks ago when Curt came home from work Tuesday July 10 and said his co-worker Melanie Bee let him know that she gave our adoption card to a lady she met last night when she was walking with her friend, who ended up being our birthmom Jesica. While walking Melanie and her friend decided to stop by and visit a lady they visit teNow to let you know a little bit about our amazing adoption story. It started about three weeks ago when Curt came home from work Tuesday July 10 and said his co-worker Melanie Bee let him know that she gave our adoption card to a lady she met last night when she was walking with her friend, who ended up being our birthmom Jesica.  While walking Melanie and her friend decided to stop by and see a lady they visit teach.  This friend they stopped to see has a son named Jeremy who had a little girl with Jesica a couple years ago and Jesica left because “she could not be a mom.”  Jeremy moved to Logan with his daughter Brooke so he could be close to his mom.  Jesica stayed in Vegas and when she became pregnant and homeless Jeremy helped her out and brought her to Logan.  Jesica was at the house picking up her daughter Brooke when Melanie stopped by.  Melanie began talking with Jesica and found out she was pregnant and planning on placing this little girl for adoption.  Melanie thought of Curt and wanted to give Jesica one of our adoption cards.  She only had her wallet and usually keeps the cards in her purse, but when she opened her wallet she found our card.  She handed it to Jesica and said.  I don’t know what your plans are but I know this couple, they are great and they want to adopt.   Melanie told us that Jesica had three concerns, one was if we would be ok with a baby with Hispanic blood, another was if we would be ok with a girl. .  She said that she knows that guys like to have boys first, and the last was if we were ready for a baby because she is due in September.  Melanie told her we would be so excited if she called us up today and told us she had chosen us.  At that point what we knew about Jesica was that she had placed some children before, and we know that she has some Hispanic.  Curt said that Melanie just wanted to let us to know incase anything happens.  I was excited because this could be our baby, however Melanie had been one of the biggest advocates for adoption and has given a lot of cards away to people she knows who were expecting and nothing has come of them so I did not get my hopes up too much because we did not know if anything is going to come of it.  I was still hoping that something would! J

 The next day Wednesday July 11 we got a call from a caseworker Charity at LDS Family Services who said that she had a new birthmother come in and wanted to show her our profile.  Of course we said yes, but we were not sure if it was the same girl that received our pass along card or another girl. We did not hear anything so when our case worker come on Friday July 13 to do our home study because we had just moved, we asked if she knew anything and she acted like she didn't and that she would let us know when she found out more information. 

          However we got a call from Sarah around 12:40 the next day Saturday July 14th saying that she forgot to bring over some paperwork and asked if she could bring it over in 20 mins.  I did not think much because there is a lot of paper work involved in the adoption process. When Sara got there shortly after 1:00, I went down to answer the door and Curt was in the kitchen doing dishes. When I answered the door I saw that Sara was holding a pink piece of paper. It did not make me think anything was up because they often copy things on colored paper.  The thing that got me thinking that something was up was when she asked if Curt was there and if he could join us, so Curt came to the front door with the dishtowel still on this shoulder.  Then Sara handed me the packet of papers.  I looked down surprised to see that it was not paper work but some sort of scrapbooked card.  I read the front it said Curtis and Christine Special deliver.  An excitement came over me but I did not want to get too excited because I did not want to be disappointed.  Then I turned to the next page and saw a picture of the ultra sound and a big sign above it that said “it’s a girl”.  There was also a CD with pictures of the ultrasound.  My heart was staring to beat a little faster.  The last page was a hand written note that said “Congratulations on your baby girl!  Enjoy each and every moment with her! Make sure to love her as I do! Always Jesica.”   I Looked up at Sara and asked which girl and Sara said they were the same girl.  I started tearing up looked at Curt and gave him a great big hug. This is when it started to register with Curt that we had been chosen.  He looked at Sara and said so we have been chosen.  Sarah said yes, and we both gave her a hug.  She said that Jesica walked into LDS family services and said that she wanted to place her little girl for adoption.  She showed charity our card and said I want to place with this couple. Then Sarah said that she wants to meet with you this Wednesday at 5:45 at LDS Family services.  We said that we would meet her.  Sara told us congratulations and that she was so excited for us. She left us to enjoy the rest of our day.  We found out that we were going to be parents about 1:10. Our life is about to change forever.

After Sara left I gave Curt another great big hug and he picked me up and twirled me around.  He said that we should pray.  We knelt down in our living room and prayed to thank Heavenly Father for this wonderful blessing we had just received. I am so grateful that the Lord has finally answered our prayer. We just needed to wait for the Lord’s time.

We were supposed to be heading to my parents around 3:00, but we just took the rest of the afternoon to celebrate.  We called Curt’s family and we were able to tell my family in person that night at my dad’s birthday party.  We stuck the CD into our laptop, it was out because I was going to work on fixing up our adoption profile, I guess I don’t need to worry about that right now.  The pictures were so cute; we already know she is going to be a beautiful little girl. 

We first called Curt’s parents to tell them they were going to be grandparents again.  They were excited for us.  Then we called Curt’s sisters. Tiff called because she was just getting off work.  She was so happy that she started giggling while she was talking.  After we told her what had happened she said “I want to throw Christine a Baby shower”.  She asked if we had told Maegan and Julee yet, so that she could talk to them about planning the shower.  We called Julee and at first she wanted to call us back but then she asked if it was important so we told her yes.  She was so happy for us and was excited to help plan a baby shower.  Curt tried calling Maegan but she did not answer because she was at work.  So curt sent her a picture of the ultra sound.   A little while later she called and said, “Do you want to explain this picture to me?”  She was so happy that started yelling, she said she was so excited that she was going to do a happy dance when she got home.  She asked what kind of booties we wanted to, I told her the Mary Jane’s.  Then she said that she wanted to also make her, her first pair of cowboy boots.   I bet she would look so cute in both.  Later Julee called back, she was telling us how excited she was for us and how much the lord is in charge.  She said that maybe this is why the jobs were not working out and we were meant to stay in Logan longer.  She stared to cry and made Curt start to cry as well.  Then a few minutes later she was just talking to Curt and just screamed into the phone.  We are so happy that our family supports us and is so excited for us.

The rest of the afternoon Curt and I just were in a daze thinking about the fact that we were going to be parents.  We sat on the counter for a while eating pizza just talking about how excited we are and how much we needed to do.  We went upstairs to check out how we were going to set up her room and our room for when she comes.   We were in the spare room and I just started jumping up and down because I was so excited.  Curt just laughed and gave me a big hug.  We took some pictures of the card and of us holding the card; we want to cherish this day and the wonderful excitement we felt.

           We finally left to head down to my parents’ house about 4:00 which would get us there just in time for my Dad’s birthday dinner.  We got there and we just casually talked and helped get dinner ready.  Just before dinner when everyone was sitting in the living room, I handed my dad the card.  He looked at the first page and the second page then looked at me with a questioning look.  My mom grab card to look at it and yelled out “really”, I said yep, she said “I am so excited for you.”   Everyone else was wondering what was going on so I said that we were chosen to adopt a baby.  My dad said I knew it had something to do with a baby but I wasn't sure if you were pregnant or if you were adopting.  I felt a little bad after that because it kind of turned into a celebration for us getting a baby.  We talked all though dinner, we told them what we knew about Jesica from Curt’s co-worker. 

         We did have cake and ice cream and gave my dad presents.  But we also looked at ultra sound pictures, scanned in the card and talked about the baby shower my mom Kathy and Debbie are going to plan for me.  That makes two showers so far.  This little girl is going to be spoiled.   This one is going to have to wait until after Debbie gets back from Peru, she would kill us if she missed.  I had to email Debbie to tell her the exciting news and just wait for her response. I know she is going to be so excited. Kathy is so excited for me and a little jealous that she is going to have dark eyes.  I know that she wants to have children of her own someday.  I also called my Grandma Taylor and my Grandpa Stauffer.  They were both very excited for us.  We told them not to spread the word because we had not met Jesica yet, I think that is going to be especially hard for my grandma Taylor.  We stayed talked much later then we should have and got home really late.  We were very tired at church the next day. 

 We know that the Lord had his hand in this from the very beginning and we feel very blessed. We are so grateful for the Gospel in our lives.

Thanks for all the prayers and support we have received from our wonderful family and friends.  Please continue to pray for us to make sure that Jesica and the baby's health will be good and that there will be no problems with this adoption. We love you all!         

Here are some pictures of the cute card that Jesica made for us to announce that she had chosen us.

If you can't tell we are supper excited and are always going to treasure this card.

Here are a few entries from my journal to share more about our adoption experience. 

Sunday July 15^th 2012

We had a difficult time getting a hold of Curt’s brother Ryan and his family, so finally after playing phone tag Ryan called Curt after they got home from church around 4:30.  Curt made sure everyone was able to hear except Lisa because she was in a meeting, then he said, “We decided it was finally time that you had a Snelgrove Cousin.”  There was no response. Then Ryan finally said, “You should see their faces they are all shocked, except Emmy I don’t think she understands can you teller what is happening”.  Curt said “Emmy”.  She said “yeah”.  “We are going to adopt a baby”.  She responded “ok”.   The other kids were all excited they asked us the age, gender and when she is going to come.  I think they are happy to finally have a cousin on the Snelgrove side even though she will be a lot younger and for Mathew it is another girl.  Ryan was excited and told us that if there is anything that we still need after the shower to call them before we go out and buy it because they have lots of girl stuff.        

We also went to visit the Kjars, one of our best friends ever to tell them of our exciting news.  We have been friends with them for year.  We have had countless game night, baby sat their children a lot, gone to the Zoo together and even went to Disney Land together. These are also the friends who named us guardians over their children if anything were to happen to them.  Needless to say we are really close.  

We waited until they were handing out dessert to put the card Jesica had made us onto the table in front of Damaris’ chair.  It took Damaris a minute to figure out what it was then she said, “Really, this makes me so happy I am going to cry.”  Curt and I also got a little teary eyed as we told them how we found out and a little about Jesica.  Steven and the kids were excited for us as well although I don’t know if they truly understood what was happening.  After dessert we showed them the ultrasound pictures and Damaris helped us figure out that our baby girl would be due the 24^th of September.  They were so excited for us that we stayed talking until well after their kids’ bed time, but they said it was a celebration.  Damaris also volunteered to throw me a baby shower. I think that makes a total of three baby showers that will be planned for me.  This little girl is going to be so spoiled. We love the Kjars and appreciate all that they do for us! 

Tuesday July 17th

 we went to the temple to do sealings and prepare for our meeting with Jesica. I was listening to the names of the daughter since most of them were Hispanic names and we found out Jesica is half Hispanic. I heard a couple names that I liked but one stood out to me, Aleana.    After the session Curt and talked about the names that we liked.  Curt also really liked the name Aleana.  This could possibly be her name and what better place then the temple to find our babies name. Maybe our little girl was there to tell us or  help us find her name. 

Wednesday July 18^th 2012

Today we had our face to face meeting with Jesica. Curt and I were both very nervous. We didn’t know what she was going to be like and how well we would get along.  We were not sure what to say and glad that the case workers were there to facilitate the meeting.  Before going in we meet with Sara and she gave us an idea of what we should expect.  Sara has been a good case worker.   We walked into the room and Jesica and her boyfriend Jeremy were already sitting down.  Sara had us tell a little about our reasons for adoption, our expression when we received the announcement and a little about ourselves.  Jesica told us about her reasons for adoption.  She told us how she and Jeremy had been living in Vegas in the house that Jeremy was born in with Brooke, 2 Jesica’s sisters and their kids.  Jesica and Jeremy broke up and Jeremy got custody of Brooke.  She said that Jeremy moved to Logan to raise Brooke and to be close to his mom.  Jesica said she stayed in Vegas and she met Matt.  Jesica found out that she was pregnant and her first thought was to get an abortion, but Mat would not give her money because he did not believe in abortion and need the money.  When it was too late to get an abortion Jesica said she decided on adoption.  Jesica said that she tried to go through some agencies in Vegas but Matt would not show up to the meetings.  He eventually kicked her out and she was living on the streets of Vegas pregnant.  The agencies would no longer work with her because she was not responding to the mail they were sending to her, because she no longer lived there.  She said that she had no one else to turn to so she swallowed her prided and called Jeremy.   Jeremy was nice enough to drive to Vegas and bring her to live with him in Logan.

I feel bad that this all had to happen to her so that she came to Logan and met Curt’s coworker and chose us for the adoption. 

 Jescia also said that she is glad to have Jeremy back and that she wants to make this relationship with him, Brooke and the dog work.  She feels that this baby could come between them, and that she does not want to make Jeremy take care of her since she is not his baby.  She never wants this baby to ever feel that she does not belong and that she is not loved.  She wants her to have to parents who love her and she will be their child.   

We already feel a love for her and know that this love will grow in our hearts as this adoption goes forth and after she is placed with us.  We hope that she will always feel loved and that she belongs in our home. 

We also got to see pictures of Jesica’s girls that she has placed with family, her little girl Brooke and Jesica when she was a baby.  All the little girls are so cute; we hope Aleana looks a little like her sisters and her mom.  We already know that she is going to be a beautiful little girl.

We gave Jesica our present we picked out for her, which was a Willow tree figurine of a girl with tan skin with braided hair pulled back into a pony tail, reaching her arms out.  It was called blessings, unexpected every day.  We wrapped it up all nice with a card.  She treasured the gift and was too afraid that if she opened it she would start to cry.  She was touched that we spelled her name right on the card because even her brothers don’t spell it right.  We are so glad that we could give her something to show of our love and appreciation.

 We are excited that we have meet her and are so excited to go forth with this adoption.