We're Approved!

Well it's official, we've been approved for adoption and we are so excited!

Our journey to adoption:

Chad and I have been trying to have a baby for over 3 1/2 years with no luck and for reasons we can't medically figure out. Needless to say there have been a lot of tears, frustration, and WHYs??? through this whole infertility thing. Its been a really hard trial for me, but oh the ways I have grown from it. I've been taught patience and humility. I've been taught that life doesn't go as planned but that Heavenly Father has a plan for our family. I've learned the importance of prayer and the power of the scriptures in finding peace and guidance. I've learned that through the Atonement our burdens really can be lightened. I've learned that God does have a hand in all things, even in my life. And did I mention He's taught me patience and humility??

I feel like Heavenly Father has been preparing me for adoption the last few years, even while we were far from considering it for our own family. I started thinking a lot about adoption in general while we were living in Spokane where I was a visiting teacher to a girl who was planning on giving her child up for adoption. I started thinking about and realizing how each person is meant to be here no matter what the situation is. I realized that there are no accidents when it comes to birth. I realized that some people come here through a "birth mom" but are really supposed to be a part of another's family. I truly believe that. Although I'd come to realize these things and saw adoption as a great thing, I only saw adoption as something great for other people. It wasn't until last year that we seriously considered adoption for ourselves. We had been praying and fasting for guidance and I feel like my answers came through my friend Holly. Her husband is adopted and she was telling me about his family. Although I'd like to relate the story, I'm not sure I should without asking them first. At the time I thought it was such a cool story, but it wasn't until the next day when I was thinking about it in the shower (cause that's where I do all my good thinking) that it really spoke to my heart and I realized I wanted to adopt a child and knew I would love that child as much as I love Ethan. The spirit spoke to me in that moment and let me know that not only could I adopt, but that I wanted to, and I was excited about it.

It wasn't long after that experience that we went to a few adoption classes and started our paperwork. We felt a little strange at first as we were surrounded by others who were in a similar situation as ours - we felt like we had become part of a club we never planned on being in. But we're so excited to be where we are and are soooo ready to have another child come into our family. Now is the time to excercise more patience as we wait to be chosen by our birth mom. I know there is a child who is meant to be a part of our family.

Sidenote: Since I know posts are boring without pictures here are a couple from the other day when we went kite flying.