Adoption

About 2 weeks ago we went to LDS Family Services for our initial interview about adoption. The interview took about 15 minutes. We then had an explanation of the process of adoption for about an hour and a half. So let me tell you a little about the process so you can see what we are doing. We are currently in the initial application phase. We are fingerprinted, have a physical, provide proof of employment and attend an adoptive parenting course. When all of that is finished we turn in all of our paperwork and the Arizona Court System approves us as a couple that may adopt. We then have 18 months.

Then (and only then) we put our profile on the webpage and start hoping for a child. At that point we want to be looking for someone who may be willing and in a situation to place a child for adoption. So if any of you hear of anyone (Anywhere in the US or Canada) please let us know.

Once we have found someone (or they have found us) we discuss with them the type of adoption we want (open or closed) and the family services office takes care of all the paperwork.

The child is born and we become it's foster parents until all paperwork is finalized, a court date set and we are again approved by the court system and are granted full custody of the child.

Then we can have him/her sealed to us and give them a baby blessing.

Hopefully this gives you all an idea of what adoption is like and how many places little things can go wrong...Therefore, we would appreciate your prayers as we go through this process. Also, we'd appreciate keeping your ears open to any opportunities for a child.

We love you all and hope you have a wonderful day.

P.S. From now on we won't use the term "give up a child for adoption", but replace that with "placing a child with adoptive parents." We like many others want adoption to be looked upon in a better light and although a mother may be giving many things up the hope is that she is giving the child more.

Softball

Viddy and I played on our ward's softball team for the past couple of months and I thought that I should document our last game. Please don't think that we played on the team because we were any good at all (especially me... Viddy can pitch at least, well every other pitch :) ) I think the only reason they asked us to be on the team was because they would had to forfeit if there weren't enough players. Also we brought treats of some sort every week.

Me playing catcher. I think it was the only place where I couldn't mess things up too much.

Viddy, after he made a run.

The battle wounds from the night. It wasn't really a slide, but it looked something like that and this was the result.

Saying goodbye to Corina

We recently had a good friend move to Southern California and although it was a good move for her, we were sad to see her leave. Here are some pictures from watching the sunset at Gate's Pass with her that night.

Youth Temple Trip

Since Viddy and I now have callings where we get to be involved with the youth we were able to go on the youth temple trip on July 11th. I volunteered to make cinnamon rolls for everyone, but little did I realize that would entail getting up at an absurd hour in the morning to make them. Luckily one of the young women in our ward came over to help me.

We had some troubles getting the middles to stay down.

We got to the temple safe (although one car did get a warning for speeding) and had an enjoyable time preforming baptisms for the dead.

Since we were already up in Mesa we had to stop at Ikea and get new chair for our dinning room table! They were much needed since the old one would leave black marks on the freshly painted kitchen walls.

July 4th, catching up :)

Since we haven't posted anything yet, I thought that I would catch up on what has happened in the past month, starting with July 4th. In the morning we had a pancake breakfast at the church where Viddy played the Star Spangled Banner on the trumpet, and I have to admit that he sounded pretty awesome and looked dang good while he was playing. After the breakfast we came home and did a little yard work, which our yard was in dire need of. After that we went to the movie theaters and enjoyed the nice air conditioning :) Since we have a swamp cooler, and no air conditioner through the whole house, we find any excuse to go some where that is cooler during the hot months. It was a pretty fun day and we got to hang out with each other and with our friends which is always fun.

At the pancake breakfast. Viddy is holding our friend's baby, Emilee, who wasn't too happy at the time.

Decked out in the red, white, and blue!