Amazing Grace: April 2009

I forgot to write about that last slideshow of pictures. Jefferson and I had a chance to head to Colorado for a marriage conference and see some old friends that used ot live in Utah.

Forst we made the long drive to Fort Collins, CO to visit with the Longoria's. Man were we glad they weren't busy while we were there. We ended up going the day before Colorado's biggest snow blizzard all winter! We were supposed to head to Estes Park early to visit with our friends the Cotner's who were going to meet us from Pueblo, CO but couldn't risk the dangerous drive. So thankfully The Longoria's were able to put up with us for one more night and the kids seemed pretty excited to have company again. Then we got to spend the morning in Loveland with The Meyer's for breakfast. It was awesome to see Cindi, and her healthy pregnancy, and sepnd time with all the boys (yes that includes Tom). Tom's parents were visiting so we got to spend some time with them admiring their adorable grandkids playing and beating Jefferson at their favorite games. After watching the storm grow outside the windows, we decided to head back to Fort Collins. The next morning we woke up to gorgeous clear blue sky weather and made the drive up to Estes Park. We had fun walking around town and checkign out a local hike near town.

The marriage conference was great. We had a nice time with some other couples and meeting in a session for couples dealing with infertility & adoption. We were all able to share our own stories, struggles, and goals. As soon as we left I asked Jefferson what he thought and much to my pleasing surprise, he said we need to get home and start on adoption paperwork right away! That just thrilled me. For all of you women out there, you know eager and impatient we can be and our husbands (at least mine) reminds me to slow down, think things through, be cautious. But this time, he was totally on board and we realized that it was our path. As soon as I told Mikayl we would finally be starting the paperwork process (she's known this is an option for us for 2 years now), she made some amazing comments that made me realize that we, as a fmaily, were all on the same page and that we are all meant to welcome a child into our home through adoption. I can't tell you what a refocussing and relief it has been to focus on gettign our finances in order to be ready to adopt without any loans.

We will be setting up an adoption account and asking for help through donations to save up for the costs which usually run about $20,000. As soon as I get the account opened I will be sending that info out. Thanks to those of you who have already mentioned wanting to help us in this way. You are a blessing to support us! Thank you!