Adoption Update

I've had many (awesome) friends ask us for an update, so I figured I'd post just a little about what's going on in our neck of the woods. I'd first like to thank those of you who are reading for taking time out of your day to touch base with us! We are truly truly blessed to have the friends and family we do. Billy and I are constantly discussing how lucky we are. You guys rock.

Right now, we are just waiting...

and waiting...

and waiting...

And for those of you who know me, you know I'm awful super good at this.

We are still waiting for our home study to be completed.

Whilst we are waiting, I've been doing research on other adoption agencies - it can never hurt to have too much exposure. Am I right??? We also need to take a few courses to fulfill our agency requirements.

We recently just completed the final draft of our birth parent letter, which is what potential birth moms read when they click on our picture. This has been particularly nerve-wracking, since this is our first impression! How scary is that?

Scarier still is how awful I tend to be at first impressions. I just get so nervous, and then I say the wrong thing, so I've been practicing how to not completely freak people out upon first meeting them. And I've gotten so much love, support, and advice from family and friends.

I really appreciate the people in my life who have previously experienced the miracle of adoption, and the time you have taken to advise me on each step of the way. I have a young women's leader from when I was 12 who has been an absolute God-send - I don't know what I'd do without her! This post is dedicated to this wonderful woman. Thanks Sheridan - you rock!

I plan on updating this page as soon as we hear any news on our home study. Until then, I'm sure there will be many silly pictures to keep me entertained!

"Helping" Hands

Recently I've discovered that Ethan's need for order can be satisfied by making lists and checking them off. It's so adorable, and a great way to get him to help with chores! Well, help is a strong word, and I may be using it loosely.

Our list. Can you figure out which letters are mine, and which are Ethan's?

It's so hard to get a clear picture of this boy, because he is always. ALWAYS. moving. 

One of his favorite chores is putting the clothes in the washing machine. Hilarious what is fun in a 4-year-old's world.

This was probably my favorite part of the morning. Ethan got distracted while making the bed, so he put on Daddy's shoes and "tap-danced like Batman." ---You know, 'cause that's what Batman does in his free time.

Overall, it was a great morning. Manipulating my 4-year-old into thinking chores are fun - man, I deserve a prize for this.

 Kera: 1 Ethan:0

In your face, Ethan.

Fun in the Sun

Can summer just last forever?

Now, I know I've already posted swimming pics, but I don't think you can ever have enough.

Ethan loves swimming, but he loooooves swimming with friends! If I can talk one of my girlfriends into bringing their kids over to our pool, it can make it so much more fun for Ethan to have a little playmate (other than myself).

 Eating graham crackers.

These two are so precious together.

Since Ethan won't have a sibling close in age, it's so nice that Ethan can have good friends!

S'Mores

We have some friends that live about a half-block away from us, which is awesome. Tonight, they asked us to come over to roast s'mores with them. Well, Billy was working late and Ethan was already tucked safe in bed. Oh - and my bra was off, so I figured we'd take a rain check.

However, Ethan had different plans! He ended up randomly waking up around 8:00, and I figured that was our sign. I asked him if he wanted to have a late-night field trip, and he was game. As I got him out of bed, though, he insisted on wearing his Buzz Lightyear costume, which I was pretty stoked about. I love how excited he gets about dress-up. Also, I love seeing how he lights up people's faces when they see his dress up clothes!

Kenzie giving Ethan bunny ears.

Ethan definitely loved the attention he was getting from his friend Kenzie, but you can see him trying so hard to mask it! I'm so glad we decided to have a light-night field trip with our friends - bon fires are so much fun! Ethan isn't a fan of mixing food, and was too timid to roast marshmallows, but he had fun with the kids, and I most definitely had fun making s'mores.

FunZone

Having a 4-year-old is pretty awesome because I get to see through his eyes constantly. And he has one goal, and one goal only: 

To have fun.

Even while getting dressed! He is always up for a good time, and he constantly lifts my spirits. 

Beavis and Butthead, anyone?

We even have a video to match. One of his favorite things to do is to take a video of him doing something silly, and then to watch it 20 times, while laughing just as hard each time! His laughter is quite possibly the coolest sound in the world.

Late Nights

Sometimes Billy has to work late, which really stinks (for him). Since Ethan basically worships his daddy, we like to FaceTime periodically so they can touch base with each other. Which really means that Ethan tells on me for saying "no" to his most ridiculous demands. How dare I set boundaries and want him to eat healthy??! Worst mom ever. This kid doesn't know how great he has it. Can I get an amen?

We finally were getting a good family picture, and then Ethan decided that he wanted to get a "punching picture."

I love having such an active little boy, even if it can be trying at times. I'm so thankful for modern technology so we can stay in touch with Billy, even if he has a trial to prep for. 

Blueberries ...Mmmmm

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Oregon? Because

I love Oregon!

One of the many things I love about this place is that you can pick your own fruit, and have tons of farms to pick from! I have gone to U-Pick farms in the past, but this is the first time we've picked blueberries. And by "we" I mean me (obviously). 

But I did get a pic of Ethan pretending to pick blueberries.

There really is nothing like eating fruit you picked yourself. I love that we've made a tradition of picking fruit each year. Stay tuned for blackberry picking posts!

Top Five ...Books

I spoke previously about how much I love books.

They really are the coolest.

Some of the books I mention might raise red flags, but just hear me out, okay?

A Wrinkle in Time - Madeline L'Engle

The was my very first favorite book I think I first read it when I was around 11 or 12. I really can't count the number of times I've read and re-read this masterpiece. It's Sci-Fi (yes, I know - I'm a nerd), but it's intelligent Sci-Fi. The main character in the book is an awkward teenager (hence why I loved it. I was such a guber) who searches for her father on another planet with a super hot boy and her genius little bro. I eventually read all books in this series, but this was by far the best.

Mitten Strings for God - Ketrina Kenison

This book is so beautiful. I could, and should, read it over and over again. The overall message is focusing on what's important, which actually is very little in life. She encourages mothers to focus on experiences with their children, as well as creating an environment rich in positive interaction. This book centers me, and keeps my priorities in order. It doesn't matter what car I drive, what grocery shopping I have to do that day, the laundry waiting in the dryer. What matters is my husband and son. When I take this book to heart, I make sure to have deep and fulfilling conversations with my husband. I also make sure to create fun and positive moments with Ethan.

Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand

There is one word for this book: Amazing.

Seriously, though, anyone who thinks they have problems needs to read this book. It centers on a WWII POW survivor who was once on top of the world, who was deeply humbled by war, and who chose - chose - to rise above the negative. I tell Ethan all the time that we create our own happiness, and this man is such a great example of that. It's a true story as well, which makes this book that much better. 

The End of the Affair - Graham Greene

A friend recommended this book to me, and I was skeptical at first. I mean, just read the title. It was set in WWII England. Okay, I'll admit I had no idea how the war affected the English, but it was brutal. However, that's not what the book is really about. The main story is how a man, who's in a relationship, spends every time they're together in a fit of jealousy - so much so, that he's not able to enjoy their life together until it's over. The message I get from this is to spend my time living in the moment, enjoying life, instead of constantly thinking negatively. I know when I live life this way, that I am happier, and so is my family.

And last, but not least...

Harry Potter

Man I love these books. They got me through college, for starters. Who needs to do homework when you have Facebook and Harry Potter? <-------not girl.="" p="" this="">

Seriously, though. JK Rowling has some mad storytelling skills. The real reason I put this on my top 5 is the fact that this story instills in its readers that we can be whoever we want to be. If a young, abused, orphaned boy can become the coolest freaking wizard on the face of the pretend-planet, then what can I become? 

As stated previously, books are the coolest. I realized I'm going to have to do another Top 5 in the future, because I have way too many favorite books to narrow it down that far.

Our Story

There are so many great reasons couples adopt. Each is as unique as the next, so I thought I'd tell 

our story.

First comes marriage..

Then came law school...

Meanwhile, during law school...

(born 1 day after finals, might I add)

When Ethan was about 16 months old, we decided it'd be good to add to our small little family. We didn't anticipate this would take very long. Sometimes God shows us we are not in complete control, and we feel that, although frustrating, this has been a great learning experience.

After 1-1/2 years, we started seeing specialists, which could be very frustrating, and very expensive. There ended up being problems with both Billy and me. The frustrating part is that both "problems" are sort of hot-button topics in the fertility world that many doctors don't agree upon.

Even before we had Ethan, I (Kera) have always been drawn to adoption. I would talk with friends or people I dated about how I felt I would adopt someday. In fact, directly after Ethan was born, I looked into adoption for a time. Ultimately, we decided we couldn't under good conscience take a child away from someone who couldn't have a baby any other way.

All the while, Ethan grew up, and we grew stronger as a family...

Early in 2013, we started discussing adoption much more seriously, as we realized after 2-1/2 years, it might be a great option for us. Honestly, I was ecstatic when we decided this was our path. As previously stated, it's been something I've always been interested in. This is why:

My brother was placed for an open adoption when he was a baby. His adoptive mother lived/still lives in Utah. As we grew up, we grew up with periodic home visits, pictures, phone calls. As we became older and I went to BYU-Provo, we grew much closer. I have never felt any difference between biologic or otherwise. 

In fact, this past October, William and I were in his beautiful wedding...

In April, we made the plunge. We had been referred to a potentially interested birth mother, and dove into the process head first, as she was due in July. She ultimately didn't not choose us. That day was hard. However, we are so grateful to her for helping us make the first step, and hope she was able to make the right decision for her.

Thanks for coming on this crazy journey with us! Stay tuned...

Mittens... Because Of Course

Our daily routine consists of waking up (worst part of my day), eating breakfast - well, Ethan eats breakfast. I drink a green smoothie, and then heading to the gym (we love to sweat in our family). I give Ethan the choice of what to wear each day. Within reason, of course. No nudity. 

One thing I'm constantly driving home is to "dress for success" - mostly because I just think it's a hilarious thing to say to a 4-year-old. Recently, he took this to heart.

He came out of his room with gloves (It was 90 degrees out) and racquetball protective eyewear.

Why, you ask? WRONG QUESTION.

In our home, we ask why not!?

This is by far my most favorite outfit of all time. I don't want him to ever grow out of this stage.

Home Study 2.0

We had our home study last week, as I previously mentioned. I was so excited to be one step closer to being able to meet birth mothers (it is amazing how excited we are to bond with the amazing woman who eventually picks us), and eventually meet our future baby. 

Just an aside - I hate posting on our blog without a picture. I googled "home study pictures" and got this:

Iiiiiiii'm an idiot.

Back to our home study. I have to say, it sort of took the wind out of my sails. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it definitely wasn't what I expected. There were several times I felt confounded, not knowing what to say (and if you know me, that's saying a lot). 

Afterward, our caseworker informed us we are 1 of 3 couples currently going through this process at the same time, so it might be a while before our home study is written up. I was a bit disappointed; however, I know that case workers are often overworked and under appreciated, and I'll (try to) wait patiently. This is, after all, our last obstacle to being live on our agency's website. 

Currently, I'm working on how we "find - ?!" our baby. How does one do this? 

I'll tell you how I'm doing it:

Reading books

Research online - probably not accurate, but makes me feel better

Online adoption blogs

A Facebook page

Am I doing it right? Nooooo clue. I feel like I'm walking through a maze with a blindfold on. I'm so grateful I have a husband, son, and great family and friends to hold my hand along the way :)