To Her

Hello,

Thank you for choosing to learn more about us.  When we were first led to adoption, there were so many questions, doubts, and fears, and we're sure you're feeling some of the very same things.  But as we've learned more and proceeded in this process, we know with absolute certainty that our baby was meant to come to our family this way.  And whether you choose to place or not, we hope you know that we and the Lord love you unconditionally.

Through our infertility struggles, we have come to learn that not everything in our lives is in our control.  We have agency to make most choices, but sometimes Heavenly Father makes them for us so that we have opportunities to grow into the people He wants us to be.  This is probably the biggest trial we'll both ever have in our lives.  It is our hope that through each of our heartaches, we can help each other heal and become whole again.  We can be there for one another and help each other through the trial Heavenly Father has chosen for us.  We truly believe adoption is going to be the most amazing journey.

Here's our adoption story:

THE BEGINNING:

Although we had known of each other since 7th grade, we didn't pay each other much attention until our senior year of high school when we were in choir together.  Once we started spending time together, we were instantly best friends.   Michelle was shocked when we first started dating that Jack spent every weekend night with his family.  She soon realized that family is the most important thing in the world to him, and that has never changed.  After dating for a long, LONG time we were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 2005.  We moved into a cozy little apartment in Logan, Utah to finish our schooling.  Michelle studied Elementary Education, student taught while hugely pregnant, and graduated with her Bachelors degree just in time to pop out the sweetest little boy, our Logan, in August 2007.  We settled into parenthood as Jack finished his last year.  He graduated in May 2008 with a Bachelors degree in Management Information Systems, and we were excited about where life was going to take us!

THE MIDDLE:

It took us to Arizona.  Michelle was nervous to leave Utah at first because she had never known anything else.  Jack grew up in Saudi Arabia until he was 5, and traveled the world as a toddler.  He was ready for the adventure.  We didn't know anyone here, but we were quickly comfortable with the 115 degree weather and no snow!  We missed our family terribly, but we knew this was where we were supposed to be, and decided to buy our very first house in November 2009.  Meanwhile, Logan was growing and keeping us laughing everyday.  When he was 18 months old we decided to start trying for another.  Over time we lost three babies.  But we kept our chins up, trying to enjoy every second with Logan.  Jack works as an application designer, and Michelle opened a preschool in our home.  She teaches for 2 hours every morning, and has the rest of the day to be a full time mom.  Logan loves going to preschool, and trying out swimming, tumbling, and soccer.  He is usually dressed up as a superhero, and is the most artistic four year old we've ever seen.  As a family, we love to ride bikes, play games, play outdoors, and snuggle up for movies.  We are constantly texting each other pictures and videos, because we don't want to miss out on any of the small moments that make life so great.  And there just might be some mushy love poems texted too.

THE END:

In May of 2011, we were led separately to the hope of adoption.  Without any mention of it to Logan, he changed from asking "When are you going to have a baby?" to asking "When are we going to get our baby?"  He must have sensed that little brother or sister is going to come from a very special mommy.  We are looking forward to welcoming a sweet spirit into our family.  We love our baby and its birthparents so much already and pray for them everyday.  And when we finally meet, that will be our happy ending.

Much love,

Jack, Michelle, and Logan