The question most ask or want to know .......WHY?

WHY...... Do we adopted? This is the easiest question for me to answer, yet hard for me to put into words.


Last night we had our hometeacher come over for the first time. He asked us to introduce our kids, of course our kids were so excited to say that they have a brother and a sister in Ghana that we are adopting. In a sweet and genuine way he asked somewhat puzzled, "why do you adopt"? He went on to say, "I don't really get it, I have never been around anyone that has adopted before". I am sure many wonder this same question, or feel the same way he does. So I thought I would take a moment to explain why we choose to adopt!


I can remember a moment when I was 10 that I saw Maury interviewing a young child who had had a rough life, then given the opportunity to be adopted, loved and cared for. At that moment I told myself when I am older I will adopt. That was one simple moment that just grew and grew in reason and in meaning for me. As I joined the LDS church and clung to our family values and growing my own family. I never had a question only knowledge that some of my children would come from me biologically and some would come from others mothers and find their place within our family. I have always felt that this knowledge is my opportunity in motherhood. I more than understand that adoption isn't for everyone, however I hope other's are just as understanding that some are called to adopt. I do think that's what it is, a calling. Not a calling that makes me any better or our family any better than anyone else's, just a calling. Something we have always known we are suppose to do and it's our choice to fulfil it. We all have callings as parents: to how we teach our children, raise our children and love our children, and with our calling there's just a different twist. I choose to adopt because after many prayers about the knowledge I have been given, I can't go back, only forward. Adoption is part of me, it runs in my blood, it's deep within my soul,it's the center my family and the only way I know our family can be completed!


Our daughter Camry came to us last August really frustrated, mad and crying. She said, "I know we are suppose to adopt, you guys aren't doing anything about it. I have been praying about it and I tell Halli and Elijah to pray about it every night. You guys need to start doing something about it." I reassured her that it's always our goal to adopt and that we(mom and dad) would continue to seek our Loving Heavenly Father about his timing for our family and adoption. She has stayed just as persistent, always reminding us to pray constantly for our kids, her siblings. Camry knows why we adopt, it's part of her. Our family has been prepared for this! Our kids willingness to love and give all they have to their siblings that they have never meet. It's a testimony within ourselves that this is right for our family and a daily conviction from God that we are doing what He has planned for us!


When Casey and I met and started talking marriage we went over the glorious details of family. The first thing I said to him is, "I know that I am suppose to adopt". He said, "great me too"! That was our whole conversation. When we started contemplating adding to our family we prayed as to whether we were to adopted first our have our bio kids first. We received the direction to have Halli and Camry biologically and immediately after I had Camry(in the hospital). I looked at Casey and said our next baby is suppose to be adopted. We prayed on that, fasted and sure enough Elijah joined our family within 8 weeks of starting the process. After Elijah was born we worked on many other adoption opportunities that failed, however I told Casey and I knew two more kids were to join our family biologically. So we pursue that knowledge. Since having our last two kiddos, I know the rest of our kids that will complete our family will come through adoption. To sum it all up, it's just something I have always known, I pray about it, fast or attend the temple to further my knowledge of how it's suppose to happen and then we go forward in faith.

I also want to add that I myself have been blessed with adoption. Not all on paper, but in love. My dad adopted me when I was 2.5, never meeting my bio father. My older sister(same bio mom) adopted me and raised me from the age of 13-17. She then got married and moved so I then lived with her bio dad and mom. All of these wonderful people adopted me into their heart, into their home and into their lives forever. I know what it's like to be loved by those willing to offer it. I am grateful everyday for the parents in my life, for the love and support they gave and their willingness to do so!

I SAW WHAT I SAW!

I watched this for the first time today on a friends blog(thanks Lois) and was in tears. I was touched deeply. Yes, this song was written for somewhat of a different meaning/purpose. However I have never had a problem applying anything to my own life.

You will LOVE this amazing song:



I am going to write how each part touched me!

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it(The day I saw my Ghanaian Kids faces in pictures!)
I heard what I heard and I can't go back(The day I heard your voices on the phone say "YES", when we asked in you would like to join our family)
I know what I know and I can't deny it.(That you are a part of our family forever)

Something on the road(Journey of adoption)
Cut me to the soul(Cut me to the soul)

Your pain has changed me(Knowing all the hard work you have to do with hunger pains)
Your dream inspires(because they are things that most of us take for granted)
Your face a memory(Is with me everyday)
Your hope a fire(Shown in your smile)
Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of(not holding you one day)
And what I know of love(it's a gift, a blessing)

We've done what we've done and we can't erase it(we've started our adoption journey and there is no end until your home.)
We are what we are and it's more than enough( a family)
We have what we have but it's no substitution(we need you home, we aren't complete)

Something on the road
Cut me to the soul

Your pain has changed me(knowing you eat very little)
Your dream inspires(your love to learn)
Your face a memory(always with me)
Your hope a fire(gets me through my long days)
Your courage asks me what I'm made of
And what I know of love(My love is unconditional)

I say what I say with no hesitation(I love you!)
I have what I have and I'm giving it up(To God to make happen)
I do what I do with deep conviction(Adopt)

Something on the road, cut me to the soul(making a lasting impression)

Your pain has changed me
Ooohhh...
Your dreams inspire
Ooohhh...
Your face a memory
Ooohhh...
Your hope a fire
Ooohhh...

Your pain has changed me(I look forward to the day I can give you 3 meals)
Your dream inspires(my dream is to hold you)
Your face a memory(one I hope to see on a daily basis)
Your hope a fire(a fire I can't wait to feel when I get to hold you)
Your courage asks me what I am afraid of(all the waiting)
Your courage asks me what I am made of(love, strength and determination)
Your courage asks me what I am afraid of(more waiting)
And what I know of God,(He's directed me to me kids)
And what I know of God.(our kids in Ghana are part of is His eternal plan for us)

PLAN OF SALVATION KITS-$15 *VALENTINES ORDERS* FUDGE & SALSA

DO YOU LOVE NEW WAYS TO TEACH YOUR KIDS GOSPEL PRINCIPLES? We have a treat for you. We have created THE PLAN OF SALVATION KIT-it's perfect for family home evening, sunday school or primary classes or get for little gift for V.T or Home Teaching families :P
THIS KIT INCLUDES ALL SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES AND LESSON!



VALENTINES ORDERS- TASTEBUDS GOURMET FUDGE AND SPECIALITY SALSA

We have received a few phone calls or messages this week from some of our friends asking if they can order more FUDGE. So we will be ramping up TASTEBUDS for Valentines day. SALSA $5 a pint and FUDGE $6.50 per pound(+shipping). Yes, I said pound on the fudge. For those of you who ordered during the holidays we actually gave you a full pound of fudge @ $6.50 instead of the the half pound we had written. OOPS Glad, you all enjoyed it :P The pkgs will come decorated with a pink ribbon and a pink label.
If you have any questions or would like to make an order leave us a comment or use our contact info at the top, right side of our blog to email us or send funds.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your continual support.
All proceeds will go to our adoption fundraising efforts. THANKS

Called our kids in Ghana!

I have to admit I was so nervous to call our kids in Ghana. However I have been really hoping to get some pictures and it just hasn't worked out so instead the opportunity to call our kids was presented and how could I say no. But I didn't know how much they knew about us, or if they had seen a picture, or how confusing it could be for us to call them. So I prayed, and prayed to find peace and comfort and that our kids would be blessed with the same. It was so "SWEET" to hear their little voices and their accents. Not much was said or needed to be after our first question. They asked us, "how are you". We replied, "good". And then asked Sarah and then Kingsley, "If they would like to join our family". To hear them say, "oh, YES"! Was AMAZING, so real and emotional. I lost it, I was bawling. My mind was spinning. We had the phone on speaker so our kids could listen, we also passed it around to say who they were and whatever they wanted to say. It was a HAPPY DAY! That night I wished we had talked longer, asked more questions, but I just couldn't think past them wanting to join our family and I guess that's the most important after all, right?

Need to give a huge shout out of THANKS!

Many of you supported us during our Fudge and Salsa fundraiser. "THANK YOU"!!! I am so pleased to announce that after all the money we spent putting into our supplies we still cleared a profit of $335.00 plus one check sent for $40 and one for $50! I am so HAPPY to be able to write out a check to Luckyhill for a grand total of $ 425.00 towards our adoptions costs! Thank you so much for all your LOVE and SUPPORT. I am in awe how AMAZING you all are!. This completely exceeded my expectations and then some.

I AM EMOTIONALLY SPEECHLESS!

WE just had the most "AWESOME'EST" thing done! We heard a small knock at the door. I thought the kids were playing and paid no attention to it. Casey was in his office and got up to check it out. When he opened the door no one was there, but he noticed someone had left a quart size jar on our porch, Casey picked it up and then looked around to see who left it, he noticed someone in a hoodie walking away. Casey said THANK YOU, and the person kept walking! SO Cas came inside and immediately I heard my name called. He was yelling throughout the house, HON look what someone just left us! It was a jar filled with MONEY that had a note attached that read CHRISTMAS JAR! Oh wow, what a blubbering baby I am right now. I have such a grateful heart, that someone, or some family thought to save their money up until right before Christmas and then to deliver it to us! I am speechless and overcome with emotion. It's so powerful to see that so many people do live and celebrate the true meaning of CHRISTMAS, being a true example of our Saviour, giving and sacrificing all for the sake of someone else benefit! Wow, my heart is FULL!

I have longed to write this past week. I really have been so overwhelmed with the kindness and thoughtfulness that some many have shared with us as we are fundraising for our adoption. I have neglected to write because I don't want to make anyone feel that their kindness was less than as important as someone else's, if that makes sense. To know that someone, so many have been willing to sacrifice at this time right before Christmas to help us raise money towards our adoption is humbling and amazing. When I put it out there that we would be making fudge and salsa for fundraising I was so stressed that we wouldn't recoup our costs or break even. I am so happy to say that we have exceeded BOTH! We've had many orders for fudge and salsa, one amazing order was 32 fudge and 26 salsa. We have had 2 checks show up in the mail with no desire for anything in return, one was from a highschool friend that I haven't seen in 13yrs but just got reaquainted with through facebook and the other was from a person I have never met face to face but have enjoyed getting to know through facebook and blogs, both sent a note that said they wanted to do what they could to help us bring our kids home. Each night I go to bed anxious to offer "THANKS" to my Father in Heaven for the amazing friends he has blessed us with and for their willingness to support us and love us! I wish I weren't so speechless as to how it feels to be the recipient of such " INCREDIBLE BLESSINGS!" My prayer is gonna be a long one tonight :)

TO EVERYONE: IF YOU HAVE CALLED ME, EMAILED ME, FB ME, ORDERED FROM ME, OR SENT ME A CHECK IN THE MAIL. "THANK YOU" FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME. YOU HAVE EACH TOUCHED ME IN SUCH A MEANINGFUL AND SPECIAL WAY! I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!!!

Tempt your TASTEBUDS this holiday season!

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS OUR ADOPTION FUNDRAISER! Thanks for shopping.