The Christian Crew

lest ye be judged... Where am i going with this post? Well, in a few directions but these ones specifically The role of an adoption advocate ( referred to as AA) is NOT to COAX people into wanting to adopt a baby or to convince women to place their child with others ! The Primary ROLE of an AA is : To impart one's love of adoption, the testimony of what adoption is to you, to educate, dispel adoption myths and unify others in this great miraculous process. And even though we and others may be hoping to adopt- it is not really our duty to TELL others what they should do , or cast judgment upon someone b/c they choose to parent instead of place! AP's should be very wise to not be pushy with their unwed pregnant associates. They need to understand that we all have our agency and opinions and they will all be very different. And no potential birth mom should feel obligated or guilt tripped into placing their baby- if that is not where their heart is leading them to! Here's a...

By our KEyNOtE SPEaKeR Kelsey Stewart! Adoptee asks a Tough ?

Okay before i report these stats i must add that some of the profiles are not viewable unless i was a REAL registered Birth mom but, Since I'm not and I was just doing this out of pure interest here's what the families on IAL.org are ranking in at... Currently there are 954 approved couples on the site ( viewed as guest) Of those 954 only 643 are willing to adopt bi-racial african amer./white and 518 are willing to adopt Hispanic mixed babies 437 of the 954 couples are willing to adopt a child under the age of 2 566 of the 954 are willing to have a SEMI- OPEN adoption only 350 are willing to have a FULL open Adoption and will explore levels of contact within that relationship of those 350 FULLY OPEN COUPLES.. only 203 of them will have Stay at Home Moms! The rest are either part time, work from home or full time working mothers! So if you are looking for a couple who are open to adopting outside their own race, want an open relationship with birth parents and the M...

On Russ and Kylee Kylee serves as a Co- FSA Chapter Chair here in CO! They are such a sweet and sensitive family! I always feel such peace around this wonderful lady! I hope she gets to become a mother again this year! Here's a bit from their profile... As a family, we love to go camping, hiking, and rock-climbing. We also love to do puzzles, play games and dance in the family room. We are all ticklish and often have times when we are all laughing together. We both served Spanish speaking missions, and so we are teaching Caden to speak Spanish as well. He has picked up on it very well and often surprises people when they hear a very fair “gringo” speaking Spanish.

We have been getting ready for this Adoption Conference . Brandon will be speaking in the Adoptee Panel and I will be teaching the Adoption Advocacy Class. I have also been getting stuff rounded up for the door prizes, adoption arts display and more! I ordered some sweet binks from my friend Danielle - including this one! (PS- I'm the 1st person to ever put this on a bink) my friends Joelle & Almina took me to a place I've been longing to go- D Bar desserts owned by Keegan Gerhard and his wife. He is A Food Network Chef and Judge of almost EVERY CHALLENGE show on that channel. He made me a special egg-free dessert that night! Such a great place and great guy too! Last Saturday, Dara and I made this cake for her daughter Claire's Birthday! We had tons of fun. I made the tree, lots of leaves on both layers, some polka dots and flower centers! We had a blast making this! we added tons of cosmic sparkles:) So much fun!!! We are doing well- all of us are healthy and ha...

My Girls and I LOVE doing gymnastics! Brielle and Aria are so cute and are learning pretty well! Brielle has great balance so far and Aria has great muscle tone Brielle loves kicking, leaping and the beam. Not to mention she is very flexible ! Aria is feisty and LOVES doing everything but, especially is obsessed with just wearing her leotards! she is in a class with only one other girl but will be the lone little princess for a while b/c the girl just broke her arm ( not in gym) As for me... I did a workout at the gymnastics place yesterday and I'm so sore . I just want to curl up or sit in a hot tub! My balance isn't the same but, I can do some decent split leaps and jumps, I can still do a front hand spring and many other fun things. I fell off the beam too and gave myself a nice bruise on the inside of one of my knees! Guess I'm still trying to prove to my body that I'm not 29! I think I will do that type of conditioning every Tuesday and see if I can get my Aeri...

on Blessing in a Basket! I'm loving this blog:) get your kleenex out! I thought this picture I recently took of my friend's newly adopted daughter, very appropriate! She truly and literally is a Blessing in a Basket! I'm so very grateful for these wonderful women- you inspire me more than you know!

I personally do not know this couple but, i KNOW Amanda's 2 lovely sisters who are both INCREDIBLE women and mothers. They desire so much for their sweet sister to become a mommy soon too! here's a bit from their profile... We have so much fun together. We love being outdoors – doing whatever – walks, hikes, disc golf, working in our garden, photography. We also enjoy traveling together. Most of our favorite trips revolve around hiking and/or scuba diving. Some of our favorite trips include Guadeloupe, Alaska, National Parks, Europe, and Hawaii. Keep reading here:) I hope it their year too!

Make my DAY!- Recently,i was contacted by Ashley from Blessings in a Basket !( read about her on that link:) She is amazing! She asked to feature us on her blog and i said of course! I'm amazed at her life and where she is now. Having challenges and trials in our pasts make us stronger better parents who can relate to almost anyone who may be facing any sort of challenge! Now, I'm not promoting going NUTS for the sake of having life experiences but, i want you to know this... People who Come to KNOW Christ and God's Love after many years and trials are AMAZING! They add a dynamic that cannot be fabricated by those people who lived in a bubble their whole lives! Testimonies GROW stronger by hearing from people like Ashley! I hope you awesome readers can take a glance or two at this wonderful blog and feel of her amazing Christ-like love! Thanks for doing what you do and being who you are- Ashley! BIB

Last night i had a dream... I was in the hospital room and we were there to see if Aria had swallowed something. The Dr. said he saw my stomach moving and wanted to do an ultrasound. The nurses all gathered around me and one said they could here 3 heart beats-mine and 2 babies. Aria was FINE and all the attention was turned to me now ( DREAMS ARE PRETTY ONE SIDED AND SELFISH USUALLY) . Well, the Dr. was taking a long time and i asked for a PT before he came. I didn't want to be disappointed like that again and i was lean and not looking prego. I get the test and Pee and it's PURPLE lines , not pink or blue! The nurses tell me it means multiples!!! Everyone was happy. I was ready for the dream to end b/c i figured out in my dream that it wasn't real and started waiting for the KICK . {enter the song FALLING to PIECES} I hear the music in the dream i know it's time to wake up now but, this dream feels so real and being a mommy again is what i desire most so, i wasn...

So last weekend we went to Colorado Springs to support our friends who are doing the Embryo Adoption Program with a Fertility Center there! We wanted to go so badly to King's Chef Cafe and try some Green Chili burgers or whatever, really. we saw this Diner on the Food Network Channel and have always wanted to go. So, we GPS'd it and it took us to the wrong location. So, we re-routed to the actual location and come to find out- there was a very large ST. Patty's Parade going on!!! This made us have another LONG detour as we took side streets everywhere. The girls were hungry and ready to get out of the car already! So, after parking 4 short blocks away. We got out and the girls enjoyed the parade for a bit! After that- they were really hungry and so were we. We almost WENT the wrong way to find the cafe but, thanks to a nice dude who was also going there- we redirected and found it! What a relief! And the Green Chilies were mighty potent! and that made us all have crazy fac...

So, here they are . Well, the back of it anyways:) We are pleased with the job JILL did from Spaces for faces ! Thanks for listening and doing a GREAT job! Maybe our future birth parents will get one of these from someone they and we know... miracles happen everyday!

But, Like most AP's - it's hard not to fantasize or daydream about our next child to be. Most of us can't go an hour without thinking about what he or she will be like, what the birth parents will be like, if it's a boy or a girl, if it will be sooner than later etc... Some of us AP moms start putting together ideas of what the rooms, car seat covers, fit take home outfits, nursery toys, names etc... And maybe that is wasted time, just maybe but, I think it's also therapeutic and i like getting mentally organized a tad bit. B/c with adoption- you just never know when your day will come! And having dreams, wishes, hopes, is what keeps us going through all the hard things we face. Like little to no contacts from birth moms, being judged for one thing or another, failed placements or almost miracles, stress at work or what have you! If we all stopped dreaming and hoping- what would happen to us? Maybe we'd become more cynical or callus or might some of us just gi...

On Robert And Clover This awesome couple lives the epitomy of Ranch living! They have horses, chickens, goats , tons of land and TONS of LOVE to give ad share with a future child. They have hearts of Gold and Clover serves on the FSA Media Board for the Colorado chapter! She has been wonderful to work with and hopefully, their wait will be short!

blogs about his feelings and experiences as he goes through this process! Such a great guy!!! READ IT HERE!

Today was one of those odd days ... The girls b-ball team i coach lost our first game since i've coached them and we got out of the tournament. We were missing one of our star players but, it makes no difference now. WE lost and it's okay. We will all go on and live our lives and learn from disappointment like everyone in the world does. We can't WIN all the time ( maybe Charlie Sheen can but, real people can't!) Anywho, after the Tourney we went to Colo. Springs to support our friends by sitting through an infertility seminar. Much of the info we already knew but, we learned great stuff nonetheless. Our friends are doing an embryo adoption and by us participating there today- they got to take off 100. per person who showed up! They had 32 people support them. We support all kinds of adoption and as much as I'd like to think about doing this, right now it just doesn't seem right for us. Not saying it would not be right in the future but, both of us just ke...

Adoption Act... What does this mean for anyone who has a placement with a Native American Child... So, the next time you feel frustrated with the Act, remember what was done in the past. It won't help things go more quickly, but with an understanding of why the Act is in place, it may be easier to be patient as you go through the necessary legal steps. I've got Native American Roots pretty far back. Descendants from the Michigan/Dakotas Mohawk tribes. Crazy, I know!

Or not. Here's a list of those who are in the media who have that adoption connection! And so is Glenn Beck... And I say this as a father of an adopted child and that child was born to a teenage mother, but that teenage mother was a frickin’ hero. My son’s life would have been completely different, and I know there’s going to come a time where he’s like I wish I would have had it. In fact, ten minutes ago I was disciplining him. So he’s probably thinking that right now. That teenage girl was a hero. She knew it wasn’t best for the child to raise her. So she adopted him out. God bless her.

...of opinions don't just run rampant in the WORLD, they are all over the adoption community too. Take today.... I'm in the park and see this cute chinese baby being put into her swing. I look up and her mother is white, which generally leads to adoption ?'s that are always positive and not too intrusive b/c you never know where someone stands. Our conversation led to Brielle's adoption situation and the lady says"I think open adoptions are all about the birth parents- they are uneccessary and there is no REAL study that supports the " this is best for the child" bit! And you know - you can close your adoption at anytime don't you?"I'd never chose that so, we had to go foreign". I cited the ONE study i knew about and said the good and the bad about it but, ultimately- it stated the Obvious...when children know more about their adoptions and things are open- it's not a mystery or a secret...leads to healthier self esteem/ worth...an...

on Thayne and Annie this exciting couple has had such a full life so far but are missing the ULTIMATE experience of being parents! I also met them at the Temple Night and Dinner and both are so fun. Thayne Cracks me up and both have the feel of someone you already know. They are REAL and fun-loving and have so much to offer a sweet child. Can't wait to chill with them some more as well! Annie is looking forward to serving in FSA here as well!

On Steve and Amanda... I just met this awesome couple at the FSA temple night dinner! They are both full of life and so driven and cool. Amanda and i have the same infertility issues and she is currently finishing her masters in Special Ed. They are OPEN to taking a Special Needs Child as well. Such wonderful couple and i Can't wait to meet them more!

without just quoting the whole post- I will LINK you all over to it and give you this teaser... ...Let me illustrate. One day I was shopping and a black woman asked me if Denali was my son. I answered yes with a genuine large smile on my face. She didn't like it. A few minutes later, after she had stewed about how wrong this situation was, she came to me and told me. In a three minute rant, her ignorant opinion was told. My first thought was how grateful I was that Denali didn't understand any of it because he was too young... --- Love you Linds and your whole family! Thanks for taking the -ITES out of the picture and being STRONG in your eternal family! Love you even more for that! * pic by her awesome hubby!

Yep, I'm once again clearing out ALL my supplies and goods from my Boutique business and the last bits of stuff are on my ETSY store . So, if you missed it- you get this last time to check it out. I don't have many things posted at the moment but, You will see the rest of what i have left appear sooner than later. And Honestly, I can't wait till it's all gone. I really did have a ton of supplies that i needed to USE up and re-coup some of what i had invested into it. It was a great 5 years and i had fun but, now it's on to better and more important things! I'm sure i will make all these goodies for our future children and for gifts for others- I'm just done with the business side of it all! Thanks to all who supported me while i was in it though! And snag stuff while I still have it!

makes me so happy and want to cry all at the same time! Getting this for our next child's room for sure! purchase it here!

...Nellie!! So, i just went on a blog hopping- reading spree. And I've decided on a FEW things!!! Some in particular to this blog... 1. I want to gear this blog continually to the advocating for adoption side, regardless of our hopes for another child. 2. I want to FEATURE birth parent stories more often! 3. MORE ADOPTION EVENTS will be posted on our blog 4. I will NOT CHARGE money or make money by anything that is posted on my blog. I will select what the contents are and i will go on inspiration and faith as i head down this path. I don't need peoples money and I'm Happy to put my LOVE for adoption to better USE! I'm not trying to down play those who need to charge for ad space on their blogs/sites either- It's just not what I'm about or do i need it! ( thanks honey for all your hard work in real estate and taking care of us so well:) 5. I WANT TO GIVEAWAY more. My photography will be something I DONATE to those involved in adoption ( Especially Birth Moms) ...

Here are some great quotes on adoption and birth parenting... He is mine in a way that he will never be hers, yet he is hers in a way that he will never be mine, and so together, we are motherhood. ~desha wood Jennifer Bouchard Doane, Birthmother and Lifemother. "A Birthmother puts the needs of her child above the wants of her heart" Skye Hardwick founder of "Life Mothers" My baby was my gift to the world to show everyone strength in innocence and purity, and one day I pray my baby will come home to me to tell me of his journey that I can take with him. By: Sarah Sowell Gave birth to her son April 21st 2004 Open Adoption If you love someone unconditionally and with your whole heart, then you will do what is best for them, not you. I have never learned a harder lesson than giving my child up for adoption, and I probably never will. Talitha Birthmother twice over I once heard a girl who had decided to parent her child s...

are so much fun! On Friday, Brandon and I went out with our friends, Dara and Jesse to a cool place called Fontana . It's a GREAT sushi place with an awesome roll called the Littleton maki( MY FAV)! Last night we also had a roll called the Crystal Roll- super delicious! I think my kids would even love those 2 rolls since they are not too fishy! We went and looked for some good running shoes for me and then called it a night since Brandon has had little sleep the past 3 nights due to a cough and kids waking up. Poor daddy! Well, He got his sleep last night and this morning he's off showing homes for a few hours then we will have another date to the Temple and Dinner with the FSA peeps! I'm so happy our marriage is strong and we are so in LOVE with each other! I feel sad when i see other marriages that are strained or that seems to lack that deep passion. It saddens me b/c I never want our kids to feel like that's what marriage is- just two people living together with...

...We Used to be COOL!" That song really makes me reach back to those wonderful memories of what we were like in High School. SO, here's a TAD about Our past lives... Brandon : During HS He played baseball, tennis, wrestling, & bowling at Rancho High . He was a bat boy for many years to the LV 51's( triple A) team and got tons of autographs and experiences from that. He dated only a few girls and had a girlfriend for about 2 years. He finished his Eagle Scout at 14 and He loved fantasy books an Historical novels. Brandon was always a leader and loud mouth. He had BIGGER friends to back up his BIG words too. He was a great guy and he stood up to others when they were doing wrong things. He has always been close with his parents and his Little Brother looked up to him in everything he did. Brandon even sold candy in HS to buy the things he wanted. He had others selling candy for him and was a great entrepreneur . Overall, He loved HS and enjoyed his youth doing things...

one of the FSA chapters was looking for quotes on adoption and I liked these ones:)Just wanted to share. I do think she should have had some quotes from birth mothers though. I will post some of those later. “I didn’t give you the gift of life, But in my heart I know. The love I feel is deep and real, As if it had been so. For us to have each other Is like a dream come true. No, I didn’t give you The gift of life, Life gave me the gift of you.” – Unknown “Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy’s heart instead of her tummy.” – Unknown “Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, you didn’t grow under my heart, but in it.” – Unknown It may sound cheesy and cliche but We have that growing feeling in our hearts for our future child already. Brandon and i wonder and chat daily about this tiny person and the "package" they will come in/with! He, not having an open adoption, wonders if our future child ...

on Derek and Angie This fun couple I met when doing an FSA fireside. We had spoken a few times before that and I am realizing HOW COOL they really are. They have adopted their daughter and are Hoping for a Miracle sometime soon. They have been waiting patiently for a few years and they help Run FSA Activities where they live! Such a family couldn't be more deserving!

On Gerald And Jennifer She Goes by Jen and I met them through FSA here. Jen teaches music to children and is so bubbly and full of energy and their little girl is adorable! They have been waiting about the same amount of time as we have and we hope that this will be the year they get to find out what adoption is like for the first time!