The Christian Crew

The UFA conference went well!!! Terra Cooper and i got to finally meet and i was able to shoot for the event and had a great time being INSPIRED and getting connected with many of those in the adoption arena! I even got to see my old friends Tamra & Jessa and meet new amazing people as well!  I was able to be the photographer for the event and we learned alot about leading with LOVE and not fear in our adoption journeys. I considered so much of this b/c our international adoptions are still 1-2 yrs out and its seems daunting and scary and i worry. BUT, i know i shouldn't and that God has everything lined up for our family. And we need to do all that we can do and leave the rest in his hands and timing! Can't wait to watch out CO chapter grow! It's going to be great!!!

We had such a fun time doing our first Family Costumes this year!!! We had a great FRIDAY going to school parties and our ward Trunk-or-Treat where we won most creative for my Gluten free Turkey Chili and we won BEST FAMILY COSTUMES for our CREW! Brielle refused to be be WENDY- so i got that opportunity! She made a Darling First Mate of Capt, Hooks crew! ANd who could beat this JOHN boy- those cheeks and eyes just melt your heart! OUR TINK is especially feisty too! It was such an Adventure! Now to plan for next year's costumes! seriously- BEST Gavin Costume yet- He is PERFECT for this role! the girls got heeps of treats! And we still have way too much Candy left over:)

WE had our Kick-Off Party and ENJOYED getting to know each other! We had VISITORS come all the way from CO Springs as well! and our OLDEST decided to WRITE what she feels Adoption means on the white board and helped set up as well! Her birth momma would be proud- she is growing up so fast! FOOD and Adoption Art/Literature  Tables! Kids being kids:) We Played a Getting to know you GAME!  The Reddekopps even made it here from down south! It was such a treat to see them! You read a question then tossed the ball to the person you wanted to answer that question! Some were easy, some were funny, ALL got us talking and thinking! Myself and Gavin ( He was in a back scratching coma:) Jessica- our birth momma friend ( not my son's Birth mom though:) and SLADE our baby! Our Guest, LCSW, who specializes in working with foster care and adopted kids and her little man! Ray, who was recently adopted this year th...

HI Everyone! I know it's been a while since I have been involved in Sharing the adoption love in this state but, I have been doing what I could while my life was going through some changes, like welcoming a child and moving to a new home ( which btw is still in semi construction and boxes) ! I'm always reaching out to others about adoption and foster care and opening my mouth about how beautiful our OPEN adoptions are with our Birth families! I never really stopped after FSA! WHY? B/c as a matter of fact- THIS IS WHAT I LOVE! It's implanted in my SOUL and every fiber of my being! I know that being a mother is a DIVINE CALLING and HELPING UNITE FAMILIES is my other Calling in life! I've felt this for a Very long time! I knew at a Young age( 15) that I'd struggle to have children and the mission to know about adoption started for me. I LOVED and memorized the Song *" From God's Arms, To My Arms, To yours" (* this video is amazing b/c it was ...

And Give us AWESOME days like this! Yep, Misty FOG hanging in the mountains- so what did we do with it???  Go for a nature Walk, what else!!! GAVIN is a little Man now- love this crazy boy!  Holding the ANTLER , Brielle found!   CRAZY ORANGE FUNGI growing on an old log! Brielle took this picture too! giant MUSHROOM our locals! Slade is getting so big!

It's Been on my mind for the past few weeks  to write a bit of wisdom and understanding concerning becoming a parent through adoption. Mainly in part, because I have so many sweet friends and associates who are still Waiting for the Miracle of a Child. These friend of mine are smart, educated, have nice homes, pets, degrees, are well-respected in the community and GIVE so much to those they serve yet, they long to be called Mommy and Daddy.  Their arms ache for a child and their hearts seem to be held together with strings of hope after such long periods of time without kids. I've Been there. Maybe in a different way and time in my life but, I've had those crummy, hard experiences. Like speaking in church on mothers day after three years of infertility and empty arms. Or days when I didn't want to try any more, like after I lost the 5th baby on my birthday one year! I want you precious and wonderful couples to know that HOPE is okay to have again!!! YEP, after 2...

So, Make it count! We think about the future all the time- and yet we remain present in the Present! We love every second of our time and have a blast being parents! When our girls sing along in the car or the boys play blocks together, even when they are all Crying or whining we wouldn't trade it for anything! We sat down with and Financial planner a bit ago and they showed us these BIG overwhelming numbers for college savings and asked the big Question " Are you planning on having any more children in the future?" We both looked at each other and said a resounding YES, we are! We plan on adopting out of the country in a couple years and it may be one or 2 and we never know WHO GOD has lined up for us that currently isnt in our plan in between or after that time! The guys looked baffled but, said OKAY , lets restructure some numbers around! Honestly, it would be SO easy to just be DONE with having and adopting children at this point. Seriously, Slade is walking...