Daniel and Ashley Adopt

Unavailable for a while

2011-02-14T09:15:00.001-08:00

Thank you for visiting our blog.

With mixed feelings I have to inform you that we are not currently available for placement. I'm sad because I can't wait to be able to add to our family through adoption. But we are very excited at the opportunity afforded us through Daniel's work. We will be living in Xiamen, China from April 12, 2011 until October 10, 2012.

To follow our adventures there check out our family blog.

May the links here lead you where you need to go for answers.

Thank you,

Ashley and Daniel

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-10-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how I missed last week, but I apologize. Just know that I am extra grateful this week.

My dogs growing up. Our first dog passed away in 2004. It was a sad day. My second dog however has just this week reached the point that life is not good for her anymore. She will be laid to rest Friday in her favorite hunting grounds as a hunting dog. I will miss her and I am grateful for all that she was for me during my teenage and college years. Rest in Peace Sophie dog.
Sophie with my dogs Winston (Sophie) then Lacy.

My husband. He is very good and has supported me through so much.

My own house. A place where we are in charge and can change and fix things without consulting a land lord.

Teaching. I am grateful that I get to teach once a month in Relief Society. I love the lessons, the women, and the things I learn each time I teach.

Sleep. It has been a little scarce recently so I am very grateful when I get it.

What are you grateful for?

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-10-06T20:05:00.001-07:00

I was going to try to not have any repeats but this week there are going to be repeats.

This week:

Rain. It's so cleansing and smells so fresh. It refreshes me.

Solvency. I had to find out some bankruptcy information for an office client and it makes me sad that there are people who have nothing and don't know how to manage it when they do have something.

Cookies. I love a good chocolate chip cookie. Yum.

My relief society ladies. It was game night and we just chatted. They are good women.

My ability to sew. I love sewing and how well it serves it's purpose as a creative outlet.

What are you grateful for?

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-09-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

This week:

A job. I am grateful for employment. I have a job now! It's great. They know that we are hoping to adopt and are okay with that and understand that I want to be a stay at home mom. I get to work good hours for good people and it will give us an opportunity to save more before having a child.

Good neighbors. We have neighbors that have become friends. I am grateful for them.

My maternal grandparents. I was able to have lunch with my maternal grandparents today. They are such good people and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with them.

My paternal grandma. My grandpa died before I knew him. But my grandma and I have a very good relationship. She lives on the other side of the country and we chat regularly and I try (and generally do) visit about twice a year and we see historical places and we sew and we have a good time.

My piano. I am glad that I have a piano in my house to play when I want. It's definitely a blessing.

What are you grateful for?

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-09-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for:

The ladies in my ward. There are so many wonderful women of every age in my ward. They encourage me and reassure me. I am truly grateful for them in my life.

DVR. I don't watch commercials anymore. Yay. I watch things on my time and I can wait for my husband to watch things with me.

Fall. The colors are wonderful and give me so much joy. They are so beautiful and remind me of the other beauties of this earth.

Massages. A good massage therapist working regularly can restore your body and make you feel you so much better. I have had this blessing in my life recently.

My in-laws. Daniel's family is wonderful and I am grateful for my good relationship with them.

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-09-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for:

Sleep. I am a bit of an insomniac. I have a hard time sleeping sometimes. It's a family thing. I am grateful for a full night's sleep when I get it. I love feeling rested and ready.

My dogs. I love the frustrating little devils. They are givers of unconditional love. The love to snuggle and lay in the sun. I am so glad we have them. They keep me company.

A car. I am so glad that we are in a position that my husband and I each have a vehicle in which to accomplish our errand running.

DVDs. I love to watch movies while I am crafting. DVDs are such a space-taker that it's convenient to store them.

Calendars. I am someone who always needs to know my current circumstances. There are ways in which I can't - like how close I am to a job or a baby - but calenders and clocks help me keep a sense of where and what is the now. It helps me plan and be prepared.

Open Adoption

2010-09-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

As we have talked to our many friends and family about adoption we find we have to explain open adoption, how much openness we would be willing to work with and how it works.

We know open adoption is very important. The babies placed in our home will have a knowledge of who his/her birthmother (and birhtfather where positive) is and how important she is to our eternal family. Our children will know who their birthmom is and why she chose to place. Our birthmoms will be known at our house. They will be invited to birthdays and important events through the child's life. They will recieve regular e-mails, pictures, letters and things from the child. I love how Mrs. R. sends care packages to her boys birthmoms. She is so grateful for those women and their gift to her.

An adopted child with an open relationship with their birthfamily will have more people loving and praying for him/her. Their birthfamily will simply be another family full of love for them.

Each situation is different. We know that the birthmothers who choose to place their babies in our home will be giving us the greatest gift we can be given next to the gospel. They will ge giving us a family - something we cannot do on our own. Through that gift there will be a special bond between the mother who creates the baby and the motehr who raises the baby. What better relationship can there be between women.

This is for my blog readers to know and for potention birth mothers to read.

Dear birthmom - you are special. You always will be. The love you show in placing a baby is beyond my comprehension. I pray for you and your baby while you make the difficult decisions ahead of you.

Attitude of Gratitude...

2010-09-09T15:40:00.000-07:00

This week there are many things I am grateful for.

The internet. Look at all I can accomplish, learn, and share with the internet?

A couple little girls that I get to baby sit that help me remember regularly why I want my own family. Even if they are on either end of the "terrible twos." I'm glad their mother trusts me to babysit them when she needs help.

Rain. I love rain. The smell of clean and the freshness of the plants. Then the sun shines and everything gleams. I love it.

Talents. I have been blessed with being taught to play the piano and I'm grateful for the practicing I was pushed to do. I now very much enjoy the blessings of having that ability in my life.

Facebook. I know. Weird. But I get regular encouragement from friends through this median.

What are you grateful for?

Attitude of Gratitude...

2010-09-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

As we patiently await the opportunity for our baby I am going to endeavor to share the things I am grateful for.

This week:

My health. Even though it is not perfect, I am a functional person who can participate in many things that give me joy.

Sunshine. I love the warmth that comes from the sun. It's a warmth like nothing else.

My husband. He has been very patient and kind. We had the opportunity to spend time with nieces and nephews and he was so good with them. I know he will make a good father.

A house of my own. My cousin's wife pointed out to me the other day that at least we own a house, although not big or grand, we own a house. We are very blessed.

Friends. I had the opportunity to spend time with friends this last week. I love my friends and all the good they do for me.

Till next week - when I can share more of my gratitude.

Dear Friend

2009-06-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,

Thank you for considering adoption for your baby. We have seen among our friends and family how adoption is a blessing for so many people. We respect you tremendously for making this difficult decision. We know that the Lord will guide you in making the decision that will be best for you and your baby. Let us tell you about ourselves.
Ashley’s story:
When I was 19 I began to have various health problems. A simple blood test showed I would not be able to bear children. Shortly after we were married we talked about our options to have a family. The more we talk about it the more the certain we are that adoption is right for us. The Lord has since confirmed that this is His plan for us. We are so excited to welcome a child into our home.
In 2006 I graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in History. I am blessed to be able to work in the field of History for museums and archives. I have three younger siblings and we enjoy spending time together and chatting about our interests.
Daniel is a wonderful husband. When I first met him, I was impressed as I watched him with his nieces and nephews. I love how tenderhearted he is. He is so good with them; he plays with his nephews and reads books to his nieces.
When I told him early in our relationship I would not be able to bear children, he was un-phased. I appreciated his kind understanding, unconditional love, and faith that the Lord would provide a family is His own way.
Daniel is a hard worker. He takes good care of our house and yard and makes things look their best. He is fortunate to work for a company that treats him well and that he enjoys.
Daniel’s love for me is whole hearted. He is supportive of everything I want to do. Not only does he accept my quirks, he even loves me for them. He has a strong testimony of the gospel and enjoys studying and learning about it.
Daniel’s story:
I grew up as the fourth of five children. I served a mission in Arizona. In 2006 I graduated from Weber State University. I am grateful to have married Ashley.
Ashley is enthusiastic about life; especially about our family, friends, and dogs. Her love of history has really been inspired by her regular visits to her grandma who lives in Virginia amid some of the country’s greatest historical locations. She is actively involved in many different craft projects including sewing, cross stitching, and updating and decorating our home. She is an excellent piano player. She loves learning and reading. She enjoys the annual backpacking trip with her family. She is patient with me and the dogs. She continues to nurture her testimony of the Gospel through study, service, and prayer.
Our Story:
We met in a student ward in 2006. We were both about to graduate from college and the timing couldn’t have been better. We dated for six months and were engaged for three. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 3, 2007.
Together we love to have fun. We enjoy planning and working in our yard and home. We enjoy walking and playing with our two dogs. We travel as much as we can. We enjoy hosting our friends for regular dinner parties. Our friends are all very supportive of each other and we are blessed to have them in our lives.
The members of both of our immediate families are active in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our parents taught us to follow the Spirit and obey the commandments. We will teach the same to the children we are blessed with.
We have close relationships our families. We get together with Daniel’s side of the family multiple times a month. We celebrate birthdays and accomplishments. Daniel’s extended family has an annual Christmas party and summer camp-out with his mother’s side, as well as an annual reunion with his father’s. We see Ashley’s family regularly and enjoy spending time with them. Ashley’s extended family a long standing tradition of Bingo every Christmas. We always look forward to this yearly event.
Our families and friends support us in adoption. They are excited for us to have children and experience all the joys and challenges they have experienced, and our nieces and nephews are excited for a new cousin.
It is very important to us that your baby know of the amazing gift you gave in placing him or her with us. Your trust in us is sacred. We will honor that trust. You will always be the angel that helped us grow our family and you will always have a special place in our hearts. We love you and pray for you. May the Lord lift you up and strengthen you at all times. Thank you for getting to know us a little better.

Love,

Ashley and Daniel

Boy Meets Girl

2009-05-03T17:22:00.001-07:00

Daniel and Ashley met in Spring 2006. We dated through Christmas and were engaged January 4, 2007. We were married on April 3, 2007 with many family members and friends there to support us.

Here are pictures from the time we met through our wedding.

We love to Travel!

2009-05-03T17:10:00.001-07:00

We have been able to take three major trips while we have been married. They have been so much fun. In February 2008 we went to Orlando so Daniel could attend a trade show. I was able to tag along and we had so much fun in Disney World. We celebrated Valentines at Epcot that year. So much fun.

In September of 2008 We went back east to DC and Virginia, where Ashley has family. It was Daniel's fist time in DC. It was such a fun trip. Ashley just absolutely loves history. It was the best place to visit!

In May of 2009 we were able to go to Disneyland with some friends of ours. We loved it. We hope to visit Disneyland with our future family and share the magic with our kids.

Happily Married!

2009-05-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

Daniel and I got married on April 3, 2007. We have had two very happy years with the hope of many more to come. During our two years we have improved the house and gotten two puppies. We like to spend time with our friends. Here are pictures from the first two years.