Our Story

I want to introduce you all to Carly. She is my friend and our story goes back 16 years.

I am her birth mom.

When I first found out I was pregnant, and after the shock wore off, my first thought was that I wasn’t a kid anymore and that this is serious. I felt I was prepared to welcome this beautiful spirit into my life and all the responsibility that entailed. I was ready to be a mom.
As time progressed I knew that I needed to pray about what was right for my baby and to put aside my wants. I was afraid to pray because even at that early stage I had a vague idea that she was meant to bless someone else’s life. I didn’t know if I could accept the answer I feared I already knew. When I gathered enough courage to pray I received a very clear answer…this child was destined for another loving family. Even though I had no doubts about what the Lord wanted for this child, it was extremely difficult for me to accept. I had grown to love my baby very much.
With that answer in hand, I began working with LDS Social Services to pick the right family. Again the answer was very clear. I knew the moment I read her new family’s page. I was cautioned about selecting a family too soon and told that I might change my mind. There was no doubt in my heart at all, I had found the right home for my baby and I wanted them to be notified immediately.
After she was born she was very sick. My dad wanted to give her a blessing but she didn’t have a name. He was impressed that she was a celestial angel and so as he gave her a healing blessing, he gave her the name Angelica Celeste. In the hospital when I was holding her, my conviction began to waiver. I loved her so much and didn’t think I could walk out of the hospital without her. I prayed fervently for strength as my mind was in turmoil. I received strength and an answer that I would see her again in this life.
Over the past 16 years I have clung to that answer; that I would see her again. There were many times when I was alone that I would cry for the loss. My heart ached even though I know what I did was right. I can’t express the feelings I had when her dad contacted me and asked if I would be a part of her life. I went from utter shock to inexpressible joy and gratitude. I was not only grateful for the opportunity to meet her, but for her parents. Their willingness to allow me to know her meant a great deal to me.
My husband has been amazing. His understanding during the years when I longed for her meant a lot to me, and his support now that we were going to meet shows how loving and awesome he is. I am so lucky to have him. What a blessing he is!
Carly and her family came to California for her 16th birthday so she could celebrate with some old friends. They were planning on stopping by quickly to meet me, and that quick stop by turned into several hours because it was so comfortable and sweet. The time flew by. Sammie and Griffin were so excited to meet her. The entire time she was at our house Sammie would not leave her side. I don’t think we have a picture of Carly without Sammie in it. They bonded instantly.
The timing of our two families coming together was just right. Carly’s dad knew of a job opening for Jason and was more than willing to help him. We are now in Utah where Jason is working and I am able to see Carly.
It has been a wonderful and unexpected blessing. Just 2 months ago I was still wondering when I would see her again. So much has changed so quickly and all for the better.

Bridal Veil Falls

Family Fun Day

School is about to start so we decided to have a little fun before we get back to the "GRIND". We were told about this fun place called the Bean museum near BYU. If you call dead, and stuffed animals fun then yes, it was fun! There were elephants, lions, tigers,rhinos and all sorts of fun things to look at. The best was the liger, really there is one. I thought that it was just a wierd thing Napolean Dynamite came up with, but apparently there was a liger named Shasta and she died. Now she is stuffed and in the Bean Museum. There was a reptile show, where they brought out a few live animals. Cooper loved petting them. OK this is NOT a live animal, I know, It is an aligator skin. GROSS!!!!! Jason made me let Cooper touch this (thank goodness for purell). They were showing us how thick their skin is. I think this was Cooper's favorite. He got really mad when we passed it on.

Meet "Shasta" the Liger

This ones for Aunt Jessica

Here are the "toothless wonder" pictures for Jessica

Cooper is 4months old!

Cooper had his first hair cut. He was starting to look really silly with his patchy hair, we decided to buzz him. Thanks Aunt Susan for helping me. Apparently I am not capable of cutting any hair. I tried to do it on my own but he looked so funny. I did not take any pictures because I was so embarrassed. Aunt Susan came over and saved the day!

Cooper's Cousin

This is Cooper's cousin Benjamin. Ben was born the day after Cooper, even though Ben was supposed to be the older cousin. Ben's head isn't big it is just the angle of the camera! And Cooper's head if freakishly small, huh Ben!

Monkies in my Yard

These to pictures are hilarious. Sammie is such a scardy cat sometimes!

Mini Cooper at 2 months old

Dreaming

Family Pictures

I Have Been Blessed

We are all so in love with our little man. The kids do not leave for school before they kiss him goodbye. Griffin says he has too look at his"cuteness" before he leaves for school. Then they race home after school to hold him. Cooper is now 1 month old, his favorite past time is eating then when he is done, he sleeps! All the eating is paying off because he now weighs 8 pounds 4 ounces, he was 6 pounds 4 ounces when we came home from the hospital.


Yes, he has crazy hair. I have tried to comb it down but it just ends up just like this. Our favorite hair style is a faux-hawk

Griffin is a wonderful big brother. He appreciates everything the little guy does. He is amazing at getting him to sleep. He loves to hold him and shower him with kisses. He is always telling Cooper " I love you so much". I love these tender moments.

Sammie has been waiting for this baby for so long. She is meant to be a big sister! This little boy is not starved for kisses that is for sure. Poor Sammie was sick last week and hated the fact that she could not be near Cooper. She was so cute, she stood over him and just looked at him smiling. She loves to sing to him and read him books. I know they say you can't spoil a newborn, but we are proving that theory to be wrong.

I am so blessed, I have three amazing children and a wonderful husband who is also the best dad ever! I prayed for years for this baby, and now he is here, and so beautiful. He finishes off our family just perfectly. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with this perfect little family.