Adoption Presentation-Done

What a great way to celebrate National Adoption month than to speak in a Child Development class at Alta High School about Adoption as a part of the Utah Adoption Council! I did this today and once last year. I am always thrilled to talk about all things Weston! But it did get me a little bit choked up at times. I love him so much and he is such a JOY- it's hard to contain an overflowing cup! I was kind of nervous so hope I wasn't doing all of those annoying things that I learned not to do in public speaking in college. You know like saying "um" or "like" a thousand times, fidgeting, talking too fast, rambling. Okay, pretty sure I did do the rambling thing but I hope it wasn't too bad.
How it works is the adoption caseworker speaks first and shares her many years of experience, does some exercises imagining if they were pregnant and goes over their options, pros, cons, etc. She tells statistics and shares experience. (The class had just got done with their electronic babies and were happy to be rid of them.) Then the birthmother speaks. By FAR everyone's favorite part. Really haven't ever met a birthmom I didn't like. (Or completely admire for her unbelievable strength. Astounds me every time!) She placed her baby 2 yrs ago and is now married and just found out they're expecting a baby. Listening to her got me choked up. After her, it was my turn to talk.
The goal? Hopefully together we can dispell some of the myths about adoption that made me look at it in a different light and gave me positive feelings that I have held on to ever since I was the high schooler in the classroom hearing such a presentation. I am greatful for that education that made it easier to transition from a grim infertility situation to finding hope in hoping to adopt.
And after being blessed with a miracle,
who wouldn't want to share that??
I hope I get asked to do it again in the future.

Lullaby For a Birthmom

Ah, this song's poetic lyrics beautifully portray the bittersweet emotions, love, and huge sense of gratitude that we feel for our son's birthmom. It's something that's so hard to put into words but I'm glad someone else could get a glimpse of the struggle to express them. "Lullabies laid in our hearts unsung. Suspended for years on the tip of the tongue."

"Mercy decided our stories would meet. 2 roads converged at the point of our need, merging our lives in the ache of this love.

You're heroic and strong....this is your song.

Our arms were empty, they're empty no more.

You can be sure every [8th of September] we will remember your labor of love.

We still remember your labor of love."

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

The GINORMOUS pumpkin from my sister's family garden that we got to carve. This is one side of the pumpkin that we carved. It's an owl and supposed to be a wolf in the forest, howling at the moon, but it looks more like a tiger.

Weston saying ni-night to his 'happy punkin' after a fun weekend of Halloween

He looked like a cow, but really he was superman underneath it all.

Brett, Weston & Nicky at Brett's work trick or treating party

Weston and his Cousin he went trick or treating with. They are so adorable.

Paul Bunyon

So we had such a fun and eventful Halloween season. Full of first time trick or treating, trunk or treating, corn mazes and and a pony ride for Weston, drives in the mountains to see the unbelievably beautiful changing leaves, delicious breakfast at our friend Troy and Katie's house where she made Cinnamon Swirl French Toast with buttermilk syrup that was so good I'm still dreaming about it, hot chocolate, pumpkin shakes, chocolate candy (I can begin to see where my recent weight gain is coming from) and Weston enthusiastically pointing out every pumpkin he's seen with a, "OOOO, PUNKIN!" Or sometimes, "OOOO! Happy punkin" for the jack o lanterns.
Life is good. Hope you are all enjoying your Fall as well.