Anniversary Number Nine

20. December 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Our Story · Tags: ,

Nine years! It’s funny to say, because even though we’ve been through so much together, it just doesn’t seem possible that we could have been married this long already. =) I know more and more each day that we were meant to be together. It seems cliche, but Daniel is truly the best person I could have by my side.

We are different in so many ways, but I love that about us.

  • I’m known for being short and spazzy and he’s more the stoic and serious type.
  • He’s got a memory like a steel trap and I use a planner, take photos, and journal to help me remember.
  • I’m as busy as they come with half a dozen things going on at the same time and Daniel has laser focus as he works one priority at a time.
  • He’s confident and when he’s not, he deals well with uncertainty and when things don’t go according to plan sometimes I feel lost and lean on him.

He fills in the spots where I need a hand and I’m there to help when he needs me. When we work together, we can do some pretty awesome stuff!

Who wants to see some wedding photos? Thought so!

Daniel and Christy in Wedding Day

Wedding Ring

Our Families

Existing the Temple

Daniel and Christy

Daniela and the Bridesmaids

Unexpected Affection

Can’t wait to see my sweet husband tonight and plant a big one on him. Kinda like our friend, Garrett, did on our wedding day. I think this might have been the most memorable kiss of the day. =)

First Dace/ Our Song? Check.

Looking Together

We remain, as ever, just a couple of kids in love,

Christy and Daniel

My Conversion Story

06. October 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Faith, Our Story · Tags: , , ,
Endowment Day

Christy and Daniel at the Temple
(Click to Enlarge)

I was raised with the sure knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I had a testimony of this at a very young age and have known of the power of the atonement throughout my life. We never consistently attended church as a family, but we were Christian in faith.

When I was 14 years old I met a guy at high school, named Josef, that I eventually started to crush on. When I took a step back, I wondered why it was that I liked him. The main reasons ended up being that he had high standards, he wasn’t at all profane, he was kind… overall just one of the best people I had ever met. I asked why he was this way and he explained it was his church and his beliefs that made him who he was.

Time went by and I continued to wonder about what it was he actually believed. I started looking at myself and realized I wasn’t happy with the way I was living my life and wasn’t making choices that the Savior taught.

I started asking Josef and other friend, Melaney, about their church. It was the first time I had ever heard about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After some time I decided to pray about what they were telling me. It was the first time in my life that I actually prayed and received an answer. I had a sure feeling that what they were teaching me was true and to continue finding out more about the church.

I started making changes in my behavior by living the standards the gospel taught. I spent the next several years studying the Bible, finding out more about the church, and praying about what I was learning.

Christy's Baptism

Christy with the Missionaries
(Click to Enlarge)

I went to my first meeting at an LDS Church just after I graduated high school. Within a month of attending my first meeting, I was baptized. A year and a half later I married my husband in the Redlands California Temple.

Though the many challenges I’ve faced over the last ten years of membership in the LDS church, I’ve had my faith to sustain me. I have know so many wonderful people thanks to my association with this church. It has strengthened my marriage. I have found meaning and peace in my life. I have been blessed. I know in time, the gospel of Jesus Christ will provide the keys and inspiration that will help me be a mother of faith and gentleness to the children sent into our care.

-Christy

I Believe In Us

05. October 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Our Story · Tags: , ,
I Believe

click to enlarge

Several years ago on my birthday, Daniel surprised me with a letter that described his memories of some of the most important moments of our life together. I got his ok to use some of it here, so you could hear more of his voice and his heart. I cherish this letter. I am so lucky to have him in my life.

The morning we were married
“I set my alarm for three and a half hours after getting in from Return of the King. The movie was alright, but I was preoccupied with what would be happening later in the morning. I was exhausted and mercifully sleep came quickly.  I slept the sleep of the innocent. I woke up, dressed, and left for the temple making sure that I had everything we needed.

I felt wonderful. I felt excited. I even felt rested, which to this day still boggles my mind. I wanted to make sure that everything was right, but then on the other hand I didn’t really have a care in the world. At that moment of time, I knew that this was the right thing to be doing and there was no doubt or fear in my mind.

I remember thinking that this moment in time would never come again and that this was the most important thing I’d ever do in my life as I made those sacred covenants with you in front of God, Angels, and Witnesses.

Time felt like it crawled by as I waited for you to make your appearance. I remember almost falling out of my seat as you finally walked out of the hallway and into the room. I thought you were the most beautiful creature on the face of the Earth and I was the luckiest man for you to have taken such a risk on me. Truly, I was so taken back by your beauty and your grace that I remember just wanting to take that moment and freeze it.

I felt wrapped up in the Spirit and comforted when I was asked to take me place across the alter from you and join hands. The actual ceremony seemed to whisk by like a paper caught in a strong fall breeze. I’d heard the words before, but this time it was different, as this time sealed me to you for eternity.” – Daniel, Summer 2007

We Knew

11. September 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Faith, Our Story · Tags: , , ,
Family- Daniel and Christy Engagement Photos

-Click to Enlarge

From the moment I first saw Daniel, I knew he was someone special. I later found out that he was pretty curious from the start about me, too. =)

There was something about that connection that has always stuck with me. Daniel has always felt familiar to me, like he was a long lost friend, but from some distant place I don’t really remember.

Though it sounds strange, we both knew very early on that we were meant for each other. Within days of meeting, we had a discussion that led me to confessing to him that I was supposed to marry him and he responded with the words that will never leave me, “I know”. With little understanding from anyone, we moved forward, because something inexplicable had happened. We had faith that God had led us to each other.

We’re certain that most of the people that came to celebrate that December day we were married were confused or concerned, but almost nine years later, we’ve only fallen deeper and deeper in love.

We’ve seen our share of storms in life, one of the biggest being the challenges we’ve faced bringing a child into our family. Daniel has always been there for me. He has lovingly listened and comforted me as I’ve struggled to understand what God’s plan was for us. He has held me and uplifted me and made our little family of two abundant in love.

Announcement PhotoWhen I look at these photos, I know of the hope and the joy we had to see what the future held for us. Nine years later, we still hold that hope and it has become more sacred and precious to us. We know there is a plan. We know that when the moment is right, God will bless us with the child that he’s intended for us all along.

-Christy

Our Baby Photos

10. September 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Our Story · Tags: , ,

I made a scrapbook to display at our wedding with photos of us growing up since we didn’t have the money to spend on a presentation, like a lot of couples do.

I’ve enjoyed scrapbooking for a long time. My tastes have changed in the last nine years since these were done (for instance I don’t use as many stickers as I used to), but they do have some great photos of us when we were just little babies. =)

…Daniel on the left…Christy on the right…

Daniel and Christy Growing Up- Babies

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Daniel as a baby as told by his mom:

  • Daniel liked to sleep on his tummy with his bum up in the air.
  • He was a happy baby that loved to be read to.
  • He enjoyed going to new places.
  • Before he could crawl his dad said he just looked at Daniel marveling how wonderful individual our little guy was.
  • He like to bounce in the door bouncy chair (Johny Jumper).
Daniel and Christy Growing Up- Babies

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Christy as a baby as told by her mom:

  • When she was a wee baby, she liked to be held. But she didn’t like me to sit and hold her. I had to be standing. I would rock and jiggle her and she would be content. Then I would sit and that made her unhappy!!!
  • When we changed her diaper we would turn on the mobile. It would turn and play music and she would watch it. If we forgot to turn it on she fussed until we did… We found that very cute!
  • I remember calling my sister from the hospital and telling her that I had a little girl! =)
  • She was home about two days and we found that she had turned over in her crib!!! She didn’t know what she was doing, but she had stretched her body and just rolled over!

A year later…

20. August 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Adoption, Our Story · Tags: , ,

Wait on the Lord: Psalm 27:14Just over a year ago, Daniel and I started the adoption process. It has been tough and exciting time for us as a couple and with that time behind us, we know the best is yet to come.

I was thrilled the morning of our first meeting. After years of waiting and saving, I was so excited we were making such a big step by finally walking into the adoption agency. After a bit of online research, I only vaguely understood the requirements that we would need to meet, but I showed up that morning starry-eyed.

When the reality hit, I felt like we had been stopped dead in our tracks. Reviewing the exhaustive list of paperwork, interviews, and referrals was overwhelming to the point of tears. The sheer amount work involved seemed insurmountable.

The most difficult part to swallow was the estimated time that we would wait for placement. Even after we made it through the mountain of paperwork and reached the approval stage, the average time to placement was two to four years. Hearing that brought me to undignified sobs. We had been married for just over 7.5 years. Waiting for years more seemed too much to ask when I was already so weary.

But we brought that packet home. Day by day we whittled the stack of forms lower and lower. We went to the trainings and read the required books. We made our house more inaccessible by baby proofing every inch without a baby in sight. We opened up our lives for scrutiny; our childhoods, marriage, family relationships, spirituality, parenting philosophy, finances, medical history. You name it, we did it.

We made it over the hurdles and we were approved in March. Since then we’ve experienced anticipation, excitement, and loss. We have spent the last five months hopeful, eager, nervous, and waiting for “the call”.

We did this all for a dream. The dream that someday soon we will be able to bring our child home. A dream that we’ll be able to watch the miracle of that child becoming a person; learning their strengths, helping them overcome their weaknesses, comforting them when they fall, and encouraging them to get back up. We dream of being parents and we’re willing to wait.

-Christy

What to Say?

09. July 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Everyday Life, Our Story · Tags: , ,

Many times I’ve been asked, “What should I say to my infertile friends? What helped you? What hurt you? How can I be there for them?” To be honest, there was very little I could think of as a response. “Love them.” “Listen to them.” That was the best I could do.

I ran across a post entitled Infertility Etiquette on a blog called Dreaming of Dimples last night and every word rang true. We have grieved, as she describes, for the loss of that desire and eventually moved on to new hope through adoption. The last bit really hits home, especially now when a few people have asked if we’re sure we want to leave trying to conceive behind us.

Once the couple has made the decision to stop treatments, support their decision. Don’t encourage them to try again, and don’t discourage them from adopting, if that is their choice. Once the couple has reached resolution (whether to live without children, adopt a child, or become foster parents), they can finally put that chapter of their lives behind them.

I hope it’s helpful for my friends who have wondered, “What do I say?” Thank you for being there for me and Daniel. Thank you for supporting us now as we pray for a miracle through the blessing of adoption. I am so grateful for the hope that adoption has given us.

-Christy

July 4th

08. July 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Our Story · Tags: , ,

I met my husband nine years ago on the Forth of July and so every year, as we watch the fireworks, I reminisce. :)

From that first day, I knew that Daniel would make a great father. We were sitting on a blanket with friends, waiting for the fireworks to begin, and a little boy nearby started blowing these plastic bubbles that didn’t pop. Daniel talked with him and let the bubbles land all over him to the delight of the boy. Daniel’s eyes were dancing with light and he never let that little boy feel like a bother for one second.

Daniel's Smile After all these years, I’ve been able to see again and again what a wonderful man my husband is and how beautifully he interacts with kids of all ages. He gives 100% of his attention to every conversation and moment. He’s makes each kid feel like they share the most hilarious secrets with his gentle and funny personality. He’s also a natural with a baby on his hip. :)

Thanks Daniel for being such a great guy. I’m so excited to parent alongside you!

-Christy

Approved

16. March 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Adoption, Our Story · Tags: , , ,

I am so excited to announce that my husband and I have been approved as an adoptive family!

We’ve been hoping to adopt for years and years and, finally, we started the process last year. It was a lot of paperwork and prayer, but eight months later we made it to approval!

Daniel's Graduation The next step is to spread our profile far and wide. Out there, somewhere, is someone looking for a family to trust with something so precious and something that we would be forever grateful for. A child. Our child.

Please share our profile with everyone you know. Get to know us better and please pray for a match! https://itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/26470857/ourMessage.jsf

 

-Christy