December 2009, Family Pictures

Here's a look at our family (click to play):

Make a Smilebox slideshow

If you are interested in us as adoptive parents, or want to know more, e-mail me (Alicia) at aandw2adopt@yahoo.com

If you're not ready to make contact yet, feel free to check out our family blog here (to get to know us a little more)

If you want to help support our efforts in spreading the word (about us wanting to adopt);
join our facebook group here
or
request adoption pass-along cards by e-mailing me (again that's at: aandw2adopt@yahoo.com)

We're Searching for our Family, are YOU Searching for Us???

Thank you for taking the time to look at us.

We are a loving family, hoping to add to our family through another adoption. We live in Idaho, but both of us grew up in Utah. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (click here to learn more). William teaches Technology Education at a local Junior High School. Alicia used to be a First-grade Teacher, but now chooses to be a stay at home mom and take care of our son, Leland. We love animals, and currently have two cats. Family is very important to us. We have always wanted to have a big family, but we would be thrilled to have even just one more.

Leland was placed with us when he was 11 days old. His adoption was an amazing experience. We dearly love and appreciate both of Leland's birthparents. Their sacrifice has blessed us and our families in ways we never could've imagined. We adore and LOVE them for who they are, as well as for all that they gave to us.

We are anxiously awaiting our next child, but we know that this is not an easy decision. Whether you choose to place with us, place with another family, or parent yourself - we support you. We want you to make the best decision for the child, whatever it may be. However, should you think that we might be the right family - please know that we will love your child with all our hearts. We will do everything to give your child all the love, support, education, and guidance possible.

As of right now we are hoping to pursue a private adoption (meaning, we are not affiliated with any agency, but we would handle everything privately through our lawyer). Our hope is that we can also have an open adoption. We would like to know and have a relationship with our child's (or children's) birthfamily!!! The level of openness is completely up to you, of course, and we promise to follow your wishes.

We are open to sibling groups, multiples (twins, triplets), children of all races, and children with special needs. We are also open to children of various ages, but prefer them to be elementary school-age or younger (due to our ages and what we feel we can handle as a family).

If you have any questions, or want to know more, email us at aandw2adopt@yahoo.com

Feel free to explore our websites (and even share with your family), but please if you have any questions or want to know something about us that we forgot to mention - just ask!!!!

Our Story

Chapter 1: Romance

William and I first met in August 2003. We both lived on campus at Southern Utah University. William spent a lot of time with me and my roommates at our apartment and we became friends. One fireside, and a movie later we were dating. Right away we both knew we would be getting married, but we tried to pretend we weren't that serious. It only lasted a couple months and then we were officially engaged. In May 0f 2004, we were married in the beautiful Manti temple. We have a wonderful marriage, and we love each other so much.

Chapter 2: Infertility

One of the things William and I had decided before getting married is that we wanted children, and we didn't want to wait. At first, we tried not to think about it too much, but as the months dragged on we started to get worried. We had barely been married a year when the diagnosis came. Despite all the things that infertility is, it has become the adversity that continues to both hurt us and strengthen us. I will always wish to know how it feels to carry a child for 9 months. However, we also know that being a parent means so much more.

Chapter 3: New Dreams

William and I threw ourselves into our education. We worked very hard so that we could graduate from college together. We both did our student teaching at the same time, and we both recieved our Bachelor's degrees from Southern Utah University in May 2006! After graduation, we concentrated on teaching our students. Meanwhile, we began the adoption process. In the beginning of 2007 we were approved as an adoptive couple with LDS Family Services.

Chapter 4: Leland's Adoption

June 2008 (about a year and a half after approval - and a little over 4 years of trying to have a baby) we recieved a phone call about Leland. Only a few days later we were in Indiana to pick him up. Leland was 11 days old when we recieved him. One very special day in January 2009, we were able to take Leland to the temple to be sealed to us! Leland continues to be a joy and a challenge everyday, and we are truly ever-grateful to the sacrifice his birthparents made for us. Leland's birthparents are wonderful people and we continue to have contact with them, and we will for as long as they would like.

Chapter 5: Heartbreak

In the spring of 2009, we felt prompted to pursue another child, this time by fertility treatments. It took awhile and a lot of testing/appointments/etc. However, we were able to use a donated embryo (meaning some other couple had done INVITRO and gave up their extra embryos in order to give us a chance at being pregnant)! It worked, we were pregnant for 7 weeks and 2 days. We lost our little 'Mustard Seed' in Sept. 2009. As heartbreaking as it is, I know it was meant to be (for whatever reason God has planned) and I know it has made us stronger as individuals, as a family, and as a couple.

Chapter 6: Now

We enjoy being parents, and we love Leland so much. We do at this time feel very strongly that someone else is missing from our family. Thus, our next pursuit has begun. As of right now, we are prepared to do a private adoption (handled through our lawyer) if we are able to find the right birthparent(s). We are very interested in having an open adoption, meaning we are willing to have an open relationship with you. We would love to e-mail, talk on the phone, and meet you in person. So, if you are interested in us as prospective parents for your child - please do not hesitate to contact us!

about Leland

basics:

about 31" tall

blonde hair

blue eyes

almost 1 and 1/2 yrs. old

bio:

I was born in Indiana. I was adopted in July 2008 and it is a semi-open adoption (meaning, my Mommy and Daddy write and send pictures to my birthparents). I have a lot of special needs, but my personality and "superpowers" outshine anything I might struggle with in life. I am adorable, patient, loving, very sweet, and happy. If I smile, you will melt and get all mushy!

I love being played with, being sung to, talking with people, being tickled, visiting my Grandparents, and bouncing on my Mommy or Daddy's knee.

about Alicia

basics:

5'10"

light brown hair

hazel-green eyes

Stay-home Mom

25 yrs. old

bio:

I was born in Utah, graduated highschool, and in May 2006 I graduated from Southern Utah University with my Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Elementary Art.

We moved to Idaho in the fall of 2006, and I took a part-time aide job as well as a part-time teaching job. In the fall of 2007, I got what I thought was "my dream job" - teaching First Grade. But, in July 2008 I became a stay-home mom, and I love it even more than I ever could have dreamed of.

I love blogging, scrapbooking, photography, reading, watching movies, camping, hiking, going for walks, and being with family.