Families Supporting Adoption, Pocatello Chapter

Girls Night Out

2012-02-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun at our last girls night that we decided we needed to do it again!

Here are the details:

Date: February 22nd

Time: 7 pm- until we decide to go home!

Place: Kiwi Loco in Pocatello located next to Costco

So please bring some $$ for ice cream or just join us in the party room!

Adoption Retreat

2012-02-02T08:32:00.000-08:00

Lindsey Redfern is putting on an adoption retreat! Here's the info:

http://www.retreatforadoptivecouples.blogspot.com/

Adoption and Abortion

2012-01-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

Books At Breakfast Reminder

2011-11-11T09:14:00.001-08:00

Foster Care Luncheon

2011-11-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

National Adoption Month - President's Proclamation

2011-11-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

November 01, 2011

Presidential Proclamation -- National Adoption Month, 2011

NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As a Nation, one of our highest responsibilities is to ensure the health and well-being of our children. With generous hearts and open minds, we strive to make sure all children grow up knowing they have a family that shares with them the warmth, security, and unconditional love that will help them succeed. And yet, more than 100,000 children in America await this most basic support, and still more children abroad live without families. During National Adoption Month, we celebrate the acts of compassion and love that unite children with adoptive families, and we rededicate ourselves to the essential task of providing all children with the comfort and safety of a permanent home.
The decision to adopt a child has brought profound joy and meaning into the lives of Americans across our country. Parents are moved to adopt for reasons as unique and varied as the children they embrace, but they are unified by the remarkable grace of their acts. Adoptive families come in all forms. With so many children waiting for loving homes, it is important to ensure that all qualified caregivers are given the opportunity to serve as adoptive parents, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or marital status.

My Administration remains steadfast in our support of adoptive families and children in need of homes. Earlier this year, I signed the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act, which reauthorizes child welfare programs and makes new provisions to help reduce the amount of time young children are without permanent families. I also signed the Healthy, Hunger¬-Free Kids Act to provide balanced, nutritious meals to all children in the foster care system. Last year, during National Adoption Month, I signed the International Adoption Simplification Act, which removed unnecessary regulations and barriers to international adoption. These efforts come in addition to the Adoption Tax Credit, which was extended and expanded as part of the Affordable Care Act to make adoption more accessible to American families. Through these key pieces of legislation, my Administration is moving forward with our commitment to stand with youth in foster care and find new ways to encourage adoption.

Adoption has become a part of many Americans' lives and has contributed to the character of our Nation. As parents and as family members, it is our task to do all we can to give our children the very best. In caring for our youth and putting them before ourselves, we make a lasting investment not only in their future, but also in the prosperity and strength of our Nation in the years to come. This month and throughout the year, let us recommit to ensuring every child is given the sustaining love of family, the assurance of a permanent home, and the supportive upbringing they deserve.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2011 as National Adoption Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month by answering the call to find homes for every child in America in need of a permanent and caring family, and to support the families who care for them.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/01/presidential-proclamation-national-adoption-month-2011

Pocatello - Adoption Day Celebration

2011-11-06T20:49:00.000-08:00

November is National Adoption Month! November 18, 2011 has beenproclaimed as National Adoption Day by the Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice,Roger Burdick. The Department has teamed up with the Bannock CountyCourts, Judges, City officials and agencies who give their time and effort toprovide children with permanent adoptive homes.

Attached is aninvitation to an Adoption Day Celebration Ceremony that will beginat 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom 301, on the 3^rd floor of the BannockCounty Court House, 624 E. Center , Pocatello, Idaho 83201.

Please feel free to post the invitation inyour offices and sharethis with any staff, current and/or former adoptive families, individuals whose liveshave been enriched by adoption, or others that you think may have aninterest in attending!

If you have any questionsregarding the celebration, please feel free to contact Lisa Van Voorhisor Jana Garner at (208)239-6200.

Thanks, in advance, foryour support!

Tables and Grills

2011-10-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

We need tables for the Books at Breakfast activity. We are going to need as many longfold-up tables and card tables as we can find!!! We'll need at least 5for eating and 2 for cooking. We also need at least 3 griddles and if anyonehas an electric frypan for the sausages that would be awesome. Please email fsapocatello@hotmail.com if you would be willing to bring a table or grill.

Birth Mother Apreciation Night

2011-10-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

November 17th 7-8:30 p.m. at LDS Family Services
Birthmother Appreciation Night

This is a great opportunity to show localchapters birthmom's how much we appreciate them for the gifts they have givenus, without birthmom's there would be no adoptive couples. We will bepampering our birthmom's with pedicures and treats.

Books At Breakfast

2011-10-19T10:07:00.001-07:00

Adoption Classes

2011-09-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ice cream social/Birthmother panel

October 14 at 6:30

Please bring an ice cream topping to share.

Adoption classes

October 15th at 9am

Hoagies and dessert will beprovided for lunch, please bring a salad to share.

Books at Breakfast in November - Save the Date!

2011-09-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

November 12th is our books atbreakfast activity for anyone touched by adoption so be sure to save the date.

We had a blast last year! To view images of last years event CLICK HERE

"Hugh Jackman reveals how adoption healed his pain of not having kids naturally"

2011-09-04T23:11:00.000-07:00

ZeeNews.com

Updated on Sunday, September 04, 2011, 17:59

"Melbourne: Actor Hugh Jackman was devastated when he and wife Deborra-Lee Furness learned that they couldn’t have their own children, but his heartbreak was finally cancelled out by the joys of fatherhood after adopting two kids."

“'It was painful,' the Daily Telegraph quoted Jackman as saying of the moment."

“'It’s not easy. You put a lot of time and effort into it, so it’s emotional. I think any parent can relate – trying to have children is wonderful and when you feel as though that’s not going to happen, there’s a certain anxiety that goes with it,' he said."

"Jackman explains how he and his wife, who he met on the set of ABC prison drama ‘Correlli’ in 1995, decided to have children naturally, and then adopt later in life, which couldn’t be realised."

“'We thought we’d have a kid or two biologically and then adopt. But when we decided we’d had enough of IVF, we went ahead with adoption,' he revealed."

“'From the moment we started the adoption process, all the anxiety went away. I don’t think of them [son Oscar, 11, and daughter Ava, 6] as adopted – they’re our children. Deb and I are believers in… I suppose you could call it destiny."

“'We feel things happened the way they are meant to. Obviously, biologically wasn’t the way we were meant to have children."

“'Now, as we go through life together, sure there are challenges, but everyone’s in the right place with the right people. It sounds airy-fairy, but it’s something we feel very deeply,' he added."

ANI

Read this article on ZeeNews.com

Image from WhyFame.com

National Conference 2011 - Registration & Check In Details

2011-08-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has attended the FSA National Conference in the past knows that standing in line is part of "checking in" at the conference. Well, this year the National Board has made a plan that should help the check-in line move quickly and efficiently. How can you make your check-in quick and pain-free??

First, register online before the conference begins. This ensures you will have a printed name-tag and your information will be saved on the conference registration site.

Second, follow the signs at the conference center entrance to make sure you are in the correct line. There will be a line for those who have PRE-REGISTERED and another for those REGISTERING AT THE DOOR. (These lines will be designated with ropes.) Keep your head up, follow the signs, and ask a National Board member in a red shirt if you have any questions.

Third, pre-pay online!! This speeds up the registration process and helps the line keep moving. If you haven't paid online, you may pay with cash, check, or credit card.

Click Here for Full Conference Details

Girls Night Out

2011-06-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

Join us for Girls Night Out at Kiwi Loco in Pocatello on Thursday, August 4th @ 7pm.

We will be having a relaxing evening just for the ladies. This is a great opportunity to ask questions such as how to handle the waiting period, things to promote your adoption, dealing with infertility, what other agencies or methods others used, how to handle certain birth parent situations, or parenting as the children grow.

Please join us and feel free to come with questions to ask more experienced moms and make new friends.

This is for everyone .... those who are waiting to grow their family and those that are finished. We want everyone to come and have a great time!

Don't forget some $$ for some tasty frozen yogurt.
If you want that is. ;-)

Idaho State Journal Family Fun Day

2011-06-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

Idaho State Journal Family Fun Day
at Lower Ross Park in Pocatello

June 18th 11-3

We will be having a booth with face painting and adoption information. There will also be many other businesses and organizations with free games and activities. Anyone who would like to have their adoption pass along cards at the booth to please contact Jessi at fsapocatello@hotmail.com

Dallas and Jaci's Story

2011-05-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

Adoption

Sitting in sacrament meeting on fine spring day in 2010, I was struck by a scripture in Ephesians "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ himself according to the good pleasure of his will". (Ephesians 1:50.) Immediately, it was testified to me that Dallas and I had been selected by our Heavenly father to adopt.

Well I was toward the end of finishing my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership when this witness came. So Dallas began researching the steps that we needed to take. Even though we live near Logan, he discovered that since we lived in Idaho, we needed to go through LDS Family Services in Pocatello. Also he learned that we would need to start with a group orientation. He scheduled that for the soonest date possible, June 23, 2010. There we learned the steps that we would take on our adoption journey. The spirit was so strong, as we left that, we knew that we would be adopting.

Dallas and I attended the required workshops, conferences, meetings, and home visits. We had friends and family write letters of recommendation and set up our website, which was not an easy task. At last all we were waiting for were the background checks. We completed our fingerprint cards and mailed them off the first week of August. Three months later. Yes, I said three months later we finally received word. Shockingly, Dallas's was the only background cleared. Apparently my fingerprints were "unclassifiable", which meant I had to do them again. I was distraught. Needless to say, this news came on our fifth wedding anniversary. Should we celebrate? I was not in the mood, but Dallas salvaged the night by taking me to the temple. It was at this time I began to doubt our decision, if Heavenly Father wanted us to adopt, why are we facing so many stumbling blocks.

So began another arduous waiting time for my fingerprints. Finally in December I had lost my patience. Neither our caseworker or myself had heard anything about my fingerprints. I decided to put an old saying to work, "The squeaky wheel, get's the grease." I was going to be the squeaky wheel. I called the Idaho Criminal History Unit on December 9, 2010. After a few transfers, I found the right person. Come to find out my background had been clear back in November. I didn't know whether be relieved, angry, excited, but I was buzzing with emotions. Without delay, I contacted our caseworker who speedily began to put the finishing touches on our file by locating a copy of my cleared fingerprints. By the next morning we were online and ready to start yet another waiting process. Little did we know how short it would be.

A Blessed Day

On December 17, 2010 early in the morning, I was Christmas shopping Logan. At 9:45 a.m. I was attending to my last errand, when my caseworker called. I was in Shopko of all places. When I looked at the caller ID my heart took flight. I gasped in a gulp of air and said remain calm, he is probably checking in or maybe has an interested birth mom. Nervously I answered. He calmly carried on a courteous conversation with the usual, "How are you?" kinds of questions. Then he asked where I was and if Dallas was with me. I told him my location and that Dallas was not with me. Cautiously he proceeded. I was in shock when he said, "I have a little baby for you and Dallas in the Pocatello hospital, right now. He was born last night, Dec. 16 at 5:53 pm and weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and was 20 inches long. His birth mom signed over power of attorney and checked herself out last night. He is strong and appears to very healthy.

"Do you understand what I am saying?...How do you feel?"

"Yes, I understand what are you saying. There is a healthy baby for us to adopt in Pocatello. I feel like this is our baby." The spirit unmistakably bore witness to me then and there, right there in the middle of Shopko that this was our baby. I knew it, and I knew the caseworker knew it, and I knew that God knew it.

"How soon can you be here? The nurses are taking care of his basic needs right now, but he needs you here."

"Give me three hours. We should be there by one o'clock."

I stood frozen in time while I called Dallas. He was excited and also received a witness that this was our son, but his first question I find rather funny now. "How are we going to pay for him?" I reminded him that we had a savings account for our adoption fund that should be adequate, but that the Lord would provide. Dallas made preparations to leave the house, while I left the store and Logan.

Knowing I needed a car seat, I hastily moved in that direction. I took out the items I had in my cart, threw then on top of car seat display shelf, grabbed a car seat/stroller set identical one my sister-in-law and brother had, and awkwardly maneuvered my way to the front of the store.

After missing the turn I needed, I made a fast dash through Logan Canyon and back to St. Charles, picked up Dallas and we were in Pocatello three hours later, where our caseworker met us at the door of the hospital. He went over a few maintenance items. Within minutes we were in the nursery, and the nurse was wheeling our baby boy into a room. There were still some legal things to work through, papers to sign, etc, but I just wanted to hold him. Quizzically, I looked at my caseworker and then at the nurse, "Can I hold him?"

"Absolutely!" came a quick reply.

So, in awe I held him while we signed the necessary paperwork. The question of the hour was, "What will you name him?" I had thought about that all the way home from Logan and Dallas and I had discussed it all the way to Pocatello. Finally when we held him alone and looked upon his face, we decided to name him JD after both of us.

When our caseworker left, it was assumed that we would have to stay the night in a hotel. I did not want to leave my baby to spend another night in the hospital alone. When the night shift came on, the head nurse went to work and we were able to stay on the floor with the moms as long as the room wasn't need. Blessed were we to stay the entire night in the hospital with JD. How grateful we are for that kind nursing staff.

Coming Home

How to you prepare to bring a baby home, when shortly over twenty-four hours ago you didn't know if you would ever have one? Well, luckily that is where friends and family come in handy. My sister and her husband came to our house with their bassinet and assembled it for us. A really close family friend went shopping and loaded our kitchen table with diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, onesies, socks, clothes, and many other necessities. Mom and dad brought dinner. My sister-in-law and nephews decorated the roadside for miles and the house. Neighbors came by with gifts of blankets and clothes. Great-Grandpa Jack came with Aunt Lisa and Uncle Brian who also brought clothes. Over the next three months the gifts continued to swoop in. We were overwhelmed with the love and support that was shown to us.

Due to Christmas Break, I only had to take off two days of the two weeks I was able to spend at home with JD. This was yet another testament of our Heavenly Father's divine plan and love for us.

During those first two weeks, my life was forever changed. I no longer woke up for myself or Dallas or with our agenda in my mind. It was about JD and his welfare and what I could do to be the best parent possible.

Christmas took on its long lost spirit. Gone were the days of wishing for a child in our home. The magic that had disappeared after our first year of marriage came back stronger than ever. Never before had I felt so close to my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I knew that they knew me, loved me, and had blessed my life with a precious miracle.

Court Day

At the time of JD's placement, our casework mentioned that adoption courts were taking as little as a month to finalize. Wow! Could we really have JD's adoption finalized in a month. Our miracles had not ceased to come yet. Court was scheduled for February 1, 2011.

Present in the courtroom were JD, Dallas, and I, Wayne and Gaylene, Mom and Dad (Betty Jo and Perry), and Gramps. Along with our attorney and caseworker who had to testify as well.

At the hearing we met with Judge Lynn Brower. He began by the case by teasing Wayne a little bit. I had never taken the stand in a court of law before and I was nervous. I took the oath that I would tell the truth and took the stand. There I was asked to support Dallas's testimony about where we lived and why we were adopting, etc. Furthermore, I was asked to describe my relationship with Dallas, "He is my best friend. I love him with all my heart and soul. I love the time we spend together, and he treats me like a queen. I could not have asked for a better husband." Then I was asked to describe my feelings for JD. "I love him more than I ever thought possible. From the moment I held him and looked into his eyes I felt an overwhelming feeling of love and knew I would do anything for him."

When all was said and done the judge declared that JD was ours by the power of his authority. What a feeling!

Birth Mother Appreciation Night

2011-04-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 7th 6-7:30 pm at Wilk's Funeral Home. Anyone willing to help provide food please contact Jessi at fsapocatello@hotmail.com

Adoption Scams

2011-04-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

Facts about Internet Adoption Scammers:

They are good at playing make believe….no one is immune to being deceived.
They aren’t always in it for money….some like to be what we call “emotional terrorists”.
You can get hit by the same scammer over and over again…same person different name and story.
Scammers are working more than one couple at a time….usually many at one time.
Once you understand how scammers work they are easier to spot.
Don’t send money and don’t get emotionally attached until the person, pregnancy and intention towards adoption have been proven by your worker, agency and/or lawyer.
Don’t plan a meeting with this person until they have proven themselves to your worker, agency and/or lawyer….and it needs to be in person.

Tips for screening contact information:

Search out her contact name using Google (e.g.JaneDoe@yahoo.com…type in“JaneDoe” on Google). If the birth mother is using a different name while chatting with an Instant Messenger program, perform a Google search on this name as well. If you are dealing with a scammer, you may find that they have posted informationon other Web sites.
If your contact has sent you pictures, right click on the picture and obtain the picture’s file name. Take the file name and perform an “Image” Google search. Some scammers steal pictures off of other Web pages and then send them toadoptive couples claiming the picture as their own. Be very cautious when you use this screening technique as searching some contact images may lead to Web sitesthat are pornographic in nature.
Some adoptive couples have visited online forums such as the “adoptionscams”yahoo group. Couples who have encountered a contact that turned out to be a scammay post this information on these forums. Building a networking relationship withother online adoptive couples can be valuable in detecting fraudulent contacts who claim to be birth parents. Always exercise caution when networking online as information you receive may not always be accurate.
A contact may give you a cellular or residential telephone number. The Internet has many Web sites where you can verify a contact’s telephone number. This is called a “reverse look-up” and allows you to type in a contact’s cellular or residential phone to ensure it matches up with the name. Some sites are free while others require payment for use.
Verifying a contact person’s state or city is important when screening birthmothers. Web sites such as switchboard.com allow you to search by name or telephone number.
Check social networking sites like facebook, myspace and twitter.
The best tool to use is your worker, lawyer or agency. When they meet with the birth parent they can verify information and pregnancy status.

Don’t ignore the red flags:

The birth mom wants to bring the baby to you. She may say this to get you to buy a planeticket for her that she can cash in later. Most true birth mothers want you to come to them.
She claims to be pregnant with twins or multipules.
She doesn’t seem sad about placing…only happy for you.
They want to spend hours talking to you online.
The birth mom is not available by phone or the address is not verifiable.
She does not provide proof of pregnancy or other requested documents. She seems to always have a reason for not sending you identifying information. She may have a sudden miscarriage or hospitalization when you ask for too much information.
She does not want you to contact anyone else concerning her pregnancy. She will not give you real names or numbers of doctors.

Remember…

Due to your strong desire for a baby, you may be vulnerable to online scams andunreasonable requests that are not in your best interest.
Always choose an ethical path for your adoption, which is not necessarily the shortest oreasiest path.
Protect your privacy. In online profiles, don’t mention your employer, salary, home orwork phone numbers. Invite birth mothers to call your adoption cell phone number if youare in possession of one.
Don’t make a hasty decision, no matter how anxious you are for a child. Don’t overcommit to anyone until your caseworker has had time to check out the situation.
Money should only be given through the agency/lawyer. Do not give money directly to the birthmother.
Be cautious with anyone who contacts you directly and prefers to work only through you. A woman who is sincere about adoption will provide you with specific contact information and she should respect your request that she talk with your caseworker.
Don’t believe anything until it has been verified. If they say they called your worker or the agency near their location call your worker and ask them to verify the call.
Miracles do happen online so don’t give up and don’t let the scammers win!
Pray for guidance, watch for signs, verify everything and move forward with faith.

Information above posted last year on http://therhouse.blogspot.com

Just the Same - By Diana Lynn Lacey

2011-04-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

Just the Same
By Diana Lynn Lacey

Sometimes—
God sends rain
Straight from the sky
To nourish the young flower
and it grows.

Sometimes—
God sends rain from the sky
To the mountaintops,
Then over hills and through valleys
Until it reaches the flower
and it grows, just the same.

Sometimes—
God sends a child
Straight from His realm
Into a mother’s arms
and love grows.

Sometimes—

God sends a child

From heaven to another’s arms,

Then over hills and through valleys

Until he reaches the arms of his mother

and love grows, just the same.

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/04/just-the-same?lang=eng

Birth Parent Panel

2011-03-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

Come to the Birthmother panel April 8th at 6:30 pm at the LDS church building on the corner of James and Hawthorne. Please bring favorite ice cream topping.

Birth Mother Story - Katelyn

2011-03-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from My Angels from God, Katelyn's Blog:

"A mothers final prayer... As I sat on the edge of that bed I said a prayer with my baby. I prayed that she would grow up to be a strong willed, independent, determined woman. I prayed that she would always look up to her mother as an example. I prayed that she would always feel the love that I have for her. I prayed, well more threatened, that if she ever did anything I did she'd be in a whole load of trouble. And finally I prayed for the strength to do what I knew I must..."

"...Holding my baby in my arms preparing to place her into the arms of her rightful mother. My heart was breaking more than I thought it ever could. I was hoping that something would change and I'd be the strong person I knew I could. But it was simply too hard. I could hardly stand the fact that I was walking away from what I knew I wanted most in life. But I knew, without a doubt, that she was going home..."

"...As I walked out of that room my heart broke into a billion pieces. I had just walked away from my daughter. I fell to the ground and started shaking. I couldn't do it. I wanted more than anything to walk back into the room and just hold my baby. I said over and over... "I can't do this. This isn't fair! I can't give my baby away!" And then my mother in all her wisdom lifted my to my feet and told me. "It's done." It sounds harsh but I think at that moment she didn't know what else to say. She didn't know how to help her child who was hurting more than anyone in the entire world..."

"...I begged and pleaded with my savior to give me peace, to help me through this. I knew that without him there was no way I would be able to go on living. There is no way I would want to go on living. As I walked out of the hospital I was filled with the most overwhelming peace. The daughter that I had carried was no longer mine. Yes, I was her mother in a way that Lori never could be and Lori is her mother in a way I never would be. But together through our faith and through adoption we are mothers."

2010

Thank you Katelyn for being willing to share your adoption placement experience. To read more about Katelyn and her story please visit her blog http://myangelsfromgod.blogspot.com/

Adoption Tax Credit

2011-03-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

The Internal Revenue Service wants you to know Seven Facts about the Expanded Adoption Credit.

The February 2011 IRS Tax Tip reminds taxpayers about the critical documentation requirement supporting the adoption that must be attached to your tax return. The Affordable Care Act increased the maximum adoption credit to $13,170 per child.

The IRS recently released new instructions for Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses form that eligible taxpayers use to claim the newly-expanded adoption credit on 2010 tax returns filed this year.

Taxpayers filing in 2011 must submit documentation with their tax return to claim the adoption credit on their 2010 tax return. Copies of adoption-related documents must be attached to the tax return and mailed to the IRS for processing.

The Affordable Care Act makes the credit refundable, meaning that eligible taxpayers can get it even if they owe no tax for that year. In general, the credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply.

In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include one or more adoption-related documents, detailed in the instructions. This documentation requirement means taxpayers claiming the credit will have to file paper tax returns.

Generally, it takes six to eight weeks to get a refund claimed on a complete and accurate paper return when all required documents are attached. The IRS encourages taxpayers to use direct deposit to speed their refund. Taxpayers claiming the credit can still use IRS Free File to prepare their 2010 returns, but the returns must be printed and sent to the IRS, along with all required documentation.

Your organization can download a widget for your website, a Flyer on the adoption tax credit and a drop in article for your newsletter from IRS.gov. For more information, see the instructions for Form 8839 Qualified Adoption Expenses, IRS news release, questions and answers, Notice 2010-66, Revenue Procedure 2010-31 and Revenue Procedure 2010-35 available at www.irs.gov.

Family Ski Night Pictures

2011-03-02T21:03:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all those who joined us at the FSA Ski Night!

Overnight Camping Trip?

2011-02-28T19:39:00.001-08:00

We're considering an FSA Overnight Camping Trip in August to Bear Lake. Would you be interested in attending?

Please submit your opinion in the comments or to the poll in the right column of this page.

Family Ski Night Reminder

2011-02-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

Please RSVP as soon as possible. We need to get an accurate count on the discounted tickets. fsapocatello@hotmail.com

FSA Family Ski Night

Place: Pebble Creek

Date: February 25th

Time: 4:00 pm

We can get a group discount for lift tickets and rentals.

Lift tickets are $6 and $12 rentals.

Please let us know ASAP if you can attend. We need a head count!

We will be purchasing the group tickets for those whom we know are attending. If you are not able to RSVP, you can call Pebble Creek on February 25. Ask them which business is offering discounted tickets and you'll be able to purchase your tickets at the business they specify.

You can email us at fsapocatello@hotmail.com.

Also if you are not a skier/snowboarder, please join the rest of our group in the lodge for hot chocolate! There is no fee for spending time at the lodge. We hope to see you there!!

Free Adoption Profiles

2011-02-16T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hoping to Adopt.org is now offering free adoption profiles.
Click HERE to sign-up www.hopingtoadopt.org

FSA 2011 Conference

2011-02-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

2011 International Families Supporting Adoption Conference

CALL FOR PROPOSALS!

The National Families Supporting Adoption Council is excited to announce its 2011 International FSA Conference to be held in Layton, UT, August 12-13, 2011.

Every year at FSA's annual conference, adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoption professionals learn what is happening at the forefront of adoption. In recent years, we have added aducational tracks for birth parents and their families with the unique opportunity to learn about the adoption process and receive support.

The National Families Supporting Adoption Council is committed to producing educational conferences of the highest caliber. We invite you to join us in delivering a learning experience that advances adoption education and improves people's experiences with adoption.

We are now accepting proposals for breakout session presenters. We encourage innovative and creative presentations that help prospective adoptive parents, birth parents, professionals, and advocates gain skills and knowledge.

The deadline to submit your proposal is Friday, March 5, 2011.

Please email us for the proposal form at fsapocatello@hotmail.com.

FSA Ski Night!

2011-01-24T14:52:00.000-08:00

FSA Family Ski Night

Place: Pebble Creek

Date: February 25th

Time: 4:00 pm

We can get a group discount for lift tickets and rentals.

Lift tickets are $6 and $12 rentals.

Please let us know ASAP if you can attend. We need a head count!

You can email us at fsapocatello@hotmail.com.

Also if you are not a skier/snowboarder, please join the rest of our group in the lodge for hot chocolate!

Movie Preview - "Change of Plans"

2011-01-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

We’ve been given an opportunity to preview the upcoming movie, Change of Plans. It is the latest installment in the “Family Movie Night” series, by Walmart, P&G, and Moms4FamilyTV on FOX. We thought the movie was very heart-warming and illustrated quite nicely the way adoption enriches the lives of those opening their homes and hearts; in ways and to a degree that they might not have anticipated. The World Premiere is January 8^th at 8pm - EST. It is important to support movies and initiatives that appropriately depict adoption as a positive thing. Please post this on your organization’s social networking pages (Tweet it!) and share this with your families. I have included an email below that has more information.

Change of Plans is the fourth film in an initiative sponsored by Wal-Mart and P&G to bring back “Family Movie Night”. Change of Plans is the story of Sally and Jason Danville, a young couple with plenty of love, talent, and career opportunities - and no responsibilities. When Sally's childhood friend dies and entrusts her with four children, Sally and Jason begin a journey that changes the focus of their lives and expands their definition of family. Three of these four children have become siblings through international adoption, and the movie offers a challenging, heart-warming insight into the joys and struggles of building a family from a group of strangers.

Tune in: Saturday, January 8^th at 8/7 on FOX

Spread the Word: Send an email or newsletter to your members
Share: Post the trailer on your website & Facebook or Twitter page Change of Plans - Trailer
Visit : www.moms4familytv.com for a discussion guide, essay contest information and more!
Contact Moms4FamilyTV Representative, Chandler Smith, for more information!

Books at Breakfast Pictures

2010-12-19T16:13:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all those who participated in the Books at Breakfast event!

Idaho Foster Care and Adoption Programs

2010-12-13T21:12:00.000-08:00

Have you considered Fostering-to-Adopt?

"Every child deserves a safe and loving home. Foster care and adoption provide that to Idaho’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

However, children are not the only ones to benefit from these programs. Serving as a foster parent or adopting a child can be an extremely rewarding experience, the kind of experience that enriches the lives of everyone involved."*

Visit *http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov to learn more about becoming a foster parent in Idaho

Or, call the Idaho CareLine 1-800-926-2588, 2-1-1.

Birth Mother Appreciation Night

2010-12-01T21:45:00.001-08:00

We did pedi's and had cookies and punch!

Wednesday's Child - Andy

2010-11-29T22:03:00.000-08:00

Andy's Looking for a Family

Age: 9

"Hi. My name is Andrew, but I ONLY like to be called Andy! I like almost every sport, but basketball is my favorite! I play basketball for the Special Olympics, and someday I want to play basketball for the BSU Broncos. I got to spend some time shooting hoops with them and meet the coaches. I even get to be a junior coach at a BSU basketball game this year, and I can't wait!

I think that it's important for a family to know that I am AWESOME. I am also trying really hard to be good and work on my bad behaviors. I also like pets, especially dogs, and hope I can have a pet in my family. I have two younger brothers who got adopted, and I want to be able to see them sometimes."

Andy is a great kid who is full of enthusiasm, affection, and ambition. He is a loving child who can be very sweet and endearing, and he has been able to develop a strong bond with his foster mom, despite a previous attachment disorder diagnosis. He has experienced a multitude of losses, moves, and much grief and loss in his young life. His need for stability, unconditional love and affection will be key to his ability to move beyond these hurts, develop attachments to a family, and begin to heal.

Andy's adoption team feels that he will do best in a two-parent family where one parent is at home full time. He needs a lot of attention, time, and structure to thrive. He also needs a family that stays active and will keep him busy doing all the activities he loves. Andy enjoys consistency and routine, but he needs a family that can also be flexible and who does not have unrealistic expectations for Andy. Andy is on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) at school, and most of his difficulties in school stem from lack of attention, distractibility, and emotional and behavioral disturbance. He is a bright young boy that needs a lot of encouragement and redirection. Andy would do well in a family with no other children, or much older children. He thrives when given a lot of one-on-one attention, and when he can keep busy, and knows what to expect each day.

While bad days can mean sadness and frustration for both Andy and his caregivers, Andy's smile, exuberance, and general joy for life can make a permanent commitment to this special boy worth the effort. If you think you can be Andy's lifelong family, please call the Careline today.

To learn more about Andy CLICK HERE

To watch Andy's Video CLICK HERE

To find out more about Andy, call Wednesday's Child Careline 1-800-926-2588. In Idaho you can dial 2-1-1. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30421.

Michael McLean Adoption Fireside - Directions

2010-11-23T20:39:00.000-08:00

The details:
Michael McLean Adoption Fireside
Sunday, November 28, 2010
7:00 pm
Taylor Mountain Stake Center
260 Castlerock Lane, Idaho Falls

Directions from the South (Pocatello)
North on I-15
Exit on the Idaho Falls Sunnyside exit (Exit 116)
Turn right (east) off the exit onto Sunnyside Road
Drive approximately 3 miles
Turn right on Holmes Ave.
Drive approximately a half of a mile
Turn right on Castlerock Lane – the Stake Center is behind Taylorview Jr. High

Directions from the North (Rexburg)
South on Hwy 20
Exit on Lewsiville/Idaho Falls (exit 310)
Turn left – the road will turn into Holmes Ave
Stay on this road through Idaho Falls, almost 5 miles
The last major intersection you go through it Sunnyside Rd.
A half mile past Sunnyside turn right on Castlerock Lane – the Stake Center is behind Taylorview Jr. High.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Urgent Call to Action - Continued

2010-11-22T21:10:00.000-08:00

The International Adoption Simplification Act – S. 1376 and the Help Haiti Act of 2010 – HR 5283 WOULD be a HUGE blessing for me and my family.
We are an FSA Family...and FIVE of our Haitian children would be affected by this bill.
After 3 1/2 YEARS of waiting for my children to come home, we brought them home on Humanitarian Parole after the January 2010 Earthquake.
They are legally adopted, but have NO citizenship.
I am sooo so Happy to see this call to action!
We can use EVERYONE'S help on this!

I have attached a photo of my beautiful children for you to see WHO your time and effort would be helping.

Thank you so much.

Lindsay Crapo
Mama to 8 from the heart
and 2 from the belly

Urgent Call to Action

2010-11-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

"Hi FSA Members and Friends,

I am forwarding an email I received from Steve Sunday and NCFA about a need for phone calls and emails (not letters in this case) to our Representatives (not Senators) in the United States House of Representatives urging him or her to help pass some federal legislation that would help kids from Haiti and other international adoptees in the process of obtaining citizenship here in the United States.

The NCFA email is kind of long and uses the legal language of the legislation. I am attaching some links that simplify the issues.

http://www.gop.gov/bill/111/2/hr5283 (go to the BACKGROUND Section)

http://www.adoptionpolicy.org/ (This article says the bill will go to the President and we hope so, but the bill may be "tabled" before it gets there, thereby preventing it from becoming law.)

So, take a second and call or email. For example, in Utah call or email your representative who is one of the following:

Rob Bishop 202.225.0453 (website www.robbishop.house.gov)

Jason Chafetz 202.225.7751 (website www.chafetz.house.gov)

Jim Matheson 202.225.3011 (website www.matheson.house.gov)

(For example, I just called Congressman Chaftez's office and let the secretary know I was in support of helping expedite international adoptions, especially those from Haiti at this time, and would urge the Congressman to pay attention to this bill.)

To find contact information for your Representative simply go to www.house.gov and enter in your zip code in the top left corner. Your Representative's information will show up.

Here's a sample email that you may use:

I am in support of helping expedite international adoptions, especially those from Haiti at this time, and would urge the Congressman to pay attention to this bill.

International Adoption Simplification Act – S. 1376 and the Help Haiti Act of 2010 – HR 5283

Thank for all you do!

Let's spread the word! Thank you for your help! I am available to take questions sent to myutahlawyer@gmail.com.

Michelle Mitchell

FSA National, Legislation

Please Note: Please only represent yourself as a concerned citizen and not as LDSFS or FSA."*

*http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/

Use Your Voice

2010-11-18T10:02:00.000-08:00

"Wouldn't it be nice to voice your opinion and have it actually make a difference in the real world? Why not vote on whether to continue or abort an actual pregnancy? Your vote can help a real couple to make a decision on this issue."*

*KSL News Radio featured a couple who is considering aborting their pregnancy. The are taking a public poll to help them make their decision. (To see the KSL article CLICK HERE).

Visit their website and vote at http://www.birthornot.com/

Michael McLean Adoption Fireside

2010-11-11T18:09:00.000-08:00

Idaho Falls Families Supporting Adoption
invites you to join them for an unforgettable adoption fireside
featuring:

Michael McLean
Sunday, November 28, 2010 7:00 pm
Taylor Mountain Stake Center
260 Castle Rock Lane
Idaho Falls, Idaho
e-mail: idahofallsfsa@yahoo.com

We are very excited to hear once again from Michael McLean. His adoption fireside several years ago was a wonderful evening. Please feel free to invite birth parents, adoptive families, adoptees, and any others who have been blessed by adoption.

If they are interested in attending please email Jessi at the fsa e-mail: fsapocatello@hotmail.com to RSVP

We look forward to seeing you there!

Adoption and Abortion

2010-11-10T21:11:00.000-08:00

Come, share and learn about adoption at the FSA Books at Breakfast event this Sat. Nov. 13 at 9am. Click Here for more details

the r house - Adoption Resource

2010-11-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

The r house is a blog started by Mrs. r, "...a sterile woman, i am familiar with the emotions of feeling alone, broken, angry and forgotten. as an adoptive mom, i am familiar with the emotions of joy and unspeakable gratitude ...and maybe a little guilt."

Mrs. r writes, "i have a strong desire to help individuals who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy to consider adoption as a real option that offers hope to everyone involved. the list of links under "hoping to adopt" are all real couples who are starving to have children in their home. feel free to contact any of them if you find yourself or someone you love finds themselves in an unplanned pregnancy."

"i want couples who struggle with infertility to know that they are not alone on this adventure. on the site you will find a collection of blogs of others who struggle with infertility and many who are also champions of adoption. reach out to them. relate to them. there is so much peace in knowing you are not the only freak out there."

"i strive to educate and enlighten the world about adoption and infertility. if you are willing to help, email me and we will get you started with adoption advocacy in your hometown. adoption is dying, we need your positive voice." (http://therhouse.blogspot.com/2006/03/about-me-and-r-house.html)

Mrs. r has been blogging about adoption since 2006. the r house is a fabulous resource for adoption. She has posts on all of the topics listed below. Click on the links to learn more:

Adoption Books

2010-11-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

We are very lucky to have one of our previous co-chairs be a manager at Deseret Book and Chris has said that if there is interest that if we let him know he could order in some adoption books "Tell Me About The Night I Was Born", we personally own this book and LOVE it.

They also have "For The Love Of A Child: The Journey Of Adoption".

So, anyone interested please e-mail Jessi as soon as possible so that they can know how many to order in. fsapocatello@hotmail.com

Remember to bring your adoption books for display at the Books at Breakfast, Nov 13th.

November National Adoption Month

2010-10-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

It's National Adoption Month!

"National Adoption Month has been observed throughout the United States for many years. Its roots can be traced back to 1976 when the Governor of Massachusetts first proclaimed Adoption Week."

"Later that year, President Gerald Ford made the observance official. It eventually became a tradition to celebrate Adoption Week in November. As awareness and participation grew, so did the number of states proclaiming the observance."

National Adoption Week became National Adoption Month in 1990. Today, National Adoption Month is celebrated during the month of November throughout the United States. Its purpose is to provide national awareness of the need for adoptive families, to celebrate children and families, and to call our nation to action to ensure safety, permanency and well being for all of our children." *

Celebrate National Adoption Month by spreading the word about adoption. Invite your family and friends to the Books at Breakfast adoption event on November 13th. Click Here for more information.

*http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=13&ved=0CCkQFjACOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptuskids.org%2Fimages%2FresourceCenter%2F2009NAMtoolkit.pdf&rct=j&q=national%20adoption%20month&ei=TDnOTI7yDpO4sQP539n_Dg&usg=AFQjCNEriodjqiDqhJQQtXb0ITyMHKjZTA&cad=rja

Boo at the Zoo - Pass Along Card Opportunity

2010-10-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

Idaho Falls FSA chapter is sponsoring a booth at BOO at the Zoo

October 28th-30th
5-9pm

Donate candy with pass along cards attached and they will pass it out for us. E-mail the IdahoFalls FSA chairs Candice at idahofallsfsa@yahoo.com for more information.

"We are so excited up our upcoming event. This year for the first time we are hosting a booth at Tautphaus Park Zoo for the "Boo At the Zoo" Event. Boo at the Zoo will be held October 28th(Thursday), 29th(Friday) and 30th(Saturday) from 5pm-9pm each evening. This is so exciting!

Last year alone there were 8,000 people who went through the zoo. What this means to us is an amazing opportunity as members of FSA to promote adoption in our local community! How can we do this you are wondering? Well let me share with you a few ways each of you can contribute.

Candy can be dropped off in Idaho Falls at the LDSFS Office, 1600 John Adams Pkwy.

If you are currently "waiting to adopt" this is a great opportunity to use your pass along cards. Simply attach one of your pass along cards to the end of each piece of candy using a stapler. If you do not want to use cards that were a little more expensive you can simply by inexpensive business cards from Walmart or Office Maxx and print up your own. If you don't have pass along cards yet, make some up. You can also use labels or stickers that you print or write on. The possibilities are endless, be creative and make sure whatever you attach is about the size of a business card. Please have everything already attached to the candy when dropping it off at LDS Family Services.

The Zoo has asked for us not to use penny candy. Please respect their wishes in your candy selection. I have been pricing candy all over town! WalMart has a chocolate mix for $8 that contains 95 pieces of candy. Costco contains a similar mix for $13 with 150 pieces of candy. I have found a printable $2 off coupon. With this coupon, you can get a 4lbs bag of Wonka candy at Albertson's for $4. Sweet Tarts & Laughy Taffy are both flat.

If you are currently hoping to adopt we’d encourage you to attach your personal information on each piece of candy. This can be done in a variety of ways. Please be creative! If you are concerned about the cost there are many ways that are inexpensive. You can print tags any size you’d like. You could easily get 20 on a page with a simple message “Hoping to Adopt, jaromandcandiseadopt.blogspot.com” “Hoping to Adopt, itsaboutlove.org, search Jarom & Candise”

You can print your information on adhesive labels and attach them to candy. The Hershey’s Mix is great for this; lots of flat candy bars! Labels are inexpensive, and easy to use.

Purchase business card templates and print a low-cost pass along card to tape to candy.

The possibilities are endless. I think you could easily donate 200 pieces of candy with your information attached for less than $25.

Also, if you are working on your home study, but are not currently approved you are still welcome to donate candy with your blog address on it. Your blog can later direct people to your itsaboutlove.org profile once your home study has been approved.

And lastly, you can donate a bag of candy without any personal information on it. With EVERY piece of candy we will hand out general adoption information with the website. We would appreciate your donations whether you include personal information or not!"*

*http://fsaidahofalls.blogspot.com/

Adoption Tax Credit

2010-10-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

Concerned About the Cost of Adoption?

Adoption Tax Credit

You may be able to take a tax credit for qualifying expenses paid to adopt an eligible child (including a child with special needs). The adoption credit is an amount subtracted from your tax liability. For expenses paid prior to the year the adoption becomes final, the credit generally is allowed for the year following the year of payment.

Under the dollar limit the amount of your adoption credit or exclusion is limited to the dollar limit for that year for each effort to adopt an eligible child. If you can take both a credit and an exclusion, this dollar amount applies separately to each. For example, if we assume the dollar limit for the year is $10,000 and you paid $9,000 in qualifying adoption expenses for a final adoption, while your employer paid $4,000 of additional qualifying adoption expenses, you may be able to claim a credit of up to $9,000 and also exclude up to $4,000.*

To learn more about the Adoption Tax Credit Click Here

*http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html

Adoption Book List

2010-10-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Looking for books about adoption?

Check out adoption books available from Amazon
CLICK HERE

-or-

At Utah's Adoption Connection you can check out books at no cost, they only ask for donations for postage.
CLICK HERE

Books at Breakfast

2010-10-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

Books at Breakfast

Sat. Nov 13th 9:00am

Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Rd.

Come enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast. Activities include reading stories to the kids, sharing your favorite adoption books, or display your own adoption story. This activity is for everyone who has been touched by adoption, the whole adoption circle...moms, dads, kids, birthparents, grandpas, grandmas, etc.

Bring your personal adoption story or any adoption related books to share (DISPLAY ONLY) with other adoption families. Your books will be displayed to help give other families ideas.

Don't Forget

2010-10-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Don't forget about our FSA Date Night!!

Date Night Ice Cream Socail/adult adoptee panel

-We will be having 3 adult adoptees share their adoption stories and ice cream after.
Friday October 8th
6:30 p.m.
At the LDS Church on the corner of Philbin and Siphon in Chubbuck
**Please bring a topping to share, ice cream will be provided**

Adoption Classes
Saturday October 9th
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
At the LDS Church on the corner of Philbin and Siphon in Chubbuck
**Please bring a salad to share, hoagies will be provided***

FSA Regional Conference

2010-10-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

Each year to start of National Adoption Month our region holds a FSA Regional Conference the first weekend in November. It is held in Seatle and is November 5th and 6th this year. This conference is very similar in setup to the National Conference and is just as beneficial as the National one that is held every year the last weekend in July. These conferences are a chance to learn, share experiences and rub shoulders with others in the adoption world. We encourage everyone to try to attend any of these that they are able and if you are not able to this year maybe start planning to try and attend one next year. For anyone interested in atteneding the Regional Conference all information is posted here along with registration information http://fsawa.blogspot.com/p/regional-conference.html

FSA Actvity

2010-09-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Date Night Ice Cream Socail/adult adoptee panel

Adoption Classes
Saturday October 9th
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
At the LDS Church on the corner of Philbin and Siphon in Chubbuck
**Please bring a salad to share, hoagies will be provided***

A Little Inspiration

2010-09-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know about everyone else, but I have been a little discouraged by some negative adoption stories in the media lately. So, to bouy you all up and in the spirit of fall football, here are a few inspiring adoption stories.

This past summer at the FSA National Conference in Utah, the keynote speaker was Brandon Doman. Below is an article about the conference and his family adoption story.

http://www.mormontimes.com/article/16259/Families-seeking-adoption-instructed-at-annual-conference

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600142676/Doman-is-just-glad-hes-a-dad.html

Recently featured in the Wall Street Journal-a story of an adopted NFL football player who followed in the footsteps of his birthfather.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479752667612216.html?KEYWORDS=Adoption+Stories

Mark your Calendars!

2010-09-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

Announcing another FSA event!

Mark your calendars for

October 8th and 9th.

October 8th we will be having an

Ice Cream Social

and an

Adoptee panel!

It will be so fun and informative.

So grab a baby sitter for those with kidlets,

and come and enjoy the evening with other adoptive families.

Time and place will be announced later.

October 9th we will have our

Adoption Classes.

For all those who are trying to adopt, these classes are mandatory for your homestudy.

More info will be coming later!!

So stay tuned

2010-09-08T11:48:00.001-07:00

Waiting Couple- Zach and Jessi

2010-08-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

It was always our plan to have a large family, but because of reasons unknown to us we have been unable to have a child biologically. It has been one of our most difficult trials. Through this great challenge we have strengthened our belief that family is the most important thing in our lives. We are so grateful for Kabree’s birthparents and their selfless sacrifice that has allowed us to become parents. Words could never express our love and gratitude towards them and the amazing gift they have given us. Being parents is an even greater blessing then we ever could have imagined. We are very excited about the opportunity to adopt another child into our loving home. We hope to be able to share our love with another child through adoption.

Jessi

Zach is a great dad, Kabree gets so excited when he comes home. I love watching Zach with her, it’s clear to anyone how much they love each other. Zach is a very hands on Dad, he’s not scared to change diapers and is great about spending lots of quality time with her. Night time is Kabree’s Daddy time, every night after dinner Zach takes Kabree with him when he walks the dog then he baths her and gets her ready for the night. Kabree loves having that time with Zach.

All kids seem to be drawn to Zach. He takes the time to do things with each of the nieces and nephews. Zach loves taking the kids to play disc golf, fishing or hunting (for the older ones). He understands that the best thing for kids is spending time with them and teaching them.

Zach

Jessi is the most loving mom to Kabree. I love to watch how Kabree gets so excited to see her Mommy. She loves to cuddle and jabber with her mom. Jessi teaches Kabree so much, how to get the right shapes into a shape ball, play peek-a-boo, read books, and give loves (hugs and kisses).

Jessi loves all children and they come first in her mind and heart. She is a great friend to the kids for that exact reason. She is very loving and affectionate to all the kids in our family and neighborhood kids as well. They like to come to our house for her to get them a little treat. They also come looking for her to play games and do a few crafts. Kabree loves to have other kids over to the house as well. Jessi is a great mother and friend to Kabree and all kids. She has a very watchful and caring eye for all the little ones.

Together

We have been very blessed to have Kabree’s adoption be open. We enjoy being able to stay in contact with her birthparents. We consider them family and are so grateful we have been given the opportunity to have them in our lives. We have nothing but love and admiration for birthparents. We consider them to be the selfless, loving individuals that might sometimes be misunderstood by those whose don’t understand adoption. We hope you know how amazing you are for even considering adoption and for taking the time to consider all options for you and your child.

We again would like to thank you for taking the time to look at our profile. We cannot imagine the difficulty of the decision you have been faced with. We want you to know that we do pray for you and that you might find the decision that best suits you and your baby. We look forward to building a relationship with you, and understand how important it is a child knows the love of its birthparents.

With love,

Zach and Jessi

If you would like to know a little more about us please visit our blog www.zachandjessiadoptionblog.blogspot.com

Hoping to adopt

2010-08-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Our own Clint and Heidi have started a website similar to Parent Profiles.

It is called hoping to adopt.org.

Right now they are offering one month free of charge so you can try it out!

Go to

www.hopingtoadopt.org

for more info!

Finding Friday

2010-08-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

For all those couples out there waiting, here are some ideas to help in finding the child that is meant to come to your family. For those who have already adopted, please feel free to comment and add any stories or ideas that may be helpful!

1. Pass Along Cards - these are the cool things now. A good place to look at examples is www.spacesforfaces.com They are offereing $5 off an order of 500 cards or more with the coupon code FSA2010 (exp. Sept 30th) Another great website is www.vistaprint.com. They are currently having sales on their premium business cards which you can design with your own family picture. Hand them out to everyone! Don't wait for Christmas! Ideas for places to leave cards: local restaurants, the library, local high schools and colleges, your OB/GYN, and your bishop/stake president/relief society president. Don't forget your family. Send them a stack and ask them to pass them out where they live.

2. Blog Buttons - A blog button is a small picture to the side of your blog that links to a website (your profile on itsaboutlove.org or an adoption blog) A good tutorial on how to make one is found at www.bloggingwithamy.com/how-to-make-a-blog-button/. Once you have one on your blog, your friends and family can add one to theirs easily by copying and pasting the code. For an example of a blog button, visit Adam and Debbie's blog www.sodaspringsaggies.blogspot.com.

3. Facebook - Gossip travels fast through facebook, so use it to your advantage. Post often about adoption on your status and ask friends to post on theirs about your family.

4. Talk about it - I still run into people we know well who don't know we're trying to adopt. Tell everyone! Scream it from the mountaintops! Be proud to let everyone know you're building your forever family. And in telling them, educate them. There are many false stereotypes out there about birthmothers, adopted children, foster care and other parts of this miraculous process. Let them know how it really is!

5. Wear It - It's amazing how many conversations can come up when the word "adoption" is printed on your t-shirt. Jewelry, wristbands, and clothing are all great ideas.

6. Fasting, Temple Attendance and Prayer - Don't underestimate the influence of Heavenly Father in this whole process. Pray for your birthmothers, ask your family to fast with you and pray for comfort and patience as you go through this difficult process.

Waiting Couple- Clint and Heidi

2010-08-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

We are very appreciative of Clint’s birth mother for making that same decision decades ago when she placed him for adoption. Otherwise, we would never have met and been married.
Clint’s adoptive parents were always very open with him, and at a very early age, he was told that he was adopted. Clint always felt loved and was treated no differently than his sister. His adoptive parents told him that he was very special and was meant to be part of their family. Clint was sealed to their family in Washington D.C. Temple. Clint is eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by both his birth mother and his adoptive parents. We hope that Clint’s life experiences will give us valuable insights into raising our adoptive family.

How we met:
We met while we were both going to school in Utah. We met online, and after a year of dating were married in the Salt Lake Temple. We have been married for five years now and we are hoping that through adoption our family can be complete.

CLINT: (by Heidi) The thing I love most about Clint is his giving heart. When Clint sees someone in need, he doesn't pause to think about whether it's convenient, he's right there helping out. Clint has an ability to see the good in any situation. Even when he has been faced with trials, he doesn't see them as so, he just sees and celebrates the good. Clint is a good listener. He is always there for his friends. He has friends from all different stages of his life that will still call him when they are having a hard time, and Clint is there for them. One of Clint's favorite possesions is his motorcycle. He loves to hop on his bike and go for a ride around the hills where we live. Clint has a love of music, and has accumulated a collection of speakers. His taste in music is very diverse, everything from pop, soft rock, country, classical, jazz, and blues, he loves it all. He's studying Computer Information Systems, and in my eyes has always been a computer wiz. In one of his classes last semester, he did a demonstration putting a computer together in 15 minutes.

HEIDI: (by Clint) Heidi is a real special gal. A lot of her qualities are geared towards being a great mother. Heidi is real sensitive to the Spirit in her life. Without her, I would be half the man I am today. She really brings the Spirit into our home. Heidi is an artist. She started out in theater and does everything from large-scale murals to portrait paintings. She loves to paint and finds peace in doing so. She would like to one day paint scenes from the scriptures. Not only is Heidi an artist with paint, she is also a fabulous web designer. Take a look at our adoption site she created at www.clintandheidiross.com. She has also created everything from company logos to label designs for products. To see more of her works, go to www.rubyhue.com. I am thankful to her in my life and her great mom skills. I have seen many of these with our foster son. Heidi always has creative stuff for him to do. Stuff I would never think of. Being able to be a stay at home mom is probably the most important thing for Heidi in her life. Even though she runs a web design company right now, she knows that when the time comes, this is her calling in life. She wouldn't consider for a second not staying at home and caring for her children unless it was absolutely necessary. I think that this is another divine quality that she has and I plan on doing everything I can to make sure that she can stay at home and be a mom.

*If you would like to be featured on the FSA blog as a waiting couple, please contact a member of the FSA board.

Our FSA Family Night!

2010-08-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

We want to thank Jeff and Liz for putting together an awesome family night.

The kids had a ball in the bouncy house and everybody enjoyed the volley ball.

It was so fun to get to know more adoptive families and here their stories.

It is such a great thing to be involved in FSA and enjoy the friendships that are made there.

We hope more can make it to our next activity.

Waiting couple Jeff and Liz

2010-08-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a few things about us: we have been married for 9 AMAZING YEARS! We have loved every moment of our life together, it's truly a dream. We officially met in our 8th grade Earth Science class and have been friends ever since. I've had a huge crush on Jeff

from the first time I met him and finally after he came home from his mission, he took me on a date. I was able to convince him that I was amazing and he'd be crazy not to marry me...or something like that, and we were married shortly after.

Our lives have been very busy since we've been married. I (Jeff) spent 7 years in college to become a physical therapist and Liz worked full time as a medical secretary. We enjoy spending any free time together and with family. We have played co-ed softball together, flag football, volleyball, snow-machined, tried ice skating, 4-wheeling, camping, boating, been to Disneyland, SeaWorld, and Chicago, gone to concerts and shows, and continue to plan new adventures. Our best adventure so far was adopting our daughter, Hailey, into our family on October 14th, 2008. Loving her is so easy! She loves climbing, playing with cousins and friends, running, laughing, dancing, pounding the keyboard, reading books, and learning. We feel she will be a wonderful, fun, and caring "big" sister. She loves to give her cousins hugs. She always waves to people she meets and says "bye" when they leave (usually after they are out of range to hear). She is very loving and caring towards others. We are so thankful to our birthmother for her sacrifice and her courage. We love Hailey's birthmother so much and continue to enjoy our relationship with her. We also look forward to having you become part of our life, and story.

About Liz: I love being a wife to Jeff. He is so easy to love and treats me like I'm the most wonderful person alive. I also love being a mommy I was so nervous to become a mom, but found myself easily fitting into that role. I enjoy spending every day at home with Hailey and consider myself very lucky that Jeff works so hard so that I can do it. I love to read to Hailey and chase her around the house. That's probably our most favorite thing to do is run around the house chasing each other or hiding from each other.

I grew up in Idaho with 3 older brothers and one older sister. We used to play together a lot, one of my favorite things was Sunday afternoon we'd play softball in our backyard. We did a lot of things as a family and the most memorable trips I have are of camping. I used to try to catch tadpoles and take them home with me! Now that I'm grown up, I still love softball, camping, taking road trips, cooking, trying to sew, playing games, having people over and just spending time hanging out! One of the funnest road trips Jeff and I took was when we lived in Las Vegas and went to visit our family in Idaho. We left after work one night and drove until we were sleepy, then we pulled off at some truck stop and slept in our car. We haven't taken any road trips like that for a while! I love sports, and any activity that is outdoors in the nice weather. I'm too chicken to go skiing, so the only winter "sport" I do is sledding. I love "reading" cookbooks which Jeff thinks is just crazy, but I like trying new things and it makes me happy to make things for other people that they really like.

About Jeff: Although it took me longer to realize how amazingl Liz is than she would have liked, when I fell for her I fell HARD! I love her more than I ever thought possible to love someone. As for a little about me, I love the opportunity my work provides me to help others overcome physical challenges. I have always enjoyed helping others. I love sports and spent the majority of my days growing up playing every sport available. I love my family very much. I am the oldest of 5 kids, and we still love to spend as much time together as we can. My parents are the best. Everything I have learned in life about being a good man was taught to me by watching the example of my father. He always seems to be full of wisdom and love. My mom has been a great example of complete humility, selflessness, and love. I always knew that us kids were my parents number one priority. I feel the most important and best thing we can teach your child is love. As Liz and I have been married for almost 9 years now, our love for each other and for our Savior has only become stronger and deeper. It is a love we hope to share with all of our children. We promise you that we will love this child you give birth to more than we ever imagined possible. We have prayed many times for the Lord to help us add to our little family by blessing us with sweet spirits for children. We know that you are an instrument in the hands of the Lord in answering our many prayers. Just as our Father in Heaven sacrificed his Son because he loves us, we thank you for your act of love in allowing us to receive your child into our family. We will always remember your sacrifice and be forever grateful. Thank you for having such a loving heart.

FSA Family Night

2010-08-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

Come to our

FSA Family Night.

Date- August 9th

Place- Centennial Park

Directions Here

Time- 6:00 pm

We will be providing the hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, and condiments.

Will you please bring the following?

Last names starting with-

A-G Chips

H-N Salads

O-Z Cookies

This will be an AWESOME party so everyone please come!!!

We will have Volley ball, a big Slip N Slide ( for young and old), and a bouncy house.

The kids and adults will have a blast!

We do need volunteers for grills and help with set up and bouncy house duty. If you live near the Pocatello area and would love to help with the grill please email the fsa email which is on the side bar.
Thank you!

2010-07-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Events:

Mark your calendars for

August 9th

for our FSA Family Night.

Time and Place will be announced at a later date.

Also our next adoption class will be on

October 1st and 2nd.

FSA National Conference

2010-07-11T19:35:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to register for the National FSA Conference!

Dates are July 30th and 31st.

Go here for more details.

FSA Dinner

2010-06-14T16:17:00.000-07:00

LDS Living Article

2010-06-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a beautiful story about adoption that is from LDS living.

Couple Finds Blessings in Haiti

Sarah Montgomery - LDS Living

Back to Headlines

Just months ago, Trevor and Lindsay Crapo were the busy parents of three. Today, they’re even busier with not three but nine rambunctious kids. Earlier this year, the Crapos welcomed five Haitian children into their home: 16-year-old Madalyn, 6-year-old Sophie, 4-year-olds Sawyer and Gracie, and 1-year-old Kenyon. They are also foster parents to a 6-month-old girl.

“I am insanely busy,” said Lindsay, “[but] . . . it is such a pulling feeling to be ever so grateful for the miracles that brought my babies home to me.”

Lindsay and Trevor’s story begins 10 years ago when the couple was married in the Logan Utah Temple. Though the couple was able to have two children biologically in the years that followed, miscarriages eventually led them to look into adoption. Then, four years ago, Lindsay had a dream in which she saw a beautiful, dark-complexioned little girl who she “knew was hers.” Though Lindsay had just recently given birth to her son Gage, and the couple had already found their son Gavin through LDS Family Services, this dream led the family to look into international adoption.

Soon after Lindsay’s dream, the Crapos contacted the Foyer de Sion Orphanage in Haiti and began the adoption process for their first two Haitian children, Gibson and Gracie. However, just four days before traveling to the country, the Crapos received word that little Gibson had passed away due to dehydration. They decided to make the trip despite their grief, leaving the suitcase they had packed for Gibson behind.

Yet the family was able to find blessings even in this heart-wrenching time: the trips they had previously made to Haiti to secure Gibson’s adoption allowed them to meet the other Haitian children who would eventually join their family. “If it hadn’t been for that little boy, we wouldn’t have found our four other children,” said Lindsay.

Shortly after Gibson’s passing, the Crapos decided to include two more children (6-year-old Sophie and 4-year-old Sawyer) in their daughter Gracie’s same adoption process. While this adoption was still in progress, Trevor and Lindsay decided to begin paperwork to bring another two children into their family. This meant that, if all the difficult legal processes could be resolved, Trevor and Lindsay would be able to bring a total of five Haitian children to their home in Idaho.

The next three-and-a-half years were fraught with setbacks. Red tape and stringent adoption restrictions kept delaying the release of the five children the Crapos were trying to adopt. During this difficult time, Lindsay visited Haiti 11 times and began working for the orphanage where her children were waiting. Lindsay was able to travel to the country every three months, bringing teams of volunteers and visiting adoptive parents with her each time. The volunteers Lindsay trains and leads assist the orphanage with medical tasks such as tracking each child’s height and weight, taking photos of the children, and keeping records for the orphanage.

When a massive earthquake hit Haiti in January, international adoption processes for hundreds of Haitian children were in progress. The processes for all five of Lindsay and Trevor’s children were among those still in the works when the earthquake occurred. After the quake, the Crapos had to wait an excruciating 24 hours before receiving word that their children were alive and well.

Like Gibson’s passing, this tragedy was also able to bring the Crapo family blessings they could not have foreseen. Because of the earthquake, the Haitian government became more willing to release children in orphanages for international adoption. “Ours was a really strange miracle,” said Lindsay. “Some of our children might have never come home had the earthquake not hit.”

After the earthquake, the Crapos (along with a team of parents and professionals) flew to Haiti to be with the 220 children at the Foyer de Sion Orphanage. Their goal was to do all they could to gain permission to fly all of the children that had adoptive families home. But even after the disaster, it was a struggle to bring the children home. Kenyon’s paperwork was out of order, and Madalyn’s age presented difficulties as well. Madalyn’s adoption process had taken long enough that, in a normal adoption situation, she would not be allowed to leave Haiti until she reached age 18—and even then, only if the U.S. government allowed her a visa.

At the end of January, the Crapos were finally able to get clearance from Haiti’s Prime Minister to bring all five of their children to the U.S. Another 65 children from the orphanage were also given permission to leave the country. “There aren’t words to explain the miracles that happened while we were there,” said Lindsay. “It was amazing that my sixteen-year-old daughter and my baby were even able to get on the plane.”

The kids arrived in Idaho on February 1, 2010. After a court appearance in May that finalized the five children’s adoption status, Trevor and Lindsay were able to take their family to the Logan Utah Temple on May 12, 2010—exactly 10 years from the day that Lindsay and Trevor were sealed to each other in the very same temple. May 12 was also the birthday of Gibson, the Haitian baby who passed away before the Crapos could bring him home. Gibson was also sealed to the family that day.

Lindsay described the events before and after the temple ceremony as a chaotic but blissful whirl of outfit changes, potty stops, windy weather, skinned knees and chocolate cake stains. “It was really windy and cold,” she said, “and I will be shocked if a single picture turned out, but the memory is what matters, and the pictures will just spark what a beautiful day it was and what it represented for our family.”

Lindsay continues to work for the Foyer de Sion Orphanage in Haiti, where adoption will soon be re-opened. She hopes that her ongoing work as well as her own family’s story will inspire others to look into adoption. “Maybe it’ll bring some other kids home,” she said.

Nate and Christy

2010-06-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

A little bit about Nathan:

I grew up as the oldest sibling in a family of four children, three boys and one girl. As a small boy I loved to play in athletics. Even though my ultimate favorite sport was baseball, I also liked playing basketball and football as a teenager. In high school I ran track and cross-country. It was also during my teenage years that I gained my love for skiing. My father taught us by example that hard work was essential. He expected us to earn and save money for extra things that we wanted to buy. I was ten years old when I started my first real job of taking care of a newspaper route, and have had a job ever since.

My family has always enjoyed the outdoors. Family vacations consisted of camping, fishing, and hiking. My father is an avid hunter, and I often had the privilege of going with him. In fact, hunting and target shooting is something we still enjoy together.

After high school I served a two-year mission to Dallas, Texas where I gained a deep appreciation and love for all different types of people. I have a Bachelor’s Degree and am currently working on my Masters in Business. Things I enjoy doing in my spare time are playing and watching sports, fishing, and reading non-fiction books.

Now, a little bit about Christy:

I grew up in a family of seven children, me being the middle child. When I was four years old I started dancing. I began with ballet and tap, and later started jazz. I danced for eleven years and loved every minute of it. I also liked being outside playing sports growing up. Some of the fondest memories I have are the times where my dad would play tackle football in the snow in our backyard with all of the children. I participated in soccer, track, cross-country, and fast pitch softball, and I have enjoyed playing the piano.

My family vacations consisted of camping, fishing, and hiking. We would go swimming on a regular basis to the city swimming pool. Almost all my life we have had horses that we rode often. My dad still has several horses that he loves to put the grandchildren on every time we come visit.

After I graduated from school I went to Alaska for the summer and worked in a small tourist town. The craziest thing I have ever done was drive to Canada that summer and go skydiving. I have a Batchelor’s Degree in Finance, and have enjoyed being a stay home mom with my children.

Our life together:

Nathan and I met each other while going to college. It was October 31, Halloween night at a costume party dance. I was dressed as Pippy-Long Stocking and he was dressed as the garbage grouch. His entire face was painted black, he had a black garbage bag over his head, and his hair was ratted into an afro. Two weeks later I saw Nathan again in the Institute playing the piano. I sat down and talked to him for two hours, and this is where it all really began.

Right before our four-year anniversary, we adopted our boy, Dallin, when he was two days old. He is now eight years old, and is full of life. Some of his favorite things to do playing football, basketball, and baseball. He also loves telling jokes, doing math, and reading. Every moment with Dallin is special; he has been such a joy in our lives. He is really good at including his brother, and is the best big brother anyone could ever ask for.

We also adopted our munchkin, Gentry, when he was two days old. He is now three years old, and the spunk of the family. He loves throwing rocks, blocks, and balls, having books read to him, and singing. Gentry thinks he needs to always be in the thick of things. He thinks he always has to have a friend over to play with. He likes to do anything his brother does from putting his backpack on for school or playing with the “big” kids. Gentry’s smile is contagious, and he has brought so much happiness to our home.

We love to travel! Whether we drive or fly, our small family has a good time no matter where we go. One of the most fun things we all like to do as a family is to go fishing. This is something we do often. Any opportunity we get, we spend time with our extended family. Dallin and Gentry have many cousins on both sides that they enjoy playing with.

FSA Regional Conference

2010-05-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

FSA Regional Conference!!!

This year the conference will be on

Friday, July 30, 2010 9:00 AM -

Saturday, July 31, 2010 5:00 PM (Mountain Time)

Davis Conference Center

1651 North 700 West

Layton, Utah 84041

United States

If you are wanting to attend be sure to register at http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=851705 note that if you are attending as a couple you must each register separate.

We hope to see you there!!

This year at FSA National Conference 2010, we will be running a service project for two charities in Utah.

http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/2010/05/national-conferece-service-project.html

We will have two large bins at Conference where you can drop off items that are needing by these charities.

We will be accept new or 'gently' used items.

There is also a 'Target' near the Davis Convention Center that you can drop in at if you don't want to pack anything extra.

We so hope to make this a success and continue our 'good works' of adoption!

Also check out this link:

http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/2010/03/call-to-artists-and-those-who-love-art.html

2010-05-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

Don't Forget!!!

Our FSA Date Night!

Friday, May 21st, at 6:30 pm.

We will have dinner,

meet Chad the new caseworker,

and have a birth parent panel.

Please come!!!

It will be at the Alameda Stake Center

930 East Alameda Rd.

Jeff and Jamie

2010-05-04T12:54:00.000-07:00

eff and I met right before Christmas in 2003. It was Family Home Evening night. My singles ward gathered at the bishop’s in-laws house for a Luke 2 devotional in the barn. While we were waiting for the bishop to arrive, we were all standing by the bonfire drinking hot chocolate and I noticed him. I found out that he was the bishop’s wife’s brother. She bugged him to ask me out, but it didn’t happen until I set it up. I had a friend that wanted to go out with his younger sister and we made plans to double. So, Jeff called and asked me out on a date that I planned. We had our first date on New Year’s Day. We continued to date, and were engaged June 15, 2004. We were married on August 11, 2004 in the Salt Lake Temple. That day was very special, not only because I married my best friend for eternity, but because it was also my grandmother’s birthday, to whom I was very close.

We’ve now been married for 5 years. It has been a fun time, as well, as a growing time. We have grown as we have laughed together, had fun, and shared trials together. We have gone on a few trips to the Oregon Coast. We both love the ocean! We have taken the occasional trips to Salt Lake City, Utah. We take several trips to Lava, Idaho to spend time at Jeff’s parent’s cabin. We enjoy camping and being in nature. Jeff has enlightened my mind about the computer, history, and language, with which he is very talented. We enjoy doing music together. Jeff writes poetry and I write music, so it’s a good fit. We have written one song together, so far. We often sing or do musical numbers together. I enjoy sitting down to the piano and just playing what ever I feel like. Jeff has spent most of his life working on ‘his’ novel. We decided that we would write a novel together. It has been fun and I have learned a lot about writing. It’s still in the works, but it is very fun to read. We enjoy spending a little time watching our favorite television shows together. I have been introduced to horseback riding, and enjoy riding with Jeff’s dad. We spend time up at his parent’s house. He enjoys fixing their computer issues. In the fall, we help make homemade apple cider and pick raspberries at their house. We try to attend the temple often and just enjoy being together. I still ask him to come to the grocery store with me just so we can be together.

Before we were married Jeff served a mission in Rochester, New York. He had special moments in the Sacred Grove as he participated in district meetings there. He has participated in many years of school, but hasn’t finished, yet. His interest lies in Linguistic Anthropology. He loves to play with words. He is extremely intelligent. Some days, I go home and tell him what I have learned and he will already know it. I think, wow, how does he already know that? He can usually always answer my questions. I had the great opportunity to earn my college degree in Education. I always thought I would be a homemaker, so I received my degree in Family and Consumer Sciences- aka, home economics. I had the opportunity to graduate from Institute twice and have had the unique experience of teaching Seminary for a week. I received my temple endowment early and fulfilled my self-motivated mission to attend every week. Since graduating from college, I have had the opportunity to work with children and families. I have been certified in Intensive Behavior Intervention and have provided therapy to children with developmental delays at school and at home. I recently completed my teaching certification and teach 3rd grade at a school here in Pocatello. Last year I taught Kindergarten and loved it!

We both grew up with many family traditions. My family is very big on getting together, especially for birthdays. Everyone’s birthday is a big celebration. We eat and play games. The cousins love getting together to play. We are excited to get together every year to go to Lagoon for a family reunion. We split up and go on rides and spend time together. Holidays are big events, especially Christmas. My parents started the tradition of “Christmas Eve Fondue Night.” No one ever misses it. After we eat, we play games, open some presents, sing carols, and read or watch the Luke 2 Christmas story. On Christmas morning, we take turns opening presents and have breakfast. We spend the rest of the day playing games, resting, munching on leftovers, and of course, eating the amazing dinner. Jeff’s family has many traditions, too. The main one is Cousin’s Camp. Every summer grandpa and grandma (Jeff's Parents) invite all the grandchildren to their cabin in Lava for a few days. The cousins have a great time being together and going horseback riding with grandpa. Every spring, there is an Easter egg hunt for all the kids. The uncles hide the eggs and we set the kids loose. At Christmas time, grandma and grandpa host a manners dinner for all the grandchildren and then, they have a big slumber party. Our extended family is a big part of our lives. We love spending our time with them. We feel very blessed to be a part of this eternal family.

Above all, we desire greatly to have children, to hold the sacred and humble title of father and mother. We feel blessed to have a temple covenant and sealing, and we desire this for our children and their future families. The temple is very important in our lives. The Savior is central. I plan on teaching my children who they are; that they are a child of our Heavenly Father and that He has a plan for them. We will teach and live Gospel principles. We will bear our testimonies to them often. We will teach with love and patience, just as our Heavenly Father teaches us. We have great faith and will help our children to develop their own faith. We believe in honesty, integrity, and morality in all that we do. We love the Savior and will teach our children in His ways. We will help them to become self-reliant and confident adults. We look forward to this joy that comes only from having an eternal family.

Buck and Sarah

2010-04-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

We just want you to know how much we appreciate you for reading our letter. We can’t imagine how difficult this time in your life must be for you. You are in our prayers and we love you.

We have been married for 11 years. We met in college, dated for a year, and were married in the Salt Lake Temple.

Our early married life was spent working and going to school. We decided to start a family a year later after we had bought our first home. Children were always something that both of us wanted, we just didn't realize it would take so long. The road to building a family has been long and hard, but well worth it. After eight years of waiting, along came our son.

When we adopted Zane we never got to meet his birth mother, but I would really like to have met her and be able to tell her how much we appreciate the gift she has given our family. There is rarely a day that goes by that I do not offer a prayer of gratitude for her, and for the heroic decision she made. Without Zane's birth mother, we would not know anything like the joy we have over the past three years.

Birth parents are an important part in the life of a child. Zane's birth mother did leave him a card and gifts, we have saved these for him so that he will know she cares about him and had his best interests at heart. This is something that would be very important to any child and we can work together on this.

Buck is a caring man, that's part of what attracted me to him. He is a hard worker and does a good job of providing for our family. He likes to work on our farm and keep things looking nice. He is also a really good dad, with so much time and care spent with our son. Buck has taught a variety of different age groups in Church and also helped me in the nursery and with the Sunbeams.

Sarah is a wonderful wife and mother. She has so much patience it amazes me. She never misses an opportunity to teach our son and help him learn new things. From the time we first met, I knew she was special, although it took me a year to figure out she was the one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She really enjoys motherhood and being a stay at home mom.

She teaches Sunbeams (3 and 4 year olds) at Church and does a good job with them.

We want you to know the joy birth mothers bring into our lives and the eternal gratitude we have for them. We hope you know how excited we are for another child to come into our family.

FSA National Conference

2010-04-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

The national FSA conference is going to be July 30- 31st.

So put it on your calendars!

I have heard amazing things about these conferences and I can't wait to go.

More info coming soon!

FSA Activity

2010-04-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

I know we have waited a LONG time for the next FSA activity and much of that was due to Andrew leaving and we were left waiting for our new case worker.

We are happy to announce that we have new FSA co chair women!

Angela Palmer and Jessi Tarbet have happily accepted this new responsibility.

Many of you have probably met these wonderful women at your adoption classes or FSA activities. If you haven't met them you will at our next activity. They are excited and have some great plans coming up!

As it happens our next activity is scheduled for

Friday, May 21st at 6:30 pm.

We will have dinner and a birth parent panel.

Couples only.

We will meet the new case worker Chad... who I hear is amazing and very excited to get started.

Please come and bring your ideas for activities we can plan. Our FSA is going to get a kick start and we need your valuable input.

Our next round of adoption classes are scheduled for

Friday, May 21st, with the birth parent panel.

They will continue Saturday the 22nd at 8:00am.

Also if there are any ideas for that you would like to share concerning things you would like to see on the blog please leave a comment or bring them to the activity.

Our birth mother appreciation night will be held in June so keep checking the blog for updates.

Adam and Debbie

2010-03-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

About Us (written by Debbie):

Adam and I first met on a blind date in Logan, Utah. I learned two things about him that evening. First, Adam loves sports. We ended our date at a university basketball game and we have rarely missed a game in five years. The second and most important thing I learned is how important family is when his dad, brother and sister-in-law showed up for dinner. After dating for a few months we both knew we had found something special. We just celebrated our fifth anniversary and look forward to many wonderful years to come.

We like to spend time with our extended family, especially those who live close. Adam is fortunate enough to work with his dad and two brothers in the family business. We visit grandpa at least once a week and take many little trips with family. One of our favorite places to relax as a family is at grandpa's cabin at Bear Lake. It's nice to get away, play games and just visit together.

About Adam (written by Debbie):

Adam is a wonderful father and husband. He has always been so kind and willing to do anything for our family. He is very close to his parents and goes out of his way to help his dad since his mom's passing. Adam will often call and say his dad wants to do something like go to a movie and needs a "date", so we make arrangements and have an evening out with his dad. He adores our little girl and loves to play with her. He can always get her to laugh and run away squealing from her "daddy monster". Adam loves his sports and helps coach the high school football team. He also loves to attend many college sports activities with us and his extended family. His family is well known in our town for their love of sports and devotion to Utah State University.

About Debbie (written by Adam):

Debbie graduated from Utah State in horticulture. Her dream is to one day open her own greenhouse. I got my first taste of working in a greenhouse while we were dating. I came to visit Debbie at work and ended up helping out. Since that day, I have had no desire to work in a greenhouse! Debbie loves children, especially our little girl. I am grateful that she is able to be at home to teach and nurture her. I couldn't ask for a better wife and mother. She also loves to read and attends a community book club once a month to discuss books they've read and to just enjoy a little "girl time".

About Abby (written by Adam):

Abby is our blue eyed three year old daughter. Her middle name Debra, is special to our family as she is named after her mother and late grandma. She is a vibrant, curly haired little girl who loves books, our neighbor's cat Fluffy and recently preschool. She loves to be tickled, especially when as she puts it, her "daddy monster" is after her.

You can visit their blog and learn more about their family.

http://www.sodaspringsaggies.blogspot.com/

or Email them at debbiemaeva@juno.com.

Graham and Kacee

2010-03-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

Our family means everything to us. We met in high school, became great friends and started to date soon thereafter. Even before Graham left on his mission, we knew we wanted to be together forever. During the two years he served in the Italy Rome Mission, we wrote to each other weekly. That experience of writing was special and helped us to deepen our relationship. We shared our lives with each other and we planned our future.

Within four months of Graham’s return home, we were married in the Logan Temple. It was a gorgeous December morning with a fresh blanket of snow and a brilliant blue sky. We will always remember that beautiful day when we knelt on either side of the altar in our Father’s house and made sacred covenants. After the ceremony, the sealer let us have a few minutes to ourselves to reflect on the specialness of that moment. Both of us knew at that time that we would have a family with three or four children. It wasn’t just what we wanted; it was a promise of what we knew was part of a divine plan.

We feel blessed for the many opportunities life has provided us. We have both attended Idaho State University, where Kacee earned a bachelor’s degree and will soon complete a doctorate in political science, and where Graham earned a bachelor’s, master’s and will soon complete a doctoral degree.

Graham was a reporter before going to work at ISU, where he has held several director positions and is now the director of university relations. Kacee has managed political campaigns for local and state offices. Both of our careers have led us to meet wonderful people and have provided a healthy financial life.

We have established a nice home in a safe family-friendly neighborhood, while still focusing on being sensible and putting money away for retirement, emergencies and future family plans. Our education has meant a great deal to us, and we want our children to have equal or better opportunities. We know that a quality education can be the key to opening a world of possibilities, and that it almost always means a better quality of life than one without it.

We enjoy spending time with each other more than anything else. We especially love to travel. We try to go camping several times a year, whether it is in nearby Caribou-Targhee National Forest or in favorites like Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Every few years, we like to take a big trip. Two years after we were married, we spent two weeks in Rome, Italy. Two years later, we spent a week in Maui, Hawai’i. This year, we took Isaac to Washington, DC, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania-Dutch (Amish) country, Philadelphia and New York City. We had such a great time seeing so many important historical sites, beautiful artwork, and iconic architecture.

Graham has a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and we enjoy taking day trips and overnighters as a couple and with Graham’s parents a few times a year. During these times, Isaac is excited to stay with grandparents or cousins who love to have him. We feel fortunate to have all of our family close by and that they are willing to help with child care when necessary.

We believe in the potential of every child and have tried to raise our son accordingly. We teach him the values of the Gospel and of generally being a good person. We involve him in nearly everything we do, and he is a mature and pleasant boy. He is so sweet and just thinking of how much he means to us can bring tears to our eyes. We can’t help but peek in on him when he’s asleep just because we love him so much and want to make sure he’s safe. Somehow that simple example seems to say so much about how we feel about being parents and how we look forward to giving special attention to each member of our family yet to come.

2010-02-15T15:36:00.000-08:00

Please click on the link to learn about Skyler.

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11967565&nav=menu554_1_7

Vance and Jamie

2010-02-10T07:34:00.000-08:00

Vance and I met when we were freshman in high school. We grew up 130 miles from each other, so we didn't run into each other often. When we were seniors in high school, I asked his friend to a girl's choice dance and set him up with my best friend. The day following our date, my family said, "What are you doing? You were with the wrong guy!" I thought they were crazy, but I found out they were right! (Vance likes to use the dance photo as blackmail).

We love to travel to different places for our anniversary! For our third anniversary, we returned to Jackson Hole (our honeymoon spot) to reminisce. For our fifth anniversary, we stayed in Salt Lake City and tried to be "tourists." In a few weeks, we will celebrate our sixth anniversary. We are planning to drive to Cody, Wyoming, to visit a huge museum.

One very special part of our life is our extended family. We love going camping with Jamie's family or going to rodeos with mine. We look forward to Jamie's family's annual Christmas party. We always put a homemade gift on the auction table for the party.

I feel very blessed to have Vance as my husband. He amazes me every day of our marriage! At the first sign of sunshine this spring, we spent seven hours weeding our garden. Instead of breathing a sigh of relief, he went to our next door neighbor and asked if we could weed theirs!

Another characteristic I love so much about Vance is how he has our nieces and nephews wrapped around his finger! We have a four-year-old nephew who says an "H" sound at the beginning of every word. He just loves "Uncle Hance (Vance)" and riding in his "huck (truck)." Our eighteen-month-old niece often snuggles into the crook of Vance's arm, even when her own father is in the room!

He is a man of many talents. If he doesn't know how to create it or fix it, he'll find out. He has made an entertainment center and a log bed. He loves to do leatherwork. He always has an "order" from someone! Just last night, someone dropped off a saddle for him to repair.

The thing that amazes me the most about Vance is his testimony and committment to the gospel. He is 100% dedicated to doing what is right and nothing changes that.

I'm amazed everyday how wonderful Jamie is. When her sister had a baby, Jamie went to her house and helped clean and cook for their family. Jamie's coworkers say they can always tell where Jamie is because she and everyone around her are laughing. I am so grateful for the good example Jamie is to me. Jamie keeps our house very clean which helps to keep The Spirit in our home.

Adoption Scams

2010-01-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

The r house blog is a great adoption blog that everyone needs to read. Recently they featured a fellow adoptive mother who wrote a post about adoption scams. Please follow the link below to read her post. It has some very good ideas on how to avoid being scammed.

http://therhouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/guest-blogger-on-adoption-scams-brenda.html

Todd and Deborah

2010-01-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

Todd and I (Deborah) have been married for more than 16 years. The time has passed quickly because we keep busy working and we spend a lot of time together. I love being his wife and taking care of him. We attended the same college and lived in the same ward. Some of the reasons I married Todd were because he loved me, he was a hard worker, he was an active member of the church, he wanted to be married in the temple, and I knew he would be a great father.

Todd loves to be of services to other people. The first winter we were married there was snow everywhere. Todd would drive around town looking for people who where stuck in the snow. He would hook up his tow rope to their car and pull them out of the snow. I have seen him at his happiest when he is doing work for someone else. I think that is why he has his own landscaping business. He is always doing work for people who can't do it themselves.

We enjoy spending time together, whether it is for fun or work. We are a great team and work together very well. Todd usually takes the lead on different projects and I am happy to be his helper. If we are cooking for a group of people, I cut up the food and he seasons it and cooks it, then I cleanup. If we are repairing equipment, I hand him the tools and he turns the wrenches. I often tell people that I would rather be working along side Todd than to be home alone.

We look forward to being able to be parents and have children in our home. We spend a lot of time with our nieces and nephews. We love their parents, but of course, the kids are the main reason we love to visit. We enjoy being there to play games, eat dinner and just be around them.

Todd loves to be around children and has spent many years as a Boy Scout Leader. I have spent time with the scouts as well. One thing we often see is children seeking attention and love from us no matter what their situation is like at home. Being unable to conceive our own children has given us a different perspective of children and their needs. Our hearts go out to all children and we wish the best for them and their parents. As a result, we feel that we will be very conscious of our efforts to show our children that we love them and will care for them.

I (Todd) am the second child of my family with two sisters and one brother. I spent my childhood playing rough and learning to work hard. With my mother's help, I delivered newspapers to over 100 people every day. I later bought a three-wheeler with the money I earned from that job. Since then I have always been working toward something I wanted. I love to work and make my goals a reality.

My wife, Deborah is the love of my life. We have a great relationship and we love to spend time with each other. She works outside the home and does a lot of work at home as well. We are working toward the day that she will be a full-time stay at home wife and mother. This has always been her dream. I smile when I think of her taking the role as a mother. She is very capable and ready to love everyone around her.

Mike and Keralyn

2009-12-16T11:31:00.000-08:00

I met Keralyn on my mission in Houston, Texas. She was a Spanish-speaking missionary, and I spoke English. Our areas overlapped for 9 months of our missions. When our missions were finished, we started dating and were sealed in the temple for eternity. Keralyn is a wonderful person with a great love for our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am in awe of her faith and am proud to be her husband. Keralyn has a love for children, and as a teacher, she is surrounded by them all the time. Children at church are drawn to her also. They come from under the benches, over the benches, walking down the aisle, and right into the bench where we are sitting. Sometimes their parents just hand them to her. I remember more than once having children in the ward ask me if Keralyn could come over for Sunday lunch and to play; their mothers would assure me that I was invited, too. It is not uncommon to find her on the floor wrestling or running through the house with our nephews and niece or any of our friends’ children. I think the sound of a child’s laughter is her favorite thing in the world.

Mike’s right, that is my favorite thing in the world. I always intended to have a houseful of little ones, but learned early that life rarely goes according to plan. I planned not to marry until I was at least 25 and done with college. But then I met Mike. As I followed him around the mission for those 9 months, I gained more and more respect for him. I saw his work ethic. I noticed he was a natural leader that others wanted to follow and be around him. I appreciated the respect and love he showed for the people in his areas. The mission was the hardest and best way to really get to know him without the mess of romance. I married Mike 10 days before my 22nd birthday because Mike didn’t want to marry an “old woman” of 23, and I finished college during the following two years. No, it wasn’t “my” plan, but the Lord knows what he’s doing and it turned out beautifully. I’ve now had 9+ years to know Mike even better. Mike is going to be a great dad. I picture him working on a carpentry project with a little one as his assistant. He won’t just read a story, he’s much too animated for that. He’ll use different voices and accents, act it out, and make it up as he goes. He’ll share his passion for learning by being involved in their science projects, arts and crafts, pinewood derbies, and 4-H activities. They’ll probably know more about science and medicine when they start school than I knew when I finished! I am so excited to see him show our kids how to ride a 4-wheeler, shoot a bow, plant a garden, throw a ball, and strum a guitar.

Finding Ideas

2009-12-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

This year when you send your family Christmas cards remember to mention that you are in the process of trying to adopt!

The more reminders for your family and friends the better. Encourage them to spread the word by sharing your information with others.

If you have pass along cards it is a perfect time to send them.

Good luck and happy finding!!

David and Alex

2009-12-09T11:29:00.000-08:00

Hi,I am Alex. David and I have been married for almost 15 years – crazy! We always planned on having a large family and starting right away. Life rarely follows our plans. Instead we were blessed with a lot of time to spend together, just the two of us. David is my best friend.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us a little better. I’m David, the love of Alex’s life, just in case she didn’t mention that :). Alex and I dated off and on through high school. Mostly, she chased me at least that’s how I tell the story. I don’t think she exactly agrees with that however! We re-met after my mission at an institute opening social. She knew then that I was the one. OK, really, I was the one instantly attracted to her and tracked her down the next day. I definitely got the better half of the deal. Alex is a wonderful mother and my best friend. We like to laugh and have fun together as a couple and a family. We giggle way too much :). I’m very grateful for the three wonderful gifts we have been given through the miracle of adoption. I know our boys were meant to come to our home, and for that we are eternally grateful to our birth mothers and our Father in Heaven.

Gabriel and Heather

2009-12-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Gabriel likes working with cattle and horses, spending time on the farm, and just working. He loves to play all sports, especially basketball. He loves to work outdoors and loves to watch things grow. He has always loved to work and to be active, so we don’t find ourselves spending a whole lot of extra time off the farm. He enjoys it, so it is not all work - it is some play. He also enjoys camping, fishing, and playing golf.

Heather was involved in cheerleading and was in a singing group in school. She still enjoys dancing and singing, as well as riding four wheelers, most sports, and snow/water skiing. She enjoys being a mother and all that goes with it. Stetson and Ella are the joys of her life.

Stetson is almost 8 years old and is in the 2nd grade. He came to us through a wonderful birth mother whom we love dearly. Stetson is full of energy and has a very active imagination that keeps us active and youthful! He is exceptionally kind and has a loving heart. He loves everyone and is friendly to everyone that he meets. He loves to be a big brother. He treats his little sister very well and is also a big help in all of her needs.

We had our papers in and were waiting to adopt another child when we were surprised to find we were pregnant. The doctors had told us we had a slim to none chance of it ever happening, so we had put it out of our minds. Ella is 2 1/2 years old. She is a happy little girl and fills our home with so many smiles and loves. She is quite the little talker and loves to be the “shadow” of what everyone else is doing. She is growing up fast and always on the move. She always has got to get her say in due to trying to keep up with her brother’s charismatic personality!

We are excited to add to our little family. We hope to create many wonderful memories of our home and want our children to be close to their brothers and sisters as well as to us, as parents.

Inspiring adoption videos

2009-11-28T07:22:00.000-08:00

Andrew Poll

2009-11-25T18:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Adoptive Couples,

I am writing this letter to let you know that I am moving to Utah. My last day here at LDS Family Services will be December 2, 2009. In order to maintain continuity of services your case will transition to Jared Neal, LCSW or Altan Hardcastle, LCSW. I will be replaced in a few months with a new Adoption Supervisor and worker. Please be proactive in getting to know the new worker. I have enjoyed my time with you at LDS Family Services and will forever take these wonderful experiences with me.

Please feel free to contact myself, Jared or Altan with any questions or concerns you have about your adoption process.

Sincerely,

Andrew Poll

There will be an open house at the LDS Family Services office on Monday, November 30th from 11 am -1 pm, so all those who would like to say good bye to Andrew can do so.

We will miss you Andrew! Thank you for all you have done!

Good luck on your new adventure.

Travis and Mikelle

2009-11-24T19:09:00.000-08:00

TRAVIS

Travis comes from a wonderful family. Along with his parents, he has three sisters. He was raised in a small farming community and since the time he turned twelve years old he worked on the farm everyday with his father. He enjoyed the time he had to spend with his father and has always appreciated his father for teaching him the value of hard work. He was active in high school with wrestling and football. Travis’s hobbies are dirt biking, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, traveling, mechanical work, and building/repairing things. Travis is an amazing father! Travis is not an overly emotional person, but you can see in his eyes and his face how much he loves, cares for, and wants to protect his daughter. He absolutely loves to spend time with her. Often times, he will just load the four-wheeler in the truck, hit McDonalds on the way out of town, and spend the rest of the day with her. He is a very “hands on” dad and enjoys having her work in the yard with him or run errands with him. He enjoys Easter shopping for Maycee as much as MiKelle does. The love he has for Maycee is very humbling and beautiful!

MIKELLE

MiKelle was also raised in a small farming community as a little girl, but as a teenager she lived in a big city. She also has wonderful parents and three siblings whom she is really close to along with their spouses. During her teenage years, she was involved in piano, dancing, and working. MiKelle was also taught the value of hard work and has always been thankful to her parents for teaching her the value of responsibility from a young age. MiKelle loves to play the piano. She has been playing since she was four years old and has taught piano lessons for fifteen years now. On the flip side, she also has a huge love for dirt bike riding. In addition, she enjoys cooking, decorating her home, exercising, road trips, and hanging out with her family and friends. MiKelle loves being a mother! She loves dolling Maycee up everyday and spending time with her. She loves the little things like being able to shop for a little Valentines Day Gift for her beautiful daughter. Being that MiKelle and Maycee both have a lot of hair, they like to comb, brush, and do each other’s hair. MiKelle’s whole world revolves around Maycee and Travis.

Parent Profiles

2009-11-23T05:33:00.000-08:00

ParentProfiles.com started a relationship with LDS Family Services back in 2005 and since that time an average of 32 couples per year have notified us that they have been successful in adopting while using our their site. That is over 2 couples per month!

LDS Family Services and ParentProfiles.com are working together to offer an exclusive benefit that pertains only to LDS Family Services' approved adoptive couples. For all couples working the an LDSFS agency, Parentprofiles.com will be extending a 25% discount on the monthly service fee for couples wishing to publish a profile on ParentProfiles.com ($75.00 per month). In addition to that the initial fees of $248 ($99.00 set up fee and the $149.00 listing fee) will also be waived. ParentProfiles.com is marketed extensively throughout the leading adoption websites, such as adoption.com, birthmother.com, adopting.org and other adoption related sites giving us maximum exposure on some of the most well known adoption web sites.

Couples who wish to take advantage of this opportunity will need to work closely with their LDS Family Services' adoption caseworker and complete the following steps:

1- Couples will go to www.parentprofiles.com where they can build their own profile.

2- On the right-hand side of the screen there is a yellow box with the link "Start Now". IF the couple choose to publish an online profile, they will click on this link and they will be guided through the profile building process. As this is a secure site, no one except ParentProfiles.com will have access to the couples' information.

3- Couples will need to make sure that ParentProfiles.com has the following necessary paperwork (Please Note: The following items are required):

a. A copy of the first and last page of the couples' homestudy ( the last page needs to include the recommendation and required signature). The LDS Family Services caseworker will provide this information to ParentProfiles.com.

b. The statement of Adoption Status form on agency's letterhead. The LDS Family Services caseworker will provides this information to ParentProfiles.com.

c. Service Agreement. The adoptive couple will provide this information to ParentProfiles.com.

d. Payment authorization form. The adoptive couple will provide this information to ParentProfiles.com

On the payment authorization form couples will want to choose "option B". The discount amount is $248.00. The coupon code is LDSFS. The monthly service fee will be $75.00 (25% discount on pricing) per month. Couples will need to list their credit card information at the bottom and make sure all initials and signatures are complete.

The contact person at ParentProfiles.com is Jean Kimball who can assist in answering technical and other questions about getting an online profile published. Jean can be reached at 1- 800- FAMILY NOW or info@parentprofiles.com .

2009-11-11T16:19:00.000-08:00

Did you know November is National Adoption Month? The President of the United States even issued a Presidential Proclamation about adoption. While there are great things going on nationally, you can be involved locally to build awareness of adoption. This year, the focus is on the tens of thousands children in foster care who are awaiting permanent homes. Be sure to visit our Waiting Wednesday pictures and articles of foster children in Idaho who wait for loving homes. Get involved with Families Supporting Adoption so that you can make a difference in your community.

Matt and KerrieLynn

2009-11-11T12:26:00.001-08:00

About our Family:

We met in 1998. We worked together for awhile before we started dating. We got to know each other really well. KerrieLynn also got to know matts family and quickly fell in love with all of them. We dated for a short time, got engaged and then were married a few months later in the Manti Temple.

We had the opportunity to spend nearly four years together just the two of us. We feel that during that time together we learned to be a strong team. We worked really hard and played just as much. In September of 2002 we were blesssed with the first of our two boys, Garrett. Cole came the following year and the fun still continues.

KerrieLynn's Thoughts about Matt:

Two of Matt's passions in life are his family and sand duning. Matt was raised in Jackson Wyoming where he was taught that family comes first. Matt works hard to support us and provide a life for us that allows us to spend so much time together. he loves to take us camping, 4 wheeling, horseback riding and fishing. Matt believes that it is important to teach out children how to work hard, respect others, play and have fun as a family. matt teases all of us, I'm included, and so smiles and giggles are never short at our home. Neither, it seems, is the request "Dad lets wrestle," which Matt obliges to. he is always ready to wrestle, laugh and play.

Matt's thoughts about KerrieLynn:

KerrieLynn is a very driven person. she encourages me to be a better parent and our family to be better people. When we were first married KerrieLynn's plan was to have a career while she raised our family, but once we had Garrett she only wanted to be a Mom. She is constantly working at becomeing a better mother for our boys. Garrett, Cole and I think she is the greatest. KerrieLynn is the love of my life and I couldn't ask for a betther companion. She completes me and makes me want to be a better husband, father, and overall person. I fall in love with her more everyday. There is no doubt that KerrieLynn will love any child that comes into our family. I've watched her with the children she took care of when she ran a daycare. It never took long before the kids were calling her 'mom'. We have made a few trips back to the area where KerrieLynn did the daycare because the children have called and wanted to see her and she's wanted to see them also.