Amy & Stephen R

Why We Want to Adopt

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Welcome to our blog! We have created this blog as a means for birth parents to learn more about us and why we want to adopt. We have posted pictures and descriptions to help you get to know us better. We have been married for 8 years, and we are a happy family with a lot of love. We have two beautiful girls and feel blessed and thankful to Heavenly Father that he has given us stewardship over them.

Our girls did not come to us easily. Amy had many complications with both pregnancies, with each ending two months early. Both girls were very tiny at birth and recovery was long and difficult for the girls and for Amy. After having Lydia, Amy went through a series of tests and was diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder which affects her pregnancies. While we wanted more children and finally had a diagnosis and possible treatment, the thought of going through another scary pregnancy and possible tragic end is just too much for us to bear.

We know there are many birth mothers who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy and need to find a family to place the baby with, and we feel it is better to keep Amy healthy for any new baby and our children at home to look towards adoption to increase our family.

We feel strongly that Heavenly Father has at least one more child for our family. We hope you will read through our blog and get to know us better. Please know that your child would be a tremendous blessing to us and we would show it all the love and happiness that we give to our daughters. We have much love to give and hope that you will consider us when choosing a family for your baby.

We are willing to have as much contact with you through the years as you desire, including sending pictures and updates of the baby. We commend you for your courage to do what is best for your baby and will always hold a special place in our hearts for you. If you have any questions for us, please feel free to email us at adopt.ans@gmail.com

Stephen & Amy

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About Us

Stephen was born and raised in Provo, Utah. He is the sixth child in a family of ten. He was blessed with a very religious family who strived daily to live the gospel. Stephen has always loved music, learning to play the viola and also taking voice instruction. He is blessed with an exceptional singing voice and is asked to share it often. He performed all throughout high school and college in various venues, including Carnegie Hall and a tour to Romania. He also enjoyed working in theater during high school and college. He graduated from Timpview High School in 1997 and began attending Utah Valley State College, where he ended up receiving his Associate's Degree in 2004. In 2000, he took two years off school to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Independence, Missouri area. He is currently self-employed as a financial advisor and loves helping people plan their future and live out their dreams. He is an excellent husband and father and strives daily to provide for our family's needs. He is currently back in school through Western Governor's University, to finish his Bachelor's degree.

Amy was born and raised in Logansport, Indiana. She is the baby of her family, as the seventh child. Her parents are converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she has been blessed to be raised in the gospel. Amy has also always loved music, learning to play the piano in elementary school. She has always enjoyed singing and has participated in choirs and jazz bands throughout middle and high schools. She enjoyed performing in theatrical productions throughout high school as well. Amy graduated from Logansport High School in 1998, then made the trek west to attend Brigham Young University. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development in 2002. She was happily employed as a stay-at-home Mommy for nearly 6 years, but is also currently working as a Foster Care Specialist for the Indiana Department of Child Services while Stephen is in school. She eagerly anticipates being home with her children again.

How We Met and More

We met in the fall of 1999, when Stephen was waiting for his mission call to come. Neither of us planned our friendship to blossom, but it soon did. We dated for six months before Stephen left on his two-year mission for our church. While he was gone, Amy continued studying at BYU and faithfully wrote to Stephen each week. Two years of corresponding only through mailed letters helped us get to know and love each other more completely, so when Stephen returned home in May 2002, it wasn't long before wedding bells were ringing. We were engaged three weeks after his return and married in September 2002 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. We are so thankful for our marriage and sealing in the temple that promises us to be an eternal family if we live righteously. We were (and still are!) happy and ready to increase our forever family.

Our Children

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We have two beautiful girls, Eloise and Lydia. We have always wanted more children, and our girls are always encouraging us to have more! They are anxiously waiting for another baby to come into our family. We hope that through this blog we can find a birth mother who wants to place her child in a loving, nurturing, and religious home and family . We are so thankful for your willingness to consider us. Please continue reading to learn more about our children.

Eloise

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Just over a year after we were married, we had our first miracle. Eloise was born two months premature, at 31 weeks. We were so excited to have a baby, but were not expecting her life to start with machines and wires. Despite weighing only 2 lbs. 13 oz. at birth, she was strong and healthy. Thanks to many blessings and prayers, a month later she came home with us.

Now Eloise is 7 years old, and in first grade. She loves to dance and sing. She been in children's theatrical production the past three summers and has loved every minute of it. She is definitely our performer. Eloise is a fast learner, and does remarkably well in school, testing a whole grade level above her age. She is sweet and caring, and she brings much joy to our lives as we watch her learn and grow. She constantly asks us when we will have another baby, so she is more than ready to welcome a baby into our household again!

Lydia

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In October 2005, we had our second miracle. Lydia was born at 29 weeks, weighing 2 lbs. 1 oz. She had a hard life to begin with, but we know that Priesthood blessings and many prayers saw her through.

Now Lydia is 5 years old and full of imagination! She loves to pretend almost constantly, usually portraying a baby or some other scenario. She and her sister get along very well. Lydia is very loving and sweet. She is eager to start school this fall, and already knows how to write many words. She is also our budding artist, having remarkable skills for her age. Sometimes she can be very shy, but once she gets to know someone you'd never know it. She melts the hearts of all who see and know her. Lydia brings much joy into our home. She loves other children, especially babies, and looks forward to welcoming a baby into our home!