Sarah's Endowment

Yesterday we had the privilege of attending Sarah's endowment. What a beautiful thing it was to be in the Gilbert temple with her and her family and all those that came to support her, including some of my own family, as she made this big step in her life! I am not quite sure how we even made it, due to a mix up in times our sitter didn't even make it to our house until 9am. We were sitting in the car waiting to make our exit when she arrived and by some miracle we made the 9:15am session! The session was full and everyone was seated except for one sister, they were just going to get her a chair when we arrive. We didn't even have to ask, the temple president was the one standing at the door trying to make sure everyone made it in and he simply told the brothers to get three more chairs (Jodee came up the stairs right behind us).

I love being in the temple! Every time I have gone when someone else is going for the first time it always takes me back to my first time in the temple. For me it was in Atlanta and it wasn't a five minute drive from my house like it is today, it was over a three hour drive. I didn't have family waiting for me in the celestial room, but it was a wonderful experience none the less. I made the trek to Atlanta with my parents and one of my favorite pictures is one we took on the way there. It was just the three of us, we stopped at a scenic overlook to take in the view. I love how happy I look, that I have both of my parents by my side and that the rolling hills of Tennessee are behind me. That picture normally sits right by me on my desk but being only half unpacked right now as we get ready for our next move it is tucked away in a box at the moment. I remember walking through the doors of the Atlanta temple and how from the moment I stepped in it felt like heaven. All the people were dressed in white and all of them were excited to have me there, welcoming me in with big smiles. There weren't that many people in the temple that day and I was the only one receiving my endowment so I felt super special. You wear a tag when you are going through for your own endowment so it was easy to spot that I was a newby but the result is you are showered with love and well wishes by these strangers that somehow feel more like a distant relative that you just haven't had the opportunity of meeting before. It truly was magical. 

For me the best part was the initiatory where you receive the most beautiful blessings. I think that part was the most significant for me because the few years of my life prior to going to the temple were not necessarily times that I was proud of and it had taken some effort for me to find my testimony and make the changes in my life that lead me to the temple which was a stepping stone to serving a mission. So hearing those blessings pronounced upon me was a humbling moment. A mixture of profound gratitude and joy, knowing that I truly was forgiven. I was overwhelmingly grateful for the Savior and the significance of the atonement that made it all possible for me to be clean again and to know that I was where He and all of those that love me wanted me to be- back on the path. It's hard to really put all of the feelings in words, the feeling of being clean. I think Alma described it best in Alma 36:

 17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

 18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am inthe gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlastingchains of death.

 19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember mypains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

 20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

 21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

As we waited in the celestial room I had the chance to look around and observe all the beautiful details. I was blessed to get to hear the architect of the temple speak in a fireside after the temple dedication. The agave plant is found throughout the temple and he shared with us what he saw in the agave plant that inspired him to use it as a symbol in the temple. The first being the leaves that unfold- each one making an impression on each other as the plant grows and blooms. He spoke about how significant our lives are to those we touch- how we make an impression on each other. It would be impossible to note all the people that have touched my life and made an impression on me, but most definitely Sarah and her family would be numbered among them. Not to mention the impression Jed has made on all of us, would Sarah have even been in the temple today if it were not for the impression Jed made on her life? The architect also spoke about the thorns, every agave plant has them. Instead of excluding the thorns from the design he chose to make them a significant part of the design. As I looked around the celestial room I could see the thorns everywhere. They were in the frames on the mirrors, in the gold trim found on the chandeliers, in the stained glass and details carved on the wall throughout the room. The thorns that we all have in our lives are what change us, if we didn't feel and chose to overcome the bitter, we would not truly know joy. How could we if it were not for our pains and trials? Again I thought of Sarah and thorns she has experienced and overcome. They will forever be a part of her story but so will be the joy!

As I watched Sarah come through the doors into the celestial room, welcomed by her husband and family, seeing the light and joy in her eyes and having the opportunity to embrace her I couldn't help but think how sweet the joy of the gospel is. I know her own pains have been bitter. She has shared a portion of them with me and my heart has ached for her time and time again. To think back to when we first met, the pains and trials she has endured and to see where she is now is nothing short of a miracle. As I watched her move around the celestial room being embraced by all those that love her I felt my eyes start burning and the happy tears started flowing. It was a tender moment to witness. Especially to see her mother and father and brother watching her too. Knowing how their hearts have ached for her during the difficult times, knowing how much they love her and how their only desire has been her happiness made this moment all the sweeter.

As we left the temple Jed was waiting outside with Ollie to greet us. What a blessing open adoption is. How grateful we feel to be a part of Sarah's life. To be loved and supported by her family and to be able to be there with them in their happy moments just as they have been there for us in ours. I am so grateful that our journey did not end with a painful moment leaving the hospital. I would have felt so cheated  had that been the end. It's hard to think of what we would have missed out on, today being one of those moments I would never have wanted to miss! #itsaboutlove

Memorable Weekend!

We've been dying to see Jessica again for lots of reason! For one we miss her, life is crazy for both of us right now and it has been hard to catch up so we really were excited to finally have some time together. We were excited for her to see Ollie, to meet baby Jed for the first time and to meet Sarah! So it was a big trip this time. I didn't do a great job of planning everything out, I had lots of ideas but this was a shorter trip this time and in the end we all needed a bit of relaxation and down time just as much as we needed to get out so a lot of ideas got pushed to the side but just being together was fun for me.

Jess flew in on Friday, since I was still working on the house and Ollie was asleep Matt and Jed went to pick her up. She got to the house just as Ollie was waking up. It was the cutest thing to see her sneak in to surprise him. Before Ollie went down for his nap we were talking about how he was going to get to see her and he got upset because he wanted to see her right then. I tried to explain that we couldn't go outside and see her because she was in the airplane, that didn't help because then he wanted to go see the airplane! After we all got ready we headed out for some lunch. I wish I could ever be more original but we ended up at Joe's BBQ again. We've pretty much gone every time since the very first time she came down, but what can I say you can't get BBQ like that or the stuffed baker in Utah so it never disappoints! Ollie had no interest in sitting down and eating with us. He ran around everywhere! He of course found some new "friends" to chat with, and then there was a roped off area because they are growing their winter grass, but all that did was make it more exciting for Ollie. He loved the attention he got from us when he would pull on (and down!) the caution tape, or make a run through the grass. He gets that little twinkle in his eye because he knows he is being naughty and as soon as you stand up to do something about it he runs off as fast as he can laughing because now you have to chase him!

I don't know where his obsession with tractors came from but as soon as he saw the tractor in the restaurant he got excited. He had Jess take him in see it and I laughed when she came out the door with him and he ran right back to the door they went in to see the tractor, he couldn't get enough of it!

One of my favorite moments was when Jess laid down on a bench and after seeing her lay down Ollie suddenly wanted to copy her and insisted on laying down on the table. He got a little crazy after that jumping off the table onto her while she was laying there. Silly guy!

Ollie had fun introducing Jess to his little brother :)

After Joe's we headed back home to relax for a few hours, I think we all fell asleep! Sarah came over after work, it was fun having the two people that mean the world to me meet for the first time. I had big plans for us to get our family pictures done on Saturday so since we were all together we went on a little shopping excursion. I had Jess pick out some clothes and get Ollie all ready for our night out- so cute!

I really had no idea what I wanted all of us to wear, but Jess and Sarah helped us settle on a color pallet and then we all set out to find something in those colors. I started with Matt, he's always fun to dress up and if he doesn't get his shopping done first he is pretty much miserable. He was a good sport as always, Ollie on the other hand was a hand full. He was all over the place and had no interest in staying in the cart. I finally had to bribe him with food. While I was picking out clothes for Matt, Jess and Sarah loaded up their cart and we all met at the dressing room. Luckily Jed stayed asleep while I got to help Matt and give the girls my opinion. So fun to have girls to shop with! I loved it that they found matching jackets too. 

Once we had outfits for Matt, Jess, and Sarah we sent Matt, Jess and Ollie off to get food while we worked on an outfit for me and Jed. I already had the perfect outfit for Ollie at home, he hasn't worn it yet so I was excited to finally have an excuse to bust it out. When we got to the baby clothes we literally had one choice for Jed in his size, and luckily it was a cute outfit that was practically perfect! It was a tad bit big on him but when you only have one choice you go for it! I was lucky to have Sarah with me because he was poopy at that point so not only was she nice enough to run out and get the diaper bag, but she offered to change him while I got my shopping done. We had 10 minutes left before the store closed but they still let me try on my outfits. It was so sweet too because the ladies at the dressing room were all interested in our story and were so excited for all of us. One lady insisted that we had to bring our family pictures in to show them. In the end we were the last ones out of the store, and it was 30 minutes past closing when we finally got checked out. I guess there was some commotion going on because a 400lb guy tried to run out of the store with stuff and he got chased down by the police so the police were in there when we were checking out and we got to hear the story. We made two stops on the way home, one for a belt for me, and the other because Matt requested gelato- we made him settle for some McDonalds icecream.

Saturday- We were supposed to meet Jodee at 9am for pictures so I got up at 6am to start getting us all ready. Luckily the boys slept so I could shower and work on my hair. Matt on the other hand left to go play basketball. We made it to the pictures, but not on time, I tried so hard to be there on time but...what can I ever say? It was fun getting pictures with everyone, we actually took them in some trees right next to the football fields where Micah and Boone were playing. I loved the spot it was actually kind of swampy and even though Matt initially opposed it, I drug a chair from our bedroom down there. Ollie surprised me and was not so cooperative, we ended up bribing him with candy for smiles so we'll see how those turn out, he may have candy hanging out of his mouth! And then there was Jed, not the best time for him to have pictures he wanted to cry instead of smile. So it was both fun and a bit exhausting- our first photo shoot where I am worried if there will be any where both boys look happy, and my arms felt like I had done a ton of pull ups because of the way I was trying to hold Jed out in front of me for so long. Good times!

After pictures we went to Kneaders for some deliciousness. I got to chase Ollie around outside because he wasn't interested in staying in the booth, but Jess was nice enough to trade off with me on watching him so I could eat too. We probably got back to the house around 1 or 2 and all of us crashed! We finally got up and out again around 6ish. Matt had volunteered to work a booth at the stake fair well before I ever booked Jess' flight so we made a stop at the fair. Grabbed some food, talked to some friends, took Ollie to some booths, got a thousand stickers in the tires of the stroller! They let Matt off the hook so after we let Ollie pet some animals we got out of there!

Me and my favorite girls in their matchy jackets (we all have matching bracelets too!)

We headed to Tamari's after that for some sushi, but by the time we got there it was packed and we weren't down with waiting for 40 minutes to get in. The boys were both asleep so rather than disrupt them we opted to do take out and exhausted we all fell asleep early.

Sunday we got to hang out a bit with Jess. Ollie had fun jumping all over her bed and all over her, love his silly little giggles and the things that make him laugh! After that we headed to Nick and Natalie's ward for Trace Bubba's baby blessing. Nick, Jodee, and Dad all got up and shared their testimonies. I have to admit that tears were flowing. Such a big day for our family! It's kind of funny how Jess inevitably comes when there is some big event for the family going on. I love it that she gets to see everyone and that they are always excited to see her. Ollie was not the easiest during sacrament meeting. Lilee came and sat next to him and those two were giggling so much we had to separate them, as soon as we did Ollie looked around for her and was so confused why she was gone. When he spotted her he started yelling out "Lilee! Come back!" while he pointed at the empty chair next to him. When grandpa got up to share his testimony Ollie stood up on his chair and was so excited to see him that he yelled out "Hi grandpa!" and started waving at him. That wasn't enough for him, he wanted to go see him and was upset that we were stopping him. That's when we had to take him out. 

After church we headed to Nick and Natalie's for lunch. Marcee and I had put together games for Halloween night for the kids that we never got to play so we brought some entertainment with us for all the kiddos. Fun times! After that we headed home. We all hung out for a while before going to bed. How did the weekend go so fast?? Jess flew home Monday morning and we miss her already!

Becoming a Forever Family! Ollie's Sealing Day

All year long we've been counting this down this day. But all week long I've been telling Ollie every morning how many more days it is until we are sealed and now it is finally here- this morning I got to tell him that today is his big day (our big day!) Ollie woke us up early and after feeding him he fell back asleep. I wasn't tired at that point so I picked up my scriptures. But instead of reading them I pulled out my patriarchal blessing. It seemed like a good day to read it again. Maybe because is a day that one of the promises in that blessing is coming true. When I read the few lines in it about having children, I looked at my sweet boy laying peacefully beside me and not only was I full of gratitude for him and Jess, in my heart I thanked Marcee for giving me the time to read my blessing. Had we been having the luncheon at our house I would have been up and running around doing other things, instead I had time to soak in the day and ponder its significance and feel peace and joy.

As I got ready I thought of Jess. The hard side of adoption is knowing that each big milestone for us- each moment we rejoice over is not necessarily a time of rejoicing for her. I know she is happy for us and that it brings her joy to see Ollie happy, but I still worry about whether she is feeling the loss all over again. I sent her a text telling her I was thinking about her and thanking her once again and let her know how very much we love her. But I didn't hear back. It's hard to know what to say and when to say it but how could I say nothing on such an important day to the one that made it all possible? I will never know exactly what she feels but I know it is hard and my prayer for her is always the same, that Heavenly Father will comfort her because I know it is only He that can take her pains away, and I have to believe that He can and will give her peace because He is the one that led her to us and made all of this possible. Those were the thoughts running though my head as I was getting ready.

Mom had taken Ollie's vest home to finish it, so she showed up with dad around 9:30 to deliver the vest and to sew Matt's pants back together so he could wear them. (When we bought them Matt though they were a little too tight around the waist so she had let them out for him but I don't think the seam she put in the crotch was much of a seam because he put a small hole in them the night before pictures when he tried them on. I found it when I was ironing his pants that night so I put a safety pin in them to hold it together, but obviously that wasn't enough! He ripped them wide open when squatting down during the photo shoot.) Once I was ready I ran to the store and grabbed ice and some flowers and ran over to Marcee's. She and Lance were working away. I got the last minute decorations up and flowers in the vases on the table and then took off to get home and off to the temple. Holly and Joe borrowed the car to go see a friend and then meet us there so it was just Matt, Ollie and me. It of course took us longer to get out the door than we anticipated, as I was getting into the truck Matt reminded me of how it was much like our wedding day- he picked me up to take me to the temple that day because Dad was no where to be found. Not that Dad would have been taking me today, but it was still fun that Matt was opening the door for me and that I was all dressed in white once again to meet him at the alter of the temple.

When we got into the temple Matt realized he left his recommend in the car so while he ran back to take care of that Ollie and I made our way to the first place they sent us to- it's the room to the right, kind of like a waiting room there are couches but also a desk. Right as we got in I saw Janet and Gary Foster and then Jodi and Mark came in behind them. It all started to hit me at once and I started welling up with emotion just seeing them and knowing they were there to be part of it and that they were here for us and to rejoice with us, I was so touched. Aunt Lyn came in too and gave me a big hug and once again I felt so loved and supported. Ollie of course was the center of attention and he seemed to know how special he is. He smiled at everyone and when he met the lady that was going to be taking care of him in the nursery he went to her easily and I let her hold him while he gazed at her and smiled and clapped and put on a show for everyone. Mom showed up soon after, the proud grandmother, I am always so grateful for her and knew this was not just a big day for Matt and Ollie and me but for the whole entire family that not only prayed him here, but loves him so so very much.

When Matt arrived they took the two of us to get all the paperwork out of the way and to give us our tags to wear. We proudly put them on and then followed them to the nursery to drop Ollie off so we would know where to pick him up. We left him happy and headed to the dressing rooms. Mom went with me, I had washed my dress and temple clothes the night before, my dress looked beautiful but unfortunately I hadn't paid attention and drying my temple clothes had ruined them. Mom didn't have to wear hers so she had them all ready and waiting for me. It was kind of nice to wear hers knowing they were the one's she had had forever and that they had been worn by her at so many sacred things for her and our family, and I could tell she was proud to have me wear them as she reminded me of their history. I love my temple dress. She made it for me and I think it's beautiful and I felt beautiful putting it on. I can never get it zipped up but Mom was there to help me with that. I got to get ready and wait in the brides room with her. It was special being there with just the two of us, we were both beaming. Then they came and got me for the sealing and I said goodbye to Mom for just a little while.

They took me to the hallway outside the sealing rooms where I waited for Matt. When he finally arrived he was greeted by one of the men that was sitting out there waiting- it was his old boss Turley that he worked for when we first came back from BYU. They gave hugs and talked for a moment before Matt sat down. Then we met our sealer. He talked to us a little bit about how it was going to go and asked us if we had thought about things such as how we were going to lay Ollie's hand on our hands and get him to keep it there, etc. The answer was we hadn't thought about any of that! So it was nice to get a run down of what to expect. I had only one question for him, and that was how he was going to say Ollie's name. When he read it he said "Ol Lee" and I had to correct him to say "Ollie", not that I minded but I didn't want to correct him at the alter! Its funny how it is the older generation that calls him Ol Lee. After our chat he took us into the sealing room.

Sealing Room 3 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. What a significant room for our family. Not only is it the room that Matt and I were sealed to each other in, it's the same room each of my brothers and sisters have been sealed in (all those that have been sealed). Walking in everyone was already seated and waiting for us. I looked and saw uncle Joe, Michelle, Taylor, Barbara, and then my siblings and their spouses. I purposefully skipped looking at them because I knew if I did I was going to lose it and so far I was doing a good job of holding my emotions together. On the other end of the room was the Foster clan, the Richardsons and Aunt Lyn. There were empty chairs and I thought of the people that I longed to have there. It will never feel right until all of my family is there. And then there is Matt's side too. I love his family dearly and I was so grateful that Joe and Holly were there to represent. I can't imagine how it would have felt without them. Joe was sitting in the witness chair on the left, and Dad on the one on the right.

As we were getting started the sealer asked us a few questions. Like whose family was whose. I introduced mine and then he asked Matt who was his family. Matt talked about his family and about Joe and how close he is to Joe and how Joe was the only family that was there for him that day, but then Jodee and Mom were sitting to our right and we both heard them say, your Mom's here today. And we both felt it. I looked at Matt and already the tears we're coming. I'll never know what it has been like for him to live through so many things in his life without her, but I know what it has been like for me to love the son that she raised and to have never gotten to meet her and thank her for him. We both miss her and I truly know she was there smiling down at us and her grandson that she has probably been loving on for a few too many years while he waited for us to be ready for him!

I don't remember everything the sealer said, and it is funny because even as he was speaking to us I thought of how I don't remember anything the sealer said to us before our marriage, but I do remember a few thought. For one he talked about his truck. He said he has a nice little radio in his truck and he used to drive to the temple with the radio going, but now he doesn't and he talked about the difference that makes as he prepares himself for this sacred place. I think that stood out to me because even when we lived right next to the temple and had to pass it going to and from our house I would always turn the radio off, somehow it didn't feel right even when I wasn't going in for me to be listening to anything on the radio because I wanted to look at the temple and not disrupt the reverence I feel for this place. Then he talked a bit about Ollie. He asked us if it was always in Heavenly Fathers plan for Ollie to be in a family. He spoke a bit about the proclamation on the family, and then he testified of the plan of salvation and how Ollie was meant to be in a family. I don't remember exactly how he said it but the feelings I felt were once again a reminder of how special Ollie is, how aware Heavenly Father is of him personally and how truly he was always meant to have not just the blessings of a father and mother and the priesthood in his home, but he was always meant to be with us and how blessed I am to be his mother. There were of course tears through all of that as Matt held my hand and we had that confirmation once again. With every new step and every experience I find myself more and more deeply in love with Matt. It's not him and me, but us. These are our memories together, our family, and truly all of these years have knit our hearts together as one. Just being there with him holding my hand as blessings we both have desired for such a long time are fulfilled I knew that as I looked at him he felt and understood exactly how I felt and that feeling of knowing someone knows you and understands you like that is indescribable. It's hard to believe how much life has changed us since we were married over that same alter. I didn't think then there was anyway I could love him more and at that young age I was always afraid of losing that love somehow over the years, but life has proven quite the opposite. With all of our experiences together I love him in a way I never could have understood back then. I knew today was a day we would both cherish forever.

After the sealer spoke we had the simple but ever so sweet ceremony. Mom carried Ollie into the room all dressed in white and I could not have been any happier to see him. He was like a little angel, our little angel. I am always amazed at the sweetness of his spirit, I know every mother must feel the same way but there are thoughts of him that I can describe in no other way then what the scriptures say about Mary when it says she held them close to her heart. I see him for who he is, and yet I am still discovering who he is all at the same time. He has such a gentle little spirit and somehow he makes everyone he meets feel loved. To complete strangers he still offers a big smile and they stop and take notice and their day is brighter. He lit up the room when he came in and I love that about him.

The things I remember are being across the alter from Matt and Mom holding Ollie. When it was his turn to put his hand on ours she helped him but he didn't fight it at all. His chubby little hand held onto my thumb the whole time. I'll never forget that. He didn't cry, he just looked up at us (mostly Matt) as we heard the sweet words proclaimed that seal us to him forever! There were tears running down my cheek and Matt's as well and I could hear sniffles around me- truly happy tears!

With the ordinance finished we stood up, Matt took Ollie and we embraced holding our happy son. Our family circle feeling a bit more complete! And then we got to greet everyone in the room. This is when I had the ugly cry going on. I thought I had held it together somewhat respectably up until that point but being embraced and rejoicing with the people that also love Ollie so much and who have waited and prayed for this moment nearly as long as we have was a bit overwhelming. When Marcee got to me I couldn't even get a word out to her between my convulsions so I just told her to get out of there and we had a small laugh over it because there were no need for words and I couldn't talk anyway. When we were all done the sealer once again complemented us on how sweet Ollie was and what a happy boy he is. One of my favorite memories of the day came right after that. As Matt and I were heading back to the dressing room hand in hand walking down the hall with the big mirror at the end still quietly rejoicing in the moment, I heard Ollie call out "Mama! Mama!" behind me. One of the temple workers was carrying him behind us as she took him back to the nursery. I turned to see that bright eyed happy boy calling for me (something he is still learning to do) and my heart was so full not just because he said it but also because it's true, I am forever his Mama!

I went back and found Mom. We exchanged another big hug and I thanked her once again for being there for me and making the day so special. I changed quickly and headed to the nursery to get Ollie. He was still happy as ever and the ladies were all dotting over him. Matt seemed to take forever so I finally let Ollie down to play with some toys while we waited. When he arrived we checked Ollie out and headed outside to meet everyone. Didn't even have my camera but we tried to get a few pictures with everyone on the steps anyway. All I remember about that is that it was hot! I felt bad for the guys all in suits because I was in a white short sleeved dress and I felt like I was going to melt. It made me grateful that we had taken pictures the day before. (Especially after looking at these because the lighting was horrific and all those tears must have wiped away every bit of eye make-up!)

After pictures we packed up and headed to Marcee's for the luncheon. The luncheon was nice. When we arrived Joe and Michelle greeted us with a present for Ollie. This was the first time they had ever met him so it was quite exciting. Barbara and Caitlin had a plane to catch but they took time to spend a few minutes with us. Barbara was cute as always and had put out cards for everyone to write something on for us to put in a book. I didn't have any special program planned out, the big event was really to capture everyone's thoughts and experiences for Ollie. Nate arrived and setup to film and I sent people in to be interviewed. I knew Ollie was not going to have any recollection of this day, but I wanted him to get a sense of how special it was for all of us, how much he has effected our family and so many other people that count him as a blessing. I was so grateful that everyone was so willing to participate. I remember Janet and Gary coming out of the room and she gave me a hug with tears in her eyes telling me she doesn't ever cry but that made her cry! A few friends showed up, Maddie and Brandon came along with the Richardsons and the Stanleys. I invited Shaun and Leah at the last minute that morning so after a race they were in they also arrived, I was so glad to have them there. We were only scheduled to have Nate till 5 so I kept an eye on getting people through the interviews. I wasn't really planning on Matt and I doing much of an interviews we went last. We spent about 5 minutes saying a few things about the day, and then we realized we had about 30 minutes left so I was going to add one more thing, and then Nate asked us to share our story, like the whole journey starting back at infertility. I was hesitant because our whole story is a bit long and because I didn't want the film to be about us but to be about Ollie, but he was very enthusiastic about it telling us how our story can help others and how few people understand the struggles people go through with infertility, so I reluctantly said ok and we started. It was a different experience being in the room with the camera and Nate. I appreciated and he expressed it himself how moved Nate was by the spirit that was present as we all shared the different things that were special about Ollie and that day. I really did try to keep our story short and cut out a lot of the details (which is hard for me!) but in the end I think we were in there for 45 minutes, maybe more I'll have to check the film when we get it! I was grateful to have it documented with us speaking about it. We had planned on having the cousins say something too but since we used up all the time and Nate was going to be late for his next appointment we rushed all the cousins in there as a group and filmed them together jumping up and down congratulating Ollie and telling him how much they love him- which they do. I hope he always knows how much he is adored!

After most everyone left we got to kick back and enjoy some home entertainment from Lilee and Joshua. They made tickets for each of us to attend a show they made especially for Ollie. It consisted of a little singing and dancing, and a whole lot of laughter!

All in all, it was one miraculously beautiful day, these are the moments I live for, the ones where heaven feels so close and the cares of everyday life seem so small and insignificant, it is hard to imagine any greater joy than being surrounded by the family I love so dearly and knowing that they will be my family forever! One of the very best days of my life!!!

The video we made for Ollie so he will always know how special this day was for our family...

　

Ollie's Adoption Story from Shoot Me Films on Vimeo.