Chosen

In late February 2014, Gary and I were contacted by a 21 year birth mother who was due to have her baby on April 4.  She was pregnant with her second child and was not in a position to take care of the child she was carrying.

Throughout March, we went through ups and downs not knowing if she was going to choose us as the adoptive parents. We had little contact with the birth mother, which led us to believe that she may have other adoptive couples in mind or if she was going to keep the baby.

About two weeks before the baby was born, the birth mother contacted us and schedule a face to face.  We were elated with joy and excitement!

On March 22 (Gary’s 30^th birthday), we drove to the birth mom’s dads’ house.  Gary and I were excited but really nervous to meet this brave girl. We visited with her and her dad for about 3 hours. Everything went very well! Toward the end of the visit, we asked what gender of baby she was having.  She said with great joy- “A BOY!”  She told us that she was 100% sure about us as the adoptive parents.  She informed us that the doctor had her schedule to deliver in 10 days!  

On Monday, March 31, Gary and I drove to the hospital (3 hours from where we lived).  It was the most incredible, emotional, special day for our family!  We had the opportunity to be in the delivery room with the birth mom during the birth.  She requested that I cut the umbilical cord (what an amazing experience!).  Brighton was healthy and strong.  Our sweet birth mom signed the adoption papers and placed Brighton with us at 24 hours after he was born. She wanted a closed adoption at first when we first met her, but then changed her outlook on open adoption when she got to know Gary and I.  We were prepared for either, but were hoping for openness. We agreed to phone calls/ text messages, pictures, and occasional visits. Gary and I frequently visited with our birth mother in her hospital room while she physically and emotionally recovered. We laugh and cried together as we all went through this amazing experience.  We spent 3 days in the hospital, bonding and loving every minute with Brighton.  

It is a Beautiful thing when a Career and a Passion come Together!

We are so excited! Gary interviewed for a 5^th grade position at Nibley Elementary, the school where I work. He rocked the interview and got the job! The teacher he is replacing is getting married.  Things just worked out perfectly, Gary will finish out the last 3 months of the school year and have a foot in the door for next year! One awesome thing about him taking the job is…drum roll please… We get to team teach together for 80 minute during math every day! This year I have been going into the 5^th grade class to support the resource students.  The previous teacher and I took turns all year teaching math lessons! I can’t wait to tag-team teach with Gary!

Gary's Graduation

We are so excited to celebrate Gary's graduation from Utah State University this
December.  He is excited to start teaching elementary students.  He has worked so hard and has achieved much!  He is an amazing husband and is going to be the best teacher ever! I love you Gary!

Life after D.C.

After our jobs ended in Washington D.C. we made our way back to Logan, Utah where LaRecia received a job as a Special Education teacher at Nibley Elementary school, and I continued my education at Utah State University.  I was able to receive my old job back working with adults with disabilities and continued to do so even to this day.  In my own quest to decide what field I wanted to go into, I believe my experience working as a teacher's aide in Washington D.C. inspired me to begin to pursue a career as an elementary education teacher.  I absolutely love working with children in the schools and know for a surety that this is where I need to be.  Over time we've felt impressed by the spirit that Logan, Utah was our place to settle down and so we decided to purchase a home of our own and begin a long life together!

Washington D.C.

LaRecia graduated from Utah State University in December of 2006.  She graduated with a Mild/Moderate Special Education degree.  Soon after graduation, LaRecia received a job offer from BYU, teaching 1st grade at an inner city charter school in Washington D.C.  I was able to get a job at the same school as a 2nd grade teacher's aide.

While we were in Washington D.C., we were able to see Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington Mall (memorials), the Pentagon, and Mt. Vernon. Our very favorite places to visit were the Holocaust museum, the Natural History museum, and the Thomas Jefferson memorial.

Our stay in D.C. lasted 6 months.  It was a wonderful experience to grow together as a couple, spiritually.  We were faced with challenges daily and were able to rely on one another for love and support.  We learned so much about different life styles and cultures.  Living in D.C. helped strengthen our marriage, because all of our family lived back on the west coast.  We had no choice but rely on each other and the Lord. 

Wedding Day

March 11, 2006

We were married for time and all eternity at the San Diego, CA Temple. 

 I love being married to my best friend!

       After a couple of months of dating, Gary and I got engaged.  He proposed to me on my  22nd birthday.  He had me go on a scavenger hunt for my birthday gifts and all the clues led me to him dressed in a tux, standing among hundreds of burning candles.   He dropped to his knee and told me how much he loved me.  He asked me if I would marry him.  How could I say "no" to a diamond for my birthday? Just kidding, I couldn't wait for the day he asked me to be his wife!  We set our wedding date as March 11, 2006 at the San Diego, California temple.