To
Our Friends,
We are grateful for the time you
have taken to get to know us. We feel inadequate in writing to someone with
such strength and courage. We admire you for the faith you have. We pray each
day that Heavenly Father will help you make the best decision for you and your
baby. If you choose adoption, we pray that you will find the right family for
you and your baby.
We would like to tell you a little
about our family. Tyson is the oldest of six children and Jenny is smack-dab in the
middle of five children. We both grew up in Utah, but we have lived outside of
Utah as well. Tyson served a Spanish speaking mission to Houston, Texas where,
after three bike wrecks in one month, his mission President seriously
considered putting training wheels on his bike. Jenny spent three summers as
a maid in West Yellowstone, Montana where she mastered the art of bed making,
ironing and toilet cleaning.
We were married in August of 2002.
Shortly after, we felt like it was time to expand our family. After a few years
with no success, Heavenly Father told us He had a different plan; our family
would grow through adoption. We were very excited about the opportunity to
adopt. In February of 2007 we found out that a baby boy, Blaine,
would soon join our family. We spent the next four months getting to know Blaine’s Birth
Mom. We came to love her and her family more than we ever imagined we would. Blaine was
born in June of 2007. He has his Birth Mom’s beautiful, big, blue eyes. Blaine is
such a silly boy. He loves making people laugh. Blaine has been such a
blessing in our family. Every day we thank Heavenly Father for Blaine and
his Birth Mom.
After Blaine turned one we applied
to adopt again but then found out we were pregnant. It was such a shock! We had
been told we would never conceive so we were very excited. Eli joined
our family in May of 2009. Eli is such a sweet little boy. He has such a tender
heart and loves to give hugs. Eli has brought so much joy to our family and we are
so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed us with him.
Blaine and Eli are
such sweet brothers. When Blaine and Jenny pick Eli up from preschool, Blaine always
asks to get Eli. They give each other a big hug and then hold hands walking
back to the car. They love to play together and will even sleep together in
each other’s bed some times.
I always like it when I get to brag
about my amazing wife. I am the person I am because of her. She has pushed and
supported me through church callings, school and work. She is my motivation for
everything I do. But, beyond being a motivation she has many other qualities I
wish to develop. Jenny is
extremely kind to everyone she meets. She goes out of her way to make sure
other’s needs are met before hers. She frequently makes dinner for those in our
ward who need some help or watches other’s children on short notice. The one
thing I admire most about Jenny is her
testimony of the Savior and the gospel; it is rock solid and she shares it
daily by living the gospel. I love to hear her share it on Sundays with the
kids in the primary (we both serve in the primary). I am so grateful (and lucky) that she chose me
to be her Eternal Companion. I love her more every day and love our life
together.
When I was growing up, I dreamed about the man I would someday marry. I
knew exactly what I wanted. Tyson is
everything I ever wanted and more. Tyson is such a wonderful husband and father. He works hard to provide for us
but always makes time to spend with the boys and me. Blaine and Eli love to wrestle with Tyson. They also love to cuddle with Tyson and give him hugs and kisses. Tyson is so good to me. He knows me so well and knows what to do to make me
smile whether it’s bringing me a treat at the end of a rough day or playing
with my hair while I’m doing homework. Tyson has been such a strength to me throughout our marriage. It was very hard
waiting for a baby to join our family; we waited a long time for Blaine. Whenever I got sad or discouraged,
Tyson always found a way to help me
remember the many blessings we already had. He has helped me through other
trials our family has experienced and has been my strength when I had none. I
love Tyson so much! I am so grateful that he is
mine forever.
We are so excited about the prospect
of adopting again! Adoption has been such a blessing in our family. We have
loved having an open adoption with Blaine’s Birth Mom. We get together
with her and her family every few months to go to dinner, see the Christmas
lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake or playing at a bounce house. We love the
relationship Blaine has with his Birth Mom. We are definitely okay with being as
open as our Birth Parents want to be; whether that is letters and pictures or
getting together every couple months.
There is a quote by Harold B Lee
that we have made our family motto. He said “Great love is built on great
sacrifice.” We have learned that when we sacrifice for one another, our love
for each other is strengthened. When we remember the great sacrifice of our
Savior, our love for Him is strengthened as well. We know that our Savior and
Heavenly Father love you. They know and understand the trials you are going
through and the pain you feel. We know that if you will turn to them they will
help you in your decisions. We love you and pray that the Lord will bless you
in this journey and throughout your life.
Love,
Tyson, Jenny, Blaine and Eli
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