Party tonight!

We still have lots of tickets available, so feel free to show up tonight at Chick fil A even if you didn't purchase tickets in advance.  We can hook you up at the door.

I am not going to let the fact that we weren't chosen by this latest birthmom ruin our party.  We got an email at 5:00 tonight that she chose someone else.  I'm going to have a blast tonight and maybe have a good cry tomorrow.  Maybe not.  I'd rather skip it.  So tired of this rollercoaster ride sometimes!! 

See y'all at the party!

XOXOXO,
Katie

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya. . .

Our picture book is being shown to another birthmom tomorrow.  Thanks to everyone who prays for us on a regular basis, cause boy we need it!  Sometimes I feel like I'm hanging on by my fingernails.  If I can just keep my spirits up!  Looking forward to a fun party Thursday night.  Love you all!
Katie

One more bump in the road. . .

Yesterday we got the call that the birth mother considering us had narrowed it down to 2 or 3 couples, and we were still in the running.  We talked with her for a while on the phone so she could get to know us better and it went pretty well for the most part, but today we got the phone call that she chose another couple. 
We are okay, but still sad.  It was exciting to have the possibility for a while of having a son.  We would like to thank all our family and friends who walk with us during this difficult time in our lives.  It's nice not to have to go through this alone. 

Refresh Button MANIAC!

Ever hit the refresh button on your email literally dozens of times a day?  I sure have.  Especially when Tyson and I were dating.  Just couldn't wait to get that next email, and read it, and reread it. 

Well now I'm at it again.  I'm dying to get that next email or phone call from the agency.  A birthmom received our picture book yesterday.  Not sure how many other couples we are up against, but she is chosing-- RIGHT NOW! 

Please tell us quick that we aren't chosen, like ripping off a band-aid!  Then we will take a deep breath and keep on truckin'.  What if we are chosen?  That's pretty scary too!  What if she chooses us, then decides to parent once he is born.  No!  Don't think about that! 

It's a gigantic decision.  These things take time.  Me emailing the case worker won't make the news come faster, although I'm severely tempted. 

Well, gotta go.  Gotta go hit the refresh button ten million more times.

XOXOXO,
Katie Lou

Waiting

Waiting

Serene, I fold my hands and wait,
Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;
I rave no more 'gainst time or fate,
For lo! my own shall come to me.

I stay my haste, I make delays,
For what avails this eager pace?
I stand amid the eternal ways,
And what is mine shall know my face.

Asleep, awake, by night or day,
The friends I seek are seeking me;
No wind can drive my bark astray,
Nor change the tide of destiny.

What matter if I stand alone?
I wait with joy the coming years;
My heart shall reap where it hath sown,
And garner up its fruit of tears.

The waters know their own and draw
The brook that springs in yonder height;
So flows the good with equal law
Unto the soul of pure delight.

The stars come nightly to the sky;
The tidal wave unto the sea;
Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high,
Can keep my own away from me.

John Burroughs (1837 - 1921)

Breaking Dawn Midnight Release Party

Things are still pretty quiet on the adoption front. In the meantime, my sister is hosting another party to help us with adoption costs. If you would like to come to the Breaking Dawn party, you can come in to Chick fil A, or purchase tickets over the phone by calling 801-727-2697. Thanks to Becky for hosting another great party for us, and to Steve for designing the awesome flier!

New Blog Button!

All of you sweet people who have our "Tyson and Katie want to adopt" button on your blog, please replace it with the new code you see on the right side of our blog. We have decided to take down our profile from parentprofiles.com which is where the old button leads. Not sure why, but we both had a feeling we needed to take it down. So there you go!

We are having a great summer and hope you are too. I've decided to go back to school and finish my masters degree in Library and Information Science. I've applied to get my alternative route to licensure, so I'm on my way to becoming a school librarian. I just know that once that baby comes I will be very glad to have school hours and summers off! Not to mention how great it's going to be to work in a school! I'm really looking forward to it. Until then I am loving my current job in the Associate Superintendent's office. I couldn't work with better people!

Tyson has applied for a higher position at the U. I am so proud of him and his desire to learn new things. He always makes me laugh and helps me feel so loved and needed.

No new leads in the baby department, but we are trying to be patient. Yes, it's hard, but no, we don't mind if you check on us to see how it's going. We need all the support we can get, and we never tire of talking about what we are doing to find our baby. Thank you for your prayers in our behalf. We hope that the ups and downs we are experiencing will help us to show empathy and offer support to others in our situation. I haven't run across a good book about the grieving process and infertility, so maybe I'll have to write one. If anyone knows of one be sure to let me know!

In the meantime we are enjoying our nieces and nephews and loving each one of them to pieces. I'm positive no one has more beautiful nieces and nephews than we do. They are so much fun and have such great personalities. Thanks to our siblings for them sharing with us!

Info on Harry Potter Party

Harry Potter Party Thursday night! Includes dinner, dessert and movie ticket. Proceeds go to our adoption fund. Go to Chick-fil-a of South Jordan at 11494 S. District Drive (off Bangerter Hwy.) to purchase tickets, or call them at 801-727-2697 to charge your tickets on a credit card. Thanks to my sissy Becky for hosting this fundraiser, and to my brother Steve for designing this awesome flier!

Harry Potter Party!

It's a party and you are invited! To raise more funds for our adoption, my sister is hosting a Harry Potter Party at her Chick fil A store in South Jordan on the evening of July 14th. For just 25 dollars, you can come to our private Harry Potter Party! Each guest will get dinner, dessert, and a ticket to see Harry Potter at 12:01 a.m. at the District on opening night! Send me a message to reserve your tickets now!

YARDSALE TOMORROW

Change of plans! We were going to wait until June 4th for our final yardsale, but the weather looks okay tomorrow so we are going to do it. The address is 2989 W. Bernina Drive in Taylorsville (5820 S.) 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. See you there!

Chosen! (not.)

We tried hard not to get our hopes up, but when a birthmom shows interest, how can you do anything but hope? The birthmom who contacted us last week chose another family to place her baby with. We are disappointed, but life goes on. With all we've been through, we probably figure "this has GOT to be it!" But it's not. So as we grieve a little for this chance that could have been our baby, we are trying to remember a few things. First, we still have each other. No one can take that away from us, not even death. We have each other and that alone is a great gift to be so happy about. The other thing we are trying to remember is to not give up. We could give up, and just dedicate our lives to other things, but that's not what we came here to do. We came here to be parents, and although it's beyond our control, that's a goal we are holding on to. I can't tell you how many dozens of people have told us about someone they know, who adopted a baby and then got pregnant. I know they mean to give us hope, but trust me when I say that will not be happening to us.

While I'm rambling, I'd like to give a little shout out to all the wonderful people who made last Saturday's yard sale such a success. First of all, I want to thank my sister for giving us the opportunity, and for being behind us 100% of the way. She teaches me all the time about what service really means, and what love can really do. I love you sissie! And thank you to all our friends and family who advertised, spent hours hauling furniture, donated stuff, purchased stuff, prayed for us, and made us feel so loved. I can't tell you what a comfort it is to Tyson and I to have such a huge cheering section. I want to make you all proud. When this baby gets here there are several people we need to name him/her after! I wonder how many middle names will fit on the birth certificate. :)

Well, this has turned into quite the monologue, but I just want you all to know, that I believe in miracles. We won't give up.

One more week till the yardsale!

We are overwhelmed by your generosity! Thanks to all of you who have donated things to sell at the yard sale on the 21st! The next donation drop off times will be tomorrow, Saturday May 14th:

In Murray
9:00-10:00 a.m.
1180 E. 6600 S.
East parking lot of Stoneybrook condominiums

In Taylorsville
10:30-11:30 a.m.
2989 W. Bernina Drive (5820 S.)

Volunteers

If anyone is interested in volunteering at the yard sale, please let me know. We have plenty of jobs to choose from. Thanks to all you sweet people who are spreading the word. We love you!

Yardsale Donation Drop-off Dates and Times

If you would like to donate items to our yardsale, we have drop off locations on the next two Saturdays.

On both Saturday, May 7th and Saturday, May 14th you can drop your items off:

In Murray:
9:00-10:00 a.m.
1180 E. 6600 S.
South parking lot of Stoneybrook condominiums

In Taylorsville:
10:30-11:30 a.m.
2989 W. Bernina Drive (5820 S.)

If these times are not convenient for you, or if you need your items picked up, please let us know. Thank you so much for your help!

Facebook Page

My awesome brother Steve helped us make a facebook page and flier to advertise our adoption yardsale.

Help us spread the word by liking us on facebook!

facebook.com/tysonkatieadopt

Save the Date!

Dear Family and Friends,

Save the date! On Saturday, May 21st, 2011, from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Katie's sister, Becky Pickle, will be hosting a fundraiser/yard sale, to help us raise funds for a private adoption. The location is Chick-fil-A of South Jordan, at 11494 District Drive, (just East of Bangerter Highway).

Please invite all your friends, family and neighbors! If you have any new or used items you would like to donate, please let us know!

A detailed flier is coming soon! Thank you for your love and support!

I Believe in Miracles

My awesome sister is hosting a fundraiser/yard sale at her restaurant on May 21st so we can raise money for a private adoption. It's nice when the clouds part sometimes and hope shines through! If we can find a way, our wait time would be less than a year!

I am missing my grandma terribly this week, and I can't help but picture her rallying the troops up in heaven to get down to business and bring her granddaughter a miracle! Her funeral helped me remember the person she was before the dementia, a person I've been missing for a long time.

My mom just sent me this picture of me and my cute hubby on Christmas Eve. I'm hoping that there will be a third member of our little family by next Christmas.

Saying Goodbye

Last night I said goodbye to my grandma. When I had to go to the sitters, I would cry because I'd rather be with Grandma. I'm crying again tonight because I'd rather be with Grandma. Grandma was always smiling. Yesterday I could tell she still knew me. I'm glad I got to see her smiling at me on her last day on earth. I hope I can emulate her conviction and tenacity. I love you Grandma, and I will always miss you and remember you. I am happy for you that you are finally released from your earthly limitations. Thanks for being my friend. Thanks for being my grandma.

Debbie Downer Strikes Again

Oh my goodness! Yesterday was a bad day! Sometimes the sorrow of infertility comes back to bite you like a sucker punch to the face! My dear coworkers are so supportive, and knew I was having a bad day. We went out to lunch, and they helped me think of some happy things in my life. My friend Christina (who knows what it's like to be down) loaned me a little sign to put on my desk and I know it's true. "When you see only dark, know the light will soon return." The treadmill is my friend, and I was planning on walking on it when I got home from work yesterday, but I was so exhausted from my grumpiness, I took a nap which really helped. My dear husband even watched a chick flick with me after my nap, and didn't complain when I gave all my attention to a book my aunt loaned me instead of to him. I feel a lot better today. It's great to have the love of family and friends. Hope I can return the favor when they are feeling down!

Having fun with Uncle Tyson

We love it when our nephew comes over to play, and he especially loves his Uncle Tyson.

Look how cool my brother is!

Thanks to my brother Steve for designing the logo for our team at the MS Walk: Team Tysdog! Tyson chose his favorite, and we ordered stickers for everyone to wear at the walk. Which design did he choose? You'll just have to come join us at the MS walk and find out!! Thanks again Steve! You rock!

Tyson is Wonderful!

I've been thinking today how wonderful my husband is. It's not a rare thought for me to have, but I just want to shout it out today! When I'm stressed he eases my burden so much. This past week he's gone to the store for me, and let me take a nap or read when I'm really feeling overwhelmed. I really appreciate this, because if he had it his way, he would rather I sit next to him on the couch and snuggle with him while he watches basketball.

Thanks for taking good care of me, honey. I love you!!

Great Deal!

I just found bed and breakfast in Park City for 39 bucks. Thought I would share! Here you go:
http://www.citydeals.com/?ref=CDUMTM1NjUz

New Post, finally

Hi all,
Sorry I haven't posted in forever! It's hard to wait for a baby, and sometimes I think it's better to just not post rather than be a Debbie Downer, or a Wendy Whiner. Waaaaaah! You know what I mean. So even though I am really, really struggling today, here are some good things that are going on.

As you may or may not know, the average wait for a baby with LDS family services is 2 to 3 years. So, this past weekend Tyson and I went to an open house for a local adoption agency just to check it out. They were AWESOME! They are also the most expensive in the valley. But aside from that, we had the incredible experience of meeting two birth mothers who flew here from out of state to have their babies. There was so much love in the room. Even though they are not placing their babies with any of the couples who were in the room that day, the love and gratitude in that room was almost tangible. They are giving 2 lucky couples such a beautiful gift. I am sure that their children will inherit their strength and goodness, and they will be blessed for their sacrifice. Hope we can meet our sweet birthmom soon. Until then, I will resist the temptation to wallow in hot fudge, and count my blessings instead.

Love ya!
Katie