Come what may and love it: Part II

Things have changed at our house...

Meet our two-year-old twins: Audrey and Elliot!

The morning after our "Come what may and love it" post, we got a very special email about an opportunity to adopt these twins. The morning after. We were both so overwhelmed by the timing of the email, that we really felt this was Heavenly Father's way of letting us know these twins were meant for our family. It has been so hard to keep this wonderful blessing quiet! After meeting them, we had them in our home within days. Last Thursday, we became their legal guardians. On Monday, their biological mother signed her parental rights over to us. All that's left is getting consent from the biological father. While the adoption is not official yet, we feel very optimistic that it will be soon.

Elliot is the calmer of the two. He loves to read books and blow bubbles outside. He plays really well on his own. Elliot is also the more sensitive of the two. He is Ty's little shadow and follows him around the house asking "What doin' Daddy?" Elliot also loves our dog Link. We were out back playing with bubbles and Audrey and I went inside to get something. When I came back out, Elliot had a large rake in one hand a pooper scooper in the other trying to clean up a freshly-dropped 'Link'n logs.' He looked up at me and said, "I'm getting poops, Mommy!"

Audrey is full of spunk. She is definitely the more dominant twin. She loves to tease Elliot and try to eat his food. She also wakes up a little cranky from her naps and needs to be rocked for awhile. Audrey loves to watch shows and insists on standing right in front of the TV. Elliot will use his fork and have a clean face and Audrey will have both hands into her meal and food in her pigtails. Her little scrunched-face smile makes us all laugh. She knows some funny sayings like "Oh my goodness sakes!" Her nickname is "Sissy."

Jack feels pretty lucky. He tells me so everyday. He prayed for a baby brother or sister and he got both instead! The first day we had the twins he told us that he was "so excited to teach them how to tell time on an analog clock." He's mostly just been working on letters and numbers with them, though. Every day he does better about being patient with the twins and sharing his toys. Every morning when everyone wakes up, it's a small reunion at our house. The kids all run up to each other and give each other a hug. The same thing happens when Jack gets out of school. And again after nap time. We are grateful that they are learning to get along.

Ty and I feel so blessed and grateful for the opportunity to adopt Audrey and Elliot. For us, this was one of those moments in life when suddenly everything was right. We feel so at peace about things. Some people have asked us what the twins call us. From the very first day we had them, they called us Mommy and Daddy. The other day, Elliot saw a picture on the computer of me, Ty and Jack when Jack was just a baby. He pointed to the picture and said, "Mommy, Daddy, Elliot!"

These little twins are such a blessing in our family. We could not be happier!

My Parents' Farewell

We had a wonderful weekend with my side of the family. My parents leave for their mission in one week and their farewell was Sunday, so we had a little mini-reunion with everyone that was able to come.

The farewell was great. Anna and I got to play a violin-cello duet for the musical number and my parents' talks were awesome. It was so special to be there and support them in this huge sacrifice they are making. We will miss them like crazy these next 18 months, but we know that they are doing the right thing. 

Nine of the thirteen grandchildren

Good luck, Anziano & Sorella Jefferies!

Allergies

I think all the "no peanuts" signs at Jack's school and in his class are really getting to him. He has been asking me all about allergies - what they are, how you get them, etc. We talked a little bit about how cat hair makes his eyes itchy, so that's like having a cat allergy. I also told him there is a medicine I'm allergic to called Enbrel. Anyway, later that night, Ty and I discovered that Jack had made some signs of his own and posted them in the window by our front door.

How can I take these down?

Come what may and love it

We learned recently that the baby girl we hoped and planned to adopt in November will not be coming to our home. It has not been an easy road. Like many difficult trials, what may seem simple and straightforward turned into a long road full of highs and lows.

Joseph B. Wirthlin said:

"Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.

Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others."

He then gave the advice that his mother gave him after a difficult experience: "Come what may and love it."

To so many family and friends that have offered countless prayers, kind words and have told others we are hoping to adopt, thank you! 

We are starting our search again. If you know anyone who may know someone considering adoption, please pass along our adoption blog and profile.

Love,

Ty, Rebecca and Jack

Jack Turns 5!

Jack's birthday morning started off early with getting to open one present of his choice. By shaking them all a few days before, he had already guessed that one of the presents was cereal and he was right. He chose that one so he could eat it for his birthday breakfast.

After school and when Dad got home from work, we watched him open his present. He got tons of great things!

For his birthday dinner, Jack chose In-N-Out (with a little nudging from Ty). I think we end up going here every year on his birthday...but I'm not complaining. And (hallelujah!) the weather was cool enough to eat outside.

About Jack on 9/11/12

Favorite song: "Praise to the Man"

Favorite food: pepperoni pizza

Favorite dessert: chocolate cake

Favorite snack: crackers with melted cheese

Favorite school subject: music

Favorite show: Busytown Mysteries

Jack's Birthday Party

Over the weekend, we celebrated Jack's birthday and he got to have his first real friend party. He talked about it for weeks and was so happy to have some of his school friends over to our house. He was very insistent that it was for kids only - not adults allowed!

Thatcher & Mt. Graham

For Labor Day weekend, we decided to drive down to Thatcher and visit Dave and Becki. Dave is the new head football coach at Thatcher High, and we made it just in time to watch the game on Friday. Jack was so happy to see Sariah and Hailey! He's really missed them these last few months.

On Saturday, we drove  to nearby Mt. Graham for some camping. It was beautiful! It's amazing how cool mountain weather for a few days can help you remember that you really do love living in Arizona...even during the summer months. Ty four-wheeled us to a secluded spot and we spent the next couple days relaxing and playing with cousins.

Relaxing on the hammock.

Chad clearly didn't want his picture taken.

I'm seriously wondering how Chad, Noah, and Zach grew up so fast. These are my little nephews!

I think this may become a new tradition. Thank you, Labor Day. I really needed that.