So Jen, Abby and I are now on the adoption circuit. That is my informal name for it. We are going to different schools and speaking to classes about adoption, and trying to help teens and young adults understand that it is not a scary shameful thing, but that it is a very real option for people trying to make the best of a difficult situation. According to one study, adoption only accounts for 1% of unplanned pregnancies. Some 50% keep the child and a shocking 49% turn to abortion. It is so sad that in a world with so many who want to be parents there are so many more who'd rather terminate the life. Many really just need to understand how wonderful adoption can be for them, thier child, and the lucky couple.
Today we spoke at a school in Gilbert. After one of the classes a young woman came up to Jen and asked to see Abby, and then confided that she just last week she learned she was pregnant. She only told her parents a couple days ago, and did not know what she would do. She said that after our presentation she felt more inclined toward adoption because she saw how much joy it could provide for everyone involved. Gone are the days of secret backroom exchanges, closed and hidden adoptions, and 18-year old identity crises. Today a birth-mother can hand pick her child's parents and keep in touch with them, often as much as she chooses. To illustrate this, we tell classes that we visit Amanda (Abby's birth mom) every so often, and even attended her wedding (Abby was the flower girl).
We were excited that somebody already benefited from our comments, and though there is only a TINY chance the young girl will chose adoption, use our agency, and select us, we feel certain we have helped her, her child, and the couple she may eventually select. Adoption really can be a blessing to all.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Abby's New Sounds
Abby now sings along to some nursery songs and can make many animal sounds! Take a listen!
Abby and I (Jen) tried out a music/dance class with her playgroup last Thursday. It's called Musikgarten and we are thinking of doing it on a more regular basis.
Abby has an amazing "stink" face. Sometimes she makes it just as I am telling her to smile!
Abby and I (Jen) tried out a music/dance class with her playgroup last Thursday. It's called Musikgarten and we are thinking of doing it on a more regular basis.
Abby has an amazing "stink" face. Sometimes she makes it just as I am telling her to smile!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Visit to Cali
So Abby and I (Jen) left on Tuesday for southern California to visit USC to do research for my final paper and to visit the Garrett's (and Urry's!). It was a very productive and exhausting time of observing lectures and rehearsals and conducting interviews. USC has an amazing long history of excellence in the School of Music and everyone I met was extremely friendly and open.
I was able to interview excellent faculty. I was especially excited to interview an amazing composer Morten Lauridsen. I conducted one of his song cycles with the ASU Chamber Singers and it was an honor to sit down and ask him questions.
While I was busy during the day, Abby had the most wonderful time with everyone! Grandma Barbara and Great Grandma Ruth really enjoyed their time with Abby and constantly laugh at the many funny things she says and does.
Grandpa Roger also spent fun time with Abby and also drove me everyday back and forth to USC! Thanks Grandpa!
Abby and I were hoping to see a new cousin! Aunt Heather was due last Tuesday, but unfortunately we are all still waiting! We cannot wait until we see a new little baby boy. In the meantime Heather was painting the side door of the garage! What a woman!
Abby climbs on everything and this shows her trying her best to get over the baby gate! She was trying to get into "Grandma's special room" and there are a lot of things to break in that room!
One more thing! Abby loves animals and this shows her feeding Duke, the Garrett's dog!
I was able to interview excellent faculty. I was especially excited to interview an amazing composer Morten Lauridsen. I conducted one of his song cycles with the ASU Chamber Singers and it was an honor to sit down and ask him questions.
While I was busy during the day, Abby had the most wonderful time with everyone! Grandma Barbara and Great Grandma Ruth really enjoyed their time with Abby and constantly laugh at the many funny things she says and does.
Grandpa Roger also spent fun time with Abby and also drove me everyday back and forth to USC! Thanks Grandpa!
Abby and I were hoping to see a new cousin! Aunt Heather was due last Tuesday, but unfortunately we are all still waiting! We cannot wait until we see a new little baby boy. In the meantime Heather was painting the side door of the garage! What a woman!
Abby climbs on everything and this shows her trying her best to get over the baby gate! She was trying to get into "Grandma's special room" and there are a lot of things to break in that room!
One more thing! Abby loves animals and this shows her feeding Duke, the Garrett's dog! Saturday, October 3, 2009
October fun
Abby really enjoys playing with Natalie Taysom! The Taysom's have a turkey and Natalie took pictures of Abby trying to play with the unpredictable turkey!
I (Jen) had an opportunity to once again work with choral director and teacher, Weston Noble. He is an amazing man who is considered by all to be a choral icon. I feel blessed to be able to work with and meet amazing people. Dr. Noble quoted Robert Shaw and said, "Music is the voice of the Spirit." Oh, how I know this to be true!
Abby's playgroup usually meets on Thursdays, but this week we were able to get into the Phoenix Zoo for free on Wednesday! Here is a picture of Abby and a baby mandril and one of the playgroup!
Abby's hair is getting longer (we haven't been with Aunt Tiff in a while) and I was able to bribe her with dumping out all of the colored rubber bands on the floor so that I could quickly braid part of her hair! She's so darn cute!
It is finally getting cooler here in Arizona and so we went with a few friends to Mitchell Park very close to our house. Matt and Abby experimented with the slide and Jen and Abby just love to be together!
I look forward to General Conference throughout the entire year and so I was so happy to watch this morning! The best part was having 7 of my seminary kids join us for breakfast and watching the first session. Matt cooked all of the food and cleaned up--what a man!
Abby is experiencing all kinds of new things! She now can sing part of "Twinkle,Twinkle" and "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbean" (I still have to catch it on video), knows some of her body parts, can say many animal sounds and has played with playdough! She is so smart! Here are some of her body parts and a few animals while she plays with playdough for the first time!
I (Jen) had an opportunity to once again work with choral director and teacher, Weston Noble. He is an amazing man who is considered by all to be a choral icon. I feel blessed to be able to work with and meet amazing people. Dr. Noble quoted Robert Shaw and said, "Music is the voice of the Spirit." Oh, how I know this to be true!
Abby's playgroup usually meets on Thursdays, but this week we were able to get into the Phoenix Zoo for free on Wednesday! Here is a picture of Abby and a baby mandril and one of the playgroup!
Abby's hair is getting longer (we haven't been with Aunt Tiff in a while) and I was able to bribe her with dumping out all of the colored rubber bands on the floor so that I could quickly braid part of her hair! She's so darn cute!
It is finally getting cooler here in Arizona and so we went with a few friends to Mitchell Park very close to our house. Matt and Abby experimented with the slide and Jen and Abby just love to be together!
I look forward to General Conference throughout the entire year and so I was so happy to watch this morning! The best part was having 7 of my seminary kids join us for breakfast and watching the first session. Matt cooked all of the food and cleaned up--what a man!
Abby is experiencing all kinds of new things! She now can sing part of "Twinkle,Twinkle" and "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbean" (I still have to catch it on video), knows some of her body parts, can say many animal sounds and has played with playdough! She is so smart! Here are some of her body parts and a few animals while she plays with playdough for the first time!
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