Our adoption story and....a name reveal!

We got THE call!

Wow, my mind is still spinning with everything that is happening. Matthew and I are seriously in shock! As I am sure all 3 of my readers know, we applied for adoption and were (not so) patiently waiting for baby Larson to find us. We applied and had our profile published and the wait began. We made fliers, pass along cards, and smeared our faces all over the internet in hopes that someone would see and read our story. I immediately started working on and perfecting our little nursery and since I graduated from college in April, it really became my pet project. I have spent countless hours in there working and dreaming and making sure everything would be perfect for our little baby. Then I spent countless more hours in there crying, praying, and searching my soul for the answers to questions and hope for the future. Often I will walk by the nursery and see Matthew in there doing the same and my heart is so touched at the amazing man I have to stand beside me. My heart is truly full! I remember at our first meeting with Dale, our social worker and, I would add miracle worker too, I told him I didn’t think we would have to wait too long. I look back now at how naïve that was to say. We had not even started the waiting process, which, let me tell you…..is awful! I told him maybe that was silly but he reassured me saying that if I felt that, then maybe it was true. So I went about the paperwork, and then we were sent more paperwork, and more and more, and then….we were done. If you know me, it won’t surprise you to know that I got ALL the paperwork done and our profile published in a little less than a month. We actually set a record! So the profile was up and actually viewable to other people. We were terrified and ecstatic all at the same time. Little did we know the hard part was just beginning. Waiting. Again, if you know me, you will know I loathe waiting and not being able to get things done. Just push ahead and finish what is on my plate. This is the part of the story where the Lord was teaching me patience. I’m still learning. So we wait. Every single day I would check our profile and my email at least 50 times looking for something, anything showing that someone was reading; someone was interested. The stats on the profile slowly started to rise. But that could be anyone looking at the profile. All our friends and family were reading it. So I stopped looking at the numbers. I started to get depressed and worried. Matthew was ever encouraging like he always is and told me to keep busy. We can’t waist our lives away waiting. I felt early on a prompting that if we have a nursery, the Lord will bless us with the baby to fill it. So I nose dive into the nursery. I am working on it every day. If I’m not home to work on it, I am researching what I want to do to it when I do get home! We get an amazing friend to sew all the bedding. I whip out a quilt in 4 days – again, if you know me, no surprise here. Halfway through what I had planned, I rip it all down and start over again because something doesn’t feel right. By this point, I seriously have no idea how Matthew is handling me. He’s incredible is all I can say about that man. So I start over and work even harder to push to finish it. I remember one Sunday I walked in there to spend a few minutes and I could just hear my heart say ‘it’s finished.’ I felt so at peace in that moment. I did what I needed to do and it was beautiful.

Well, if you have ever trusted the Lord, you know He does not play games! We got THE call the very next day. It was such a spiritual experience for me to share with my Heavenly Father. He promised me something and when I held up my end of the deal, He delivered. Just like He always does. Just like He always will. Matthew called me at work, which is not normal. We usually just text each other if we need something since we are both at work. I answered kind of puzzled and he simply said ‘Dale text me and asked me to call the office.’ I could have died right then and there. I could only think of one reason he needed us to call. I got so excited and he forwarded the text to me. I tried to remain calm since really he could have us call about anything, but something in my heart knew it was good news. I told everyone around me at work to hold their breathe and don’t say a word so that we don’t jinx the call! So I acted natural and just asked to speak with Dale. He answer and said “well, I don’t have twins, but would you like to have a baby?’ I bawled. I’m talking embarrassing, gasping for air, can’t control yourself cried. What a rush of emotions. Dale kept talking and telling me things about the birth mother, Cydney and I honestly can’t remember hardly anything he said I was crying so hard. He kept asking if I was still on the phone because I was crying. As soon as I get off the phone with him, I called Matthew and asked if he was ready to be a father. I wish I could have been there to see his face, but just in his voice I knew how touched he was. So naturally, I start crying again. Then I call my grandma and tell her she will be a great-granny and cry again. Then when Matthew gets off work, we call his parents and then his siblings. Everyone was so happy for us. Matthew and I are still so blown away by everything.

So we pretend to sleep Monday night and act normal on Tuesday. I got a text from Dale about setting up a meeting with Cydney, the birth mom and her mother. He said the meeting would probably be Wednesday. I just assumed it would be in a week Wednesday, but then the next day he calls and says ‘can you come in later today at 4:30?’ I of course said yes and then immediately went into panic mode! I am so nervous. Matthew and I just wanted to make the best impression possible and hope for the best. We both get off work early and head to Idaho Falls to the LDS Family Services office. At this point, I could literally throw up I am freaking out so much. I am sweaty and shaking. I’m a hot mess! I kept going over scenarios in my head of what I should do when she walks through that door. Ok, I’m going to hug her brains out and thank her a million times for picking us – no, too forward. Ok, I’m going to casually get up and shake her hand and introduce myself – I don’t know, does that not show enough interest? I was a wreck. So I stand up and offer my hand and tell her how happy I am to meet her and she comes rushing into the room and immediately hugs me. I can’t even begin to explain the relief. We hugged and then hugged her mom and it was so great! The meeting was incredible! I really feel like we hit is off great. Cydney is a great girl and I am so happy she is the birth mother that we get to share this experience with, and her mother Cynthia is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. They are amazing! How did we get this lucky! The meeting lasted about an hour and we just talked non-stop the whole time. There were so many little things that kept clicking for all of us that when Matthew and I finally left, I could not stop smiling. Everything just felt so right and so perfect. I know that that little girl was sent here for Matthew and I. Heavenly Father is just, I can’t even put words to it. He knows me. What is more comforting than that? He knows Cydney and put her here so that we could be close. He knows Matthew and I and had us apply for adoption exactly when we did. He just knows!

So I’m thrilled because Cydney wants me to come to her doctor’s appointments and be a part of that journey with her. She even invited us to the hospital when she is giving birth. Nothing could keep me away! This is exactly what I was hoping for! Thank you Cydney, from the bottom of my heart thank you! We agreed on the level of openness we want the adoption to be and are looking forward to getting to know each other better as she progresses through her pregnancy.

Oh, and did I mention she is due September 7^th. That is only 4 months away people. I am in panic mode. Thank goodness the Lord prompted me to have the nursery done because I have no idea how I would be able to finish everything in only 4 months!

We’re having a baby!!!

So here is the timeline of everything so you can see just how amazingly everything happened for our little family!

January 14 – first meeting with LDS Family Services

January 23 – all paperwork is finished and we are now officially accepted as clients

February 19 – our profile is published and we are live!

April 27 – the nursery is officially complete

April 28 – We get THE call

April 30 – We met Cydney and Cynthia

WOW!!! Right!?!?! So when it is all said and done and baby Larson is here from start to finish will have only been 7 months. Not everyone is as familiar with adoption – but this is serious! The blessings are amazing. Heavenly Father is real and alive and He loves us and wants to best for us. I know this. Matthew knows this. Cydney and Cynthia know this. What amazing roots this baby will get to grow from!

So for moving forward!!

We are having a baby shower on July 19^th (the unofficial date) and all 3 of my readers are invited plus anyone and everyone else who sees this! Cydney is due on September 7^th and we are thrilled!!! Everything is just so perfect - all of the Larson grandkids are born in the Fall. The baby is going to be a little girl! What a relief just knows that is! I can finally go shopping!!

Oh and as for the name! Drum roll please…………………………

Abigail Brooke Larson

Matthew and I have such a strong testimony of family and so we have decided to use family names for all of our children. Brooke is his mother’s name and I cannot think of someone with a stronger testimony for Abigail to look up to than her.


*This post is dedicated to Cydney and her mother Cynthia. I do not know anyone as selfless as you Cydney. What you are doing for our family can never be repaid or thanked for enough. We love you with all of our heart. Thank you.