Adoption is Wonderful!

We just wanted to say a thing or two about adoption because it has had such a wonderful impact on our family. Spencer came into our family after Dave and I had been married for 6 years and lots of unsuccessful fertility treatments. We were so anxious to be parents. Dave had graduated with his masters degree in engineering and was working in Salt Lake City for Kleinfelder Eng. One morning Dave and I woke up with excitement that a feeling of parenthood was coming. Our social worker, Ann, called later that day and asked how we were doing. We told her that we were well and had feelings like something must be on the horizon. She laughed and said goodbye. About a month later she called us to tell us we were infact selected to be adoptive parents. Exhilaration! She also told us that the morning she had called us, the previous month, was the day that we were put on firm hold -our birth mother had selected us to be her baby's parents. We had 3 weeks to get things ready. After 2, I was at work and Ann called to say, "Congratulations! You're a mom!" She had already called Dave at work. I stood there in shock, then ran to my boss and told him I was done working there because I had a new job, Mom. Spencer was born that morning. We were so head over heels in love with that little guy. Corrine, Spencer's birth mom, will never know the extreme joy and peace and love that she brought into our family as she blessed us with this special little baby.
He was an active, charismatic, social and bright little guy. Life was never boring and never so sweet. When Spencer was about 1 1/2 yrs. old we applied for addoption again. One day, a couple of weeks before he was 2, Dave and I went to the temple. When we got home, Spencer said, "I want baby sister." A week later, our social worker called us and asked if we'd come to his office the next day. We began a fast right then. Were we ready for another baby? Is this right for our family now? Our answer was No. I cried and thought 'How could we tell the social worker no?' We both felt strongly that a baby would be coming to our family soon, but more around the new year -it was September 24. When we got to his office, he gave us a letter which we nervously read. We both had tears in our eyes as we read that this baby was due January 6, 1999. And the confirmation that this most definitely was our baby that loving Heavenly Father would so magnificently bless our family with. The social worker told us this was an unusual adoption because, like Spencer's birth mom, most girls don't make their minds up until a month or two before. Laurel, Ali's birth mom, knew very early on that she wanted her baby to have a mother and a dad and a sibling, and we were that fortunate family. On January 3rd, it was a Sunday, Spencer woke up, went and got his fleece jacket which he cradled in his arms, climbed in the rocking chair and started singing. When he discovered us there he told us, "My baby sister is born today in a manger." We thought how sweet it was and wished that she was born today but the social worker had told us just the day before that all was going well with Laurel and right on schedule. We went to church and when we got home, guess what? Yip, there was a message from our social worker that Ali had indeed been born that morning, in a hospital in Van Nuys, California. Unfortunately, California adoption laws were that we couldn't take her home with us for 3 days -the longest ever. We left Spencer with the grandparents in Santa Clara, UT, and eagerly made our way to pick up our beautiful precious baby girl.
Spencer and Alexi have brought us so much happiness and sweetness. We know that Heavenly Father watches over us and blesses us. He knows what is good for our family, and I know that adopting Spencer and Alexi was what was the very best for our family. We love you Ali and Spencer!

Salter Family

We are the Salter family from Henderson, Nevada. Sometimes things get a little nuts around here. We thought we'd share some of those nutty, but mostly fun times with you.
First off, Dave is the old man of the house. His claim to nuttiness: He likes a new hairdo before going to bed. However, this happens usually only on Sunday. Ali's the hairdresser and she does a fantastic job combing and geling and smooshing his hair in just the right fashion. She usually does 3 or 4 fab styles til Dave approves of the perfect one for the night.
Then there's Jenny, that's me and the mom here. Every year I get up early early, the day after Thanksgiving, with Mom and Sarah, and we look for the best deals in hopes that I can get my Christmas shopping done. This time I was nuttier than ever. Instead of going to all the other mad houses I thought
I was so smart and went to JoAnn's to get fleece. Ouch! I stood in line waiting to get my fleece cut with a bunch of other smarties -for 2 hours! I think I saved about $8.

Spencer, he's 12 and the handsomest deacon I ever saw. He's nutty because he wakes up freezing every morning. It couldn't be because he sleeps in just his underwear could it?
Alexi, a.k.a. Ali, is almost 10. She has a knack for tuning me out. For some reason, although I've told her numerous times, we'll go somewhere and hop out to find -oops! Ali forgot her shoes or didn't go to the bathroom (although everyone else did 10 minutes before) and she really really needs to -sadly there isn't a town for another 2 hours!. She luckily has many great redeeming qualities.

Samuel, a.k.a Sammy, is 2 and wants to be a dermatologist? Maybe that explains his fascination with moles. When he's tired or upset, if he can rub his fingers over the mole on my neck he's comforted. Sweet isn't it. Maybe a bit nutty, but adorable too.