Houston, TX

    Our next adventure will be our move to Houston, TX!  Matt graduated this December from his graduate program and was officially offered his dream job as a Global Petroleum Geologist with Halliburton in Houston!  We are so excited for this next stage of our lives and have been busy arranging our move and house hunting!  The most exciting part of all of this is that we get to share our excitement with Parker who we can tell is already excited to have his own backyard, a neighborhood swimming pool, and to be close to some of his cousins! We are excited as well for the warm weather, no snow, and I will be able to continue teaching my course online for BYU-I in our new home! We have been spending this transition time with both sides of the family, and we will definitely miss each of them.  Parker will especially miss his time with both sets of grandparents and all his aunts and uncles both in Idaho and Nebraska!

     Parker turned 1 in March!  Oh, how time flies!  We were able to go to the zoo for his birthday, and he had a blast!  He loves anything that has to do with animals!  In fact there is a picture below of him feeding the giraffe! His favorite animals were the jelly fish, the lions, and giraffes, but definitely not the goats!  Feeding the goats was one of the first times I have seen Parker truly scared! Then we came home to a big celebration with the family! He got some much needed new clothes for the warm weather in Houston and lots of toys!  One of his favorite toys had to be his new baby drum set which he hasn’t stopped playing since! He loves music! 

     His first birthday calls for a lot of new updates about our growing boy!  First, Parker is walking! He took his first steps just a couple weeks before his first birthday, but seemed to prefer crawling.  It was just this last week that he has really started walking EVERYWHERE and now he is testing out his own version of a run!  We are definitely getting ready for this whole new world of a toddler and being able to walk. He still talks all day, although we still don’t know what he is saying all the time.  He has mastered “Mama”, “Dadda”, and “Baba”.  He loves to clap and play Peek-A-Boo.  Parker will play Peek-A-Boo anytime, anywhere, and with anything!  Parker is a fan of books and loves to be read to.  He especially likes books with animals, and right now his favorite book is “Baby Touch and Feel Animal Farm” from his Grandma and Grandpa Morton.  He is eating totally solid foods now and we still haven’t found any food he doesn’t like! One of the things that has surprised us the most is how Parker has almost a full set of teeth! This does make it easier for him to eat his favorite food, Goldfish crackers!  His easygoing, kind, and calm nature have continued to grow with him. He is already over two feet tall and over 25lbs!  His gorgeous head of hair continues to grow and he has already had three haircuts!  Parker truly is a ray of sunshine everywhere he goes and to everyone he meets.  He is constantly smiling. Matt and I often comment on how his smile and hugs still melt our hearts every single day.  He is our biggest miracle and greatest blessing!

     Here are some of our favorite pictures from his first birthday and our most recent family photo shoot!  

Our Life in Fast Forward

Because I have neglected this blog for so many months, here is an update of our life in fast forward:

On Nov. 7, the adoption was finalized!

On Nov. 23rd we were sealed to Parker as a family for time and all eternity!

Parker is happy, healthy, and still the cutest kid EVER! He is already 10 months old. He is crawling, standing, and trying so hard to walk. He is eating grown up food and just discovered the joys of a sippy cup. He loves to laugh and enjoys anything with music. His favorite songs are "Parker, I Love You" written by Mom and Dad :-), "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus", and "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam". He is constantly on the go and curious. He will put ANYTHING in his mouth. He has over 9 teeth and they are still coming in like crazy. He had his top four teeth and bottom four teeth by the time he was six months! His two favorite things to play with are people and animals. He makes friends with every kid he meets. He loves to talk although the only audible words so far are "Momma" and "Dadda". I can honestly say those are the sweetest words and it melts my heart every time he says it. Matt and I talk literally everyday about how blessed we are to have him in our family!

After 3 months of adoption leave, I returned back to work part-time. After a month or two and a lot of prayer, I decided to quit to be home with Parker full-time. Shortly after that, I was offered a position at BYU-I to teach an online course in Family Studies. This has allowed me to stay home with Parker while still bringing home an income. I am so grateful for this unique opportunity and blessing. 

On Dec. 21, 2013, Matt graduated from SDSMT with his Masters in Geology!  We are so proud of him!!!! He has been actively job hunting and is currently interviewing with several companies. It has taught us patience, but we know the right job is just around the corner! In the meantime, we have temporarily relocated to Boise to spend some time with our family while we enjoy this "limbo" phase of our lives. It meant we had to leave so many incredible friends and family in Rapid City who we miss dearly, but we look forward to our upcoming adventures.

We have had the chance to go on so many adventures as a family these last few months. Our travels have brought us to Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota.  Although we got to see many sites, if Parker could talk I am sure he would tell you his favorite part has been playing with all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins!  Here are some pictures from a few of our adventures over the holidays:

 

Halloween 2013 

  

Lights at Temple Square

 

Christmas 2013 at Grandma & Grandpa Morton's

 

 Christmas Morning

 

~Happy New Year 2014~

Adoption: Moving Forward With Hope

First, I want to thank each and every one of you for your sweet response to our wonderful news!  Parker truly is the light of our lives and we couldn’t be happier!   As happy as we are with our bundle of joy, I was surprised at the response that I received from so many women, some I knew and some I did not, who are struggling with infertility and looking into adoption.  Although our journey was definitely unique, I know firsthand the intense frustration, hurt, disappointment, stress, sadness, etc. that comes with infertility or not being able to have children for whatever reason.  I know for me personally, even though I was thrilled for other Mommy's and news like ours, every announcement like this came with a twinge of sadness and served as a reminder of what I didn’t  have and wanted so desperately.

Although Matt and I both knew, through our own personal experiences that God had a very specific plan for us and for our family, it is not easy.  But what I learned quickly, as soon as I had the courage to talk about it, was that I was not alone.  Millions of women (6.7 million) struggle with infertility and the number continues to grow.  Of those millions, I am grateful to the women who I knew who were not afraid to talk about it. (You know who you are!) These women gave me support, direction, empathy, and most importantly hope. 

To all women who may be experiencing the struggle of infertility alone or not, I know nothing can erase the sting of infertility, but what I can offer you is a little bit of hope by sharing with you answers to some of your questions on adoption. (I will address the topic of infertility more in a later post.) I am no expert, but this is information I gathered from our own experiences as well as experiences from close family and friends.

      1. I know adoption is expensive.  How expensive is it?  Are there alternatives or options that are less expensive?

I know that this was Matt and I’s greatest concern when we began looking into adoption.  We were still poor college students with very little income, but I guarantee there are ways to make it happen! Adoption can be very expensive, especially when going through a private agency.  For many private agencies you could be looking at around $15,000 or more. But there are many alternatives!  Some agencies will charge based on income, for example 10% of your adjusted gross income from the previous year. Other agencies will allow you to create a payment plan so that you do not have to have the funds all at one time.  Matt and I went through a private agency, and due to the unique situation gave us a VERY discounted rate.  Don’t be afraid to talk to whatever agency you wish to go through about the cost and your concerns.

Another alternative is to do adoption through the state.  You and your spouse would become foster parents through the state in which you live. This process requires an 8-16 week course, usually on the weekends or Saturdays as well as a background check and home study (many of these things are required for a private adoption as well). Once you become a licensed foster parent, you indicate your desire to adopt.  The hope is that eventually the right child will be placed in your home that will become available to adopt.  The plus side to this is that the costs are minimal. You are given a small monthly stipend while the child is in your home to help with the cost of care, and then once the child is ready for adoption you typically only have to pay for the legal fees.  This can be a difficult journey for many parents, because chances are you will attach to many children who will come in and out of your home before the child that is right for you becomes available for adoption.  If you are interested in this route, you can contact your local Department of Social Services (DSS). 

            Finally, many families are taking matters into their own hands through personal      marketing. Families create cards that they pass out to others about their desire to adopt. They can create blogs or profile pages on adoption websites.  This is an option that I recommend even if you are working with a private agency.  Many of our friends and family have adopted through personal connections. Have your family and friends share your story/cards/profile to anyone and everyone. Eventually, you may run into someone who is looking to place a child with your family. If they select you before contacting an agency, you can find an agency or legal office that can do the adoption for minimal charge and legal fees.

2. Do you have to be a certain age or be married for a specific amount of time to adopt?

 Every agency is different and each have their own rules.  Most agencies that we spoke with, liked to see a couple married for at least a year, but other than that no restrictions.  Matt and I had been married a little less than 4 years when we got Parker. As far as age is concerned, we did not run into a problem.  We were 24 and 25 at the time we found Parker.

3.       What do you have to do to become adoptive parents? What do they look at, what do they want to know? How long does the process take?

  Once again every agency is a little different, but here are some definite basics that every agency will want.  WARNING: There will be A LOT of paperwork! First background checks including fingerprints will be done.  A home study will then be completed.  This is a comprehensive evaluation/summary of not only your home, but of your marital relationship and family.  They will visit your home to make sure it is safe and meets all the “codes”. For example, we had to go buy a small fire extinguisher before we could pass our home study.  Other things they look for are fire exits, is there room for a baby, food in the pantry, etc.  You will then complete extensive social and family histories. You and your spouse will have individual as well as a couple interview.  Most of the questions are understandable such as “How do you handle conflicts?”  “What are some qualities you love about your spouse?” “How were you disciplined as a child?” etc.  Some are much more private including questions about intimacy and finances. 

Although the home study sounds fairly intrusive, the agency is not looking for perfect. They are looking for normal.  Your finances don’t have to be stellar, you don’t have to have the perfect marriage, or the cleanest house, just be you! J You will also typically need to complete some training on adoption. This differs with each agency.

The time for this process differs, but typically takes anywhere from 3 months to a year.  After this process is complete you can then begin creating a profile all about your family and your desire to adopt.  I believe the next step is the most difficult, which is waiting for the right child to come along.  Remember you can be pro-active by handing out cards, creating a page, and spreading the word of your desire to adopt!

     Adoption is not an easy or quick journey.  Many of you have shared experiences with me of heartache associated with the losses of potential adoptions or years of waiting for a match.  I am in awe of your courage to continue on the journey of adoption and your faith should be an example to all of us.  To each of you women and those that have experience in the world of adoption, please feel free to add anything or share your own experiences in the comments below.

To those couples who are just beginning to look down the road of adoption, I hope this has answered some questions and provided direction. Please feel free to ask any more questions that weren’t addressed in this post, either privately or in the comments below.   Most importantly, I hope that this quiets some of your fears and gives you courage to move forward with HOPE.  

  "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." 

                                                                                                                   --Psalms 31:24

Morton Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Purse

Matt and I found ourselves directly in the middle of our own crime scene just two weeks ago, little did we know we would be the ones to solve it!

 I was suffering from a bit of “new-mommy-brain” and left my purse in the cart after loading my groceries into the car.  I drove out of the parking lot and less than a minute later realized I had left my purse.  When I returned my purse had disappeared.  It was no longer in the cart and no one had returned it to the store.  I was devastated!  I just kept thinking about all the cards I would have to cancel, all the personal information in the purse, my cell phone, even my work I Phone was in the purse which would cost me hundreds of dollars to replace, not to mention the time to replace all my personal items! 

Once I finally got over my denial and realized my purse had been stolen, I began my drive home only to remember that Matt had recently put the “Find My I Phone” app on all of our Apple products which allowed Matt to track my phone if it was ever lost!  I ran into the apartment yelling Matt “Get your IPad, my purse has been stolen!”  Matt was on it so quickly and we had my purse tracked immediately, traveling down a country road just a few miles outside of town!  We immediately called the Rapid City Police Department.  I believe our exact conversation was “My purse was stolen and I know exactly where it is!”  Police officers were sent to our apartment where they literally “set up camp”.  They had their GPS and maps out, giving coordinates, and following our thief.  They also contacted the grocery store to have them check the video cameras from the parking lot. Unfortunately, they do not have cameras in the parking lot, but we didn’t let that stop us!

*Remember this is Rapid City, SD.  We apologized for taking their time to handle such a petty crime, we thought surely they had bigger fish to fry, but they reported they even do this for missing cats! *

   

The vehicle with my purse eventually stopped at a residence that we pinpointed using Google Earth.  Two police officers left, while Matt and I were given the responsibility to remain in contact with dispatch and update them if and when the purse moved. The purse did move from a shed into a residential home, but other than that remained stationary.  I am so grateful that whoever had my phone did not think to turn it off!

The police officers attempted to talk to someone at the residence but no one answered.  They seemed to think that we could no longer pursue it any further. I must say I was shocked with my reaction to this whole situation. I found the thrill of the chase rather exciting, and I wanted to simply go knock on the door and ask for my purse back, but Matt wouldn’t have it! Even the police officer said it was a shady residence and not to try! If I ever quit my day job, I might look into being a bounty hunter.  *Matt and Lori=Dog and Beth* Knowing that the police were not going to try any longer, I made one last desperate attempt to send messages to both my phones asking the culprit to return the phone to the store and we would not press charges.  No luck.

Regardless, Matt and I decided we were not going to give up.  We tracked them through the night and when we awoke the next morning the purse had moved to a local business in town. We assumed he had taken the purse with him to his place of work, maybe left it in his car.  When we tracked the address down it was at “Pack Rat Palace” which was essentially storage units.  Call us crazy, but we got in the car and headed straight to Pack Rat Palace, not quite sure what we were going to do when we got there.  We called the police on our drive there to let them know the purse had moved and that we were going after it.  They were willing to send an officer to assist, but didn’t seem hopeful.

Once we got to Pack Rat Palace, an officer met us who stated that a man just called the police station reporting that he had found a missing purse.  The man worked at the business across from Pack Rat Palace.  Eventually, we met up with this man who returned my purse with all the contents still inside including my work IPhone! I was so relieved! 

The man who had the purse reported that he had found it in the shopping cart and had to rush to an appointment, so he took the purse and was attempting to return it to the owner. Whether he was telling the truth or not, we chose not to press charges. We are just grateful he chose to return the purse with all its contents!

So lessons to be learned:

• I need to stop forgetting my wallet and purse in random places! 
• Always appreciate your husband’s unique talent for technology and love for electronic gadgets!
• There really is an app for everything!
• If you come upon a lost item (purse, wallet, phone, etc.) at a store/restaurant, RETURN IT TO THE STORE/RESTAURANT or the police station. DO NOT TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU, it makes you look bad! 

Our Newest Addition

               
      That’s right we can finally announce our exciting news!  Parker Matthew Morton was born on March 14, 2013 and he hasn’t left our arms since!  The story of his arrival is truly a story of miracles.  Here is a quick version of the story and of course pictures!

       In 2011 after an unsuccessful round of fertility treatments, Matt and I began looking more seriously into adoption.  We decided to begin taking classes to become foster/adoptive parents through the state.  Unfortunately, about halfway through the classes, we both felt this was not the right path for us at the time.  We returned once again to pursuing fertility options/treatments.

     Throughout the following 6 months, we had a series of very special personal and couple experiences that led us once again to consider adoption, only this time through a private agency.  On Feb. 19, 2013 I was attending a work meeting where a therapist from a local adoption agency was present. I felt impressed to tell her our story and that we were starting to look into adopting privately.  I was hoping she would be able to get us some basic information like cost, beginning paperwork, etc. She took my information and promised to send it on to her colleague in charge of the adoption program.  The very next morning I opened my e-mail to find the biggest surprise of my life!  After hearing about Matt and I as well as our story, they believed they had a birth family that would be the perfect match!  Matt and I happened to be able to read the e-mail together that day. We both looked up at each other and smiled from ear to ear.  This just felt perfectly right. The only catch…the baby was due in three weeks!

     We had to create an adoption profile in less than 24 hours to present to the birth family who would select between our family and several others.  On Feb. 26, after what seemed like an eternity, we received word that we had been selected by the birth family.  Best. News. Ever.  We happened to be in the middle of the Rapid City Regional Airport, but we didn’t care, we celebrated right then and there!

     The next two weeks were full of expedited paperwork including fingerprints, background checks, medical clearances, home studies, etc. as well as preparing for baby! The paperwork process normally takes usually around 6 months, but like the millions of miracles we have lost count of along this journey it was all completed by Parker’s birth! 

     Parker came a few days early on March 14, 2013 where he was immediately flown to NICU in Sioux Falls, SD for concerns regarding blood sugar.  Matt and I drove straight to Sioux Falls that same day where we were able to meet him for the first time.  I can still remember walking through the NICU hallway that night on my way to meet him.  There were many cries from the different rooms in this large NICU, but amongst the cries I could recognize his. I didn’t need a room number, I knew exactly where he was. He was our son.  He was so beautiful!  Nothing can describe what we experienced that night, but both Matt and I would describe it as love at first sight. Parker's blood sugar had been low in part because he was refusing to suck/eat.  When Matt and I arrived by Parker's side, I was able to give Parker his first full feeding and he hasn't stopped eating since :-)  Parker was released four days later and we were able to take him home straight from the hospital. He has been in our arms ever since!  He is one happy, healthy, handsome baby boy!

     We apologize for those friends and family to whom this comes as a shock. As you can tell from our story, it was quite the shock for us as well. :-) As much as we wanted to shout our news from the rooftops, we needed to protect the privacy and grieving process of the birth family.  As of this past Monday, the birth parents have terminated parental rights and the adoption agreement has been signed, so we are free to announce our exciting news! We knew we were waiting for someone, I am so glad that someone was Parker.  He was worth all the wait!

     As I complete this post, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the family and friends who were true life lines for us during this intense time.  Words can’t express how grateful we are for the prayers and support sent our way these last two months!  I am filled with gratitude and love for Parker's incredible birth family who had the courage to make the most difficult, agonizing decision of love.  Most importantly, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers.  I am grateful for His wisdom and guidance.  This was the greatest affirmation to us that Heavenly Father is fully aware of each of us. He knows our desires and He has a perfect plan for us, even if it is not in the way or time we expect. Miracles.Do.Happen.