Road Trip (and a permanent stay)

Well, most of y'all know our little family moved to Oklahoma for a great job opportunity that Alex got. This is mainly going to be a TON of pictures of the area. 

But first.... Why we moved. Obviously living so far from friends and family isn't the ideal situation, and I personally always wanted my kids to grow up around family. Well, Alex had a job loss and was working an okay job but he had a strong feeling we should move out of state. So we kept applying for other jobs in different areas. He got this job here in Oklahoma and came out in July to find out if it was a good fit. 

This whole time I was skeptical about moving but I also felt like Alex would know the best thing for our family. He loved the job, the people, the area, EVERYTHING! So, we started looking for a place to live here. It took over a month of searching for a place to rent and to find renters in our AZ house but at the last minute when we literally almost gave up we found both a place to live and renters for our house. 

On October 1 we moved into our SUPER RURAL home on 4 acres. The home needs work and I was sad at first because we put so much work into our other house and I felt like we were starting all over, but the home has grown on me. After being here a few weeks I too feel like it is the right place for our family! 

Now for picture overload!!

The drive to get here, Alex drove the truck with Boe. Alexy (my niece, she came to help), Daren, Skie, Edith, and I drove the car! 

The house.... 

The beautiful land... Our yard etc... 

What I see on my drive to "town" for groceries! (About 30 minutes)

The dogs LOVE the large yard!! 

Edith kept freaking out about going outside and we found these in the yard... Fresh deer tracks... I guess we know why she kept going crazy!! 

Flip a U

How to Properly quit your job!

So, I was having a conversation with a friend today about how so many people don't understand how important ending your job properly is. In the off chance that someone doesn't know this here you go! (Obviously there are some exceptions to some of these rules but in general these rules apply!)

#1 If you provide for yourself or someone else don't quit without a new job lined up. Not just a job idea or interview but an actually start date for a new job. It can take months to find a new job and unless you have a healthy savings it isn't wise to just quit because you don't like your job! 

#2 You're not Donald Trump, give a two week notice! This is vital if you plan to use them as a reference. Also, if you think you may ever want to work for the company again. Many companies will consider you non-rehire-able if you don't give two weeks! This also reflects to your new employer what kind of a person you are (reliable, respectful, trustworthy, etc.)! 

#3 BE RESPECTFUL, always give a typed letter to your boss. Use kind words when handing in the letter! 

#4 Ask for a reference letter. This will allow you to kindly ask your manager to write what kind of employee you are. This also gives you contact info when references are needed! Some jobs require these and if you already have them it make life much easier down the road! 

#5 Finally, Although you may be ready to move on continue to work hard during your last two weeks! Again, they will be a reference for you and you always want to finish strong!

Remember when you quit your job follow these 5 steps and you can achieve more successful career paths! 

Getting Ready to Move

I've been struggling on what to write lately. Our family is experiencing lots of changes. Alex got a job in Oklahoma so he's there living and working and D, the 3 dogs, and I should be joining him soon. 

I don't know how military wives do it. I have such a difficult time being apart from my husband. I always told him I wouldn't want him to have a job he is gone a lot for because I already waited for him for over three years! (LDS missions) 

I have planned to start packing up the house so we can move. I think I'll have a lot to get rid or before we move. Garage sale! 

We will miss be so close to family but we feel this will be a great opportunity for our family. I am a bit scared about how or if we'll be able to grow our family out there! However, I know it'll all work out! 

Our Baby Story (Fresh Pavement)

December 14, 2012

So I had kept a written journal on this blog about our adoption store I had it saved on here but no where else and the other day somehow it all got erased. I was distraught! I could not bring myself to re-write it. That was until today, I felt very strongly that I should do my best to re-write what was there. I decided it is so important I'm going to try to write as much as I could remember. I even had pictured but I will do my best to get those back up as well.

Back in July I was still working for my Dads business and he had a client come in and she was talking to him about her grandson and his girlfriend. She stated that her grandsons girlfriend is pregnant and they are looking for someone to adopt the baby. The mom was about 14 weeks along. My dad mentioned Alex and I and by that Saturday I had a phone call from the mom. I remember during this time we had a few other people mention to us people that may be wanting to talk to us about adopting a baby. The day I talked to the Mom I was so anxious and giddy she could even tell how excited I was over the phone.

We arranged to have dinner together the next day and I was SO nervous! I was worried they wouldn't like us. We didn't know how things would go. So we went to dinner and we all got along wonderfully. We then waited to hear what their decision was.

A few weeks later I invited the birth parents to came to our home for dinner. Alex was working two jobs so he wasn't able to be there. It was a crazy day for me that day and I had a lot of other things come up but I managed to fix a fairly nice meal and we spent a lot of time together. While they were over they told me they wanted us to have the baby!

It was all surreal we had no adoption paperwork filled out we hadn't even talked to a lawyer yet. We quickly got all the classes, meetings, and paperwork done! It took a few months and during that time we were getting to know the parents even better!

Around August 15th we found out how sweet of an experience this is! The birth parents and their family have been referring to the baby as ours! I cried the first time I read a text from the birth mom saying something about the baby being ours.

I was sent this picture in a text that read "Say hi to your baby" It was so sweet. She had not had a real ultrasound before this point because of insurance issues. She wasn't feeling well and had gone to the hospital and while there they checked on the baby!

On September 25 we went to the Dr with the birth parents for their first official ultrasound. Up to this point we had no solid due date and I was sure the baby would be due in January or February some time but we we're sure. During the ultrasound we found out we are adopting a little boy, due January 18! We really felt like it was such a blessing to have this opportunity to see his ultrasound and to be a part of the experience! We were so excited and shared this news with a few people. We all felt like the baby was a boy but you never really know until it's confirmed.

We took some time to decide on a name and just a few weeks ago I was talking to the mom and told her what we had decided! Daren Alexander Ray, they affectionately call him little D! I also had the opportunity to talk about some of the birth plan for the hospital. I was happy to hear her plan was basically what we wanted!

This is the Ray Family Cradle that we have ready for Daren when he's home! It's so cute, Alex even slept in it when he was a baby! There is a few beautiful blankets my Mom made and a beautiful bumper that Alex's sister made!



December 16, 2012

Only 1 more month until out baby is due! I can't believe it! The past few weeks have been so slow and I hope this time waiting will go by quickly!!

We had a day at work where it was extremely slow so I had time to make this blanket for him. It's covering the swing we a borrowing from my brother because the swing is pink!

December 19, 2012

Last night the mom text me and told me Daren was measuring around 8 lbs already! Today she's about 1 cm dilated and she's going in for an ultrasound. This anticipation is crazy for me and I feel like I'm losing my mind over it! It is especially different to be hearing these things from someone else and not going through it myself!

December 26, 2012

So the mom was dilating last week and I was going crazy thinking Daren would be here soon! Today they invited me to go with to have an ultrasound to really measure his size. It has been so nice to be a part of the process. I debated on going but decided it would be best if I go because he is our son and I should be here for him. After the ultrasound was done I knew he wasn't as big as they were thinking and that the Dr was way off. Come to found out he's only 5 lbs! They aren't changing his due date but the Dr said he won't let him go past his due date of January 18th! So if all goes as planned He'll be here then!

This is one of the Ultrasound pictures from today, His hand!

January 2, 2013

Happy New Year! Happy January!! Baby's Due Month!!

I can't wait for Daren to be in our home! In only a few short weeks he will be home with us!! SO EXCITED!!

January 3, 2012

About 9:30 pm tonight we got a call that the birth mom was having contractions. So we hurried to the hospital and after about an hour they sent her home but on bed rest. She has high blood pressure and goes the Dr on Monday the 7th and they will be inducing her next week if her water doesn't break!

January 4, 2013

I just got the mail and were finally officially certified to adopt! Perfect timing too! It only took about 4 weeks to get notified and the courts finished it in about 2 to 3 weeks! It's great to know how quickly they get things done because that means finalizing the adoption won't take too long!!

January 7, 2013

So, I jut talked to the birth mom and she's being induced on Friday the 11th! I've been so nervous and anxious but I'm extremely excited! The funny thing is I get one week off work and then I have to go back. It's going to be so interesting and scary to go back to work. But, Alex will be home with him for a few more weeks after that so I'm glad they will have bonding time!

January 10, 2013

Last night the birth mom let me know shes contracting again. We went to the hospital about 9 pm to see what's going on and to have her monitored again. Around 10:30 pm she was admitted into a room. She slowly progressed to 10 cm dialated throughout the night and finally got there by about 5 am the this morning! It was a long night but all so worth it! The mom did great, she was able to relax and wait for the dilation to get to a 10 with the help of an epideral. She would have had the baby with the nurses if they would have let her because as soon as the dr got there she had the baby in 3 contractions! At 5:44 am on January 10, 2013 Daren was born! He was 5 lbs 11 oz, 18 & 3/4 in long. He was perfect. He cried as soon as he was out and I got to watch the whole thing and text Alex play by plays. I got to cut the emboli cal chord which was such an interesting experience! Then I was given the privilege of being the first to hold him! Then his birth dads mom held him and then his birth dad. I then followed him and the nursery nurse to have them check on him and get him all ready. I was able to get Alex and he could finally see him for the first time! We were given our own room at the hospital and Daren stayed with us. We've continued to keep the lines of communication open with the birth family. I feel SO BLESSED to have Daren in our lives and in our family!

January 13, 2013

It's official we came home Friday from the hospital and today the papers got signed! We feel so blessed to have Daren in our family!


Here are some photos we took with Daren a few days after he was born!

Happy Day of Love

February 14, 2013

Alex knows me so well! He has been saying for weeks that he is making me something for valentines day. I thought I was getting something from wood like a book shelf or something. Or maybe new can lights in the kitchen (he has been working on that too). So this morning I was surprised to see a little bad with little boxes in it. At first I thought maybe he lied to me and actually bought something instead of making something.

When I opened the boxes I was pleasantly surprised to see beautiful earrings and a necklace. I was shocked I even asked him multiple times if he actually made them!

He then told me what they mean and why he picked to make them for me. Here is the cute, romantic, and sweet part. The pendants are called birds nests. He said they are for moms to represent the children. Since I've been waiting to have a child in our home for a few years now that was enough to being on the water works. Then he said, there are three beeds to represent our three sons (the two we lost and our beautiful Daren)! I cried and couldn't imagine how much thought and love went into this gift!

BEST VALENTINES DAY EVER!