Waiting and Hoping

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know us. We understand that you and your family are going through a difficult time and we pray that you will be comforted and will have peace in your heart. We would like to start off with how we met... Breanna was working for a bank at the time of us meeting. Joe walked in with a friend. While we were chatting, Joe's friend cut in and asked Breanna out on a date for Joe. Apparently, Joe was taking to long to ask her out so his friend did it for him. YES! We know what you are thinking, "Why in the world would Breanna even consider going on a date with him if he couldn't ask her himself?" Well, we will let Joe answer that... To be fair, my friend jumped the gun. I was getting to it. Breanna didn't even answer right away, she made me stand in the corner of the bank while she finished helping the customers. Once she was finished with her work for a bit, she basically interviewed me, like I was applying for a job or something. Brea, do you remember the first question you asked me? Yes, I do! I asked you how old you were and then asked if you had been on a mission. When you said yes, I was sold. Oh and to be fair about the "JOB INTERVIEW", you were applying for a job. You were APPLYING to date me! During our first date we discoverd that Breanna had gone to school with Joe's cousin, which makes family gatherings fun. It is always nice when you have friends that become family. After dating a few months, we were married in the Manti, Utah Temple in August of 2000. We always knew that we wanted to start a family, but after trying to get pregnant, we realized that having a family was not going to happen the traditional way, so we began looking at our options and adoption was at the top of the list. Even though our children may not be ours biologically, we will love them just the same. We know that we are extremly blessed to get the opporunity to have a family no matter how it is created. We know this to be true because we have other adopted children in our extended families. Breanna's sister's oldest daughter was adopted. We all love her just the same as we do the other kids who were not adopted. Breanna comes from a family of three siblings, one brother who she is close to. He is fun and outgoing. She has one sister who is a bit younger, but they are still close. She has a fun and outgoing personality. Breanna also has two parents who love their children and would do anything for them. They support them in all they do. They are all very close and participate in many family activities, such as camping, fishing, and weekly family dinners. Breanna has two nieces and three nephews whom she loves to death. Joe comes from a family of seven siblings (one sister and six brothers). Even though there is only one girl, they still like to wrestle around and tease each other. His sister can hold her own. On this side of the family there are five nieces and three nephews. Joe is really close to his brothers, sister and parents. When the family is all together, there is sure to be lots of energy and fun. Joe served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Knoxville, TN mission. Joe loves karate and anything that goes with it. He has a black belt in Kishindo which is a Japanese style of karate. Joe loves collecting guns, swords and knives. He likes to go camping, hiking, 4-wheeling and just spending time with family and friends. Joe is also really good at remodling homes. There is always a project going on at our house that keeps him busy. Joe also works construction which is where he gets some of his ideas. Breanna loves, and I do mean loves NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt Jr. She likes gymnastics and cheerleading especially the University of Utah. She loves doing crafts, but mostly enjoys scrapbooking. Breanna loves to go 4-wheeling with the family, fishing, camping, and hiking. She also loves to go on long drives up the canyon to see the pretty scenery. Breanna has her Accounting Degree, but loves the tax side of accounting the most. In fact so much so that she works very limited hours during the tax season. She is commited to being a stay at home mom once we become parents. Our hopes and dreams for our children are that we can teach them to be honest in their dealings with others. We want them to get an education. We feel that it is important that they experience family vacations, camping and sports. We want them to succeed in whatever their hopes and dreams are. It is very important to us that our children always know that they are adopted. We will tell them stories about their adoption and our experience. We want them to always know where they come from. Adoption is a very open topic in our home and with our family and we want it to stay that way. We are wanting to keep our options open for pictures, letters, emails and possible visits in the future. We will always have a blog set up that will be centered around our family and different activities. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. We hope you will find peace in your decision, whatever that might be. Best Wishes, Joe and Breanna

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Camping July 2011

Camping with Brea's family at Scofield.

I love going camping out there. We are close to two lakes and there is so much space to ride 4 wheelers.

Our nephew Aiden was being way silly. He thought he was being a monster and all he kept saying was "Aunt Nana, take a picture of me now".

Monday, July 25, 2011

4th of July Weekend

For the 4th of July weekend, we went to Beaver, UT to visit Breanna's grandparents. We love going down there. It is peacefull and so far away from the hussle and bussle of life. If we could move down there we probably would.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Catching up

Seethaler Family Reunion

This reunion was held at Joe's Uncle Mark's house. There was tons of food, swimming and family.

I love taking pictures of flowers.

When I went to give my cousin Bailee her dress I made her, I got to do the girls hair. I enjoyed that. Anyway after I finished their hair they decided that they would do their mom's hair and my mom's (their aunt) hair.

We went to McDonalds for my cousin Autumn's 5th birthday party. I still can't believe that it has been a year since their adoption was finalized, but then again, it also seems like they have always been a part of the family. I can't picture what life would be like without them.

This is the day before Brea's sister's step kids left to go to their moms for the summer.

We went to dinner with the Seethaler side of the family. There was Uncle Kirk, Aunt Vicky, Nancy (Joe's mom), Brandie and her kids, Danika, Dakota, and Riley and of course Joe and I.

A dress I made for my dad's bosses daughter and for my cousin Bailee.

I am so far behind that I am still trying to catch up clear back to easter...

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Blessings/Understanding/Feelings

As I sit and think about our life we have, it is hard not to feel thankful and blessed, but at the same time, we feel we have a void in our life.

It's no big secret that we struggle with infirtility and are trying to adopt, but the feelings that come with dealing with the situation are much more private. There are so many emotions and sometimes, we feel them all at the same time.

Some people just don't understand. They think they do, but unless you have gone thru it, you don't fully understand.

There are times that I feel fine and happy.

There are times when I am sad and angry.

There are times when I am so emotionally out of control and don't know why.

There are times when it is a mixture of everything.

It is easy to feel down and depressed and not knowing what to do to get out of the deep dark hole.

Don't get me wrong, I love my life. I have the best husband ever, who loves me, who is there for me thru the good and the bad, who works hard to support us, who holds and honors the priesthood, and whom I am so in love with and am thankful to call him my best friend. Yet there is still that void that our family just is not complete.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Catching Up & Turning 30

I know I have not been all that great at getting caught up or staying caught up for that matter....So...here is what we have been up to for April....

I turned 30... (April 17, 2011)

Nephew Trevor turns 7....(April 15, 2011)

Joe's brother Matt's Birthday... (April 3, 2011)

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Crocheting

I find that crocheting is a great stress reliever...and because of that, our niece Ryleigh and my cousin Autumn are the proud owners of a new dress....

I hope you both like them.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sleepovers and Birthdays

Sleepover

At the beginning of March, Breanna's sister went to the Vegas Nascar Race so her kids got to come to our house for a weekend sleepover. We had a ton of fun.

The kids snuggled up in their beds watching a movie.

What kid doesn't like to slide down the stairs?

True Dale Earnhardt Jr. Fans.

For church on Sunday, I braided Ryleigh's hair in the # 88 to support our driver.

Dancing

Ryleigh at her dance program. The girls were so cute dancing.

Birthday's

Our nephew Nate's 10th Birthday. For his birthday, I took him shopping for his present. We also went to the Myan. The kids loved watching the divers.

Happy birthday Nate, we love you.

Our niece Desserae's birthday party....chucky cheese. I cannot believe that she is 10. They grow up way too fast. Happy birthday Des, we love you.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Tithing

I think it was last week in Sacrament that the topic was on Tithing. I had a few thoughts and feelings on this subject that I have not been able to get out of my mind all week.

I can honestly say that for the past 3-4 years we have been really good about and on top of our tithing, but it has not always been that way. I am not sure why we were so bad at it, but the important thing is that we are much better now. I have had to put a seperate checkbook in my scripture bag just so I don't have an excuse to not pay it.
Anyway, one of the talks in sacrament was given by Sister Bird on our attitudes about tithing. She is so comical, but she got the point across. She said that if we have the wrong attitude about it, then we are not getting the full blessings that come with paying your tithing. I can honestly say that this is so true. It is easy to think this bill or that bill needs to be paid or I want to go to the movies, etc...but for us, we have finally figured out that we need to treat our tithing like a bill and pay it as well in a timely manner. There has been times when we would look at our bank account and wonder "where in the world are we going to come up with our tithing". But I can tell you that when we paid our tithing first, the rest seemed to fall into place and we always had the money to cover our other bills as well. I think we just had to step back and have faith and the right attitude about it.

I have a testimony about tithing and that when we have the right attitude and have faith that everything else will fall into place.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Feb. Happenings

Just a random picture taken of us.

For our niece Ryleigh's 6th birthday, I took her to McDonalds and then shopping for her present. Then we went to her birthday party. I still can't believe she is 6. When her dad married my sister, she was only 3!!! Crazy how time has flown right on by. We sure do love her and her sister and brothers.

More of Ryliegh's birthday

This past weekend, Joe and I went down south to Beaver. My grandparents live there and we love going to down there to the peace and quiet. There is not that much traffic or construction for that matter.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Pitty Party

As you all know, Joe and I have struggled with infertility and there has been a ton of people around us the last few weeks that are either having babies or announcing they are pregnant, so the last couple of weeks have been really hard for me emotionally. There was a day a couple of weeks ago when I just could not control my emotions. I would be sitting there and out of the blue I would just start to cry and could not explain why. I think it was just my way of going through the grieving process of not being able to have biological kids, and yes it is very normal to have moments like that. There are also times when I am angery but, for the most part, I have gotten past that part, but every once in awhile, I just have to let it out. Thank goodness for a husband who is supportive and lets me just cry out.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Valentines Day

Even though Joe was really sick he still managed to stop by my office with flowers on his way home from work. He was really sick and spent the evening in bed. I got him a stock for one of his guns (which we ordered on line) and he got me a Wii.

I have to say, I am still just as in love with my husband as I was the day we got married. He is my rock, my bestfriend. He is there for me, he works really hard to support our household, he is patient (very patient, mind you) and he is a fabulous cook. I love that he is my husband and bestfriend.

I love you babe.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Crazy Busy

It seems that life takes a turn toward busy around Jan. and it doesn't seem get better until after April 15th.

My goal is to blog at least once a week, but that never seems to happen, but at least I try to blog all of the important events in our life.

A couple of weeks ago, Joe went to the Ultimate Combat Fight at UVU with my dad. He seemed to have a really good time. I was asleep when he got home because I had to work the next morning. All he talked about the next day was how awesome the fights were. I am so glad he had a good time. I love you babe.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Weekend away and Snowboarding

DATE NIGHT:

Brea's dad works for a hotel and so he was able to get us and Brea's sister and her husband a room for a night. It was so much fun. The evening started out with going to Chili's for dinner then back to the hotel for swimming and games. All in all it was an amazing evening and nice get away.

SNOWBOARDING:

Joe and I took up a new sport this winter. It has been so much fun learning how to snowboard, especially because I was learning how with my husband. You see... I have been wanting to learn how to snowboard for a couple of years so this year, Joe decided that he would just humor me and go. Well it turns out, he really likes it himself, and he has shown so much patience with me even thought I have not had much patience with myself. I just have not been getting the hang of it like Joe has and so I have been really frustrated with myself...that is until this last Saturday...This last Saturday, I finally started to get the hang of it. It is amazing how snowboarding is relaxing and a great stress reliever.

Joe snowboarding. He is actually pretty good at it.

Breanna snowboarding. You can't see it in these pictures, but I had the biggest grin on my face when I finally got the hang of it.

Nephew Kaden's 4th Birthday

I can't believe that this boy is 4 already!!! Time sure has gone by way too fast.

Happy birthday buddah! We love you.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Christmas prt 2

This year Joe's family was not able to have a Christmas party. Everyones schedules were just too hectic and we could not find a day that everyone was free...I did post pics in Christmas prt 1 of Joe's nieces and nephews opening up our gifts to them.

Breanna's family had their family Christmas party the day after her dad's 50th birthday party. Her grandparents came and stayed at our house for the weekend. We did a lot of shopping, eating and spending time with family.

Breanna's grandpa was enjoying playing with the great grandkids.

Our nieces and nephews on Breanna's side of the family.

This is just a couple of things we got for Christmas. We got so much more, but I just picked a couple to post here.

Thoughts On Open Adoption

Let's be honest, open adoption was a scary term for us at first, but the more we have attended our adoption training classes, the more comfortable we have become with the possibilities of an open adoption. There are so many advantages to have an open adoption: Our child will always know who their birth family is, we will always have access to the birth families medical history, our child will always know that their birth family love them and they will never have to question that. They will always know their heritage and for us, these things are very important. Every adoption is different. Everyone has their own expectations to what they want out of their open adoption and everyone has boundries and a bottom line for they are comfortable with. For us, our bottom line is: 1. Pictures and letters often 2. Have a blog set up just for the birth family 3. Correspondance through emails 4. Calls/Text 5. Depending on the relationship we have with our birth family, we are open to possible visits. (How often is still undecided)