Our Journey Through Infertility

When we got married over 9 years ago in 2006, we imagined, like most couples, that we'd be able to start our family as soon as we were ready. According to our plans, we would graduate in the summer of 2008 and welcome our first child in the Fall.

Well, 2008 came and went without a child. Most of 2009 did as well before we went to see a fertility specialist. After several tests, we were diagnosed with "Unexplained Infertility". That means they couldn't find anything wrong with either of us. We tried 2 failed months of medication treatments with the specialist in the beginning of 2010. It didn't feel right to continue the medications, and we started preparing for adoption.

It took 6 months for us to get everything in order. In February of 2011, we were finally certified and on the waiting list! We were selected by a birthmother in May, and our little boy was born in September. Eli's whole adoption process was an incredible experience! We were able to be at the hospital when he was born and brought him home from there. We still have a very open relationship with his birthmother Veronica and her family. We are so grateful that he will always have those channels open as he grows older. He will never have to wonder if he was wanted or loved, or why she "gave him up." There will never be any doubt that Veronica did what she felt was best for her child. She couldn't imagine him growing up without a mother and father, in a home that would provide for his needs and teach him about Jesus Christ. We are grateful every day for the selfless sacrifice she made for him and for us. She was every bit an answer to our prayers as we were to hers.

When Eli turned 1 in September 2012, we decided to go back on the list for another adoption. We got all of the paperwork we needed to update and started working on it. For some reason, we felt that we shouldn't pursue another adoption at the time.

We thought we received the answer to our prayers for another child when I found out I was pregnant in January 2013. We could not have been more excited! But it was not meant to be. After seeing the baby's heartbeat at 6 weeks, I miscarried the following week. We were saddened by this, but also felt hope that we would have an easier time now adding to our family.

Fast forward to Summer 2014. Eli was now pushing 3 and still an only child. We again started adoption paperwork, only to feel like we weren't supposed to pursue it, again. It was a spiritually confusing time for us. We felt like we were supposed to bring more children into our family, but nothing felt right. There were a lot of prayers and tears on my part, and still no answers.

In January 2015, we decided to try fertility treatments again. All failures. Emotionally and physically I was done. Nearly 90 failed months of trying to get pregnant had taken a heavy toll on me. It felt like it was consuming me. There wasn't an hour that it didn't cross my mind, and it was affecting my happiness as a wife and mother. I felt like I had been able to handle 7 years of infertility pretty well, but everyone has breaking points, and I had reached mine. I spent many nights on my knees, pleading for peace and guidance. The Lord delivered peace in abundance, not for the first time. He continued to withhold guidance however.

With only one option left to try, we started searching out information on In Vitro Fertilization, hoping that if God could see us trying everything we could to grow our family, He would open a door for us.
After meeting with several clinics and doctors, we finally found an option that didn't feel "wrong", if not necessarily "right". I have found in my life that God rarely blesses me with strong feelings of "Yes! This is exactly what you are supposed to do!" Most of the time it is just a feeling of "This is your choice, but it's seems like a good one" :).

So where are we now, going into our 8th year of infertility and one glorious adoption later? We are going to continue our plan of beginning IVF in January, unless the Lord guides us in another direction before then. We feel like we've done everything we can on our own while waiting for God's plan to be made clear. Who knows if it will be successful. We certainly hope so. But if not, I will have peace in knowing my Heavenly Father is aware of me and my righteous desires. And while it may be extremely difficult at times, I will trust in His perfect plan for me and my family, knowing He will not leave me comfortless and without Joy!

 Eli and Dad enjoyed Chuckar's baseball games all last summer and this summer. We've got sports enthusiast on our hands.

 We all went target shooting with Grandpa Mike. Eli was ready with ear pro and eye protection!

 Jessica and Michael on our mountain bike ride in St. George, UT - Bearclaw Poppy!

 Adam treated me to a Dierks Bentley concert in Boise. What a treat! Dierks is one of my favorites!

 Can you spot Katelin? Katelin sang with the Chorelaires. She did awesome!

 Never too late to learn how to drive in the neighborhood. Are you ready to trust him on the road?

That's definitely not a smile on Eli's face. He wasn't too excited to ride an actual horse last summer at Zach's ranch. Eli went for about 1 min and screamed the whole way. But now he talks about riding the horse all the time!

Hangin with Dad!

The only time Eli will willingly leave Katelin is when it's SMACKIN time at the golf course or biking in the "big mountains" with Dad. So Awesome!

And don't forget the time he wanted to be a Krispy Kreme model!

Eli Warren Wright

Our big guy was born Sept 14, 2011 at 9lbs, 20 1/2 inches long.

He is almost 5 months old now and has been so much fun! He is a great baby. He hardly ever fusses and sleeps through the night most nights. He has brown hair, blue eyes, loves watching basketball with Dad, and somehow he got my sweaty hands and feet, poor guy. We are constantly making the comment that he could not be more like us if he shared our genetics. He was definitely meant for us!

So of course I'm planning to have a wild toddler, which will be nothing new after these guys! Don't let the picture fool you; they're crazy.

Eli spends his days laughing, rolling over, going on walks, watching his puppies play, grabbing everything in sight (no more earrings for me!), drooling, and of course eating and sleeping. He has learned how to take his pacifier out, and sort of learning how to put it back in.

Eli tried peaches for the first time today, and I had to share this video. . Apparently they were a little tart :)  I also discovered that kids learn their "p" and "b" sounds while eating, because those were the sounds he made when he spit out his food. I mixed the peaches in with his rice cereal and he ate a ton of it. The peaches alone were a bit much though! Sorry there's no sound. Don't know what the problem is.

The adoption process all went well. It was finalized December 14, 2011, and we were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple December 22, 2011. It was such a special day, and we are so grateful to have him be ours for Eternity. Our open adoption continues to go well. This boy is truly loved by a lot of people!

Sorry for the long, and much overdue, update :)

Due Date Dawning

I'm sure if anyone is still reading this poor excuse for a blog, you're probably wondering what is going on with our adoption. Well it's still on! I have been so lucky to attend all of the doctor apointments, and was asked to be in the delivery room and cut the umbilical cord! This family has seriously been so wonderful to us, and while open adoption can be a daunting thought at times, I am so happy to go through it with them. Veronica just had her 19th birthday and we got to be a part of it. Their extended family is great too. I'm so happy we will only have glowing things to say about our son's birthmom! She is so incredible and strong. I can't imagine how difficult this will be for her, but she keeps a positive attitude and calms my concerns. Just a few weeks to go!

What's New?

So what would you do if you found out you were having a baby in 4 months? Here's what we've been doing!

My wonderful parents took us and my brother and his wife to Disneyland and California Adventure!

(The guy in front was some unlucky kid we got to sit in front, since none of us wanted to get soaked again)

(Adam is not eating the sun. It's just a reflection of the picture of the picture)

We spent some time at Bear Lake with my family!
(Obviously not pictured...Didn't get the pics from the rest of the fam)
Spent a few days swimming, playing games, and enjoying one another's company.

Went to Island Park with Adam's Family (not pictured)
(and not the freakish Adams Family) (Seriously don't know where all our good pictures went)

Adam's parents bought a couple of RZR atvs, similar to this one I found online. Super fun! We were lucky enough to get a great rainstorm and lots of mud to go through! Mosquitoes were terrible, but only if you slowed down :) We also went hiking in Yellowstone and ate lots of yummy food!

Other Idaho highlights include boating, 4th of July, and a Baby Shower for the little guy on the way. Thanks everyone! He's going to be one lucky boy with such great friends and family!

I went to Girls' Camp with these lovely ladies

We spent 3 THRILLING days in Douglas, AZ.
It's okay if you've never heard of it. We hadn't either. It's in the Southeast corner of Arizona, next to New Mexico and "Old" Mexico. We could see the Mexican boarder from our hotel.  Adam had to go for work so I tagged along. Here's a picture of their "International" airport :) Not a place I need to go again.

Adam got to take a more fun trip to Amsterdam...without me.

And like every NORMAL couple waiting for a new baby, we got a new PUPPY

We named her Rainey and she has been so much fun! Jax adores her! They play together all day long and are inseparable, which hopefully will be nice when the baby comes!

It's A Boy!!!

WE'RE GETTING A BABY!!!

A wonderful and beautiful girl named Veronica asked to meet with us tonight. We had a great lunch with her and her mom last Saturday and were feeling really good about her. We went to dinner tonight with Adam's parents, who are visiting, and Veronica and her parents met us there.

Veronica handed us this envelope and said, "Here are pictures of your new son!"

Inside we found this

and these

There were a lot of smiles, lots of reaffirmation ("Are you sure??", "100% positive." Really?", "I haven't felt such a strong feeling in my life."), lots of hugs, and a few special pictures.

Veronica's parents are in the middle, Adam's parents on the right, Veronica in front.

She is so great! We're excited to get to know her better over the next few months. We are very blessed and grateful for this priceless gift she is giving us. OUR BABY BOY IS DUE SEPTEMBER 20, 2011! I get to go to the next doctor's appointment in two weeks! I can't wait!

We want to thank everyone for the countless prayers in our behalf! The Lord sometimes has very confusing plans for us, but we are very grateful for the changes that will be coming!