The Juno Approach

Some of you may know that one of my part time jobs as a stay at home mom is finding babies. Yes, it sounds strange. I too thought so when I was asked by one of my old sales reps from Bard in January to help her and her husband place classified ads in newspapers across the US in hope of adopting a baby. I like to call it the Juno approach. If you have seen that movie, Juno finds adoptive parents for her unborn child through the Pennysaver. Seems strange, but tons of couples are placing these ads across the US. They are required to take proper adoption classes and have attorney representation, but supposedly the process is easier than going through an agency.

Back in June, my friend was contacted by a birth mother in Utah. She had gotten calls from other mothers, but nothing had panned out. She was a single mother already and knew she could not provide the best life for another child. She responded to the ad and kept in contact on a weekly basis. They eventually met, saw an ultrasound and were anxiously awaiting the birth of a baby that they had longed for, but could not have on their own. Although everything seemed to be going according to plan, you never know if a birth mother will change their mind once the baby is born.

I received a text from my friend in the middle of the night on October 11th announcing the birth of her new baby girl, Logan Julia. I am so thankful that I was sought out to help her and her husband adopt a baby even if it was through a newspaper ad. To be included in this journey and to witness their elation is a true blessing!

I am now searching for another baby. My friend had joined a support group and passed along my information to other couples, one whom contacted me on Caleb's birthday to help out as well.

Each day I am thankful for Caleb and the true miracle God has given me. My hope now is for my new couple to experience the same blessing!

20 years

Today marks 20 years since my mother passed away from Ovarian cancer. I cannot believe it has been so long, but I can remember that day so vividly. It was the worst day of my life. I was so angry at God, wanting nothing to do with him from that day forward. I look back now and can see that I never really knew him at that stage in my life. I was too young to grasp who He really was to me. It took 8 years for me to find peace, understanding and to finally give my life over to Christ. One of my favorite lines from the movie A Walk to Remember is this, "If we didn't have suffering, we wouldn't know compassion." I wouldn't wish a loss like this on anyone, particularly a child my age, but I do see a blessing behind it all. I am stronger in my faith. My biggest fear in life is that I too will get Ovarian cancer and leave my family behind. Now, I know that I will never run from God, but I will cling to him with both hands because he gives me strength to carry on.

Not a day goes by that I do not hear about Breast Cancer Awareness. What about Ovarian Cancer? It is one of the deadliest cancers that is hardest to find. If detected, it is usually too late. Here are some facts you may not know about:

• Ovarian cancer occurs in one out of 57 women - regardless of age. Over half will die within five years.
• Ovarian cancer is the 4th leading killer among American women
• Unlike breast and cervical cancer, there's no reliable screening method for detecting ovarian cancer, nor any real test at the present designed to catch it before it spreads.

Today I remember her fight that she tried so hard to win. Today I remember all of the years she has missed in my life. Today I remember the beauty of my mother who lives on in me.

To learn more about ovarian cancer or to make a donation, please visit http://www.ovariancancer.org/

31 Years!

Yesterday I celebrated 31 years of life. I was born on October 14th at 10:14am. If you know me well, I am sure I have told you this cool fact. I am sure I have also told you many times that I often look at the clock at 10:14am or pm everyday. Weird.

I have much to be proud of after 31 years. I gave my life to Christ when I was 19. I graduated college and got a job before marrying my wonderful husband (Dad's wisdom). I wanted to have a child before I was 30 and welcomed Caleb into the world 2 weeks shy. I have held on tight to my best friend Julie since meeting her in 3rd grade. My list could go on, but really, who wants to read that. It may take hours.

I am growing up fast. Its gotta be weird for my Dad to think of where all the time has gone. His baby has her own baby now. Its just a reminder to cherish every moment with Caleb as he too is growing up way too fast! Make each day count.

3rd date in a year!

Yes, my friends, Kerry and I have only had 3 dates during Caleb's first year, the most recent one this past Friday. Being a first time mother, I have always wanted Caleb with us and he has been great company. When he was younger, he was always sleeping when we were out to dinner, so it was like a date. Nana and Papa Snyder came over to watch Caleb while we went to Tempe Improv to see Jimmy Fallon. On the way to the show I promised Kerry that we would have a date night once a month going forward. I will admit it is hard for me to leave my son. I miss him, even if its for an hour during church service. Kerry and I had an evening full of laughter and nice conversation with a couple we shared a table with, but I won't deny that I missed a certain someone.

I would also like to note that I was told prior to Caleb's birth to see as many movies as I could because seeing a movie in a theatre would be slim once the baby came. I laughed at that statement because Kerry and I were not strangers to the theatre. I guess I should have listened to that father of 3 because one of our dates this past year was seeing a movie and that was back in April. I guess I don't miss movies too much now.