"However motherhood comes to you, it is a miracle..."

Dear Friend,

We are so grateful for the time you're taking to look into our lives and view us as possible parents for your precious child. We are very excited to start building more upon our family again through the incredible journey of adoption. Feel free to contact us at anytime if you have any questions, or you just need someone to talk to.

"Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." ~ Helen Keller

Love: A Temporary Insanity, Curable By Marriage."


If we were to tell you that it was love at first sight when we first met, this would be an awfully dull and boring story. But we are not like other couples you see, and we didn't meet how most people do. It all started when we signed up for the same ballroom dance class in college back in 2004. Aubrey didn't take this class to meet anyone in particular. She was actually preparing to go on a mission, and her papers were ready to be turned in. Craig on the other hand did do it to meet girls. But little did we know how one dance class was going to change the entire course of our lives.

Aubrey: In our ballroom class, the instructor would have us rotate partners every other song. There was one man in particular who always asked me to dance with him. When I first laid eyes on Craig, he was wearing a tan shirt, camouflage pants, and big ol' army boots. Now you can only imagine how hard it is to dance with someone wearing humongous boots when you're wearing a little pair of open toed heels, ouch! Because of this, he was constantly apologizing. Since I never paid much attention to his name, I always teased him when we danced and would call him, "Popeye" or "my little action figure" because of the outfits he would wear. This is because he was planning on entering into the Army, and his class before ballroom entailed courses that were needed. However, I always thought it was funny to dance with him because when I wore my heels, I was an entire head taller! The semester was coming to a close, and we were required to attend the final dance concert and report on it. Apparently Craig had a "little crush" on me during the entire class and finally worked up the courage to ask me on a date. He figured I wouldn't say no since I had to go to the concert anyways. Well, it turns out he was right.

Craig: We had a good time on our date that night, and I planned on asking her out again. I knew she was waiting for a mission call, so I was a bit hesitant to get attached. Since I was always known for being the hard worker throughout my life, I in turn applied it to dating as well. After our fourth date, I asked permission to kiss her. I informed Aubrey later on of the decision I had made before we even met to marry the next woman I kissed. She acted surprised, but didn't seem to take me too seriously. But those who know me know that I keep my word. I left to work in Texas for the summer, but we stayed in touch by talking on the phone each night for hours on end. During my absence Aubrey happened to receive her mission call to the Spokane, Washington Mission. I remember her calling me on the phone crying and telling me she wasn't sure what to do anymore. She felt that she had made a commitment to the Lord, but another had presented itself. During the summer months I came back to Utah to visit for a few different occasions. After Aubrey picked me up at the airport for the first visit, she told me that she was thinking of not serving a mission after all. Much to her surprise, I had a grin on my face that stretched from ear to ear. But being the typical woman that she was, whom I love dearly, Aubrey continued to waver back and forth on marriage knowing it was a very serious commitment. One hot July afternoon when I came back to visit, we went 4-wheeling up in the mountains to have a picnic. We stopped near a meadow full of hundreds of little white flowers, and after laying down a blanket we began to eat our lunch. I then got down on one knee and told Aubrey I had something to ask her. My stomach was filled with butterflies as I pulled out a ring from a glove I had hidden and asked, "Aubrey, will you..." before I could finish the sentence she had said yes. Needless to say, I never enlisted in the Army, and Aubrey never went on her mission. But about six months later we were married right before Christmas in the temple for time and all eternity. It was the best day of my life.

Aubrey: After struggling with infertility for 4 years, in May of 2009 Craig and I felt the time was right and applied for adoption and were approved two months later. On Sept. 1st 2009 we received an email from a birth mother who was due in December with a baby girl. Her name was Jen, and little did we know how much she was going to change our lives. Exactly one month later she announced that she was going to place her baby with us. During the next months ahead, I watched as Jen's belly grew bigger, along with the love I had for her. She was going to give me something that no one else could give. She was giving me the gift of being a mother.

A few nights before Elizabeth was born, Craig and I attended a performance of "The Forgotten Carols". One song in particular struck me so deeply with the message it conveyed that it brought me to tears.

"All I ever wanted, all I ever dreamed of, everything I hoped and all the things I prayed for, couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given, I've been given what I need. Even when I didn't understand, when I thought you had no heart. Thank you for rejecting my demands, and always giving me the better part."

On December 13th, 2009 we began our journey on a rainy Sunday morning to the hospital to pick up our baby girl who had just been born two days earlier and bring her home. We both knew that the day ahead would bring tears of pain, tears of sorrow, but also tears of joy. Upon arrival we met with our caseworker while Jen spent time with Elizabeth, holding her, rocking her, and saying her goodbyes. After all necessary papers had been signed, we entered Jen's room and upon seeing her holding Elizabeth with tears in her eyes, my heart swelled with the love for the mother who stood before me. With this act of love, I was aware that a birth mother is one who puts the needs of her child above the wants of her heart. As to those who asked Jen why she would give up her child, she would always reply, "I'm not giving up my child, I'm giving her something better." When the time came for Jen to place Elizabeth in my arms, I was softly reminded of the words she had once spoken to me, "From God's Arms To My Arms To Yours." Many tears were shed and warm embraces shared when we said goodbye that day, but we knew it wouldn't be our last. After Jen had gathered her belongings, I watched as she walked down the hall with her parents by her side, never looking back. The sacrifice she had made that day was greater than any I had ever known. I looked down at the miracle I held, and felt my husband's love surround me. I cried and thought to myself, "My arms are empty no more."

Motherhood has been everything I have ever hoped for and more. It is not easy, but I would not have it any other way. As I look upon my daughter each day, I'm reminded of Jen and the sacrifice that she made. Not a day goes by that we won't think of you as well and how you blessed our lives for the better. Knowing this little spirit will come through you is a special gift that you and the Lord can make possible for us. I want to close this letter with a poem that was given to me by Jen on the day she announced she was going to place Elizabeth with us. We're so grateful for adoption and your open heart. As you make this difficult decision, know that the Lord loves you and is there to help and guide you. For this gift you give, you will be forever blessed.

Sincerely,

Craig, Aubrey, & Elizabeth


Once there were two women, Who may not have known each other.
One you do not remember, The other you call mother.
Two different lives, Shaped to make you one.
One becomes your guiding star, The other became your sun.
The first gave you life, The second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality, The other gave you a name.
One gave you talent, The other gave you an aim.
One gave you emotions, The other calmed your fears.
One saw your bright beautiful eyes, The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child, her hopes were not denied.
And now you ask me through your tears,
The age old question Unanswered through the years:
Heredity or environment. Which are you a product of?
Neither my darling - You came from two families giving two kinds of love.

- Author Unknown