Announcing…

****** Click on this! See our announcement, share it with anyone who might be interested. ******

Anyone who is, or knows someone who is pregnant, please share the www.itsaboutlove.org site with them. There is free counseling available, and they support all options.

**Also- there is a field on the itsaboutlove.org site when you’re searching profiles as a guest that asks for the first name of the husband and the wife. THIS is where you will want to put “Tim” and “Erin,” but we still probably won’t be on there for a little while. I’ll be sure to post a link when we are!
-E**

A letter to birthparents and wanting to be a dad.

So, breaking from tradition, this post is by Tim. We’ve been working on the birthparent letter today, and I’ve had a bit of writer’s block. There are so many things that we could talk about that I’m not sure where to focus. I don’t want to come off as sounding trite in saying that we love and respect our birthmom, even though we haven’t met her yet. I’m trying to decide if the best way to catch attention is to use Erin’s Once Upon a Time post as our letter. We had a great one that we wrote while on the train to California a couple years ago when we were first planning for adoption, but we haven’t found it anywhere. I’m also thinking that I don’t have much of an online presence, so this is my first of potentially many blog posts.

My thoughts continue returning to adoption. I see my brother-in-law with his little girl and feel such a strong want to have the commitment to his daughter that comes so naturally. He interrupts video games, board games (Really, I don’t mind when we have to delay of games due to a cry), reading, homework, and just about everything else for her good. I admire that in him, and I hope to be that good of a father when it comes.

We had a really great birth parent letter that we composed on the train from Utah to California a year ago when we were first seriously planning on adopting. I suppose that our circumstances have changed quite a bit since then, but it hit all the things we really wanted to talk about – having a Gospel-centered home, our education, family background, talents, etc. I wish we still had it somewhere. Maybe we still do. It was in Erin’s notebook from the time… I’m gonna go look for it. ‘Til next time!

**************************Updated Dec, 2009************
We have since finished our Birth Parent letter, and it should be able to be found on itsaboutlove.org sometime this month.
The “Once Upon A Time” story that Tim talked about is viewable in our post history, and also in the “Especially For Birthparents” page that you can get to with the link at the top left.
-Erin

The Ophelia Headband

Isn't it pretty and autumnal?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32184868
Check it out!

Online shop!

Hi, all!

I’ve opened my online shop, finally, and I’ve put a few things in it. Inventory will increase as I take more pictures of things, but there are a couple of things for now.

Let me know what you think of my “header”- I can change it anytime.

The shop is at www.erineverafter.etsy.com

-Erin

Now BE HONEST…

1. Can you fill this out without lying?
Uh.. probably, yes. I’ll let you know.

2. Who was your last text message from?
My Mom. It said: “Yep. “

3. Where was your default picture taken? In my parents’ driveway.<Facebook question> see <http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&suggest&note_id=125048701125#/profile.php?id=17825453&ref=name>

4. Last person you rode in a car with under the age of 20?
Hmm… probably Steven.

5. Name someone that made you laugh today?
Tim! But I wasn’t laughing *at* him. Really.

6. How late did you stay up last night and why?
11ish. We were reading together.

7. If you could move somewhere else, would you?
Sacramento. But only if my family moved back, too.

8. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
Under? I don’t know. Near, yes.

9. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
Um… Stephanie and my Mom, probably.

10. Do you believe ex’s can be friends?
Sure, why not? I still love Matt.

11. Calling or texting?
Texting. I don’t really like talking to people on the phone.

12. How do you feel about Dr. Pepper?
If it’s Diet, it’s better. If it’s Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper it’s one of my favorites.

13. When was the last time you cried really hard?
I’m not sure- it’s been a while. Probably a month or so ago.

14. Where is your biological father right now?
Probably in his recliner. <<<Dad? Was I right?>>>

15. What bed did you sleep in last night?
Um… mine.

16. What was the last thing someone bought for you?
Tim got me some dark chocolate ice cream. *20 points for Tim!*

17. Who took your profile picture?
Sarah Perry, I think.

18. Was yesterday better than today?
Not really, no. I worked at the temple this morning, which is always pretty awesome.

19. Can you live a day without TV?
Quite easily. Books are so much better. Now, a day without books… I’m not so sure.

20. Are you mad about anything?
I’m mad about chocolate, but that’s probably not what I’m being asked. No, not really. Sears won’t let us buy a washer and dryer because we don’t have big enough credit cards, and that makes me pretty crazy…

21. Do you think relationships are really worth it?
Absolutely.

22. When was the last time you were extremely disappointed and why?
When I woke up. Because it was 5:00 in the morning.

23. Are you a bad influence?
Only on malleable innocents.

24. Night out or night in?
I’m with Elaine: “I can be equally happy as long as I’m with people I love.”

25. What items could you not go without during the day?
A book. Audiobook or paperback, either is good, but it’s kind of my version of a security blanket.

26. Would you share a drink with a stranger?
Most likely not. If we were stranded in the middle of the desert and there was only one water bottle? Probably. Depends on how nicely they ask.

27. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
Stephanie.

28. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
“Yep. “

29. How do you feel about your life right now?
Pretty good. I would like it if adoption paperwork was magically finished… and the dishes…

30. How many times have you been pulled over by the police?
Um… never. Well… there was that one time, but I wasn’t in a car, so it doesn’t really count.

31. Do you hate anyone?
A person or an administration?

32. If we were to look in your inbox, what would we find?
E-mail. Mostly boring.

33. Can you easily tell if someone’s fake?
Frequently, yes. I’m fooled now and then, though.

34. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
Unless there’s something in my drink that I don’t know about.

35. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Nope. But they often tell me that my mom is. Talk about an inferiority complex…
(Kidding, Mom. Not you being perfect, but I’ve gotten pretty used to it.)

36. What song is stuck in your head?
“I Wanna Start a Fight” by Pink. Tim started singing it yesterday.

37. Someone knocks on your window at 2 AM, who do you want it to be?
My social worker.

38. Name something you have to do today?
Start packing, or do the dishes. I’m probably not going to get both done.

39. Can you whistle?
Yep.

40. Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?
Side, mostly. It’s terrible for my back.

41. Do you think too much or too little?
I’d say too much. Tim would DEFINITELY say too much.

42. Do you smile a lot?
I don’t know. Do I?

43. Can you handle the truth?
Depends on what truth. I like to think so.

44. What was the last book you read?
I’m kind of reading more than one, at the moment. I just finished “The Well of Shades” by Juliet Marillier.

45. Is there something you always wear?
Underwear. Nail polish.

46. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Talking to Tim.

47. Honestly, who was the last person to tell you that they love you?
Tim. He’s so nice to me.

48. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Several times, lately. I want my natural color back, but I’ve been too lazy to go get it done.

49. Are you wearing a necklace?
Nope.

50. What’s something that can always make you feel better?
Family.

51. Will this weekend be a good one?
Fantastic! I’m going on a road trip with my best friends, to Sacramento!

52. What do you want right now?
Chocolate. Then lunch.

53. Have you ever worn the opposite sex’s clothing?
Tim’s T-shirts are so much more comfy than mine.

54. Look behind you, what do you see?
My living room.

55. Have you ever worked in a food place?
I worked for Artisan Bakers in Sonoma, CA. It’s a wonderful bakery.

56. What would you name your future daughter?
Melanie Heather.

57. What are your summer plans for 2009?
Get a life. Hopefully. Maybe work on getting a kid. (It’s funny that I actually mean “getting,” as in “buying.”)

58. Does anyone know your Facebook password?
Probably. I’m terrible about passwords.

59. Would you like some cake?
If it’s Jeff’s cake, definitely.

60. Did you lie in this quiz?
Um.. nope. I did kind of gloss over the police question, though…

Little Debbie Death Match

Soooo funny. You must check it out. http://www.cakespy.com/2009/08/sweet-surrender-little-debbie-death.html

“Overall, these Little Debbie treats are hardier than you might think: they’re willing and able to withstand all sorts of hardship and will generally remain surprisingly edible. Of course, whether this information is comforting or horrifying is up to you. Naysayers may express horror at the health implications of ingesting foods that won’t die. But isn’t it much nicer to think that if you grew up eating them, you might have absorbed some of these sweet super powers?”

ABCs of Tim

A – Age: 24

B – Bed size: Queen

C – Chore you hate: Cat litter!

D – Dog’s name: I’ve never owned a dog.

E – Essential start your day item: Scriptures

F – Favorite color: Green

G – Gold or Silver: I dunno.

H – Height: 5′7 3/4″

I – Instruments you play(ed): Trombone, little bit of piano, voice

J – Job title: Senior Associate Engineer

K – Kid(s): We’re “paper pregnant” (adopting)

L – Living arrangements: House in Sandy- 4 bed 2 bath

M – Mom’s name: Daneece

N – Nicknames: Tymmo, Tim.

O – Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None.

P – Pet Peeve: missing/unnecessary apostrophe’s

Q – Quote from a movie:

R – Right or left handed: Right handed.

S – Siblings: Two bros one sister.

T – Time you wake up: 6:30 whenever Erin lets me.

U- Underwear: Cotton-Poly blend.

V – Vegetable you dislike: Peas.

W – Ways you run late: Waiting ’till the last minute.

X – X-rays you’ve had: Chest, dental.

Y – Yummy food you make:  Yummy food *I* make?? I just made some yummy pasta…

Z – Zoo favorite: Polar bear. Or maybe the tigers…

ABCs of Erin

A – Age: 21

B – Bed size: Queen

C – Chore you hate: Just one?

D – Dog’s name: I have cats- Sophie and Mazzie.

E – Essential start your day item: Cereal. Computer.

F – Favorite color: Orange

G – Gold or Silver: Silver- I collect it.

H – Height: 5′3″

I – Instruments you play(ed): Piano, violin, chimes, xylophone, marimba, glauckenshpiel (yes, it’s an instrument)

J – Job title: Stay-at-home-Erin

K – Kid(s): We’re “paper pregnant” (adopting)

L – Living arrangements: House in Sandy- 4 bed 2 bath

M – Mom’s name: Melanie

N – Nicknames: “Love,” “Querida,” Gecko, Josie (Dad), E-E

O – Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Only with other people. (Mom, Grampa.)

P – Pet Peeve: Utah grammar/pronunciation. For example: “We won them,” and “It’s the rill dill.”

Q – Quote from a movie: Erm… “I want my two dollars!”

R – Right or left handed: Right

S – Siblings: Three bothers- I mean brothers.

T – Time you wake up: 6:30, unfortunately. 4:00 on Thursdays.

U- Underwear: Cotton.

V – Vegetable you dislike: Peas. Carrots.

W – Ways you run late: Getting out of bed too slowly.

X – X-rays you’ve had: Wrist, right foot/ankle, ears, chest, head, teeth…

Y – Yummy food you make:  Chicken Tikka Masala… Naan… anything Italian… Triple Chocolate Trifle is yummy.

Z – Zoo favorite: I love the hippopotamus.

... it was a blast! (hehehe) I'm actually a great shot.

Once Upon A Time

I shared this story with our new ward, as an introduction. I’m planning on making it into a picture book, and adding new volumes as I think of new things to write about. Maybe branch stories about Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, and Cousins… let me know if you have any ideas. (I’m also happy to write them for you, if you’re interested.)

Here it is!

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Once upon a time in sunny California, there lived a young prince named Tim Adair. He was intelligent and handsome, and he loved to dance- especially to swing dance. He went to every ball in the kingdom. 

One night he met a young girl named Erin Larson. She had a twinkle in her eye that he liked very much, so he asked her to dance. Little did he know he would be dancing with her for the rest of his life, because for Erin it was love at first sight. From that moment on she would compare every prince she danced with to him.

They continued to dance together often, and when the young prince left on a two year quest to Mexico, a land far in the south, Erin missed him terribly. She wrote to him so that he would not forget her while he was away.

Shortly before his two years were done, Erin received a letter from Queen Adair. Her son was to return early, having sustained an injury in the fight for good. 

Upon his triumphant return the young prince, having become wise through the course of his quest, decided to seek out the girl who had been so faithful a friend.

Tim discovered Erin walking along a path by the river, where he confessed his undying love and devotion. As they walked Erin explained that she had fallen in love with him that night long ago, and remained true even in his absence.

The prince courted Erin, who had moved to the wine country with her family, and their courtship continued as they traveled to attend the Royal Academy, BYU, in the valley of Utah.

The prince studied Bioinformatics; an impressive major no-one really understands, learning about genomics and computers. Meanwhile Erin, an artist and an avid reader, studied the Arts and spent many hours consuming the books in the Royal Library.

One sunny spring day, Tim asked Erin to be his Queen, pledging to make her feel like royalty for eternity. 

On a rainy summer day soon after, Erin dressed in a lovely handmade gown and the prince took her to a beautiful castle in Oakland, California where they were sealed together forever.

For a time Tim and Erin lived with very little money, but they were rich in love and in friends. 

Then Tim completed his training at the Royal Academy and was given a position working at a grand building in downtown square. He works every day to make it easier for people around the world to find their long lost ancestors. 

Erin continued to read and she painted many masterpieces. She also loved to cook, and Tim loved to eat- so he was very pleased with this arrangement.

Time passed and after a few years they had saved the means to buy their own cottage. They moved to a lovely little town on a hill, to a cottage surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers. They live there with their two cats, who love to peer out the many windows. And someday soon, Tim and Erin dream of adopting their own little prince or princess.

The people in the town on the hill are very kind and friendly, and make them feel welcome. To this day Erin and Tim are quite content in their new cottage, and whenever they dance together they remember how it all began.