I have to start with a little background on this post. This is a story I must write down...and it's not even about me. So, if you've been around my blog for awhile you know my friend,
Julianne. I've had a link to her adoption profile on my blog for awhile (YAY for needing to take it off!) and her boys,
Joey and Tommy, have made an appearance on the blog a few times, along with her hubby Joe, AKA Bishop Brooks. Anyway, Joe and Julianne have been trying to adopt another baby for over a year now, and we have been praying and hoping along with them for another baby to come to their family. On with the story...
One October afternoon I talked with Julianne and she and Joe were preparing to speak to a group of birth moms that evening. She was nervous and excited and I was nervous and excited for her, thinking that maybe one of the girls attending would hear them speak and she would be the one meant to place her baby with them. I wished her luck and said, "maybe tonight's the night". I needed to pick something up from her so she left it on the porch for me to pick up while they were at the meeting. I pulled up to their house and very nearly had a heart attack! There were several people in her driveway who had put up a banner on her garage saying "It's a girl!" I was entirely confused! I knew they were at the meeting speaking at that very moment, how could this have happened?! So I got out of my car and talked with one of the girls who was there, (whom I actually recognized from having previously lived in the ward!) A birth mom had chosen them! They didn't know it yet! She was at the meeting listening to them speak! And wanted to surprise them! I was FREAKING out!!!
They were getting a baby, and they didn't know it yet! I was trying not to hyperventilate and thinking about the situation. Joey and Tommy were down the street at Samantha's, and I knew I needed to make sure Joey didn't come out and see the sign before they were home. I ran down to Samantha's, trying to breath, and told her what was happening! She said she'd make sure the boys stayed inside until they were home and I went on my way. As the kids and I drove to Ryan's office, tears were running down my face as I explained to Pierce and Madi what was going on. Of course they wondered why I was crying and asked, "well aren't you happy?" One of these days they'll figure out the happy crying thing! I got to Ryan's office, and ran inside. He could hear me running down the hall way to his office and then appeared in his door with tears in my eyes. Of course he was alarmed, and with our luck, thinking - who died?!
I told him, "they're getting a baby!"
He was confused, "What?!"
"Joe and Julianne are getting a baby!" I cried. Literally.
Ohhh, well that was a relief for him to hear!
The next few hours were
very long. I was about to burst knowing they had no idea what was happening, that they'd pull in their driveway any minute and find out their life was about to change. Not to mention be confused, as this was not a typical surprise! I waited a few hours, thinking I was giving them plenty of time to come home, see the sign, call their case worker, find out what was actually happening, talk to the birth mom, and call their family. I pulled up to their house and they had only been home 5 minutes! They were standing in the driveway, taking it all in! I hugged them, cried with them and then I started breathing normally again. What an amazing night!
Fast forward a couple of months... They have been greatly blessed with an
amazing birth mom! Every thing went perfect with the birth and placement of baby Sarah into their family. It has been amazing for me just being a friend on the sidelines, to see this miracle come about. Ryan and I had fasted and prayed together and with the kids for this blessing to come to the Brooks. I have been grateful to have such a positive experience to talk with my kids about, an experience in which we have prayed for something wonderful to happen and it did! I have worried that the losses our family experienced last year have felt like unanswered prayers to our kids, so this was something I was grateful we had talked with them and prayed with them about. I have also realized what an amazing example of our Savior's atonement this situation is. What a miracle it all is.
On to the baby shower...
I have never been so excited about a baby shower before! I was just ecstatic for Julianne! Samantha and I worked on organizing a shower for her and it turned out wonderfully!
Let's start with the food...
Look at this vegetable tray Samantha made...
Isn't it beautiful?! Seriously, I was so impressed with her presentation! And how darling to put the dip inside the peppers! LOVE it!
Kathryn mad these
delicious mint brownies (a personal fav of mine!) I love how she does pink frosting, so perfect for the occasion! And did I mention they are delicious!
I decided to make cake bites since I wanted to make a "pretty" dessert for the event. I tried a new one this time- coconut. They were a hit! So good and so cute, I did some dipped in chocolate and some in vanilla, they looked like little snowballs, I loved it! I love making cake bites because they really are so easy, they look beautiful and everyone thinks you're fabulous! You can't go wrong! I also did some regular chocolate ones with pink drizzle on them, I had to have some pink in there.
We also had delicious homemade cheeseballs, thanks again to Samantha and also sweet Roberta, and apples with caramel dip that Roberta also made. We had so many great friends to help make the food, it was all fantastic! Pretty and delish!
Onto the decorations...
My sweet friend, Staci, provided us with the darling little banner. Samantha did these cute little favors for the guest- mini star cookie cutters saying "a star is born" with a cute tag with Sarah's info on it. So fun and so cute! And since little Sarah was not going to be making an appearance at the shower (staying home to stay healthy) I put her pictures in frames and had them around the house.
The Fabulous Guests...
I thought it would be fun to get a picture of everyone that came, this didn't happen, but I did get a few shot of some of our fun party comers! I have such cute friends and neighbors!
The guest of honor...
I love this picture of Julianne! I made her pose for me with all of her gifts. So many sweet friends and neighbors came and brought so many fun and darling gifts for her. It was fun to hang these cute outfits from my stocking hangers too.
And there you have it! That's my recap of the big event! I was so happy to be able to do this for Julianne. I have just been beyond thrilled for her and her sweet family to bring this precious little girl into their family. I don't know if it's because I'm in baby mode myself, but I was so emotional during her whole experience. I kept thinking to myself- what is your problem, it's not your baby! I was crying half the day on the day of their placement, overwhelmed with emotion thinking of this amazing birth mom handing her baby over to them, something I know I can not begin to imagine. And also overwhelmed with such joy for Joe and Julianne! I can't imagine going through either side. I have thought a lot about how different our trials are from one another. This has made me even more grateful for the friends who help and support me in my own trials and made me want to be there to help and support my friends even more. Friendship is such a great blessing in my life, I am grateful daily for the strong and beautiful women who are my dearest friends. I am so thankful we can help each other in our trials and share in each other's joys!
