Shandi and Daniel are Hoping to Adopt!

A while back, I had a friend that I've known all through Junior High and High School, post on her Facebook that her sister and brother in-law were hoping to adopt. I clicked on the link to their blog, which you can find here. Reading their letter to expectant parents was simply amazing and brought me to tears.

About Daniel and Shandi:

They have been married for nearly 7 years (Nov. 2004). They have a boxer named Loafer.

They love sports. They play basketball whenever they get the chance. They've recently started playing tennis. They love hanging out with friends and going to Trafalga where they climb the rock wall, play laser tag and mini golf. They also love boating and swimming and going to Seven Peaks!

Daniel just graduated from UVU with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and has worked for the same software company for the past 7 years. Shandi currently works full time as a receptionist at a local day spa. She went to cosmetology school and also has a salon in their home.

They are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their faith is very important to them.

Daniel
Age: 26 years old
Height: 6'0"
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Education: Bachelor's in Business Management
Job: Product Analyst
Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers, Steak, Ice Cream
Favorite Drink: Sprite mixed with Cran-raspberry juice
Favorite Book: The Alchemist
Favorite TV Show: Arrested Development, The Office, Jazz Games
Favorite Movie: Finding Forrester, The Count of Monte Cristo


Daniel does ADORABLE things for Shandi. He will surprise her and bring her lunch at work (jealous), fill up her car with gas, have dinner ready for her when she gets home from work. He loves to send her texts of encouragement along with notes of lists of things he loves about her. I might die that is SO cute and SO caring!

Shandi 
Age: 25 years old
Height: 5'5"
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Job: Cosmetologist
Favorite Food: Steak and Fries
Favorite Drink: Sprite, Rootbeer and Water
Favorite Book: A Severe Mercy
Favorite TV Show: The Office, One Tree Hill
Favorite Movie: Two Weeks Notice, Up


Shandi has a HUGE heart and I admire her for everything she's done for this particular family in the community and that she has been friends with. Daniel shares this story on the blog but I wanted to share it on here too because it's incredible!

"Shandi’s senior year of high school she helped start a 
school fundraiser for family friends who had two daughters with cancer. As a 17 year old senior, head cheerleader, she agreed to shave her head if the students could raise $10,000 for this family. The students raised the money, the local and then national media became aware, and by the end of the fundraiser, she helped raise over $100,000 for this family that she cared so much for. Most girls in their senior year of high school wouldn’t shave their hair off for a million dollars, but Shandi did this without a second thought, because it meant helping someone in need.

I tell this story to demonstrate the kind of love and caring she has for other people.In 2003 Shandi was awarded the Points of Light Award given by the Utah Governor for her involvement in this fundraiser. . Also in 2004 she was named one of 12 High School Students Most Likely to Change the World, by Utah Valley Magazine."

As of right now, Daniel and Shandi are looking for a private adoption. They are looking into agencies, as well. They are willing for either an open or closed adoption. Whatever the expectant parent prefers. They are willing to adopt boy/girl, any race and almost any age.


On their blog, they also have an updates section and keep that updated. Like today, they were apart of The Adoption Walk with Me at Liberty Park.

If you have any questions for them, feel free to ask. You can e-mail them at:
adoption.larsenfamilytree@gmail.com

It's November, Again

You know what time of year it is? It's getting colder and you're asking yourself, "Where did this entire year GO?!?!" I am, for sure. I know some of you may be thinking about what your plans are for Thanksgiving or already getting ready for Christmas. The month of November for all of us who have been touched by adoption is, National Adoption Awareness Month.

I just want to talk about ways to get involved. I'm sure you all have been aware of many things going on.

Maybe some of you have seen this fancy button?

The R House is doing a National Adoption Month Design Challenge. If you are more creative than I (which I'm sure you are) and are a designer and would love to help out the adoption community in anyway, and help us with a new button for next year? This is for YOU. Head on over to the R House here to read more information about it.

If you're in the state of Utah, there is a walk this Saturday and I will be there :) Hopefully I didn't scare too many people away by saying that. They have more information on their Facebook page.

P.S. If you recognize me. Don't be afraid to say hi. :) I'm realllllllly shy, at first.

One way to make yourself aware is to educate yourself about adoption. I learn new things everyday about it. One AWESOME birthmom friend of mine who has been posting facts on her Facebook. I'm going to copy and paste those. She said most of these are on adoption.com

Approximately 7 million Americans are adopted persons

Approximately 140,000 children are adopted by American families each year.

As many as 100 million Americans have adoption in their immediate family (adopting, placing, adopted);

‎72% of adopted adolescents want to know why they were adopted, 65% want to meet their birth parents, and 94% want to know which birth parent they looked like.

A comprehensive study in 1998 found that every birth parent who was surveyed wanted to be found by the child they had placed for adoption

A comprehensive study in 1998 found that 95% of the adoptees who were surveyed expressed a desire to be found by their birth parents.

‎86% of birth mothers and 81% of adoptees support access by adult adoptees to identifying information about their birth parents.

Less than .1% of adoptions are contested each year.

There are an estimated 3.3 adoption seekers for every actual adoption.

From 1999 to 2010 there were 224,615 international adoptions, 141,324 were females and 83,291 were males.

Approximately 130,000 foster care children were waiting to be adopted in 2007.

From 1952 to 1972, 8.7% of all premarital births were placed for adoption.

From 1973 to 1981, this percentage fell to 4.1%. 

From 1982 to 1988, it fell further to 2%.

‎51% of teens that become pregnant choose to parent; 35% seek abortions; 14% miscarry. Less than 1% choose to place their children for adoption.

Transracial adoption was not found to be detrimental for the adoptee in terms of adjustment, self-esteem, academic achievement, peer relationships, parental and adult relationships.

15% of U.S. newborn adoptions were matched after the child had already been born.

Another way is to read some blogs. I've already read some FANTASTIC posts:

Why Openness by A Nickel's Worth of Common Sense
My Kids Know Their Birth Moms by The R House

I blogged everyday last year for National Adoption Awareness Month. Check it out here.

You can also read any of the blogs that are on my side bars and on The R House, people who are blogging about adoption have linked up their blogs and you can check them out here.

Adoption.com has many wonderful ideas.
And more events thanks to The R House. Crap, I keep linking up Lindsey's blog like 8 billion times, just look at her blog. That's what I'm really trying to say here! ;)

Somethings that I've personally done, I have been going to the expectant parent group every week and educating the girls who are undecided with their unplanned pregnancies. The group I went to last night, all of them were 17 and planning to parent. Maybe we need more birthmoms to come to group? Don't take this the wrong way- I'm not trying to recruit or make people place their babies for adoption. I know it's a VERY personal decision but it's good to look at ALL options and to see that girls who do place their babies for adoption do "survive" it.

I recently did a panel as well like the end of October but close enough right? ;)

Also,

I would LOVE to highlight anyone who is hoping to adopt or to put their blog on my side bars. If you're interested leave a comment or e-mail me. :)

Love me some adoption stufffffs <3