We are approved!

After 4 1/2 months since starting the adoption approval process, we are finally approved. Our home study is complete and we are official. It has been an amazing journey thus far, and we are nervous and excited to see what the future holds. The boys beg daily, "We can't wait any longer. When are we going to get a little sister?" It is strange going through a process where we have very little control over the time frame or outcome of finding a daughter. We can't wait to meet her.

Our Thoughts on Adopting

Dear expectant parents,

The prayers of our family are hopefully reaching you during this difficult time in your lives. We can’t imagine what you are going through. No one would have guessed that you would be reading these thoughts or that we would be writing them. Life never seems predictable or easy. Words of advice being offered from strangers must seem so empty. How can we possibly understand what you are going through or the difficult choice you have to make? To be honest, we can’t. The only thing we can share is why adoption is the right choice for us.

Why adoption? We felt extremely blessed and content with our three healthy and active boys. Nevertheless, that all changed when we started receiving the most amazing and undeniable promptings that we needed to adopt. We all know now that our family is not complete and we are anxious and excited about adopting. One thing we have realized so far is that we are not in control of this situation. It has taken great faith to follow His promptings even when they didn’t seem logical at the time.

We don't know why it was such an urgent call to action. Perhaps it is because the process can take such a long time. Maybe it's because you have been waiting for the "perfect" family to show up right now. Alright, to be perfectly honest, we’re not "perfect.” Our boys recognize each and every Star Wars character, but can’t quite name all the apostles. When we’re tired, we watch our favorite recorded TV shows instead of a second round of conference. Despite our weaknesses, we do strive each day to do what is right and make choices that will keep our family together forever. We try to prioritize our efforts so that we can invest our time and energy on the things that matter most.

Originally, we thought the adoption process was about marketing our family flawlessly. What do we say? What pictures should we use? We do want to make a good first impression, but the process is really about trusting the Lord and knowing that he loves you, your child, and our family. Only He knows what is best for all of us.

We hope that you will be guided and blessed in whatever decision you make. It may be overwhelming at times, but you will know when it is right. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein.

We believe in the miracle of adoption. We know that the seemingly random events surrounding adoption are really not random at all, but simply the way our Heavenly Father works in the lives of so many people for the benefit of one child. The Lord is leading us (blindly we might add) down the road of adoption because we are missing a member of our family that is coming to us untraditionally. We have a loving family and are excited to share our love with another child.

With Love,
Tyler, Jeena, Kaden, Tanner, and Carson

Our Home

This is currently the guest room/office, but soon to be converted to a nursery.

The Family Room where we hang out, watch TV, and play. (And I hate to admit this, but my family begs to eat in here despite the fact that we have two tables only a few feet away--aargh).

The Dining Room where we eat most of our meals

(This of course has nothing to do with the fact that there is prime viewing of the TV)

The Kitchen

The Eat in Kitchen

Our Bedroom

Kaden's Room (and sometimes Carson's when he gets scared in the middle of the night)

Tanner and Carson's Room

The Playroom

This is our 2 1/2 acre lot we hope to build our house on in the next few years. It is very peaceful with lots of room to play and great views of the Colorado National Monument.

Our Testimony's

I have a testimony. I know the church is true. I love my family. I love to go to church. I want to go on a mission some day. I love to read the scriptures and learn about Jesus. I know Thomas S. [Train] is the prophet.

[Monson] We corrected him on that, but decided to keep it in the original format. We figured Thomas S. Monson would be flattered that he ranked right up there with Carson’s favorite toy.
Carson Richard Jolley (age 4)

I know the church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I believe Thomas S. Monson is our prophet. I am grateful for my mom and dad. I love them because they are always helpful to me.
Tanner Benjamin Jolley (age 7)

I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I believe the prophet is Thomas S. Monson. I believe that Jesus is real and I believe he walked on the earth thousands of years ago. I am glad that I got baptized and I am happy to be a member of the true church. I know that I am going to go on a mission when
I am old enough.

Kaden Tyler Jolley (age 9)

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that his sacrifice is a real way that we can repent and become more like Him. I know that the gospel is true and that the church is lead by a true prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that we can feel the love that God has for us by reading it and living by its teachings. I know that Joseph Smith was called and ordained to restore the true church in this dispensation. I love my wife and all that she does for our family. I am grateful for my three boys and the joy and happiness that they bring into my life.
Tyler Hall Jolley (age 35)

I am grateful for my testimony of the gospel. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and that he always hears and answers my prayers. Sometimes the answer is immediate, sometimes it takes a while, and sometimes it is answered in an unexpected way, but he always answers them. I know the true gospel was restored to the earth again through Joseph Smith in the latter days. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon and that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that if I read and abide by the principles of the Book of Mormon that I am a better person. I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ and know that he is my Savior. I can personally testify of the miracle of obeying the law of tithing throughout my life. The temple brings me great peace and solitude even though I cannot begin to grasp or understand its significance. I am grateful for the plan of salvation and that I can have an eternal family unit. I love my family and the joy that they bring into my life in the most simple and unexpected ways.

Jeena M. Jolley (age 34)