A Happy Family Is But An Earlier Heaven.: 2009

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 through the incredible journey of adoption. We have seen how much it has touched the lives of others, and hope to take part in this wonderful blessing. 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 hesitent 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.

"How We Spend Our Days Is, Of Course, How We Spend Our Lives."

Someone once said, "Getting to know someone else involves curiosity about where they have come from, and who they are." Who better to ask than our own Mother's for a small glimpse into the lives of the children they raised.

Craig was born on April 28, 1981 and is the third of four children and has two brothers, Brett and Paul, along with one sister, Michelle. Craig developed his social skills early in his life and was the peacemaker in his family. He enjoyed tending and watching out for his little sister who he loved just having around. Craig was friendly, easy going, and had many friends around the neighborhood, at school, and at church. He spent many hours playing with his friends and still enjoys many of those friendships today. In high school he never missed a school dance and always had a group of friends to enjoy these experiences together. Craig learned how to take responsibility and work hard early in his life. At home he was given chores and other responsibilities that he accepted and accomplished without much reminding or argument. He further learned responsibility in the scouting program where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended high school where he further developed he social skills while taking on added responsibilities in sports and other school programs. Craig lettered in wrestling and track where he participated in the pole vault field events. In ninth grade, Craig joined the marching band that required much dedication that he sustained for four years during his high school tenure. There were many early morning practices as-well-as other time requirements these extra curricular activities that forged in Craig principles of responsibility and being a self-starter. Craig worked during summers where he excelled and learned to manage the money he had earned. These concepts continue to serve his family well as they have no credit card debt and manage life’s other obligations responsibly. Through Craig’s self-chosen pursuits he has learned the concept of service and hard work. He chose to set apart two years to serve as missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints to teach principles he believes will better others lives. He fulfilled that responsibility with enthusiasm and returned home with honor. To this day he continues to stay in contact with many friends he made while serving in this capacity. Craig works at the hospital as a Safety Director. He talks of his job as a service to others, helping them restore health, and not having to go to work or saying it is ‘just a job’ as many people feel today in their professions. Because of his cheerful attitude, his patients feel the care that is being provided in their recoveries. He shares his feelings with us and we can feel the genuine concern he has for those patients he endeavors to help save a limb or even their life through his occupation. Love of life and a diversity of talents are some of Craig’s attributes. He enjoys spending time with family and friends in activities such as camping, skiing (snow and water), scuba diving, fishing, boating, family gatherings, and training pets. Craig and Aubrey will often take a niece or nephew with them on their adventures and share their time with those close to them. Persistence is a talent that Craig has been blessed with. If there is an obstacle in his path he will persist until the objective is accomplished. Dependability is another attribute of Craig’s. When he makes a commitment he will accomplish what he has committed to do even when an objective may be discouraging or frustrating. Craig loves is wife. Since he has married Aubrey, we have witnessed their love and devotion to each other grow since that time. They are partners and a true companionship. They enjoy being together, sharing their love of animals, going on trips to places they enjoy like Disneyland, being with family, and supporting each other to accomplish their goals. One of their goals is to have their own family and share their love with their children. Aubrey and Craig both love children and will most certainly be devoted parents.

Aubrey was born on June 9, 1983 and is the fourth child and has two older brothers, an older sister, and two younger brothers. Since the day she was born, Aubrey has had a passion for music. Her father would put her in a carrier on his back while he played the piano. If there was any form of music playing, Aubrey would be dancing! This love for music carried on through her childhood. She loved her dance classes at an early age. When she was in 2nd grade she started with private piano lessons which she continued for the next 10 years. She loved to sing and in 5th grade she started taking vocal lessons. From the experience she gained from this training, while in the 6th grade she auditioned for the musical "Annie" and played the part of "Tessie". The play ran for 2 1/2 months, and she enjoyed every minute of it. As a family we enjoyed seeing her performances through the years. She continued with her vocal lessons into high school. In high school she auditioned for Show Choir and was a member in her junior and senior years. They toured to San Francisco one year and the next year they performed in Seattle. As a senior she auditioned for the school musical of "Grease". She was picked to play Sandy and another one of her dreams was fulfilled. Aubrey loves to sing at Sacrament Meetings and other functions when she is asked to do so. She has a wonderful talent for not only singing but accompanying herself on the piano at the same time. Her children will be blessed to have a mother that will be able to give them a life full of music.

After high school, Aubrey had a job and attended college. She worked for a video rental store for six years. Aubrey also performed as "The Narrator" in the local production of "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat". While attending college she took general education classes in the hopes of being an elementary school teacher. During this time she decided, after much considerable thought and prayer, that she wanted to serve a mission for the church. She put her mission papers in and received her call to serve in the Spokane, Washington Mission. Also, at this same time she met Craig in her Ballroom Dance Class. They started dating, and after alot of prayer, Aubrey decided that the Lord had other plans for her. Craig and Aubrey were then married in the temple for eternity.

One important quality that Aubrey has is, she is a peacemaker. She has always been the peacemaker of our family. Along with that comes her love of animals. She has loved cats, especially, from the time she could crawl; and she has had one or two ever since. She has a big heart when it comes to rescuing animals. This not only involves dogs and cats but baby birds as well; this happened to be her most recent rescue.

Aubrey's favorite trip to take is to Disneyland. She would have the family going two or more times a year if she had her way. Craig and Aubrey love to spend time with their nieces and nephews. She is going to be a wonderful mother. I know this because I have seen her display patience, tenderness and understanding with these small children. Aubrey has diligently waited for own children, knowing that it will be in the Lord's time. I as her mother will be eternally grateful to the young woman who sacrifices her wants for the needs of her child. That child, I can guarantee, will grow up with a family full of unconditional love, music, and a home centered around the gospel.

"You Don't Choose Your Family. They Are God's Gift To You, As You Are To Them."

Aubrey: I have always known that I wanted to be a mother since I was a little girl. After getting married, my favorite thing to do was watch Craig play with his nieces and nephews. It made me excited knowing that Craig was going to make an awesome father. Not long after, the desire to start a family seemed to consume me each day. However, I knew if I wanted to be a mother who stays home with her children, certain things would need to happen. The first step for us was education. Craig has worked hard to be in the position he is in today. I'm so proud of him as he furthers his learning to give his family a stable and comfortable life and home. The Lord has truly blessed our family in the opportunities and experiences he has provided, and I would not trade them for anything.

Craig: In the beginning of our marriage, we knew it wasn't our time to have children. Like any husband does after getting married, he let's his wife get a dog. We found Sandy at a local shelter and Aubrey instantly fell in love with her, and apparently Sandy felt the same way about both of us. We adopted her and welcomed her into our family with open arms. But having a dog is like having a potato chip; you can never have just one. Soon Kodiak entered the family and we continued to grow in life. Our dogs have brought us closer together in our marriage and have taught us many things, including patience. But one in particular we take humorously to heart:

"Getting a dog is like getting married. It teaches you to be less self-centered, to accept sudden, surprising outbursts of affection, and not to be upset by a few scratches on your car." ~ Will Stanton

Life can be full of many wonderful surprises, and at other times not so wonderful. Some come to us as blessings in disguise, and others are painful. But as we all can relate to, we make plans in our lives, and the Lord has another. Although we may try to hurry things on Earth, everything will always be within His time frame. He knows us better than anyone else, and He only wants the best for His children. Our struggle to have a baby has made us realize how precious having a family really is. Not a day goes by that we won't think of you 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. We are 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.