Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Dear Friend,

Thank you for considering adoption. Adoption is very special to us as our daughter, Landon’s sister, and Julie’s cousin were all adopted. We know that it takes great strength to consider adoption. We admire your courage and are grateful you have taken time to learn about us.
Julie and I met in the library at BYU. I (Landon) saw Julie studying there for a week and knew looked familiar. I finally walked up to her and asked where I knew her from. We soon realized we had been in the same group at EFY (a church group for youth) a few years earlier. I asked her out for that weekend and we’ve been inseparable ever since. One year later, in February 2008, we were married in Salt Lake City.
Julie majored in communications with an emphasis in Advertising Management. After graduation, she worked in marketing for three years until Taylor was born. She was then able to become a stay-at-home mom. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, playing piano, running, playing soccer, digital scrapbooking and reading. She recently made her first quilt and has also run a half-marathon. Landon majored in American Studies and then went on to earn a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). He now works in marketing for a global technology company. He loves to hike, fish, read, travel, and work on cars and wood-working projects.
(Landon) From the moment I first saw Julie, her smile has captivated me. No matter what she is doing, she has a smile on her face (dubbed the “Perma-smile”)! Julie has the ability to love people unconditionally and does so with me on a daily basis. From our first date to the present, we are in constant awe at how similar we are. I feel so grateful to have found such a stalwart and faithful woman by my side, who loves me and makes me want to be better in every way. I find myself falling in love with her all over again every single day. I love Julie’s quiet strength, her faith in Jesus, and her constant desire to improve in all facets of her life. Julie believes in families and knows they are part of God’s plan. I will never forget watching Julie hold Taylor for the first time on the day she was born. I love her and would do anything for her. I look forward to growing old with her.
(Julie) I married a combination of my dad and my best friend’s dad, and it was the best decision I ever made. Landon is so good to me, but he’s good to everyone. Landon overheard my grandpa say his yard needed help, so he got the tools, and we spent a Saturday cleaning it up. A young man at church mentioned he didn’t have basketball shorts to attend an activity, so Landon gave him his own pair. He is always thinking of others and thinking of me. He has big dreams and makes me laugh every day. One of his best qualities is that he always has an eternal perspective. He knows that God has a plan and that things will work out. Landon is a gentleman. He always opens my door, and if there’s a crowd coming in behind me, I know I need to wait inside because he’ll be holding it for everyone coming through. He’s an incredible craftsman and has built some beautiful furniture for our home. Landon is my best friend, my adventure buddy, my confidant, and my cheerleader. I wish everyone could have a husband as incredible as mine. I treasure the time we spend together. It doesn’t matter what we do; I just love being with him.
After five years of marriage, Taylor joined our family through the miracle of adoption. She moves non-stop and loves to chase us around the house. She’s smart, social, athletic, independent, a big helper, and a great talker. She loves babies, Halloween, pasta, our dog Copper, and shoes! Taylor just started the first grade and loves to play with her little sister.

Six years after Taylor was born, Lexi was born. She came to our family through the miracle of in vitro. She is a happy, giggly, content, mobile 1-year-old with a great big smile and three little teeth. She loves to jabber, crawl, listen to Baby Shark, and play with her big sister.
We have a sweet dog named Copper. He is a Basset Hound/Shetland Sheepdog cross and is Taylor’s best buddy. They love to play outside together. He’s so patient with kids and incredibly gentle with Taylor. He is perfect for our family and loves to join us on hikes and camping trips.
Our family activities include hiking, exercising, family walks, going to the park, pillow fights, and wrestling (Taylor is tough)! We love to make a big deal of celebrating holidays and birthdays. Our girls make these events so much more fun. We love to beautify and organize our home, including remodeling the house and building and refinishing furniture. Taylor and Lexi love outings. Our days are usually filled with going to the park, library, store, and playdates.
We love our families very much. We are grateful to have been raised by incredible parents and are close to our wonderful siblings. Our families are very excited about being able to love another grandchild!
We have a wonderful open relationship with our daughter’s birth mom. We love her and are so grateful she made us parents. If you would like, we are open to communication through letters, emails, texts, phone calls, pictures, and visits. Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about us. We pray God will guide you through this important decision. We wish you the very best.
With Love,
Landon, Julie, Taylor, & Lexi