Blessing and Sealing

So now that everything is final we are planning Z's sealing and blessing. If you are reading this we invite you to his blessing on Sunday, September 6, at 1:30pm at our chapel. The address is 2618 N. Lindsay Rd. Mesa, 85213.

We hope to have all of our friends and family join us this day. If we work with you at Mayo or Schwab we would especially love to have you with us. The blessing takes place during our regular church meeting beginning at 1:30pm with all of our congregation present. Because it is Labor Day weekend we expect there will be lots of extra seats. The meeting will finish at 2:40pm and we will be serving lunch/dinner at our house just after this meeting.

If you are unfamiliar with blessings for babies, here's a quick explanation. Babies born in The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints (Mormon church) are typically given a blessing within the first few months of life. It is performed usually by the babies father or other special man in the child's life who holds the priesthood to perform such a blessing. Steve will be performing Z's blessing. Several men (usually grandfathers, uncles, special friends of the family) who all hold the priesthood form a circle while holding the baby in the center and the father blesses the child. At this time the name the parents have chosen is formally given to the baby and then a blessing is pronounced upon them. Typically a blessing consists of good health, righteous living, and other gifts or blessings the father may feel moved by the Holy Spirit to bless the child with.

If you would like a better idea of what to expect in a typical LDS Sacrament meeting you can go here.

We will also be sealing Z to us that same weekend on Saturday. We will be doing this in the LDS Mesa Temple. Again if you are unfamiliar; a sealing is an ordinance or ritual performed in temples to create eternal families. We believe that marriages performed in temples are blessed with a sealing power that allows the marriage to continue on after this life.

Children born to parents that have been married in the temple automatically inherit this sealing and they are blessed to be a part of that family after this life, forever. However, when children are adopted or a couple goes to the temple to be sealed after they are already married the children must have this sealing ordinance performed to be a part of the family eternally. Thus the statement, "eternal families" is something we believe to be true if the family has had this performed in the temple.

We are very excited, as is Norma, to have Z sealed to us forever. In fact, Norma will be accompanying us in the temple that day along with some of our closest family and friends. We are looking forward to seeing a lot of family and friends that weekend.

If you would like more information about sealings or blessings of the temple, this is is a great youtube video. You can also visit Mormon.org to have any questions answered via live chat. Or just ask me!

ITS FINAL!!!!!

He is officially an Owensby! We can hardly believe it. Today, July 9, the adoption of our precious, happy son is final! We were really expecting the judge to tell us that we needed to take some further steps to make it all final. We had done things a little different as far paperwork with the birthfather goes...but it went off as planned. We stated our names, introducing ourselves and then we were sworn in (something neither one of us has ever done). Our attorney asked me several questions; ie: will you state your full name, date of birth, date of marriage, if Steve was my husband, please state your address, the date we received our son, if we were living in the same place we were when we received him, if I was related by blood to Z, and if I believed adoption to be in his best interest. He then asked Steve the final two questions and if what I had stated was correct.

That last question was hard for me, sometimes especially after spending last weekend at Lake Powell with Norma and my parents; I see her as being able to be one of the most capable mothers. In fact, she would be more than capable, she would be great. The fact that she has sacrificed so much of herself to see he has everything she has always dreamed of for him proves that point even more. I can only hope I would do the same for someone I loved that much.

Having everything go so well and maybe because we are still a little tired from The Lake we both just started to tear up as the judge was saying, "All legal paperwork has been filed correctly and meets all requirements for the state of Arizona. The state of Arizona recognizes the adoption of ZPO (he stated his name) as final on this day the 9th of July, 2009." We looked at each other with tears in our eyes and then at our little boy who sat in daddy's arms quiet and content to look at whomever was speaking.

We were there with only our attorney and caseworker so we just hugged them and cried. Again I was overcome at what a miracle this has all been. Us, Steve and I as parents, officially now, it seems almost unreal. Even though the everyday routine of having him has pretty much set in now (it has been over 5 months) it is strange to step back and believe we are really here. Parents, what does that mean? Its overwhelming to think about at times.

We went out to lunch with our bundle and walked into the restaurant telling everyone we were "parents." Then we had to explain that our adoption was just made final so they would stop looking at us with that weird look. We just sat at the table with tears in our eyes, kissing over the table throughout lunch, and making plans for his blessing and trip to the temple!!!

Can I just say that after all the waiting we did, there are SO MANY exciting things you get to do when you adopt. It's like the celebration just keeps going and going! I am thankful for the bits of down time in between but for anyone who knows me, I always love having another party or reason to celebrate!

Just a little peek at Zad's first trip to Powell!

Poor Z!

Please know that while we have not posted pictures on here for a very long while it is because we are enjoying so much time with our Z boy! Our court date was changed to tomorrow. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY, hopefully all will go well in court and he will be officially ours.

In the meanwhile and to celebrate our upcoming day tomorrow and our recent trip to Lake Powell (his first) this is what we have been serenading him with tonight. We will let you decide who is dumb and who is dumber!



Lake Powell pics coming soon!

Grandpa

Here at my mom's house I finally found a picture....I've been worried I didn't have one for days. He was so happy when he found out we were getting Z. He called that Saturday after Norma had chosen us and said in his sweet raspy voice, "Ang....I here you're getting a baby. We are so happy. Tell me about him." He was so happy to learn we had decided to call him Z and told me all the stories he knew of him growing up in Kanab.

In February when we first took Zad to Flagstaff we stayed with my grandparents out at their house. Early one morning I fell asleep on the couch holding my new precious baby, when I opened my eyes he was just standing there watching us and told me he'd never seen a prettier site.

All the years spent waiting for Z he was so kind and understanding of how much we wanted a baby. It's strange to sit here after a family night spent planning his funeral. Even though we were talking about him, I wasn't used to my Uncle Mark "running the show" so to speak. He did a wonderful job taking care of planning all that needs to be done, who will do it, and giving each person a chance to voice their opinions and thoughts. But I just kept thinking, "Where's Grandpa?" Just when my mind started to think he was back taking a nap or in with all the younger grandkids did I remember. Everyone always deferred to him in our family and it was a big job lining out so many people to get a job done....Mark has a heavy burden.

It's late and its been a very long day, goodnight all. I thought of so many more stories of him tonight that I treasure...but they will have to wait for another night.

What would I ever do without this face?

I never realized before what a blessing a sweet little happy face could be when you are so sad. Today I lost my Grandpa Frost. What a blessing his life has been to me. Strange to think only 3 months ago he was holding Z telling me he looked just like him...because they parted their hair on the same side, both had dark hair, and tan skin. I laughed at this even though they did have all those similarities despite my grandpa coming from two white parents, his skin was amazingly bronzed.

My grandpa was the kind of man almost everyone seemed to know one way or another in Flagstaff; if not by his church service, for his horses, or service to those in jail, missionary work, help with widows and poor and pretty much anyone who needed it. It is hard to go anywhere in Flagstaff and talk to anyone for very long without hearing a story about how they know my grandpa. He has spoken at many funerals some even for the young men he served in church. He served a mission to Greece with my grandma when I was a senior in high school and during my freshman year at college. He was a friend to everyone and was always happy to see you; even if you were a stranger to him.

Once I took a friend with me to Flagstaff during Christmastime and we ended up out at his house. My friend was going through a tough time and he greeted her with a warm hug and big smile just as he did me. Later on he sung Christmas carols with her while my grandma played the piano. I have many stories like this.

I was privileged to be his very first grandchild. He now has 37 and several great-grandchildren with 5 more on the way! When I was born he was bishop of his ward, a note was passed up to him on the stand telling him of my birth which he then announced to the whole congregation. As his first, I count this as not only a blessing but a great responsibility to be all that he would expect of his grandchildren:
#1 You must always greet him with a big, "HELLO GRANDPA" and a big happy smile on your face.
#2 You must not do anything that would make his children (your parents) worry about you; staying out too late, dating someone who seems "a little wild," or not taking care of yourself.
#3 You must always look presentable when you are out of the house or when he comes to visit; "pajamas are for little kids on Christmas at noon, grown-ups get dressed and fix their hair for the day Ang."
#4 Marry the right person (this has many rules behind it....we won't go into all of them).
#5 Go to school, go to school, go to school. "Ang, I used to think college should just be for boys, but you need to go, all the girls in this family need to go."
#6 Everyone has a special gift or talent, "Ang, you have the gift to be healed, that is one of your blessings from the Lord, I believe that."
#7 "Babies love to be held and cuddled, there is nothing they love more. You will never regret the time you spend holding your baby." I just learned this lesson from him.
#8 Men need the out-of-doors, a good horse out on a ride in the cool breeze fixes most problems, a good gun on a good hunt sure does help too.
#9 People need to serve to be happy, you will never find a happy person who does not serve other people in some way, its just how happy people live. Sometimes letting others serve you brings them great happiness so just let them, they probably need it.
#10 "Always stay close to the Lord Ang and follow the prophet, you will never be sorry and always be glad you did."

He was such a great man and wonderful grandpa. I am so thankful for him tonight. I am also grateful to have my little Z; his smile makes me smile today, what would I do without that on a day like today? I thank the Lord for so many great blessings. Sometimes I can't believe He chooses me to bless so much, why me?

Happy Birth Mother's Day! A few days late...

but we did celebrate!

I tried to look up some images on Google Images using the words "birth mother" and then I tried "open adoption." Crrrreeeepy! None of them seemed appropriate to post as they portrayed birth moms in a negative way and one image was yes, really creepy. Some kind of alien type looking picture, where did that come from? So I am posting some of my own pictures from today.


We all (Steve, Norma, Sue, her mom, Zadok, and I) headed all the way up to the Northwest side of the valley for an adoption academy. In short this is a day of classes that teach the basics of adoption and its requirements to couples seeking to adopt. It seems like only a short time ago it was us going to all those classes even though its been over two years.

Norma, Steve, and I were on a panel of five talking about openness in adoption. We were joined on the panel by two sisters, ages 17 and 14, who had been adopted and saw their birth families regularly. It is quite rare to meet people who have had an open relationship with their birth families with adoptions that occurred that many years ago. We really valued and learned a lot from hearing their comments and afterward getting a chance to visit with their parents.

It has been interesting as time has passed since adopting Zad that my concerns over being so open with Norma have not been for us or him, but for Norma. She is seriously one of the greatest people I have ever met. Had we met in a different way and if she had never chosen adoption for her child I think I would still feel this way. The fact that she did choose adoption is only an outward sign of what she is inside. My biggest concern for her is wanting her to feel able to move forward in her life, get married, and continue her family (of course if she wants all of those things). At times I have been worried that having such a close relationship with us might hinder her in doing this. So I finally just brought it up with her on Saturday and I even asked the parents of these two sisters we met.

I was comforted to learn that both of the girls birth moms were married and had more children. I also learned that each birth mom had taken potential spouses to meet these adoptive parents, for their approval. I was happy to hear that this was Norma's plan as well. You see, I only want the very best for Norma. She truly feels like my sister and I don't want anything or anyone (including us) to stand in the way of the joy I believe the Lord has in store for her. So look out guys, we are very picky! If you don't believe me, ask my sister Laurie. I am SURE she will vouch for my discerning and scrutinizing taste.

I am so thankful that I feel our relationship is relaxing a bit with time. We talk about more than just Zadok, although I think we both agree this is our favorite subject. Who else can I go on and on with about how completely adorable he is. But I feel like we are getting to a place where we just call one another to meet up for lunch or talk about how great Sione and Filipe looked last night on The Biggest Loser! Which is exactly what we did yesterday!

We love you Norma...hope you had the very best Birth Mother's Day. You deserve every bit of it!


I had to include a picture of us at Fajitas! Our favorite place to eat in the Northwest valley. If you haven't tried it, it is definitely worth the trip! Shrimp fajitas....yummy!

My Grandma loves it...so do I

So my Grandma Frost has told this story about my grandpa and his dark hair for as long as I can remember. At night when they were first married and throughout their 50+ years of marriage she loves looking over in bed at night and seeing his dark hair (now a little more salt than pepper) on the pillow. She says it has always puts a smile on her face.

I wanted for years growing up to look over at night and see dark hair. I have grown to love the lighter blonder version on the pillow but I must say...it thrills my heart to walk into Zadok's room and see his head full of dark hair in the morning. I absolutely LOVE picking him up and feeling that soft full head of blackness against my cheek. I must say, there is nothing like it in the whole wide world. Just when I think it is my favorite part of him, he looks up at me with those dark eyes, a sleepy look, and a huge grin (even though he has just awoken)!

Yes, I have taken a little hiatus. Working, loving this baby, and getting back on my bike have had me a little busy, but don't worry...I'm back and have so many great things to blog about!