The Sandstroms

Okay, okay, okay, I know. No video up yet, but that's because our apartment has yet to be all clean enough to show on video. I swear, it'll be done in the next week.

Moving on...

A friend on Facebook asked me about what happened yesterday and so I figured it'd be easier to post it on here as opposed to there. To make this a bit more fun (cause the story can be hard to tell) I'm going to actually TELL A STORY. :)

A LONG LONG LONG time ago... I was working at a daycare while me and Chris planned our wedding. I loved my job (I've always worked with kids) and there was one boy in particular in my class who caught my attention. His name was Joseph, but I called him Jojo. He was a sweet little boy, but like most boys, loud and rowdy. He immediately won my heart over.

Joseph had 2 older brothers who also came to that same daycare. Charlie and Sidney very quickly worked their way into my heart also. They were my favorites, and I was theirs.

Joseph, Charlie, and Sidney lived with their grandparents in foster care. The day came when their grandparents could no longer take care of them and they were going to have to be seperated in the foster care system. It broke my heart to know this, and I came up in tears that day, upset that the boys would be leaving the daycare, and also they would be losing each other.

My mom and dad came to the rescue. They said they'd do whatever it took to keep these angels together. And they did. Joseph, Charlie, and Sidney came to live with my parents. They were not only my little friends at the Daycare, now, they were my brothers. I loved them as if they were mine even.

It eventually came time to find our boys a mom and dad who could love them forever. My mom and dad contacted LDS services and very quickly found the Sandstroms, a real Cowboy and Cowgirl, with a real farm, and cows, horses, chickens. It was a dream come true for our boys.



But the nightmare that had previously been their life was not completely over. There were many many battles with DCS, the courts, the biological parents and grandparents. It was hard on these young boys, never knowing if they'd have a real family one day.

This past summer, our Father in Heaven decided it was time for Charlie to return to him, at only 9 years old. Those of us who were left behind understand who he is, where he is, and what he's doing. But we do miss him in our lives, very dearly. No one in this world had a smile (or could move :P) like Charlie.

Yesterday, The battles, and war finally ended. The adoption was granted and now Joseph, Sidney, and yes Charlie too, have a mommy and a daddy. Last night, Joseph and Sidney also were baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And I'm positive Charlie was looking down from Heaven, so proud of his sweet brothers.

I have never in my life been so touched by a baptism. Looking down into that water and seeing these strong little men. While Sidney was waiting to start, I blew him a kiss and he blew one right back to me. You can't help but fall madly in love with these boys. You really can't. There was proof in that court room yesterday. We had it packed with every seat filled and all the walls lined with people, supporting, cheering, and loving these boys. I've never in my life seen such a miracle.

And this weekend, I'll be priveleged to see another miracle, as Charlie's temple work will be done, and this gorgeous little family will be sealed for time and all eternity. I am so very grateful to have witnessed this miracle, and to have had any part in it. I'm so grateful to my mom and dad for being so willing to love these boys, to see how truly unique and special they are, and for so unselfishly opening up their hearts and home to them. My parents are such great examples to me. I'm so grateful to the Sandstroms, for loving these boys so much. For wanting so badly to be their mom and dad. For never giving up, after all the battles, the trials, the fighting, the drama. They are superman and superwoman in my eyes, and many others. I love them so much, and I'm so glad to be considered a part of their family. :)

Yesterday truly was a miracle, and I'm so excited for the rest of it this weekend.