This picture is of a binder that I made two years ago in October 2014. We were considering adoption then but the timing just didn't feel right so I put my binder away. This binder holds every single piece of information I receive on adoption, notes that I take at all of my support groups, conferences and seminars. Literature and more... It has a couple of water stains on it but it is covered in HOPE and LOVE. The gift certificate will be explained now...  Our journey started in August last year (2016) when we decided to start looking into adoption again. I had heard about Utah Adoption Specialists (UAS) from an ad on my Facebook so I called them to see what they were about. They are a team of case workers that used to work for agencies. They branched out to start this company so they can help people adopt privately and make it more affordable.  In September, we had heard that UAS was having a 2 day extensive adoption training course and it was $200. They were having a contest on Instagram to win the course for free. At this time, Blake and I were just curious and wanting to learn more about adopting. So I sent out a text to everyone I know on Instagram to enter for me. Our friend Caitie won the tickets and gifted them to us! I couldn't believe it!!! This was the start to something beautiful and I just knew it. We attended this course for two days and became more excited about the idea of adoption. At the course, we learned about trans racial adoption, open adoption, proper language when talking about adoption as well as a panel of birth moms that shared their stories and a panel of adoptees from ages 5 to 50 that shared their stories. It was inspiring and really tugged at our hearts that this is what we are meant to do. We met the some amazing people at this seminar who have now become friends. UAS also has a monthly support group where they offer support for those hoping to adopt as well as those who have adopted. I immediately started attending their meetings. In October we heard about the first ever Utah Infertility Conference. I heard they were doing giveaways and one of them is an adoption home study through UAS, valued at $700. We attended this seminar and you would not believe it but WE WON!!! We won our home study for FREE! At this moment it all just seemed right. Everything was falling into place and it just seemed like we were so blessed with every step we took. I never win anything! UNTIL NOW. We set up our home study immediately and as of December 21st 2016 we are Home Study approved and able to adopt at any time. That brings us to today. I had started a new career in Real Estate in January so we wanted to get that off the ground before taking the next step and continuing our journey to match with a birth family. We are not going through an agency. We have decided to do a private adoption. This is why we need your help. We are hoping that someone we know, knows someone that knows someone that is in a situation that they are considering placing their baby for adoption. We are excited to see what the future holds and hopeful that the right situation will present itself not only to us but to a birth mom that is looking as well. To be continued....