Feb. 7, 2009
The sealing was absolutely fabulous! At the temple they treated my hubby and I as if we were getting married all over again! Literally! We had our own little temple worker with us that took us everywhere, I changed in the bridal room, the temple workers helped me get dressed (which was sort of funny since they were helping all the other girls with their big wedding gowns and I just had a very comfortable skirt and shirt), they let us spend time in the celestial room before entering the sealing room, etc. It was just fun because I was able to remember little things about our wedding day that I was too anxious to enjoy on our wedding day!
Having all our friends and family waiting for us in the sealing room was awesome! We only missed those that couldn’t be with us! The sealer was great. He inadvertently told a story about the best adoption he had every seen where the boy was a black child and the family was white (he had no idea this was our situation). He went on to call the child, “so black my wife called him licorice“. Everyone was chuckling to themselves as he clearly did not know of our situation. You can only imagine his face when in walks the temple worker with our little chocolate “D” in her arms! His jaw just dropped in embarrasment!
He provided his counsel, more than he had likely intended, waiting for the kids to come up the stairs. But about 5 minutes into his 15 minute counsel, we could hear the kids out in the hall. The sealer must have been a little deaf, because he could not hear the kids. Little “D” just kept squawking and babbling out there! He was making so much cheerful noise! He was like a spring bird… chirping in the temple hallway! Everyone was having a hard time not laughing. Finally the kids came in… and they all looked like little angels all dressed in their white clothes! They were, of course, starry eyed as they entered.
The ceremony was short and sweet, pronouncing all the sealing blessings on our sweet little “D” as he became eternally ours! It was emotional, yet oh so beautiful! Little “D” didn’t move the… entire… time… and had his huge baby browns just staring up at the sealer. I think he literally listened to every word (which had us both bawling)! He seemed to know what was going on, almost like he had been anticipating this moment!
After the ceremony, everyone congratulated us and we had the chance to spend a few minutes with the kids as a complete family in the sealing room… gazing into the reflecting mirrors, representing eternity. It was very emotional and such a unique experience this early in our children’s lives! Truly memorable.
Afterwards, we took pictures in our whites outside with the kids, since the weather cooperated, and it was a beautiful warm day for February.
We also ate lunch with many of our family and friends at the Lion House. It was truly a glorious day ranking in my top two (only behind our wedding day)! Life is wonderful!
May 11, 2010
Since I know this is going to become “public” to everyone on my hair blog soon, I thought I would just add one final update. Little D is now almost two years old! How times flies! I’ve just re-read all these post entries and it just feels jst like yesterday that I experienced them. It is really incredible!
I simply need to state emphatically for everyone that this boy is my little man! He is the sweetest, charming, (a little rowdy), little guy and we love him dearly. I can’t, nor do I want to, imagine my life without him in it. I’m so grateful his personality in our home.
(a year ago)
(now)
I was reading another favorite blogger of mine the other day and she was talking about moments when “Your spirit taps your heart” to remind you of the joys of life. I had one of those moments this week. To explain, you must understand that when we go to church my husband does not sit with us in our pew. He is a member of the Bishopric in our congregation and this means he sits up on the stand with two other men, all three presiding over the church meetings. I know this may be confusing to people not of my faith, but ask you to just bear with me. So I sit by myself in a pew with all five kids. The four girls are pretty good, but The Dude is at that really awful age where he is just too restless to sit still. Instead he wants to run up and down the aisles, screams, kicks, and just generally has a fit if I try to keep him still for too long. On days like that, when I get frustrated by him I often point out his daddy to him and send him up to sit with my hubby for a few minutes on the stand.
So last Sunday my little man ran up, climbed up in his daddy’s lap, and promptly turned around to look at the congregation. He quickly scanned for me, found me, and gave me this look as though he had gotten away with something naughty! But when he could tell I was looking at him also, he threw his arm up in the air, waved his hand emphatically, yelling (loudly) “Momma, Momma, Momma!” When I and most of the people sitting near us started to giggle, he waved even harder! It was seriously one of those moments when “Your spirit taps your heart.“ This… is our son!
For more information on our experience, incluing a Q&A, read Adoption 101.
You and your husband are truly wonderful and loving people.I recently married a black man(I’m white),i have 2beautiful angels ,and its hard in society to live this way.my husband tells everyone those are his 2 girls And noone can change it.i cried reading your story BC it is sad how many people can’t have kids and how many have them but don’t want them.you and your husband will truly be blessed for changing lil man life.he will forever be grateful to you bc you are a wonderful mother and father.
I being 1 of 2 (fraternal twin) really wish i was part of a bigger family. I think your story of opening your arms and loving another child is amazing! You and your husband seem like really great parents..
(you are also AMAZING! at hair!)
avid watcher of your videos<3 (:
Hi Mindy,
I am 25yrs old and got married 6 months ago to the love of my life and soon after 3 months in march i found out i was pregnant….since i live with my husband in the UK and our families are away in our home country it was shared happiness over the globe…. all was gr8 until upril wen i lost my baby….someone told me it wsnt meant to b mine and god has better plans for us….soon after dat i lost my job….its been a month and a half i am overcomin the sadness…..i had given u hope….but somewer in my heart i had a tingy ray that told me this was just a testing period and god loves us dearly….today after reading your story my hope has strengthened so much i cant tell you….i had tear reading ur blog…. i cannot praise u n ur family enuf for this gr8 deed…it is hard to believe that people like you still exist….god bless u and ur family….and may god shower upon you all his love and blessings….u have done a FAB job….i am so proud of u….thank you!!!
God bless you. You have such an optimistic outlook to life, and I love that about you. You have a beautiful, beautiful family. I hope that I will be given faith like yours. <3
THANK YOU for sharing this! I cried all afternoon reading it. And here I thought I was coming here to learn cute hair styles. I did the waterfall french braid in my hair while reading though. Turned out great! <3
I just read all the nine parts of your story and…I’m… I just can’t describe it! For the record, you made me cry! I’m not a mom, I’m still 22 years old, brazilian, fan of your youtube channel, sometimes I use your tips on myself (I know I’m a grown woman, but some of the hairstyles are perfect!) and your story made me cry! And I study psichology, I’m used to this storys. You’re an amazing woman, rare in this world, and I just wish you the best for you and your family.Thanks for sharing this with the world. (just don’t freak out right now!)
I sure appreciated reading about your experience. It was moving and insightful. The birthmom was beautiful inside and out and very responsible in her decisions. I loved how you and her were both on the same page and how God helped lead you both together in your decisions. Thank you so much for sharing.
You have an absolutley beautiful family!! Thank you so much for sharing your story
God Bless
Your story brought many tears. Thank you for sharing this very personal journey with the world.
Once I started reading your story I couldn’t quit, even though I didn’t have the time to spare! So well written… I could feel your emotions as I devoured post after post. Thank you for sharing these personal series of events.
I am appalled that you let ignorant racist comments about your son go unchallenged. “It’s a generational thing.” you said. I say B.S. You have an opportunity to correct people, and you let it go. Why? Do you have so little confidence in your decision to adopt transracially that you will allow people to continue to wallow in their own ignorance? Where is your concern for your child? For that matter, why are you allowing people to get away with these statements in front of your White children? What if they think these things are acceptable to say because you didn’t call the offenders out on their racism? Why aren’t you defending your son? And now you’re going to adopt another Black child? Why? So you can prove how “tolerant” you are? I seriously doubt that any deity led you to adopt transracially. It looks to me like it was your own ego. The condescending tone you use when writing about the birth mother speaks volumes too.
Hi Faith. I really appreciate you taking the time to read our adoption story, and to respond as well. I am saddened by your response, however, because if you knew our family even a tiny bit you would never have written what you wrote. Our faith in how our children ended up in our home by Divine direction is simply unwavering and without question. Ego nor sympathy has no part of this, as we adopted our children because they are truly our son and daughter and we love them dearly. Rest assured that we do not tolerate racist comments in any way, however it is how you deal with them that could make things worse. We are colorblind, and wish for all people to be so. Perpetuating the problem with arrogance and entitlement, in trying to be right, will solve nothing. That is how wars start. I live by, and truly believe, that it is always more important to “do what is right” than to “be right”. Some people won’t change their perspective, but we ourselves can control how we treat others and that, my friend, is of utmost importance. I love this children more than anything in the world. We feel the same way about our two wonderful birthmothers, who will always have a special spot in our hearts in helping us complete our eternal family.
I cried while reading this.
This is truly a beautiful story! There’s more I can say, but every one else has already put the words out.
I’m just wondering though…can you do a picture update? On how he’s doing with your family?
Good luck to you!
Mindy: Your Mom had told me about your story and today I took the time to read all of it. I cried all of the way through it, what an exceptional family you have. I would like to see your and your kids some time and to hear about your last adoption. Love, Aunt Barbara
THIS IS TRULY AN AMAZING STORY IT TOUCHED MY HEART I’VE EVEN TEARED UP A LITTLE. IT WAS VERY AWESOME OF YOU TO ADOPT THAT LITTLE PRECIOUS BUNDLE OF JOY HE IS SO BEAUTIFUL.YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY AS WELL GOD BLESS YOU ALL XD.
P.S. YOUR VIDEOS ARE REALLY HELPFUL AND AWESOME OF XD LOL.
wonderful story! thanks so much for posting it! i am an adopted child, it was cool reading about how my parents felt!!
First off, let me start by saying that your story is very touching and I feel all of the actions and emotions that you shared were very genuine. A lot of women and families go through what your family went through and you offer hope and life to their dreams as well. I can identify with what Faith commented on 09.28.2011. I am an African-American female with and African-American husband and two African-American children. The comments that people say to you or your husband, kids, or family do not affect you, they affect your son. I know (hoping
that you are going to teach him the ignorance of racism and of the people that use it. But that will not stop the fact that words HURT and SCAR. I know your daughter meant nothing by the comment “just like my steak, etc… but she saw color. I know that you understand “African-American” because you have studied it and became familiar with what it entails, but it is very different that BEING African-American or Black. The comment “so black she called him licorice” was very, very offensive. It hurt my feelings and it had nothing to do with me, personally. But it had something to do with the Black race. I think Faith was trying to just tell you, don’t let people say things to you that will, not could, but will hurt your baby. Even in 2012, it is very hard being Black. The sly comments being made, the rude looks, the standoffish people you encounter. I am a red-skinned, 4’11″ woman. I have very long brunette hair. I’m often asked what I am mixed with. The answer is simply Black. This is still offensive to me because it is as if Black cannot produce anything else except Black and Kinky hair (which is the same as curly. I’m ok with the word kinky 
. I guess to sum all of the up, do not allow people to say just anything around you regarding anything being black. If you do not tolerate it, then they will know that no matter how they feel about you, your family, or your new African-American additions, that saying anything about “black or color or race or black foods or black hair, etc…” is unacceptable and that you won’t tolerate it. This will also force them to really think about what they say. I mean afterall, can you recall anyone saying anything about your other 4 baby girls? Examples…Awwww, she’s as white as___, or look at her little features, or referring them to any foods. God Bless and I wish you many more adoptions 
(if God puts it on your hearts!)
BTW….What drew me to your site was pinterest and then your method of curling hair using the headband. As I stated before, I have really long hair and the curls are gone before I leave the house
. I am going to try your method this weekend. I enjoy your ideas so much, I’ve bookmarked your site!
Amy
I read ALL in 2 hours and i must say this was such an emotional yet beautiful experience:) made me tearful but in.the end made me smile see what beautiful family you guys are.
thank you for sharing your Amazing experience to us despite the different beliefs we all but one thing we do have in common LOVE AND A BELIEVER OF GOD 
Thanks for sharing. I understand what you were saying, because i belong to the same faith as you. You are such an amazing role model to me. You have the cutest family and i cried through this whole thing.
Your story was amazing! It brought tears to my eyes more than once. Thanks for sharing it brought back memories of adopting my son who I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.
Your story is amazing:-) you kept your faith even when you questioned God. But God so amazingly answered. Your family is beautiful, keep living for God, and seeking after His will for your lives. GOD bless
I cried through the entire article. I am a mother of four with three living. My dauhter and I love your channel. She is tender headed and does not want me to practice the styles. She thinks I can do them fifteen minutes before her bus leaves and they’ll be perfect.I guess I should be flattered she thinks so highly of me. lol She is only in Kindergarten, so maybe`when she is older she’ll understand that I need practice. Reguarding the comments made about race. My hubby and I are not the same race. He frequently makes comments about me being white as snow. Even my own brothers comment on my inabilty to tan. My hubby means nothing wrong and treats me with love and respect. So I’m never offended when he`says something about my skin color. On the other hand, my mother-in-law often makes unkind comments on our differences. She has issues with race and unfortunately means to be hurtful. Because of my husbands behavior I am able to let those things go. People can notice a difference in skin tone and still be respectful. My husband is. All of our friends are. I am sure it helps that we both believe in the gospel. I believe your son won’t be offended by off-hand comments because he is being raised by a family who loves and respects him.