Ava Lynn Smith

Ava was born on Jan 28, 2009. We found out about her a few days after she was born and were told that we needed to have our home study done so they could show our profile. We got the final touches done and waited to hear back over the weekend. When they got back to us they let us know the birth parents were still undecided as to what they were going to do. What a blessing to have another baby, especially so soon, but we were in no hurry. We knew who ever was supposed to be in our home would come when he or she was ready. So there wasn't much to tell to anyone yet. a few weeks later, we got a call telling us that the birth parents had decided to go with adoption and they would like to have her placed with our family and we could bring her home the next day. We were ecstatic, but had a lot to do that night before we brought her home. So for our friends and family who felt like this was a surprise, it was just as one to us.

This adoption process has been very different from the process with Ayden and Gavin. We had the opportunity to meet with the birth parents and we are so grateful for that. We were very nervous because we had not yet had that experience since we did not get to meet Ayden and Gavin's birth parents. They are such wonderful people with such big hearts. They were definitely acting on love, not instinct. They are truly noble people who I am so blessed to have met. It will be a lot easier to explain to Ava about her birth parents now that we have met them.

Ava is a beautiful, calm, and patient little baby. She is exactly what our boys were in need of, and me for that matter. Our boys are so sweet and full of energy, but they are definitely a hand full. Ava has made this transition such a wonderful experience for us. We were so nervous how the boys would react. They are so needy and clingy, but especailly Gavin, who hates when mom holds other kids. Since we have brought Ava home they have loved her. I hold other kids and Gavin still struggles, but with Ava he doesn't mind as long as he can see her too! Gavin has been so sweet and soft with her. He gives her kisses and holds his cheek out to get kisses back. He rubs her head and arms so soft. Ayden is trying his best to be soft and each day he gets a little closer and more comfortable. He is just our wild man and has too much on his mind to think about a new sister, such as: books, cars, and balloons!! =) But we can tell he loves her too!!

We feel like our Heavenly Father was preparing us for our little Ava. We felt the promptings to get our paper work in as soon as possible and got it done just in time for her. When we first heard about her, I prayed for her and her birth parents and felt the spirit very strongly. When I heard there was a chance she may not be put in the adoption process, I thought maybe that feeling was just the comfort of knowing everything would work out how it was supposed to. But when we heard she was being placed in our home, I knew what the Lord was telling me. We are so gratful for the adoption process and for the opportunity it has given Jordan and me to have the family we have always wanted. We are so grateful for the support and love from all of our friends and family.

This is the boys playing with all the new baby stuff as we were getting it out and ready

Our first time seeing baby Ava at the Agency and getting ready to take her home!

Aunt Kassie who was at our house watching Ayden and Gavin along with her kids while we went to go pick Ava up. Kassie has been a huge help and we are so grateful for her and all she has done. She has gone above and beyond and we wouldn't know what we would have done without her!

Ayden had just woken up from his nap and was seeing Ava for the first time, his reaction was so funny, you can see it by the looks on his face in these pictures!

Gavin seeing Ava for the first time

This picture cracks me up and again shows the differences in my boys personalities. Gavin looking at his new sister, and Ayden with his mind on the balloons that Kassie brought over with her gift forAva.

I love this sweet pictures with me and my beautiful children!

Our boys finally getting a chance to play with the balloons

The proud parents

Our little bundle of Joy!

Ava's cousins Ellie and Haven sure do love her!! Ellie can't get enough of her she would hold her all day if she could. She tells her mom she wants a sister just like Ava. It is also no longer Aunt Chandra's house, it is Ava's house!

Gavin loves his sister so much and loves to help out!!

Here he is giving her the binki that she lost

Gavin helping Ava with her bottle..he thinks he can multi-task and read his book at the same time!

Gavin always sqeezes my nose and I say "Honk Honk" and he thinks it is the funniest thing. Now he thinks it's funny to do it to Ava, but gets mad when he doesn't hear the "Honk Honk". I promise, he is barely touching her nose!

More cute pictures of the boys with their little sister.

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Daddy and his little girl...The second picture is my favorite, he has food all over his shirt from our boys dirty little hands, you can definitely tell he is a Dad!

More cute pictures of our sweet baby Ava