A Serious Question

My heart has been heavy as I just read a story about an unplanned pregnancy and I had to take a minute to be serious…

Obviously, we have become a poster family for adoption. It’s no secret in our home. We can’t even begin to tell people how much we have been blessed with incredible children, wonderful birth mothers and fathers, and amazing birth families.

Our lives have been enriched by the life-long relationships we have built with our birth mothers; these incredible women are our personal heroes. I personally can’t get over their selflessness, and in light of all that adoption can be I also can’t help but wonder…

Why is abortion seemingly so easy and adoption so hard?

Okay, let me take a step back; I know abortion really isn’t an easy decision but that’s just my point. Abortion can leave permanent psychological and emotional scars; it’s the debate over the quality of the life of the mother and what really is human life. Abortion is all the other emotionally charged issues that divide society wrapped into one lightning rod issue; but my question to those considering it- why not adoption?

I’ve been fortunate to know and love both those who have placed children for adoption and those who have had abortions; I wouldn’t pretend to think that either decision was ever easy. Rest assured in both cases there is significant and real loss; but in my limited scope, the purposes of both fulfill similar hopes. Both with adoption and abortion the birth mother can rebuild and grow despite an unplanned pregnancy, and both options are built exclusively on the women’s right to choose.

I certainly don’t claim to know or understand why someone would choose one or the other, and I wouldn’t love anyone less either way. Certainly, only an all knowing God can judge the human soul. All I know is that one of my greatest dreams in life was to be a father and I will be forever in debt to two incredible women who used their inalienable right to choose to choose adoption.

Our Forever Family

"She just looks different today." Lisa and I commented to each other as we sat around the dinner table.
Maybe it was the creamed ham all over her face, or her big two teeth grin, but something about her just looks different...

Finalization
On Thursday Allie's adoption became final. We went to the courthouse at 9:00am and met with our attorney and the wonderful caseworks who have been conducting our home visits. We were ushered into the courtroom and Allie fell asleep in my arms.
I took the stand and am pleased to announce that this time I knew my own address! (At Austin's finalization I couldn't get it right-how embarrassing!) The Judge asked about what Allie has meant to our family and if Austin had adjusted to a new little sister. Then from across the court the judge asked how old Austin was and he said two... and a half!
Then Lisa took the stand and told the court how wonderful it had been to add Allie to our little family and what a joy it is to be her mom.
LDS family services recommended that Scott and Lisa Teichert be granted full custody of Allie and the judge agreed. Next thing we new the gavel hit and Allie became ours legally! What an incredible excitement! Lisa's parents Jerry and Shirley were there and my dad Fred came up from Utah. My mom Dalene was there in spirit.
I was able to take the rest of the day off and we just spent it with family.
According to our lawyer and the judge, they love doing adoptions because it's an opportunity for the court to put families together. We were just so excited that the adoption is finally final!

"I love to see the temple-"
My brother Jeff flew in from Portland, Oregon and Lisa's sister Stacie flew in from Palm Desert, California on Friday so we spent as much time as possible with our siblings. I took the kids to Clinton and Lisa got a much needed break in Salt Lake.
Saturday the highlight of our year was sealing Allie to our little family in the Salt Lake Temple. Austin was so excited to see the temple and wear his white shirt and tie. We can't even begin to express our emotions as we sat in the sealing room with friends and family as our children were brought in. Allie looked amazing and Austin was such a little man. As the short ceremony was taking place we were all so excited and Allie just smiled. Lisa and I could quietly hear Austin singing, "I love to see the temple"... What an incredible feeling. There is just something about being sealed to your family, knowing that you can all be together forever.

Allie's Blessing
Sunday we blessed Allie in Shirley and Jerry's ward in Salt Lake City. Again, what an incredible support we received from friends and family. Allie's blessing was a spiritual experience and she was blessed with a sense of humor. We all know she needs one to hang with the rest of us!
Family and friends came over to the Milne's after church for a brunch and it was wonderful just to spend time with everyone. Allie was a little angel. When it finally quieted down my parents, Jeff, Stacie and Lisa's parents all enjoyed a Sunday dinner and talked. Soon Jeff and Stacie had to fly out, we had to pack the car and everyone was back home from the weekend by 11:30pm.
Work has sure been hard today.

After all the activity, Lisa and I are just incredibly amazed at how gracious our Heavenly Father has been to our little family. Seven years ago Lisa and I got married, two years ago we were sealed to Austin and hours ago Allie joined us forever. We are incredibly blessed with wonderful children and wonderful family & friends.

To all that gave their love and support in so many endless ways... Thank you.

Scott, Lisa, Austin and Allie










Allie and her great-grandmother Marjorie Teichert