Introducing Marley Olivia

Thursday night I (Nathan) had a dream. In the dream I was attending a soccer game in a giant stadium. Typical to dream fashion my seat was the goal, I sat in the goal to watch the game! While I watched the game I had a feeling that a bomb was going to go off and that I had to leave the stadium. While walking with the stadium behind me I saw a jet plane fly over head and drop bombs on the stadium. There was a massive explosion! I looked around me and thought "life is going to change".

I woke up and shook my head at such a bizarre dream.

My day began as another: Left the house at 6:30. Parked. Walked in the chilled morning to the animal facility. Took care of the mice. Ate breakfast. Prepare for my meeting with my Advisor. Goofed off a little with my lab mates (that's when true science happens!!). Began crossing things off my 'to do' list. Went to lab meeting. At 1 PM the plan was to meet up with Linnley to go to lunch.

As I slid into the car Linnley looked at me. I thought she was han-gry with me because I was a few minutes late. In fact she had just gotten off the phone with our social worker, Lexann. She wanted us to call her right away.

We called Lexann. The conversation went a little like this:
Lexann: Do I have both of you on the phone?
US: Yes.
L: Good. Let me put you on speaker phone
US: (confusion)
L: I am here was a birth mom and she has selected you as the adoptive parents!
US: (shock)
L: We didn't think the baby was coming yet but she gave birth this morning.
US: (shock intensifying)
L: Do you want to come by the hospital and meet everyone?
US: Can we call you back?

Haha. Ok. We were absolutely floored! We were so scared and nervous. We didn't know anything about anything, how could we possibly say yes so quickly!?

We called Lexann back and told her we were honored to be selected and would love to meet everyone. On the way to the hospital I sent out a desperate plea to family to pray for us.

We arrived to the hospital and meet with the birth mom (who was doing wonderfully) and grandma. We sat and chatted for hours. Then finally got to meet the baby. The baby was born prematurely and was therefore in an incubator in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. As we walked the halls to the NICU, I remembered my dream and realized I just had a bomb dropped on me and that my life is going to change.

When we saw the baby all the doubt rushed away and we were consumed with peace. Linnley and I wept. We knew that she was meant for us. We believe that Grandma Scott and Grandpa Henrie had a part to play in sending her to us. We told our social worker, YES!

Arizona law requires the birth mom to wait 72 hours before the and relinquish their rights. However, due to scheduling issues we had to wait 96+ hours. It was excruciating! Each minute that passed by we loved her more and more and grew more and more anxious for the signing.

Marley Olivia was born March 4, 2016 at 10:57 AM weighing 4 lbs 4 oz. She is super tiny and the most adorable baby girl. We are in love!

                                           

Somewhere in the middle of 2015

One of our favorite family traditions is our family reunions and going to Bryce Canyon, UT where my grandpa owned and worked a ranch when he was growing up. We fish, hike, swim, horseback ride, fish, go four-wheeling, play games, eat from grandma's candy drawer, laugh, talk, and FISH! We've included some of our favorite pictures from this years trip.

Sunrise 

Stream fishing is by far my most favorite activity. (catch and release)

Hiking through slot canyons is always nice and trying to avoid the muddy pools is fun

We love our adventures together. Only missing our chocolate lab, Reese.

After the reunion we attended Linnley's sisters wedding and had some fun with the photo booth made available through Linnley's other sister, Melissa.

Emily's wedding had a remarkable view. But I, Nathan, found this one breathtaking.



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Upon returning from the reunion and trip to Utah we entered back into our daily routine but continued to have date nights and play dates.