Introducing with Great Joy Clarissa

Introducing with GREAT JOY Clarissa

Born Sept 20, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona

Weighed 5lbs 14 oz 18 inches long

Our adoption journey began on September 20, 2011 when we received word that

Clarissa's birth mother was having a c-section that night.

She was going to be born a little earlier than we had anticipated.

David and I were ecstatic wondering what we should do,

as we were in Utah and Clarissa was being born in Arizona.

Plans were arranged and we flew to Phoenix the next day and were able to

meet Clarissa for the first time a little before she was 24 hours old.

It seemed from the moment we met her, she had smile on her face.

The adoption process had a few glitches, but in the end we were able to bring Clarissa home with us. We will be forever grateful to her birth parents who selflessly gave us the gift of Clarissa.

Clarissa was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

Here are some pictures of Clarissa in the hospital:

Clarissa seems to be cheering that she is coming to our home.

We also were cheering that she was going to be a part of our family.

The first time they put Clarissa's name on the board

Clarissa can't get enough of Daddy. She loves to hold his hand.

This is one of Clarissa's first rides in her car seat.

She was so little we thought the car seat was going to swallow her up.

Here we are signing the adoption papers at LDS Family Services. It was a very emotional experience. We are so grateful that Clarissa came into our family. We will ever be grateful for our incredible case worker, Hannah. She was amazing. There were many peoplet we feel the Lord put in our path during this whole adoption process and Hannah is one of these.

We were able to stay a few days with our dear friends Rachel and Corey. We are so grateful to them for opening up their home to us while the adoption papers were being processed so we could bring Clarissa over state lines. David had to go home before I was able to, so Rachel was my lifesaver! She helped me so much in knowing what to do as a new mom!

I will ever be grateful to her. She is a dear friend.

Clarissa loves to be with Daddy. She loves to have Daddy read to her.

The Happy Family!!

Clarissa likes to dress up fancy and be with Daddy.

She says she is ready to go to the prom with Daddy.

One of the great joys of the day was that David's sister Michelle, had her baby, Brockton, on the same day as Clarissa. They will share the same special day. Brockton weighed almost twice as much as Clarissa. Clarissa weighed 5 lb 14 oz, Brockton weighed 9 lbs 2 oz. It is interesting to see what a difference a few pounds will make. I just know they will be best friends. The happy moms

There are not words to adequately describe our feelings of being parents.

It is the most incredible experience filled with so many emotions.

We have come to know that Clarissa was meant to be in our family and we love her dearly.

We feel so very blessed to have so many family and friends who have supported us through this incredible journey of adoption. The outpouring of love and concern for us has been so remarkable that David and I are awe- struck! There have been many tears of joy and gratitude for all the thoughtful kind things everyone has done. We will be forever grateful. We love you all!