Lead me, Guide me, Walk Beside me

Hello!

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We are David, Susan and Jarom. Thanks for taking a few minutes to get to know us!!

This is where our story begins . . .

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We met at Brigham Young University while playing softball between our apartment buildings.

While at BYU we enjoyed many things together INCLUDING:

- BYU football & volleyball games
- Walks in the snow
- Game nights (especially UNO and SCUM)
- Movie nights
- Dollar theater
- Making dinners together
- Studying together
- Snow ball fights

- Snow machine riding

We were married June 1st in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Together Forever!

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Since being married we have LOVED spending as much time with each other as we can. We love holding hands and making each other laugh, watching movies and playing games.

We both graduated from BYU in April 2006. Since then we have lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there we enjoyed our time living so close to many historical events and sites like Valley Forge, Gettysburg and Washington D.C. We currently live in Bloomington, Indiana.

We love hiking and camping in the great outdoors. We are so excited to be getting kayaks and spend more quality time on the 3 lakes that are really close to our house.

Dave taught high school Spanish in the inner cities while we lived Philadelphia. In May 2009, he graduated with a Master's degree in University Administration from Temple University. He is currently working towards a Ed.D in University Administration at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. (One day he hopes to be a university vice president!! He also hopes to travel aboard and work at universities around the world.)

December 2008, Susan graduated with a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She is now a Family Nurse Practitioner. She loves being an NP and working with pediatric patients. She is still hoping to find flexible work in Bloomington that will allow her to be home most of the time.

For graduation we went on our first cruise to the Caribbean. We spent nearly every minute together playing in the sunshine and lying on the beach or the poolside. We can't wait to save enough money to bring our family to the sunshine. In the mean time we will enjoy seeing family and going camping!!!

Our Little One

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Our son, Jarom David Hardy was born on June 6, 2003 in Provo, Utah.

Jarom is the oldest grandchild of Susan's parents (they have 3 others and are awaiting more) and he is the tenth of 13 on Dave's side (they are awaiting more too!!)

Samuel, Susan youngest brother, loved Jarom SO much!! He always wanted to be holding Jarom. Today those two are still very close and talk often on the phone.

He sure did know how to make messes though!! Good thing Susan and Dave can laugh through any explosion or crisis.

Growing up and learning about life . . . . .

Jarom has 2 dogs that he loves to wrestle and play with. Sometimes we find him in his room reading "The Boxcar Children" or "The Treehouse Mysteries" to them.

Jarom's favorite animals are crocodiles, sharks & dolphins. He takes very good care of his own 'babies'. Praying with them and covering them up at night so they stay warm.

Jarom has such a BIG heart towards people and animals. We had some friends who rescued 9 kittens from the pound and Jarom wanted to help take care of them.

Here he is feeding them . . . . .

He is always there to give a hug and befriend anyone.

Playing with some friends.

Our little one has grown up SO much and SO fast!! He is now in 2nd grade!! He loves reading and playing with friends. He is in swimming lessons, Zumba and Indiana University Children's Choir. He prays every night for a brother and a sister. We pray we can make his wish come true and make him a big brother!

Where we are Now

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Currently we live in Bloomington, Indiana while David completes an Ed.D in University Administration. Bloomington is about 50 minutes south of Indianapolis.

To stay busy these next 4 years until Dave graduates we enjoy biking and walking on the local trails, going to the local YMCA and library, playing with friends, visiting the Indianapolis Zoo, swimming in our neighborhood pool and eating at the many diverse restaurants they have here in town. The university offers many different activities, sports and performances that we try to attend.

Jarom on his bike.

Grandpa Ralph, David and Jarom outside IU stadium before a football game.

So far we have enjoyed our time here and look forward wherever the Lord wants us to go next .

Our WISH to adopt

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We both wanted children so after 7 years of working with fertility specialists without sucess and many prayers and fasting we have decided to seek to have more children through adoption. We hope adoption will bring this much sought answer to our prayers. We have seen and experienced how children can bless and edify our lives.

Susan's youngest brother was adopted and we are eternally grateful for his birth mother's decision to place Samuel. Her sacrifice and love for her son is frequently mentioned in our home. He brings nothing but joy to our family. We would not be complete without him!

Susan's family after being sealed to Samuel in the Bountiful Temple.

We know that Jarom will be the best 'Big Brother.' He prays nightly to his Father in Heaven for a brother and a sister. And if we forget to mention it in family prayer he will quietly interrupt and remind us to ask for them.

When Susan watches babies of our friends Jarom is so helpful and kind. Many times he wants to hold the baby and feed the baby. A few weeks ago he even shared his "blankie" (his most prized possession) with a baby because he was crying. Jarom is so tender-hearted and we are trying the best we can to help Heavenly Father answer his and ours prayers. For these reasons and many more-

our WISH is to adopt.

The soul is healed by being with Children.

-Dostoevsky

Parenting 101

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We have been given guidance that "parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live."

We believe in teaching our children the Gospel of Jesus Christ by example and instruction. We attend church weekly, we try hard to have morning and evening family prayer, and we read scriptures every night together as a family. We love family home evening!!! We also try to have the missionaries over often to encourage our son to serve a mission.

We try as hard as we can to follow to guidance from the prophet and apostles regarding families. "Successful families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.''

We believe that by divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and that they are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. David adores Jarom!! They can often be found playing cars or football on the floor. Dave magnifies his priesthood and makes his family his top priority. Even when asked if he would play tea party with his little girl he responded "you know I would!"

Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. Although Susan schedule with work can get a little crazy, nurturing her children has always been a top priority. She loves children and works so hard to teach Jarom and spend quality time with him.

We believe in teaching our children to make thier own good choices. Jarom understands consequences (most of which he has chosen) and that all of his choices have either positive or negative consequences. We work with him on emotions and correct ways to express those. We try very hard to raise him to be the best person he can be! We hope to raise all of our children this way.

We love animals and believe they can help teach children responsibility and love.

In our family we value education and know that it is so important. With Jarom we put an emphasis into making learning fun and hopefully helping him cultivate a love for life time learning. With the many degrees we have as parents, we plan to support and sustain our children to pursue higher degrees of education and to reach their professional and personal goals.

We love music and hope to provide opportunities for our children to learn and love music!! Jarom has already started piano lessons, singing in the IU children's choir and in primary.

This is our first time being parents and we are trying the best we can to raise responsible, righteous children through the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

While we are trying to teach our children all about life,

our children teach us what life is all about.

- Angela Schmindt

We love being together! Wholesome recreational activities are a HUGE part of our lives. We love playing outside- walking the dogs, riding bikes, throwing a football or baseball, playing kickball and sledding down the hills. We also LOVE going to the local YMCA to workout and swim in the pool. We enjoy watching movies with our projector system and playing games like UNO and Monopoly Deal.

Love your children. Cherish them. They are so precious. They are so very, very important. They are the future. You need more than your own wisdom in rearing them. You need the help of the Lord . . . . . Pray for that help and follow the inspiration which you receive.

- Gordon B. Hinckley

Dave's Family!

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Dave Parents: Grandpa Kip & Grandma Sharon are wonderful grandparents who love and adore all of their grandchildren. Even though they live so far from us we talk to them often on the phone and love spending time with them. Jarom loves getting letters & packages from them.

Grandpa Kip, Jarom and Grandma Sharon hanging out on the couch in Philly.

It's always fun at Grandma's House!! There is so much to do- especially in the summer. Outside, on their 2 1/2 acres, there is wide open fields, fresh air, sand boxes and a hammock.

Jarom playing in the sand box.

Playing in the snow at Grandma's House.

DAVE'S SIBLINGS

Keith- Is Dave's oldest brother. He and his wife, Trevi, live in Boise, Idaho with their 4 children- Maddie, Emilee, Ethan and Caleb.

Cindy- Lives in Hermiston, Oregon. She and her husband, Tad, have 2 children- Nico and Cadence.

Cindy and Dave

Jarom, Cadance and Nico

Christine- Lives in Mattawa, Washington. She and her husband, Jerry, have 5 children- Tyler, Brayden, Abby, Kyle & Seth. They live on a HUGE farm with potatoes, asparagus and hay! We love loading everyone up (all 9 of us) in the back of the semi-truck to go gather potatoes.

Abby, Brayden, Kyle, Jarom in the back of the semi as we go collect potatoes.

They came to visit us in Pennsylvania in 2009 and we had a great time in NYC, Washington DC and just hanging out. Here we are on the Staten Island ferry going to NYC.

Dave, Brayden, Jarom, Christine, Jerry and Abby aboard the Staten Island Ferry.

Waiting to see Mary Poppins on Broadway in NYC. (Jarom, Abby, Christine & Dave)

Matthew- Matt is very hardworking and supportive of Dave. Often you can hear him say that he thinks Dave is actually the older brother.

Uncle Matt and Jarom sitting at the Benjamin Frankly statue in Philly.

Susan's Family!!

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THE RALPH HOUSE

Susan is number two of ten siblings. And everyone of them adds something unique to the family.

The Ralph Family stop for a quick picture of Mount Rainer before hiking trails of Mount Rainer.

SUSAN'S PARENTS - Stephen & Kathleen Ralph who live outside of Seattle, Washington are very hard-working and supportive of their children and grandchildren.

Grandma Ralph, David, Susan & Grandpa Ralph at graduation.

SUSAN'S SISTERS

Rebekah, Susan, Jessica, Elizabeth & Sarah.

Aunt Rebekah- Susan's oldest sister is currently works as a dental assistant. She is a fantastic pianist!! We LOVE it when she plays and everyone else sings.

Aunt Jessica- Currently lives in Provo, Utah. She is the assistant manager at Kay's Jewelry.

Aunt Elizabeth and Aunt Jessica.

Aunt Elizabeth & Uncle Austin live in Provo, Utah. They are attending Brigham Young University. They have two little boys.

Susan & Lizzy

Aunt Sarah is at Brigham Young University. She is so willing to help the family in any way.

Aunt Sarah

What brother hasn't been dressed up like a girl by their older sisters? Well Jarom doesn't have older sisters so Sarah and her friend Melissa took the liberty of dressing him and Samuel up. This is the result.

SUSAN'S BROTHERS

Jarom sandwich between uncle Samuel and Benjamin

Uncle Benjamin, Dave and Uncle Jonathan.

Uncle Jonathan, Aunt Jenna & Katelyn live in San Jose, California with their daughter Katelyn.

Aunt Jenna & Uncle Jonathan

Uncle Benjamin is a senior in high school. He is working hard to earn a scholarship to BYU in ballroom dance.

Uncle Benjamin holding Jarom in Washington D.C.

Our family's miracle is Uncle Samuel. He is 10-years old. Susan's family got him as a baby and he has been the most wonderful blessing! He is very sweet and social. He was sealed to Susan's family on May 31, 2002 in the Bountiful Temple in Utah. Samuel is 3 years older than Jarom and they are great friends.

Hugs for each other- Jarom and Samuel.

Best Friends. Samuel is Jarom's favorite uncle.

Open Adoption

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We want to do what is best for our children. There will never be a time when your child will not know who you are or that they are adopted.

Adoption is something to be celebrated!

We want our children to know that you, as their birth parents, loved them from the moment they were conceived. And that you will always love them. We look forward to building a relationship with you and talking about what we both are comfortable with- contact, letters, pictures, blogs, etc.

Thank you!!

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We hope that this website has offered you some insight into our desires and ability to love and nurture your dear child. We will be forever grateful for you and your child will always know of your love and sacrifice for them. Thank you again for taking the time to get to know us!

Love,
David, Susan & Jarom