Mike and Jill Hope to Adopt

2009-12-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

Thank you for taking the time to visit our little blog and take a peek into our lives! We are thrilled about our choice to adopt and are excited to hear from you!!

To learn more about us, simply click on the tabs listed under "Categories" on the right side of the page.

If you have further questions or comments please feel free to contact us through any of the options under "Contact Us" also listed on the right side of the page.

Thanks for visiting and we look forward to hearing from you soon!!!

Sincerely,

Mike and Jill Vanikiotis

Our Story...

2009-12-14T06:11:00.001-08:00

Jill writing...

Mike and I first met on a blind date in February of 2006. In the beginning it was almost like pulling teeth to get Mike to loosen up and talk to me (Mike says it was because I intimidated him - ha). However, regardless of how quiet he was, I could obviously see how so very much his friends all loved him. I knew I had to find out what else was under that quiet smile that everybody loved so much. After a couple weeks of regular dates and "hanging out" he started to show his true colors. He was adorable. Funny, exciting, smart, caring - he was perfect (and still is)!

Mike wasn't LDS at the time and had only a minor knowledge of the church, but expressed immediate interest when I told him I was a member. We started going to a singles ward together and Mike began taking the missionary discussions. After a couple of months and a major falling out with some of his closest friends over the issue - Mike decided to join the church and be baptized in June of 2006.

Soon after Mike's baptism we came to fully realize how much we really loved and cared for one another and that we were meant to be together. But we didn't just love each other - we really and truly liked each other. We appreciated each other. We were as connected as the best of friends could ever be and we just knew that we had to make that permanent. That October Mike proposed and we got married in the Salt Lake temple the following summer in June of 2007.

Now, nearly three years later, we're living in a beautiful home in East Layton with our two dogs, a silly cat, and a couple of no-name fish. We're truly lucky to have found each other and to be so happy and well matched. The only thing that could possibly make us happier would be bringing home a precious baby to love and care for and share our lives with!!

Why we're looking to adopt

2009-12-10T16:27:00.002-08:00

Mike and Jill in Jackson Hole WY

Jill writing...

As strange as it may sound, I've always had this underlying feeling that I was supposed to adopt. I didn't know whether it would be because I wouldn't be able to give birth to my own children, or if I would just one day realize that there was a child out there that was supposed to be with us. Either way, I've just always felt that adopting a child was somehow going to be a part of our lives.

A couple of months after our wedding, Mike and I decided to go ahead and start trying for a baby. A year went by and we decided to seek help from an Obgyn who in turn prescribed a variety of fertility medications - none of which worked worth a lick. Year two went by and we decided it was time to get a second opinion, so we went ahead and changed doctors. A couple of weeks and a laporoscopy later, my new doctor quickly discovered the problem . . . Endometriosis. (Click here for information). The doctor told us that 70% of women with the disease will get pregnant after surgery - 30% will not. Mike and I immediately realized that we may or may not be in that 30th percentile and together decided we were not willing to wait who knows how long - if ever, to find out.

We know that it is time to start our family and are thrilled over the prospect of bringing a wonderful, new little one into our home. Children are such incredible miracles and adoption will only help us to appreciate them more - reminding us daily how fortunate we really are to have their special spirits be a part of our lives. We know that being parents will be our greatest blessing and responsibility and will never forget who made it possible for us to have a family . . . You and our ever aware, loving Father in Heaven.

Mike writing about Jill...

2009-12-10T14:45:00.001-08:00

Where to start . . . Jill is great!

Jill is thoughtful and caring and is always there when you need her. She loves her art and all of the other activities she gets involved in. She is a gorgeous girly girl when she does her self up, but is still not afraid of dressing down and going camping with the guys. She has a great sense of humor and is always laughing. She is a perfectionist - which is good because it keeps the projects we do around the house at their best.

She is so caring and is always ready to make sure her friends and family are taken care of. She is really really close with her family. She is always in touch with her parents and sisters, and I can time the Sunday call from her brother like clockwork. Jill loves her niece and I can already tell that Abby will grow up with her aunt and best friend being the same person; "Aunt Jill."

There is so much I'm leaving out, but words and writing just aren't my thing. In a nut shell Jill is just about as perfect a person, friend and wife there is - and is going to be an even better mom.

Jill writing about Mike...

2009-12-10T14:43:00.001-08:00

Mike is the sweetest, nicest guy I know. He's caring and thoughtful but is still a man's man. He's strong, loyal, hard working, and funny as all get out. He'll be super quiet one moment and then will say something really funny or silly the next to catch you off guard and then just laughs and laughs and pulls you in for a big, smothering bear hug. He's as much of a tease as he is quiet sometimes. Really, though, he's just a big sweetheart who loves to have fun.

He's always putting me first and does so with a big, warm smile on his face. I feel blessed to have a husband that supports me with anything I want to do. Mike is kind, easy going, easy to relate to and loves to be around his family and friends who in turn LOVE to be around him. He's not only the apple of my eye, but his 2.5 year old niece Abby's as well. Mike loves children and children love Mike - which is somewhat mysterious as he's kind of a laid back, quiet sort of person. I think that they can just feel his warmth and are drawn to that.

Bottom line - he's just a really good, loving person. :)

About Jill...

2009-12-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

Click on any of the following pictures to enlarge

If I had to describe myself in just a few words - I would say I have a tender heart and a strong will. I'm a loyal friend, a creative spirit, an adventure seeker and a dreamer of dreams. I love to laugh and make others laugh.

My family would tell you I'm a determined and solid kind of person but also the kind of that would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it, and would do so without thinking twice about it or asking for a thanks.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to certain things (art in particular) and I dare say we've got the tidiest house on the block. :) I'm extremely organized and actually enjoy doing house work.

Me in Tulum Mexico

I LOVE to travel and have done so fairly extensively. I haven't been to the opposite side of the globe yet like some of my family members have, but definitely plan to in the hopefully not to far future.

I love meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. I actually lived in Puerto Rico on my own for a summer and cant think of a more incredible personal growth experience. I love it there and hope to go back with Mike someday.

Traveling has taught me so many things but mostly to think outside the box and learn to appreciate the differences in all of us. This is something I hope to pass on to my children someday. :)

My sisters, niece & I on the metro in New York

I have the most close knit family there is. There aren't a lot of people in the world that can say their siblings, parents, and grandparents are truly their best friends - but I sure can. We are all SO different but we love each other all the more for it.

Some of the things the members of my family have in common are... we all love to laugh (especially at ourselves), We enjoy the great outdoors, traveling, music, games, telling jokes, and in general just being together and doing new and exciting things. One bad thing that we all share in common is a slight grumpiness when excessively hungry or tired - But hey that's easily remedied right?

We all have the ability to get along with just about anyone and are all blessed with a keen awareness when it comes to sensing another's feelings or mood - regardless of whether that person is related or not.

Mike and I know that our family is the greatest thing we have and we are now hoping to make that family a little bigger!

Me in Cancun Mexico

One of the things anyone who remotely knows me could tell you is that I am a lover of animals. If not for my severe allergies I could have happily made a career as a veterinarian. My love for animals is so keen, however, that regardless of said severe allergies - I still have 2 dogs and a cat and happily consign myself to having to vacuum everyday so as to not suffocate. :)

I grew up riding horses and chasing cows & rabbits on my grandpa's property and my love for animals only grew from there. I have become somewhat of an animal advocate in finding homes for quite a few stray and otherwise unwanted animals in all but two of my family members homes. I just can't ever bring myself to not care enough about something so defenseless as not not want to help it have a chance at a loving, forever home.

God put animals here for so many reasons... To teach us unconditional love, perseverance, patience, responsibility, and laughter. I have been blessed in having so many of God's creatures be a part of my life and plan to instill that same love for all of God's creations in my children.

My State & National Championship Drill Team (I'm in the middle on the top row)

I enjoy doing any and all things creative and fill my life with many hobbies including painting, singing, playing the piano/guitar, decorating, dancing (cheerleader in Junior High & High School, Drill Team member in High School - yes I can ride a uni-cycle, Ballroom dancing with Utah State University ballroom dance team), sewing, woodworking, writing and more! My current creative endeavor is photography. I am now thoroughly enjoying being my own boss and making my own schedule as the owner of Mountain Creek Photography.

Mike, my Parents and I on our wedding day

My parents were great advocates of education continuing outside of school and put all of us kids in as many extra curricular activities as we wanted/could handle growing up. Last time we counted we came up with around 35 different classes we were all in - from ballet and painting to ice skating and horseback riding lessons. It was in this way that I discovered my passion for life and all things creative and I plan to do the same for my own children someday.

About Mike...

2009-12-10T10:05:00.001-08:00

Me on my

wedding day

If I had to

describe myself

in just a few

words I would

say - I'm a man

of few words.

For more

information see

my wife's side

of the blog.

Ha ha. . . .

Just kidding. :)

(See more Below)

Boating at Starvation Reservoir

I like to stay active and in shape and enjoy doing outdoors

activities such as camping, four wheeling, boating, hiking, etc.

I was one of the leaders in our ward's Boy Scout program for a

year and had a lot of fun teaching the boys about the outdoors.

Our dog "Riley" at Pineview Reservoir

I've found that out of all the places I've traveled, my favorite
destinations to visit are still in the high mountain pine
areas such as Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, The High Uinta's etc.
I love my pups and enjoy taking them on our trips with us.

Yellowstone

I work hard and like being my own boss as co-owner of a family

auto parts store/wrecking yard and an investment rental company.

It keeps me and the whole family busy and that's how I/we like it.

Four wheeling at "The Dunes" in Utah

I'm the kind of guy who always likes to have a project going. If I

don't have a project I can get pretty bored at times and have to find

something to do. I enjoy working in the yard and have become

pretty handy working on various projects around the house.

On the beach in Costa Rica

I'm ready for children to be apart of our life. I know that I can

provide great experiences and pass on my quality's and love so

that they will never feel like they have gone without.

I have a great family life and children will only make it better.