Hi! We are Bryce and Jamie Blake. We have been married nearly 9 years, and are the parents to our beautiful two-year-old, Veda Claire. We currently live in Southeast Idaho, and we're an easy going, dog walking, fun loving family. We love our families, our friends, and our dog Boolean. And one thing we would love- more than anything in the world- is to welcome another child in our home. We are so pleased that you would like to learn a little bit more about us!
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We met in the fall of 2005 at BYU-Idaho. It was Bryce's first Sunday home from his mission (where he served in Puebla, Mexico), and Jamie's first Sunday away at college. We introduced ourselves to each other in the back of our Sunday school class, and the next evening we talked the entire time at the ward opening social. Several weeks later, we started dating and were inseparable ever since! Less than a year later on May 18th, 2006, we were married in the Salt Lake City Temple.
We were young when we were married- Bryce at 21, and Jamie just a few weeks shy of 19. It was the best decision we have ever made! We consider it one of our greatest blessings to have found each other so early in life. We have had such an adventure growing up together, and we are more in love today than we've ever been!
our wedding day
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Our first few years of marriage were spent going to school and finishing our degrees. It was such a fun time- living in a little basement apartment, going to to class full time, and both of us working part time jobs. We learned a lot, and we grew to really love the little town of Rexburg. After graduating from college and receiving multiple job offers, Bryce accepted a job offer in California, and off we went!
As a married couple, we have had the opportunity to move around a little bit with Bryce's career. It has been a fun adventure for us! This is something we felt like we could do while we are still young. Moving is definitely not the easiest thing to do, but we've taken it in stride, and we've always been able to make friends wherever we go. It has been great for Bryce's career and he has been able to make many advancements in his few years of working for his company, and many of these promotions meant making a move.
After spending a few years in Northern Virginia, Bryce started having the opportunity to work from home pretty much exclusively. After asking, we got the go-ahead for him to work remotely full time. We chose to move back to Idaho, close to our families--and we are really happy and settled here.
Here are some things we've loved about the places we've lived:
Idaho (2006-2009):
We loved living in Idaho. Bryce is an Idaho boy through and through! :) We loved the crisp mountain air, weekend trips to Jackson Hole, the snow (although not driving in it), and living so close to our families.
Colorado (2009): Although we only spent a few months there for a college internship, we enjoyed Colorado so much. We loved the Rocky Mountains and red rocks. We loved all the things you could do outdoors, but most of all, we loved the friendships we made while we were there.
California (2010-2011):
We lived in the central coast of California in a small, beautiful town. We loved that the beach was a short 15 minute drive away. We spent many weekends at the beach sun tanning, reading books, and eating clam chowder from bread bowls. We liked being able to pull to the side of the road and buy strawberries from the stand. We loved the farmers markets and the juicy oranges. We met some great people in California, and keep in contact with some great friends that are still there.
Virginia (2011- 2014):
What a change it was moving from California to Northern Virginia! It was definitely a different vibe. But after living there for 3 years, we really learned to love the area. We liked being so close to Washington DC. There is so much history, and an endless list of things to do and see. We love the cherry blossoms in the spring, and the beautiful leaves in the fall. We loved the people we met while there, and have met some wonderful friends whom we will always cherish. Virginia will always have a special place in our hearts!
We welcomed Veda into our family while we lived in Virginia. This is one of our favorite pictures-
taken on our vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Idaho (Present):
With Bryce presented with the opportunity of working from home full-time, we are now living in Idaho Falls. Although Bryce could work anywhere, we are so happy to be here--in Idaho, close to our families. Living here just fits for us! We love our home here and are feeling happy and settled.
***
On January 30, 2013, we got the phone call that changed our lives. We were chosen to be the adoptive parents to our beautiful little girl, born just the day before. In a whirlwind, we flew across the country to meet her, and it was instant love.
One of our first pictures together as a family. Veda was born prematurely and was in the NICU for several weeks before she was ready to come home. Now she's happy and healthy as can be!
On August 2nd, 2013, our adoption became final, and we took Veda Claire to the Salt Lake City temple that same day to be sealed to us. We couldn't be more grateful that she is part of our forever family.
As a family, we love spending time together playing outside, going on walks with the dog in the neighborhood, and having dance parties in the living room. We love being silly and singing and dancing--anything to get our little girl to laugh! We envision spending lots of time outside this summer working and playing in the yard. Veda has a trike and a balance bike, and often she will grab her jacket and say, "Helmet. Bike. Outside!" She loves being out and exploring--especially if her dog is nearby.
We eat dinner together every night and enjoy cooking healthy recipes- and luckily our daughter generally eats whatever we give her! Veda has picked up on this, and loves cooking in her play kitchen. She will say, "I'm cooking, mix a mix a mix!" When she takes something out of her oven, she'll say, "Oooh, hot!"
As a married couple, we have had the opportunity to move around a little bit with Bryce's career. It has been a fun adventure for us! This is something we felt like we could do while we are still young. Moving is definitely not the easiest thing to do, but we've taken it in stride, and we've always been able to make friends wherever we go. It has been great for Bryce's career and he has been able to make many advancements in his few years of working for his company, and many of these promotions meant making a move.
After spending a few years in Northern Virginia, Bryce started having the opportunity to work from home pretty much exclusively. After asking, we got the go-ahead for him to work remotely full time. We chose to move back to Idaho, close to our families--and we are really happy and settled here.
Here are some things we've loved about the places we've lived:
Idaho (2006-2009):
We loved living in Idaho. Bryce is an Idaho boy through and through! :) We loved the crisp mountain air, weekend trips to Jackson Hole, the snow (although not driving in it), and living so close to our families.
Colorado (2009): Although we only spent a few months there for a college internship, we enjoyed Colorado so much. We loved the Rocky Mountains and red rocks. We loved all the things you could do outdoors, but most of all, we loved the friendships we made while we were there.
California (2010-2011):
We lived in the central coast of California in a small, beautiful town. We loved that the beach was a short 15 minute drive away. We spent many weekends at the beach sun tanning, reading books, and eating clam chowder from bread bowls. We liked being able to pull to the side of the road and buy strawberries from the stand. We loved the farmers markets and the juicy oranges. We met some great people in California, and keep in contact with some great friends that are still there.
Virginia (2011- 2014):
What a change it was moving from California to Northern Virginia! It was definitely a different vibe. But after living there for 3 years, we really learned to love the area. We liked being so close to Washington DC. There is so much history, and an endless list of things to do and see. We love the cherry blossoms in the spring, and the beautiful leaves in the fall. We loved the people we met while there, and have met some wonderful friends whom we will always cherish. Virginia will always have a special place in our hearts!
taken on our vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Idaho (Present):
With Bryce presented with the opportunity of working from home full-time, we are now living in Idaho Falls. Although Bryce could work anywhere, we are so happy to be here--in Idaho, close to our families. Living here just fits for us! We love our home here and are feeling happy and settled.
***
On January 30, 2013, we got the phone call that changed our lives. We were chosen to be the adoptive parents to our beautiful little girl, born just the day before. In a whirlwind, we flew across the country to meet her, and it was instant love.
On August 2nd, 2013, our adoption became final, and we took Veda Claire to the Salt Lake City temple that same day to be sealed to us. We couldn't be more grateful that she is part of our forever family.
As a family, we love spending time together playing outside, going on walks with the dog in the neighborhood, and having dance parties in the living room. We love being silly and singing and dancing--anything to get our little girl to laugh! We envision spending lots of time outside this summer working and playing in the yard. Veda has a trike and a balance bike, and often she will grab her jacket and say, "Helmet. Bike. Outside!" She loves being out and exploring--especially if her dog is nearby.
We eat dinner together every night and enjoy cooking healthy recipes- and luckily our daughter generally eats whatever we give her! Veda has picked up on this, and loves cooking in her play kitchen. She will say, "I'm cooking, mix a mix a mix!" When she takes something out of her oven, she'll say, "Oooh, hot!"
Between both of our families, we have 7 nieces and 7 nephews. With Jamie's family from Utah and most of Bryce's family in Idaho, we are lucky to see them often. Both of our families are very supportive of us pursuing adoption again, and we are certain that our children will grow up with grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, and cousins showering them with love. And of course, we will be the most grateful, appreciative, lucky parents in the world to be part of something so remarkable as adoption again!
Thank you for taking time to get to know us a little bit. This is just a glimpse into our lives-- if you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. Best of luck with your decision,
Love,
Bryce, Jamie, and Veda
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