Dec. 2021 | Vol. 01 Iss. 10
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ADOPTION – A BITTERSWEET JOURNEY
BOUNTIFUL—It took Jen Deveraux years to become a mother but looking back all the effort was worth it now that she has adopted two beautiful little girls. “We had infertility issues,” she said. “We tried for about six years and nothing happened. I did six rounds of IVI. Then I got into a car accident and it got put on the back burner.” Deveraux spent three years in rehab. “Then we said ‘let’s try again.’ Nothing was happening. They did every test under the sun. At one time they took 16 vials of blood. I was on the edge of the bed and fainted. When I came to they said they weren’t done and that unless I kept going it would be a waste of time.” The tests showed she had an over-acting immune system. “I had a 10 percent chance of having a baby,” said Deveraux. “My body kills everything foreign that comes in.” They hadn’t considered adoption at first, she said. “I had decided I was just not meant to have kids.” When they did decide to try adopting, they went through a private agency. The first time, after the baby
By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal. com was born, the birth mom decided to happening. She decided she didn’t keep her, said Deveraux. The next want to give him up. It’s too emotionone they followed the girl all the way al.” through to delivery but she lost the Then nine months after getbaby. ting Journee, another girl became “It was such a rollercoaster,” she available for adoption and Swayzee said. “It’s nothing you can imagine.” came into their lives. “I had two unOne night while they were hav- der two,” said Deveraux. “Be careful ing dinner Deveraux got a picture what you wish for.” from the agency of a 14-month-old Parents want kids so badly but little girl. “She said ‘she’s not an in- they have to do what’s best for them, fant do you still want her?’ Instantly she said. “It happens when it’s supwe had an almost 2-year-old. It was posed to happen. We appreciate our literally 48 hours. We had sold every- kids because we had to fight for thing because I didn’t want a baby them.” room. We went to Target and got two Parents are searching and waitcart loads of stuff.” ing and wondering why it’s taking so That’s when Journee, now 8, long, Deveraux said. “I look back and came into their lives. “We met in a I was in my closet in tears and on my hotel lobby in Bountiful and they knees but once you get them in your slid her on her bum across the table,” arms – it’s amazing.” Deveraux said. “She is one of eight The birth moms don’t know children. The mother has given up the gift they’re giving parents, she seven.” said. “There are no words to say how Deveraux said she then learned much this means. I can’t thank them of a mother who was pregnant with enough, all I can do is make sure their a boy and due in April. “I thought children are taken care of and have ‘a boy and a girl, that’s perfect my what they need.” l work is done.’ But then April came Little baseball stars Journee, 8 (left) and Swayzee, 6 were adopted. Their mother and went and I didn’t know what was Jen Deveraux is grateful to their birth mothers for bringing them into her life.
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