The Nolden Family

I feel compelled, for some reason, to quickly share my feelings about adoption and what a great option it is. It’s a little bit removed from our typical “Blog Fodder” (a coin termed by me, feel free to use it …but my hope is that perhaps it will help someone out there that is contemplating adopting a child…or a woman/girl who is making the very difficult decision of whether to raise a child they are pregnant with or allow that child to be placed for adoption.

I guess the first thing to say is that I am a product of that decision made by a very young girl many many years ago. And the next thing I would like to say is “THANKS!” to her for making that brave decision…which I’m sure was incredibly difficult. I am so grateful that, number one, she didn’t decide to terminate my chance at life by having an abortion. Secondly, I’m grateful that she didn’t decide to try and raise me…she still being a child herself.

I (Shayne) was adopted when I was 3 days old and I have a sister that is 21 months older than me that was also adopted at the age of 1 month (different biological parents). My (amazing) parents, who tried unsuccessfully for years to have children, have always let my sister and I know that we were a “miracle” in their lives. We always felt extra special in that regard because we knew that they took extraordinary, deliberate measures in order to bring us into their family. We always knew we were adopted and that made us feel unique.

Another angle to this story is that I now have 3 adopted children of my own. Three of our children (it doesn’t matter which ones) were adopted through the Foster Care system. Frank, and his late wife Karen, took care of many children in their home who were not born into ideal family situations. They were able to adopt three of those children. They have all been a blessing in our home.

So, that is my quick story. I tell it, as I said, as an advocate for adoption and the blessings and benefits it can bring into the lives of the child adopted as well as the family that is blessed by their presence.

I was adopted through the LDS Social Services (now LDS Family Services). They have a great new website to help those contemplating adoption (on both sides) with their decision. They have a bunch of testimonials from birth parents and adopted children and a lot more good info. Check it out at:

Thanks for indulging me for a moment….