American Adoptions -- America's Adoption Agency

Hannah is Super-Excited to Be a Big Sister!

We are an active family and enjoy doing things with our friends and family. On weeknights, you might find Katie playing in a volleyball league, or Brian cheering on the local high school sports team with some friends. We enjoy taking Hannah to dance class and to play with her friends. We are active in our church and enjoy helping out at events and serving in the community. The highlights of our weeks are when we spend time together as a family, either going places together or just spending time at home. Katie and Hannah enjoy cooking, crafting, and all kinds of different projects. Brian and Hannah are always thinking up new games to play, and share a love of the outdoors. We have especially enjoyed taking care of our garden this year, which was a new family project that actually yielded some great tomatoes and watermelons!

Checking on the Crops in Our Small Backyard Garden

Much of our time is spent with family and friends. Whether it is exploring in the woods at our family farm, catching frogs at our friend's lake, or just hanging out around our house, we really enjoy spending time together.

Brian Volunteering at an Orphanage in Honduras

Cultural diversity is something that is a part of our everyday life. Brian's family is extremely diverse, as he has cousins whose spouses are from Argentina, Peru, Thailand, and the Philippines. He has a cousin who is African American, and other cousins who have adopted from Africa and China. In addition to family, we have very good friends who have adopted from Ethiopia, Congo, and Korea. Also, in his role as an educational consultant to an orphan care ministry, Brian regularly visits a school for orphans and vulnerable children in Honduras. When our children are older, we hope to include them in family trips to the schools that Brian works with around the world. With the various cultures represented by our families and friends, and the time we spend visiting outside of our own culture, we have come to see there is much to learn from everyone. We value differences in people and diversity of cultures. We are grateful for the opportunities they have given us to learn more about what makes each of us special, and we look forward to sharing this with a new child.

Getting Ready to Head Out to a Concert

Brian about Katie: I have always admired Katie's compassion, sharp mind, and quick wit. Since we've become parents, I have loved seeing what an amazing mother she is. Katie finds deep enjoyment in doing everyday things with Hannah. She finds ways to make routine tasks exciting adventures for a little child. Even when she is busy, she makes time to have intentional time with Hannah and loves working on creative projects with her. I especially admire her efforts to teach Hannah how to love others, such as when she took Hannah to pass out valentines at the local care center or when she helps her write letters to our sponsored child in Columbia.

Katie about Brian: Brian has an incredible work ethic and a passion for serving others that is contagious. He has a strong internal compass that guides our family with integrity. As a school principal who lives in the community where he works, he understands how important it is for him to set an example for his students wherever he is. He is engaged with his students outside of the school day, and invests in them by showing that he cares about them as people. We attend lots of Little League games and ballet recitals because he knows those things mean the world to his students. I believe this is teaching Hannah the importance of building relationships and helping her to know what it means to live a life of integrity.