Thank you so much for taking the time to look at our family. We want you to know that we would raise your child knowing that you love them and that this decision was made out of pure love and unselfishness. You will always be a very special person in our lives and the life of your child.

Greg Meg Job Description Estimator with a Large Construction Company Kindergarten & First Grade Reading Teacher, Future Stay-at-Home Mom Education Degree in Agriculture & Certification in Construction Elementary Education Degree & Masters in Special Education Favorites Form of Exercise Playing Sports with Kids Form of Exercise Walking Leisure Activity Yard Work Leisure Activity Reading to Kids Memory with Spouse Birth of Our Children Memory with Spouse Meeting Drew at the Hospital Sport to Play Golf Sport to Play Baseball with the Boys Type of Music Country Type of Music 80’s Children Drew-5 years old, Charlie-4 years old

When we decided to adopt we were so excited! We jumped in with both feet and ran with it. That memory will be forever burned into our hearts. Meg was checking her voice mail after work on Thursday and had a message from American Adoptions telling us that we were matched! We told our families on Friday with a surprise dinner. We thought we had 4 weeks to prepare. We went to work on Monday and got an email that said that our son had been BORN! We ran around and told people at our work that we were parents!!! We met at home and began to prepare. We called our families and told them the exciting news! Meg’s mom traveled with us and we were on a plane that afternoon. When we finally arrived at the hospital we were able to see Drew and feed him his midnight bottle. What an amazing experience! We had been dreaming of this moment for a long time and it was finally happening. When we first got a glimpse of Drew we were awestruck at how beautiful and small he was. We held him for the longest time, each taking our turn, smiling at him and talking to him. Our hearts were full to bursting! The next day we met his birth mom and her mom. We were excited but nervous. His birth mom walked up to us and she and Meg hugged each other with Drew between them for a long time. We talked and asked questions and felt really comfortable with each other. For two families to come together because of the love that they both have for the same child is a beautiful experience and one that we will never forget.

There are several qualities that make our family unique from other adoptive families. First, we have had the privilege of adopting a child. We are so honored to have been chosen to raise and love Drew. He is such a delightful little boy. The adoption process brought two families together that never would have met and we both love the same little guy. What an amazing experience! Second, we have also been given the chance to have a biological child. This is another experience that we treasure. Each of our boys was given to us in their own special way and each has a special spark but both are precious to us and loved unconditionally. Lastly, we are unique in what we can offer a child. Along with love and support, we can give two different types of living experiences. We live in a large city with great schools and awesome chances for a child to be who they truly are. We also have a family farm. Greg's parents live in a small country town only an hour away from us. We visit them often and when we do we get to experience the life that Greg grew up in. When we get up we take care of the cows and then we get to run and play outside all day. With the way our family came together and the opportunities to experience city and farm life we feel we are a unique family.

Our Family at Back to School Night

Our lifestyle can be summed up in 2 words: family oriented.We do everything as a family. When it comes to our immediate family of four we are together most of the time. We always eat dinner together and then spend the evening doing activities together. Sometimes we play games, or build forts or watch movies. Every evening though we cuddle and read books and talk about our day and what tomorrow will bring. We look at pictures and read them stories about Disney characters, dinosaurs and nursery rhymes. We love it when our kids "read" to us by telling the story that is in the pictures. Our family goes to children's museums where they can do hands on activities; we visit zoos and other fun places that can teach us how to care for others and for animals. We enjoy being together and we can't wait to see our boys "reading" to their sibling and teaching them all about the farm and how to have fun.

When it comes to our extended family, things are on a bigger scale! We do such fun activities throughout the year. In the summer we swim at the pool with Meg's family, celebrate the Fourth of July with Greg's family at the farm and county fairs and then finish the holiday at Meg's sister's house watching fireworks. In the fall we go to weekly football games that Meg's brother in law is the coach for and help harvest the crops at the farm. In the winter we spend all holidays with both sides of the family eating, playing games, laughing and enjoying each others company. In the spring we help Greg's family plant crops and go on an annual fishing trip with Meg's family. Every weekend we are with one side of the family or the other. We are definitely a close family who enjoys spending time together! When we welcome a new child into this family it will be with open arms and hearts and they will be included in every activity.