Matt’s Extended Family

Matt is the older of two kids. His younger sister Mindy is married and has two little girls age six and ten. They are looking forward to us adopting another baby. His sister is a partner in an advertising design and marketing company, her husband works at the school and is evolved in PTA. They live two and a half hours away from us here in Missouri. We see about every other month. Matt's parents live three miles down the road, near where he grew up. On Sundays after church, we all eat a big dinner together. His dad has been a bricklaying business for over 35 years and currently a supervisor besides working on the farm. His mother works in the health insurance business as provider contract specialist. His parents are in their late 50's and both pretty healthy active grandparents. They love our five year old little boy; Garrett. They love to spoil him, but that's what grandparents are for. Matt's parents were so happy when we brought Garrett home as a baby and were very supportive toward us adopting him as an infant. Matt's aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews almost all live within a short driving distance, except a couple of cousins. One lives in California and the other lives in Wyoming, which see every other year. Matt has one cousin adopted as an infant named Tim. Tim is married and has three kids. Matt grew up with a very close special relationship to his sister and his cousins all through his childhood, and Tim is one of them. Matt has large extended family which is nice to have around. Matt has two living grandmother's one 78 and the other 83; and they love Garrett and are looking forward to us adopting another baby also. Matt's dad Bob, was the second oldest of four boys. Matt's mother Gena, is the oldest of four kids; three girls, one boy. His dad grew up on the farm and his mother grew up mostly in town, later moving to a smaller acreage out in the country. His parents met in high school, and got married the summer before his dad went into the service.

Becky’s Extended Family

Becky is the youngest of three kids. The oldest is Jeff, who is single, loves music, and computers. He is a sales manager for a security systems company and works also on his music career. One year ago, he moved up to Wisconsin to be closer to Becky's dad and sister. His is dating a nice young lady named Traci, and they seem to really "click". The second oldest is Sue, who is married with two little boys ages three and seven. Sue is stay at home mom. Her husband Todd is a semi-truck driver, doing daily deliveries and is home every night. Becky's dad, Bill, lives with her sister Sue and her family. Becky's dad is age 73 and is still "on the go". For many years he sold insurance, and now he is a car salesman. In the summer we all meet at small town in Illinois, where Becky's mom grew up to see her side of the family. Then we usually alternate Christmas and Thanksgiving for us all to visit Becky's dad's side of the family. Becky, her dad and sister talk on the phone many times through the week. They are all very excited about another child to come into the family. Becky's mother Ruby left us to go home to our Heavenly Father three years ago, at age 75, after her heart surgery and heart trouble while in the hospital. She was a very sweet loving mother and grandmother; we treasure our time we had with her. What is special about Becky's parents is they also choose adoption, twice with Becky's older brother Jeff and sister Sue as infants. Becky's mother was the 2nd of seven children, and grew up on a farm in Illinois. Becky's father was the 2nd oldest of four children, and grew up on the north shore suburbs of Chicago. Becky's parents, Bill and Ruby met at college. Becky has one grandfather who will be 99 years old on his birthday next spring. We hope to have his energy when we get up there in our years.

Our Home in the Fall

We live in the country, within a short distance from a larger city. Our town has a wonderful school system and we have access to a few colleges. We have the country and city life style all in one. We have a beef cattle farm, with two dogs, Belle and Buster, and one cat Miss Kitty. We spend time on the farm together mostly taking walks or driving down to check on the cows. Work and play go together on the farm, reminding us God's beauty of the outdoors, like being a child again. To share is this everyday adventure; we are ready to adopt another baby. Our little boy Garrett is ready for a little brother or little sister too.

A Few Calves on Our Farm

Living in the country, our neighborhood is more spread out, but still a feeling of closeness. Just a few minutes away in several directions are old friends and new friends.Our friends with younger children we see pretty often to let our little boy play with, and our neighbors are very excited for us. We are members of our church and they are considered part of our family too.

Matt works as maintenance person at a lime stone quarry. Becky works as an insurance benefit analyst. Becky works in the city nearby; Matt works is in the next town over. We always say, "It's good to come home to a relaxing, but hard working family household".

While housework eventually gets done, what we enjoy most is being a parent. Getting down to our son's level and playing a game with him, playing ball in the back yard, reading a book, giggling and acting silly, it's all part of what we love most about our day. Garrett, our son, has a sticker chart for each day, things to focus on to promote good behavior, good listening skills, being a friend and, or brushing teeth. At the end of each week, if he gets his stickers for doing these things, he gets a small prize. At the end of four weeks, we all go out for pizza to celebrate because that is his favorite.