Misty’s Extended Family at Christmas

Our families have been very excited and supportive of our decision to adopt. They are just as excited as we are about the baby we will bring home someday.

Jeremy’s Extended Family

Misty: I grew up as an only child in the same small town in Texas that my parents grew up in. Our family is much smaller than Jeremy's, but we are very close- knit. Family values are important to us, and children are considered treasures. We all live within twenty miles of each other and see each other weekly. When we get together, we usually eat dinner and play card games. During the summer, camping trips to the river are a tradition. My family has a strong connection with Jeremy's daughter, Kendra, and they are very involved in every aspect of her life. Everyone is very supportive of our plan to adopt a baby. My mother is especially excited because she will be the one taking care of the baby while I am teaching during the day. She is a retired teacher and she is the most kind-hearted person I know. She will nurture this baby and shower him or her with the kind of love that only a special grandma can provide.

Jeremy: I grew up as a middle child with seven siblings in a rural town in up-state New York. My parents raised us in a warm and loving environment and encouraged us to pursue our dreams. Subsequently, some of my siblings live within two hours from my home in Texas, while others have stretched out to the East and West Coast. Having come from a very large family, I feel fortunate to have such strong and deep family roots. While gathering as a family is quite difficult, we still stay current with each other. We have several family traditions that we hold steadfast to. I often have my brother's family over for traditional backyard BBQ's. My family shares a passion for parenting and supports our decision to adopt whole heartedly.

Our Home

Our three bedroom home is perfect for raising a family. It is located in Texas in a recently developed ranch style neighborhood that offers beautiful scenery and friendly people. Our back yard covers about one acre. We chose this home because of the beautiful, shady oak trees as well as open spaces that are perfect for running and playing. We have a swing set, a hammock, and a trampoline with a safety net. The neighborhood children come over and play often and our friends and family come over frequently for back yard cook outs.

Our Big Backyard

One of the things that we love about our neighborhood is that we have a great deal of privacy because the houses are situated on large lots. We also love the wildlife that we get to see each day. A walk around the block allows us to see horses, cattle, and exotic birds. In the summer, many of the neighborhood families go fishing in a big man-made pond that is stocked with a variety of fish. There is also a park at the end of our street, where children play basketball or climb on the play set. The schools in our town have received national recognition for their academics as well as the many special programs they offer. In fact, most families move to our community because of the schools. Our town includes country- style areas as well as beautiful coastal beaches, and a large city less than ten minutes away. Our summer days are often spent at the beach splashing in the water and building sandcastles with family and friends. There are many educational activities here, such as an aquarium, a national seashore center, a university, and several museums. Some of the annual events we attend include festivals, plays, shows on ice, and several parades.