Matthew’s Family

We have both been blessed to come from large, loving families. Matthew is the eldest of 11 children and Katheryn the eldest of 12!!! We both spent a lot of time with our younger siblings growing up, and as a result, we are all extremely close now. Both sets of parents are super excited about the arrival of their first grandchild, and all our siblings talk constantly about how they can't wait to be aunts and uncles for the first time. Each one is convinced that they will be the "favorite" and "funniest" one! Katheryn's little brothers (11, 9 and 6) pray every night "that God will give Katheryn and Matthew a baby." It melts our hearts to hear them. They tell us over and over again all of the things they want to "teach" and "play with" their future niece or nephew.

Katheryn’s Parents and Some Siblings at Sister’s Graduation

Every Sunday we have family dinner at Katheryn's family's farm, which is very close to where we live. We spend the afternoon playing outside on the 5 acres of land: games of volleyball and basketball, exploring the creek, playing in the huge tree fort, on the massive trampoline, or with the animals (goats, chickens, dogs, cats, and a horse). We usually spend the evening playing games as a family.

Matthew's family lives in California, and we try to take a road trip down to see them a few times a year. We get emails and calls almost daily from one sibling or another asking how the adoption process is going. We both grew up living close to our extended family, and have such rich childhood memories and close relationships because of that. It is very important for us to provide this for your child as well. They will be much loved (and spoiled!) with two sets of grandparents, four sets of great-grandparents, and 21 aunts and uncles!! We also think it is special that our youngest siblings will be so close in age to him/her: they will be more like cousins!

Our Home

We bought our first home in the beautiful, ever-green state of Washington almost two years ago, and we have been having so much fun with it ever since. Our home is a cozy cottage with rounded ceilings and old-fashioned charm. It is full of antique built-in features that give it character. The future playroom has a window seat that looks out into our back yard and is shaded by lilac trees. Our yard is the perfect size for an exploring child, with lots of fun areas to play house or build a fort. Matthew loves to work in the yard on weekends and is in the process of building a fountain and small creek right now. We have had so much fun decorating and painting the inside of the house. We can't wait to work on the nursery together!

Biking Trail Behind Our Home

Our home is downtown in a very nature orientated neighborhood, and so we feel like we have the best of both worlds: we are in walking distance of the library and cute stores, as well as several different playgrounds and parks, and we have a beautiful biking/hiking trail right behind our house! We love taking evening walks together along that trail…it is so green, lush, and secluded. We feel like we are in a gorgeous paradise just minutes from our home!!

We belong to a warm, close-knit parish close to our home and are good friends with the pastor. We are involved with the parish activities and take an active role in the community. There are many yearly activities for kids hosted there: an All Saints' Day party, a mother-daughter tea party, spaghetti dinners, summer Bible school, a holiday bazaar where all the kids make crafts and have their own tables, and clubs for girls and boys where they learn about charity and caring for the elderly and the homeless.