We lead a very active lifestyle. Judy's mom always says that we have a "go, go, go" lifestyle and that we are "always doing something." We both thrive on a very active lifestyle. If the weather is warm, we do not like the day to go to waste. We will typically go out and walk the dogs, take a pedal boat out at the lake, or go for a hike at one of our local hiking trails. Other days, we will just go out and sit in the pasture with our donkeys and goats and watch them sun bathe. If we are feeling like we need a restful day, then we will prop up our hammock and lay out with dogs, enjoy the summer breeze, and read a good book. Hosting our exchange students also keeps us busy, we typically are out attending there sporting events and cheering on them and their teammates. We look forward to navigating the new season of busy that welcoming this child will bring.

Judy About Caleb: The qualities that I admire in Caleb is his honest, hands on and involved personality. He is invested in all aspects of our lives and I know that he will continue this with your child. Caleb never misses our exchange students sporting events, he never misses a chance to play board games or go on a walk with them, and he never misses an opportunity to take them shopping. At family gatherings Caleb can be found playing on the floor with the children. Caleb is a little kid at heart. He is dedicated to those who are lucky enough to have a piece of his heart and I know that he will take these traits and make a wonderful attentive father to this child.

Caleb About Judy: The qualities that I admire in Judy is her strong independent personality, as well as, her ability to wear her heart on her sleeve. Judy is not afraid to stand up for herself and others and I know that this will translate well to raising this child. Judy will be proud of this child's heritage and where they come from and she will be proud to share it with others. In addition, I love and respect Judy's infectious smile, laugh, patient, and understanding personality. She will take these qualities and translate them into making a wonderful mother to this child. I am excited to see Judy become a mom and complete her childhood dream of completing her family through adoption.

We have both traveled to different countries to see different cultures. Caleb went to the Dominican Republic for 3 weeks to see the cultural differences in quality of life in a different country. He was able to see many disparities in the medical and living conditions. He visited two orphanages while in the Dominican and this really opened his eyes to the benefits of adoption. He worked with a running group that was organized to try and help keep kids off the streets that may be in homes that were considered "at risk." Judy visited Kenya for 3 weeks with a medical program where she assisted in hospitals and was able to see and experience the cultural and medical differences between there and the U.S. While on an excursion in Kenya, Judy went to a local tribe where she was taught the dance and chant of the tribe and was able to join in on their dance. She was also able to embrace a traditional meal with this tribe. Since that time, we have hosted 3 different foreign exchange students from 3 different countries and have incorporated some of their home traditions into our daily lives. We value the cultures of others and feel that it is very important to be inclusive of others. We are eager to embrace the culture of this child.

Our house is a two-story, four-bedroom classic farm home. Our home has all of the charm and quarks that you would expect from a home built in the 1890's, with the perks and benefits of a complete remodel. Think old charm, with a modern finish. Your child will have their own room that is next to ours. The main level of our home has a bedroom just off the living room that will become the playroom. We have 2.5 acres of land on our property for your child to run and play on and enjoy.

The community we live in is small-town rural community in south central Iowa. We have experienced the power of our community ourselves first hand, through hosting our exchange students. The community has been very welcoming of the exchange students, they are supportive and welcoming them in any activities they would like to try or helping us with transportation when needed. The community is also very into FFA – Future Farmers of America. They have one of the largest and one of the highest-rated programs in the state of Iowa. Many kids get involved with 4H. Many kids also have farm animals themselves. We currently have 2 donkeys, 9 goats, and 5 chickens that we would love for your child to get involved with and to show them at the local state and county fairs if this is something that interests them.

Our town does have a nice walking trail that we can visit, along with a small park. Indianola is only a 10 minute drive which has access to a very long walking and biking trail that extends all the way to Carlisle that we can use as well. Indianola also has a pool, YMCA, Skate Park, and farmers market every Saturday. Caleb's parents' house has a large yard for activities, as well as, a basketball hoop in there driveway where your child could play if they choose to do so.

We enjoy spending time with our friends and family, most of our family lives within a 45-minute radius. Closest to us is Judy's uncle with his two kids. He is a widow, but we are all very close to his new partner. Her uncle has a 9-year-old with her aunt who passed and a 1-year-old with his new partner. We enjoy attending local sporting events with them, spending evenings around the table, and spending time at their home riding their horses. Both of our sisters live in Des Moines, Iowa. Judy has a nephew that is 7 years old. We enjoy spending time with our nephew and playing his favorite game, "nerf wars." Both of our parents live in Iowa. We enjoy monthly family game nights at Caleb's parents' house. Judy's parents typically come out to our farm to enjoy the peacefulness that the country offers. In the summers, we spend nights around the fire watching the sunset in the distance. Our families are unique because we have the small town farm family bond. Every one of us looks after each other's families and our animals. Our support circle is strong and we have no doubts that this child would be nothing less than loved unconditionally and welcomed with open arms.

Perhaps you've landed here because something about us has caught your attention. Is it our undeniable love for one another? Perhaps it's Judy's patient and understanding personality or Caleb's involved, honest, hands on, and invested manner. Whatever it is that has drawn you to us, we want you to know that we are so happy that you are here. Right now is a very difficult time in your life, and we understand all of the emotions that you might be feeling. Mandy Hale once said, "It's OKAY to be scared. Being Scared means you're about to do something really, really brave."

You might be asking yourself why we want to adopt? Judy has always had the desire to adopt from a young age. Her dream as a little girl was to grow up and provide a family to a child in need. Judy has a big heart, and she wears her heart on her sleeve. She knows that there are so many beautiful children in the world that need a safe and loving home. Due to this she has no desire to have children of her own. Caleb went on a mission trip to the Dominican and visited two orphanages, as well as, worked with a program that assisted "at risk" youth with the goal of keeping them off the streets. Through this experience Caleb's eyes were opened to the world of adoption and giving that loving, supportive home to a child in need. Caleb is very involved with kids, he enjoys getting on his hands and knees and playing toys with them on the floor. You may even see him playing peek-a-boo down the aisle of grocery stores with little kids. Caleb is a little kid at heart, who desires to have children that he can love with his entire heart. Caleb desires to adopt a child and provide them with a safe, fun, and loving home.

We met 10 years ago in high school through cross country, we have now been married for 5 years, together for 9 years and are ready to grow our family through adoption. Throughout the years our love for one another has only grown stronger. We feel it is time to share that love with your child. We are so excited to integrate this child into our lives and to spend time with them in our favorite vacation spots, to show them our farm animals and the joy that they can bring, to spend warm days on a walk throughout our community, and to show this child the unconditional love of dogs. Most of all, we want them to experience our Iowa favorite with us, the Iowa State Fair and our local county fairs.

We want you to know that by choosing us as this child's parents, we vow to share updates as often as you'd like. We vow to share pictures and letters. We vow to ensure that this child knows how much you meant to them and how great and selfless their mother is. We vow to offer in person visits throughout this child's life if that's something you desire. We vow to ensure that this child grows up knowing that they are so loved.

We want to thank you for taking the time to view our profile. Thank you for considering adoption and considering our fun, loving, and welcoming home for your child. We know that this must be extremely overwhelming for you. We will be praying that peace and love will pour into your life and for the health and happiness of the little one you are growing. Please never forget how BRAVE you are.

Caleb & Judy