To get to know our family, talking to our kids is the most honest, straightforward, and fun way to do it.
Here is what they want you to know about our desire to adopt and what it will look like as we grow our family through adoption:
These answers are true but to get the full picture please continue to read and learn more about us!
We met through a mutual friend in college. Between our love of sports and adventures, it was a natural fit. We got married in 2014 and spent the first few years of marriage enjoying learning more about each other, playing in volleyball leagues, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
We have learned so much about ourselves and each other over the years. Through the ups and downs our faith and family have been strengthened. We still enjoy playing the occasional game of volleyball when we can and traveling as much as possible. Date nights lately consist of good food, a nice walk, and a lot of laughter.
We enjoy hiking, traveling, kayaking, playing volleyball, biking (some of us farther distances than others), and reading. We are often outside whether that is finding a nice hiking trail, taking the pontoon down the river, working in the garden, or tackling some projects at the house. Tyler loves riding his bike and Bethany is always up to play a board game. The kids have inherited their parents’ hobbies and will often be outside exploring, playing a game together on the floor, or asking to go for a bike ride.
Gender: A Boy or A Girl
Ethnicities: Any Race and Ethnicity
Age: Newborn to 3 Years Old
Total of: 1 to 2 Children or 2 Siblings
We Live In: Caledonia
Our Faith: Christian
Pets: Cat(s)
Kids Already: Three Children Now
Child Care Plan: Stay-at-Home Parent Â
We are very thankful for our family. The majority of our extended family lives here in West Michigan with a few living in Southern California and some in England.
Cousins have provided built-in-best-friends for our kids and family get-togethers are a common occurrence. Tyler has 6 siblings (3 of whom are married) and 7 nieces and nephews. Bethany has 3 siblings (all married) and 5 nieces and nephews.
We enjoy camping, taking trips, playing games, celebrating holidays, attending sporting events, and doing all the day-to-day things with our families. They are our support system; physically, mentally, and spiritually.
We’re grateful for lifelong friends as well as those who’ve come into our lives during different seasons. Our friendships span many backgrounds, and it’s been a joy to learn and grow together.
We’re incredibly grateful to be part of social circles that bring families together where everyone — kids and adults alike — have meaningful friendships.
We love hosting gatherings at our home — whether grilling on the back porch, taking the pontoon boat out on the river, or spending time with friends at the park and coffee dates.
We live off a dirt road with cows as our closest neighbors. We are on a river with a small section of woods to explore. Our town is full of small businesses, local churches, parks, trails, a library, and wonderful schools. We love our neighbors and appreciate the quiet that our street provides.
Our home is a safe space that we all look forward to returning to. We have worked hard to create a house we all enjoy, and one that is surrounded with love, joy, opportunities for growth and chances for adventures. It is seldom quiet here. You can often hear singing, games being played, books being read, and kids playing.
The kitchen is a place for baking delicious treats, the living room has been a stage for many performances, the back porch is a great place for quiet reading or hosting hangouts with friends. The garden is a place for play as well as seeing the beautiful blooming of God’s creation. We also have an outdoor cat, Maui, and five chickens.
Education is a door that opens a world of possibilities. We highly value education and we work hard to ensure that our children are supported throughout their learning process both in school and at home. We are active members at our children’s school and we want to encourage a lifelong love of learning.
Our home is filled with unconditional love and support. We know God calls us to love one another just as He has loved us. Every child is different and discipline is not one size fits all. The goal of discipline is to help teach and guide our children. We don’t view it as a way of punishment, but a way that we can help them with self-control and behave in the way that we are called to as Christians.
Our faith is something that we cherish. We were both raised in the Christian faith, and we have continued to prioritize our faith in our family and our lives. We take our calling as parents very seriously and we understand that it is our responsibility to teach our children about how much Jesus loves them and all that He did for them. We pray for our children, for protection, peace, wisdom, and joy.
I taught English as a Second Language for seven years. Working with students from a variety of backgrounds was such a joy. I taught English to students who spoke Spanish, Chinese, Burmese, and more. I coached Girls on the Run, volleyball, and basketball. I also lead a group called Parents are Teachers at my school that helped equip parents who didn’t speak English.
I cherish those years of teaching, and I am very grateful for this time that I currently have to be a stay-at-home mom. I have been able to be a part of my kids’ school, spend time with family and friends, and get to enjoy all of the little daily moments of childhood. In the evenings, I teach spin classes at a local gym. The community is fantastic and exercise has always been a large part of my life. My siblings have even come to my class for a good sweat!
I will continue to stay home and teach spin classes. When needed, we have an amazing support system of family and friends who help us with child care. Someday I plan on returning to the classroom, but for now, I am enjoying these days at home.
I enjoy what I do for many reasons. We are stewards of the forests that God has given us, and I enjoy seeing the beauty in the wood that comes through our facility and how each piece is unique. I enjoy the people I work with and the opportunities that my job has given me and my family to travel in Michigan, across the country, and even abroad.
My work has also given me the opportunity to interact with many people who come from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Our kids also enjoy coming to work with me to play with toys in our office and go for rides on forklifts.
I will continue my work, basically as normal. My work offers some flexibility to help with the kids and work from home. Bethany is primarily taking care of the kids during the weekdays so that will continue for the time being.
I have worn the title of many of my parents’ jobs. I was raised as a missionary kid, a pastor’s kid, and a military kid. All of these titles I wear proudly, and each helped shape me into who I am today. Mission work and pastoral care helped me strengthen my faith and care for others. Military kid helps form me into someone who is flexible, outgoing, and cultured.
All of these titles have meant a lot to me. I was born in the Dominican Republic, then moved to Florida, California, Wisconsin, Spain, Washington D.C., and Michigan. Although Michigan probably seems like the least exciting of the list, it was the place that I wanted to call home. Moving around allowed me to meet so many amazing people, visit new places, and grow extremely close to my family.
Both sides of my family originate from The Netherlands but today you might only notice that in the blonde hair and blue eyes, not so much in our customs. We have learned a little bit about our history and have travelled to the Netherlands a couple times. As a family today our traditions are just beginning. The most important so far is Taco Tuesday! But we also have Christmas traditions, birthday traditions, and Saturday morning routines that we all look forward to.
Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know our family.
We know the choices you are about to make are larger than we could ever imagine. Thank you for making the first choice in choosing life for your precious child. Even though we haven’t met, we have already been praying for both you and your child. We pray that you feel God’s overwhelming love and peace in the decision you are about to make. We promise to continue praying for you and your child with whatever path you take.
We hope looking through our profile shows you small snapshots of the love, joy, and care that we all share in our household. We are still a work in progress, but we take each day with grace and continue to show up with love.
Thank you for taking the time to look through our profile, to get a glimpse of our family, and share in the joy we have. Sharing can be so vulnerable, but there is so much joy in walking through life with others and allowing them to see who you are.
We hope that we get a chance to know you better and to walk together in raising your child. Music is something that we all enjoy in our house and lyrics from a beloved song, “Speak O Lord” say: “That the light of Christ might be seen today. In our acts of love and our deeds of faith. Speak O Lord, and fulfill in us all your purposes for Your glory.”
We are asking God to guide you throughout this process, to uplift you, and to give you comfort and peace. We know that His glory will be fulfilled and we pray that His light will shine throughout your journey and ours.
We know that each situation is unique and we want to honor your comfort level with open adoption. If you are willing, we would like for you to be a part of your child’s life in a variety of different ways.
Thank you for taking the time to look through our profile, to get a glimpse of our family, and share in the joy we have. Sharing can be so vulnerable, but there is so much joy in walking through life with others and allowing them to see who you are.
We hope that we get a chance to know you better and to walk together in raising your child. Music is something that we all enjoy in our house and lyrics from a beloved song, “Speak O Lord” say: “That the light of Christ might be seen today. In our acts of love and our deeds of faith. Speak O Lord, and fulfill in us all your purposes for Your glory.”
We are asking God to guide you throughout this process, to uplift you, and to give you comfort and peace. We know that His glory will be fulfilled and we pray that His light will shine throughout your journey and ours.
We know that each situation is unique and we want to honor your comfort level with open adoption. If you are willing, we would like for you to be a part of your child’s life in a variety of different ways.
Just one more thing...Thank you for taking the time to look through our profile, to get a glimpse of our family, and share in the joy we have. Sharing can be so vulnerable, but there is so much joy in walking through life with others and allowing them to see who you are.
We hope that we get a chance to know you better and to walk together in raising your child. Music is something that we all enjoy in our house and lyrics from a beloved song, “Speak O Lord” say: “That the light of Christ might be seen today. In our acts of love and our deeds of faith. Speak O Lord, and fulfill in us all your purposes for Your glory.”
We are asking God to guide you throughout this process, to uplift you, and to give you comfort and peace. We know that His glory will be fulfilled and we pray that His light will shine throughout your journey and ours.
We know that each situation is unique and we want to honor your comfort level with open adoption. If you are willing, we would like for you to be a part of your child’s life in a variety of different ways.
