Brian & Stephanie
Brian & Stephanie
To find out how you really feel about someone, we recommend taking a ten day road trip in a small car with limited funds. For our honeymoon, we toured parts of Route 66, down through the Southwest and up through the Midwest. We saw the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the mountains in Colorado.
It was at times exciting and at times unpleasant, but it was a lot like life, marriage, and parenthood. To do it again, we wouldn’t do it any differently.
Through everything we have faced since, we have chosen to weather it together, side by side — almost like we are still sitting in that little red Cavalier munching on snacks and trying to figure out exactly where we are.
Our Story
We grew up near each other but didn’t meet until Brian joined the same church as Stephanie as a teenager. It was love at first sight — for him. After years of romantic attempts on his part, we finally began dating two months before he left on a yearlong tour in Iraq with the Army.
Stephanie says: What finally changed my mind? My friend and future sister-in-law told a story about Brian modeling her jean jacket as a joke. I remember realizing this quiet, seemingly boring guy I had known for years might actually be funny. The rest is history.
We have three children, a seven year old son and four year old fraternal twin daughters. Pregnancy has never come easily for us and our youngest spent two weeks in the NICU after her emergency birth.
Our son has also undergone specialized therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder. The physical and emotional needs faced by our kids have changed our views of parenthood and enhanced our compassion and grace for others. We are far from perfect parents, but we continue to learn alongside our children.
Our Relaxation & Fun
With three kids, there isn’t much relaxation — but there is a lot of fun, like exploring Nana and Papa’s farm and hanging out with cousins. While we would like to travel more someday, we see how much joy children find in simple things, like muddy puddles or a large empty box: the possibilities are endless. Together we enjoy local events like parades and fairs.
Stephanie says: Brian is the perfect person to watch a comedy with. He can be very silly, and his sense of humor is my favorite thing about him. I love that he is an involved dad and enjoys outdoor playtime. We were friends first and that has always been the foundation of our relationship. He is opposite of me in many ways and we balance each other out.
Brian says: Stephanie is a devoted wife and mother. She regularly puts everyone else’s needs above her own and appreciates structure. I may have a love/hate relationship with her stubbornness, but I don’t feel complete without her. She enjoys listening to music, reading books, and playing games — especially when she is winning. The kids share her love of music, books, and puzzles; we are all Wordle enthusiasts. Fun times are spent at home, competing in Go Fish and Sorry! or taking turns as the DJ.
our adoption hopes
Gender: A Boy or A Girl
Ethnicities: Any Race and Ethnicity
Age: Newborn to 6 Months
Total of: 1 to 2 Children or 2 Siblings
a snapshot
of us
We Live In: Lake Odessa
Our Faith: Christian
Pets: No Pets
Kids Already: Three Children Now
Child Care Plan: Stay-at-Home Parent
Our Family & Friends
Our oldest, Evan, is very intelligent with specific interests in history and geography. He enjoys time outdoors, road trips, and comics. He is in second grade and tries to teach his sisters basic school skills.
Rian adores stories, dress up, and stuffed animals — and to dress up her stuffed animals. She would choose dessert for every meal if she could. She is a sweet, snuggly little girl with a surprising love of dirt.
Maye has a big personality and doesn’t do anything halfway. Her zest for life is unparalleled. She imitates others and enjoys and creative projects. She is very determined, but she is also very loving. Her laugh is infectious!
Brian shares a special bond with his brothers, who each have four kids. Family gatherings are loud and fun. One brother lives nearby so we see his family more frequently; the other lives in Ohio, but we still see them a few times a year. The recent discovery of his half-sister has been a source of joy for Brian. They communicate regularly, and her family has come for a visit. During their very first phone call, they felt instantly connected.
Stephanie’s only sibling lives out of state but FaceTime allows her to stay close. Auntie tests out the app’s features with the kids; their favorite are the emoji animals superimposed on their own faces. Stephanie’s parents are the ultimate grandparents: involved and truly generous. Nana lets the kids “help” make dinner while Papa sneaks them extra treats. They are a blessing in our lives, and Stephanie’s dad is a well-known “baby whisperer.”
Our Home & Neighborhood
We built our house in 2020. It has an open floor plan with three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the main floor. In the finished lower level, there is a large family room, a bathroom, and a bedroom, with an unfinished fifth bedroom. The home sits on three acres of our twenty acre parcel; the other acreage is farmed by Stephanie’s dad. We added a small pole barn in 2022, and the kids have really enjoyed it. There are several nearby homes, many of which see children playing outside.
Within five minutes, we can be at the local elementary school, library, doctor’s office, park, or public beach, not to mention a nature trail used for biking and walking that is less than a ten-minute drive away. We also live only fifteen minutes from a Wild Animal Park. Our area is not the most varied, but there is still diversity.
Education
We both earned degrees, Brian at a technical institute and Stephanie as a state university. However, we feel higher education is only one option and will encourage our children to pursue the life path that is best for each of them. Education is more than learning facts; every interaction with the world and others teaches something new and there is always more to learn.
We stress the importance of reading, especially during early childhood. We spend a lot of time at the local library and utilize their many programs. No two kids learn the same way or the same thing at the same time. Sometimes extra assistance is beneficial, and we have worked to get our son any support he needs for the developmental areas in which he struggles. We will take whatever approach best helps a child.
Correction & Discipline
Just like with education, no singular discipline approach is one size fits all. Some children will test parents more than others. Sometimes a time out is necessary — for everyone. An explanation of why a word or action is not okay might be all a child needs, although often more than once. Life is confusing for grown adults, let alone kids, and they long to understand the world around them. What can appear as misbehavior may simply be misunderstanding.
Different behaviors (and the motivations behind those behaviors) have to be addressed in unique ways. It is essential to make sure everyone feels safe and loved. It is also important to not make children feel powerless. They need their autonomy and right to appropriate choices to be recognized while receiving gentle correction as necessary. We do not value and will not use physical punishment.
Our Faith Views
We attend church services on Sundays; while we personally do not hold to a specific denomination, our church is United Brethren. They offer wonderful children’s programs and a variety of people and families. Our faith is very important to us, and we will raise any child under our care in a Christian household. Our desire would be to see them come to their own relationship with God.
We believe God is a God of love, mercy, and forgiveness. His timing and His plan are perfect. He sent His Son Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our redemption, and He is not only willing but eager to adopt every person as His son or daughter. There is no better example of love and adoption.
Brian's Career
Brian started a new job at an engineering and architectural company as a Civil CAD Technician in 2022. He loves the challenging work along with the business structure and integrity. The majority of his time is spent in the office, with occasional site visits and client meetings. He works closely with a team to develop blueprints for specific projects such as parking lots and underground utilities.
Previously, he did site design and estimating for an agricultural equipment company for ten years and designed RV camper trailers for seven years. He fell in love with CAD design in high school and has known since then it would be his primary career path. For eight years he was also in the Army Reserves.
His company offers paternity leave, along with accumulated vacation days he would utilize for bonding with a child. His hours are flexible as needed, but he primarily works from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Stephanie's Career
I am a stay-at-home parent, so there is a lot of picture books, meal preparation, and pretend play in my day. After our son gets on the bus for school, I spend the time until he gets home with our daughters. We visit with my mom most Mondays and participate in library story time and a Bible study for moms and kids on Wednesdays. I have also started an informal preschool with the girls two days a week. They like the idea of having school just like their big brother.
I worked at a library from the summer I turned fourteen until I got married and moved out of state for two years. I am very grateful I am able to be home with the kids. Not every moment is easy, in fact many aren’t, but I consider it a privilege to be around so much as they grow up.
I would continue to stay home with any child placed with us, too.
Brian
European descent, with English/Irish, French/German, and Norwegian heritage. Brian was adopted at age three along with his older (full) and younger (half) brothers. He also grew up with two younger (non-biological) siblings. He maintains contact with his birth mother and did locate his biological father in 2021, which led to finding his half-sister, who was adopted by another family. Brian has an interest in his extended family and has reached out to numerous relatives. His own experience has shown us the important position of birth family and how that connection helped him to understand himself, who he is and where he came from.
Stephanie
European descent, mainly French/German. My paternal grandmother was actually born in Germany right before WWII. She was later adopted by her stepfather, an American soldier. I grew up in a very tight-knit family, with one older sister. She is the fun aunt who enjoys extended visits a couple times each year from her home in Florida. My parents play a huge role in our kids’ lives. We spend a lot of time together, usually having Sunday dinner after church and getting together throughout the week, along with annual holiday events likes an Easter egg hunt with my mom’s family and a Christmas Eve seafood supper.
We love the three children we have now but we await a special child we have yet to meet. Regardless of any agency or family you choose, thank you for choosing life. May you feel peace in your journey and the decisions you make for your precious child. Even though we do not know you, know we are praying for you.
- Child Separation, Attachment, and Bonding
- Child Development, Including Safe Sleep Practices for Children
- Behavioral and Emotional Needs of Adoptive Children
- Impact of Adoption on the Family
We will do everything we safely can to ensure a lasting connection between you (and your family) to ours, with your child knowing and living a life filled with love.
Whether this means regular visits or texting updates, group outings or phone calls, we can make this relationship the best one possible by communicating honestly and working together. We are in awe of your selfless love, and we do not take your decision to open your heart to us lightly.
OUR COMFORT LEVEL WITH DIFFERENT ADOPTION OPTIONS
- Very Comfortable
- Mostly Comfortable
- Unsure
- A Bit Uneasy
- Not Comfortable
We will do everything we safely can to ensure a lasting connection between you (and your family) to ours, with your child knowing and living a life filled with love.
Whether this means regular visits or texting updates, group outings or phone calls, we can make this relationship the best one possible by communicating honestly and working together. We are in awe of your selfless love, and we do not take your decision to open your heart to us lightly.
We will do everything we safely can to ensure a lasting connection between you (and your family) to ours, with your child knowing and living a life filled with love.
Whether this means regular visits or texting updates, group outings or phone calls, we can make this relationship the best one possible by communicating honestly and working together. We are in awe of your selfless love, and we do not take your decision to open your heart to us lightly.