Nate & Julie
Nate & Julie
Neither of us had left Michigan much before we got married. So going to Denver for our honeymoon was a big step for us both. Not only were we still figuring each other out, we were now in a crazy busy city, and needed coffee to start our trip off right. So we jumped in our borrowed car and found a Starbucks on the GPS.
As soon as we pulled out of the hotel for the first time we had to make a several lane change to get that coffee…. Not realizing there was a police officer directly behind us… So then there we sat pulled over on the street right outside our hotel trying to explain why we had someone else’s car, in a state we didn’t live in, and that we just really needed coffee.
Thankfully the officer felt sorry for us, was willing to believe us, and let us go with a warning. But not before Nate asked if he could have a picture with him because it’s our honeymoon and we had no clue what we were doing. He begrudgingly said yes but refused to smile which made it even funnier to us! We laughed the rest of the day, and it turned out we would have moments like that the rest of the trip.
Thankfully we have had many more trips since then and now have a better handle on things…. Most of the time.
Our Story
We met on the opening night of a college-age Bible study at the church that Julie attended with her family. Julie was extremely shy and quiet, I was outgoing and loud(still am…). Julie said it was love at first sight for her and I was just looking to get connected with new friends.
We got to know each other over several months hanging out with the same group of friends from that church. My (Nate’s) brother asked Julie out first and she said no to him. That opened the chance up for me and she said yes, but only after she finished beauty school 5 months from then… We used that time to continue getting to know each other as friends.
Then we had our first date in November 2009 on the day she graduated. We married a year later, and have been best friends since. We are sure to set aside time each night to be together and talk through our days. We text frequently throughout the workdays like we are teenagers, and usually make phone calls to each other when we have downtime.
Our Relaxation & Fun
As a couple, we love cooking together and could talk for hours. We spend lots of time outdoors and enjoy walks, hiking, biking, gardening, star/moon gazing, and playing sports together. Nature is so exciting to us and we love discovering its beauty. We enjoy road trips and try to do a few each year to visit family out of state. We are always welcoming people into our home to enjoy good food and build relationships.
As a family, we love playing games, and sitting in our yard, and watching the sunset each night through the summer. Nate and the boys are great artists and will spend time drawing and coloring. We always love a challenging puzzle and will have it set out sometimes for weeks until we finish it little by little.
our adoption hopes
Gender: Any Gender, including an Ambiguous or Transitioning Gender Child
Ethnicities: Any Race and Ethnicity
Age: Newborn to 2 Years Old
Total of: 1 Child
a snapshot
of us
We Live In: Georgetown Township
Our Faith: Christian
Pets: No Pets
Kids Already: Two Children Now
Child Care Plan: Family Member Child Care Stay-at-Home Parent
Our Family & Friends
We have many circles of friends and built-in friends with both of our large extended families. We have always made it a point to cultivate multi-generational and multi-cultural friendships. It brings such depth and love to our family’s life, and we learn so much from our friends.
We love getting our friends to play dominos with us, and our goal is to make each of them a fan by the end of the game, chocolate always helps too! Julie loves making food to enjoy together with our friends and families, there is always food!
Our Home & Neighborhood
We live in a 3 bedroom, 3 bath ranch. Our home is in a dead-end single street neighborhood, and almost all of our neighbors have kids between 0-13 years old. Out of the 18 homes on our street, there are 31 kids in that age range. It makes for a wonderful community and there is always something fun happening no matter the season.
We have a large front yard, a large driveway with a basketball hoop, a fenced-in backyard with a playset, gardens, patio, and trampoline.
We are in the process of finishing our basement to include 2 more bedrooms, a bathroom, a storage room, and a large rec room. The plan is to complete this in stages by 2023.
Education
Julie was homeschooled, and Nate attended a Christian school, a charter school, and a public school. We live in an area with so many amazing schools to choose from and have friends that are a part of each one of them.
Our kids attend one of the Christian schools in our town, and we love what their school offers in size, history, and extra programs.
We believe kids do the best learning alongside their peers in a hands-on environment. We plan on supporting any college or career paths our kids feel fits them best in the future. Education is so important to their growth as an individual and for our community as a whole.
Correction & Discipline
We believe that children thrive with boundaries and clear expectations. When children step outside of what has been clearly asked or expected of them, we believe in giving them a warning first and using that warning as an opportunity for them to make a better choice. When the wrong choice is made we redirect and encourage obedience.
Often we use a time-out method for them to think about what happened and what they should do instead. Sometimes we take away privileges if that fits the situation. We believe consistency is key and we have seen great results with these forms of discipline. Anytime redirection is needed we take time to get down to their level and explain our reason for the redirection. Communication shows them that they matter and gives them a chance to grow!
Our Faith Views
We both became Christians in our late teens/early 20’s. Following Christ has changed our lives and we want to live our lives in a way that reflects His love and His heart for people. We attend a local church that supports and cares for us in an incredible way.
Nate's Career
I am a foreman for my cousins’ concrete company. I have been doing this for over 15yrs and I enjoy producing designs and spaces that fit the dreams that our customers come to us with. I also enjoy the crew that works with me and I am always looking to train new leaders to expand our company. The perks of the job are working outside, working with people from all different cultures and backgrounds, and the flexibility that comes with working with family.
Being that my boss is my cousin, I have been blessed to have the flexibility to take off time when needed and he is in full support of our plans to adopt and what that may require at the time of placement.
Julie's Career
I have kept my Cosmetology License active to have on hand in case I have the desire to do hair again. But right now I enjoy working at our church as a Children’s Ministry Director. I love connecting with kids as they hear the Gospel each week. I am always meeting new families and seeking to support them and their kids in fun and inviting ways.
I also love that my kids are always involved with what I do at church, it truly makes it the best job. I love that I make my own schedule and I can also work from home. That is a huge blessing when you have kids and your day can take eventful turns at any point!
My leadership team is extremely supportive and are planning on me taking time off and have encouraged me to create a plan that works best for our family throughout a potential placement. I always set my own hours and can do most of what I do from home if need be.
Nate
Swedish/English background. We have always spent holidays together eating lots of food, playing music, and watching classic movies. We can quote movies all day!
Julie
I come from an Irish/German family. We enjoy playing sports together and traveling! I came from a very large family and when we get together there have always been enough people to make teams and play basketball or volleyball. We also have traveled with my siblings and their kids and always have an eventful time!
Thank you for considering us as you navigate this unique time in your lives. We know that a decision like this takes so much bravery and strength. Thank you for choosing to give life!
We have longed to have more children but have been unable to due to health complications. We will love your child with everything we have, and we will love you in the same way. We long to extend and grow our family in whatever way is most comfortable for you.
You and your child matter to us and we would be honored to come alongside you in the way of adoption.
- 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
Our ideal adoption would be adopting a child of any gender, and having an opportunity to build a relationship with you. We want to be open with this child so that they have confidence knowing they are loved by so many. We want to come alongside you and be a blessing to you in any way that we can as we raise this child.
OUR COMFORT LEVEL WITH DIFFERENT ADOPTION OPTIONS
- Very Comfortable
- Mostly Comfortable
- Unsure
- A Bit Uneasy
- Not Comfortable
Our ideal adoption would be adopting a child of any gender, and having an opportunity to build a relationship with you. We want to be open with this child so that they have confidence knowing they are loved by so many. We want to come alongside you and be a blessing to you in any way that we can as we raise this child.
Just one more thing...Our ideal adoption would be adopting a child of any gender, and having an opportunity to build a relationship with you. We want to be open with this child so that they have confidence knowing they are loved by so many. We want to come alongside you and be a blessing to you in any way that we can as we raise this child.