I have always wanted a big family. I had a very large family growing up, surrounded by loving parents, aunts, uncles, sisters, and grandparents. My husband's father was adopted and it is something we have talked about our entire marriage. After our second biological child, we decided for my husband to have a vasectomy. We were sure we were not going to have any more biological children, yet were still interested in adopting a child (or two!). We started looking into traditional adoption, however could not settle on a type of adoption or an agency...not to mention we had seen so many of our friends go through horror stories throughout the adoption process. We came across embryo adoption during our search, and decided to look deeper into that concept. We feel very called to adopt in this way, rather than traditional. 

 

Currently, our crazy little family consists of two loving and invested parents, two beautiful biological children (a boy and a girl), two dogs, fifteen chickens (egg layers), one turkey, and one bunny. We currently own a single family home in the suburbs, though you can imagine that we are always looking for land out in the country because of our love for animals. During the school year, our work weeks are busy in a balanced and healthy way. I am a homemake, and an entrepreneur working from home during the day, and three nights a week I get out of the house for a few hours to teach dance and fitness classes. My husband works more traditional hours teaching at a private school, serving the community as a pastor, and pursuing his PhD in education. Both of our kids attend private school full-time and take piano lessons, our daughter takes dance lessons, and as soon as he is old enough our son will enroll in basketball.

 

After a strictly regimented work week, we celebrate a non-negotiable “family day” on Saturdays! We all go do a workout (I typically take the kids with me to my fitness class, while my husband goes and lifts weights), then meet up for a late breakfast and to discuss potential plans for the day. Our top choices are bowling, going to the movies, board games, and Mario Kart, while sometimes we have birthday parties, weddings, or spontaneous road trips to visit friends or grandparents. Also non-negotiable, we go out to eat - this family loves food! We take turns getting to choose the restaurant we go to.

 

Sundays as a ministry family are hard work, but we accomplish it together! Our church family has really taken our kids under their wing, since both mom and dad serve in church every week. The hard work is rewarded on Sunday afternoons when we take the dogs for a walk, go on bike rides, play board games, and watch movies!

 

In the summer, schedules relax quite a bit and we are able to spend ample time together! Mornings usually consist of a home-cooked breakfast, some educational worksheets, piano practice, swim lessons/team, and chores. In the afternoon, however, it is fun in the sun! We purchase an all-season pass to the local swimming pool; check out free tickets from our local library to different zoos, museums, and events; and have s’mores in the backyard at night. We typically go on an international adventure, as well, usually somewhere in the Caribbean.

 

We are currently living an abundant and blessed life. We love sharing these gifts with our current children, but know we are called to share them with more. We are able to offer safety and security; adventures and memories; solid ethics, values, and morals; and a loving and nurturing environment to our children. Our kids are excited to share their love (and toys) with their future brother or sister as well!