and Clark too!


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Michelle & Brian and Clark too!

Dear expectant parent,

Thank you for taking the time to read about our family. We hope our profile gives you a good idea about who we are and the kind of family life we will provide the new baby we hope to welcome. We hope you see our love and faith, and our commitment to surrounding our children with joy and affection. If you choose to entrust us with your child, he or she will know their adoption story. We will share with your child how strong and courageous you are to make this difficult decision. Your selflessness is extraordinary, and we will make sure they know how amazing you are. We are open to a relationship with as much or as little communication as you would like - now or later. We will raise this child with unconditional love and support and help them to pursue their dreams. We have a loving and supportive family who cannot wait for us to adopt. We both grew up in families that taught us to be kind, and to love and respect others. We will make sure your child is well educated and values the importance of education. We will love your child wholeheartedly and do everything in our power to encourage them to follow their dreams and reach their goals. We have faith that - with the support of God, our family, and friends - your child will have all of the love and encouragement they could ever need from us.

Our Story

We met more than 10 years ago through a close friend of Brian’s who was playing on Michelle’s dodge ball team. Our first few dates consisted of many late night talks getting to know each other. From the beginning, it had seemed as though we were the best of friends and, to this day, that remains true. We married on New Year’s Eve in 2009 and now love celebrating our anniversary by bringing in the New Year with friends and family. Having a family was always important to us and the first part of that dream became a reality when our son, Clark, was born in 2011. While another child via traditional means is not meant for our family, we honestly feel adoption is a wonderful way to share our love.

Brian could spend days at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Brian is, without a doubt, my best friend and biggest supporter, an amazing husband, and a devoted father. He has a huge heart and is very faithful, kind and sincere. His laid-back personality (except when watc hing Ohio State football!) and great sense of humor make it easy for him to connect with others. When he walk s into a room, his big smile draws people to him. It never surprises me when he tells me the life story of someone he just met. Brian is a big kid at hear t and has such a strong bond with our son. One of the greatest joys of my life is seeing his love for Clark and watc hing the two of them together.

Meet BRIAN

by Michelle

rd. Clark and Brian in our backya

Sledding at the reservoir

(The same place Michelle went when she was little)

by Clark Outer Banks Family vacation to the

My dad is “very loving and is really nice.”

My favorite things to do with dad are , “going to the driving range, playing football, goin g out for breakfast on Friday mornings, and mak ing forts.”

Michelle is a selfless, caring, loving, and devoted wife and mother. Even prior to Clark’s birth, I was well aware of how natural being a mother would be to her. She has been a huge part of her nephews’ lives, and shows patience and genuine compassion toward her students. As a wife, she consistently shows this love and patience is not limited to the role of being a mom. Michelle is the perfect partner to help our family through the ups and downs of everyday life, and continues to put us first. There is no question as to why she still has so many close childhood friends. Once someone gets to know her, they realize just how truly unique her love is. Seeing her affection for Clark and myself makes me realize how lucky I am to share my life with such a beautiful person. I am thankful every day that I am blessed with her immeasurable love, dedication, and faithfulness.

Meet MICHELLE

by Brian

by Clark

My mom is “very fantastic and I love her”.

My favorite things to do with mom are, “dance parties, baking chocolate chip cookies, and mom and Clark days when we go try something new”.

Our Home

We live in a small and extremely friendly comm unity where Michelle was born and raised. Our home is locate d in a quiet subdivision on a culde-sac where we have wo nderful neighbors. We ca n walk or ride bikes to our parks an d schools that are rated excellent. Clark enjoys playing on his swing set and in our sp acious back yard, which borders farmland. In the summer, we have fun entertaining family an d friends at our pool. Alt hough we live in a rural town, we oft en visit the city, just a sho rt drive away, on weekends.

Clark helped make his dad’s birthday cake

Right before a pool party

Clark is clever, sweet, funny, and playful. He is a huge animal lover and best buds with our dog Gus, who couldn’t love Clark more. Clark loves to be outdoors playing and exp loring nature. He has an enthusiasm for gardening and anything that grows. Before Clark, we knew nothing about gardening and now, because of his passion, we grow a vegetable garden. We are quite certain he still knows more about this than us! We have talked to Clark a lot about adoption and expanding our family. He is so excited to become a big brother and can’t wait for a baby to join our family.

Meet CLARK

Clark and Gus, our devoted dog

Up at the lake, befor smashing them all do e wn

Our Hobbies and Interests BRIAN -

» BASKETBALL - I still play in a men’s league one night a week in the winter. » GOLF - I have been teaching Clark and enjoy taking him. » WATCHING SPORTS - football (Ohio State) and baseball are my favorites. » MUSIC - I enjoy listening to all genres of music, as well as playing the guitar. » I also enjoy working outside and around the house, taking after my dad and grandpa.

MICHELLE -

» TRAVELING - I love learning about different cultures and ways of life, something my parents passed on to me. » SPORTS - I love being active, and coached volleyball and softball until Clark’s birth. » COOKING - I enjoy trying new recipes and love to cook healthy family dinners. » EXERCISING - Especially walking and jogging. » Spending time with family - One of my favorite places is my parents’ lake house, where I like to ski and my nephews recently taught my dad and me to wake-board.

CLARK -

First pick of the season

We love eating outdoors in the summer

» Learning about the solar system - He has the planets hanging from his bedroom ceiling and posters on his walls. » GARDENING - His grandpa built him a garden box and he is hoping for a second box in the spring! » SOCCER - He plays in a youth league that Brian helps coach. » BASEBALL - He enjoys playing with his mom, dad, and cousins in the back yard. » GOING TO THE LAKE - Jet ski rides, playing on the beach, s’mores, and boat rides to get ice cream are his favorites.

Our Extended Families MICHELLE: My parents live five miles down the road

and we talk almost daily. My brother, sister-in-law, and their four boys live in the same town, while my sister and her husband live 30 minutes away. My paternal grandparents live one town over. Growing up, family was always an integral part of my life and still we are all very close and see each other weekly.

Brian’s family Michelle’s family

BRIAN: My parents live about 40 minutes from

our home and are an important part of our lives. I talk to my parents on a regular basis. My sister, her husband and two daughters live 30 minutes from our home, while my brother, sister-in-law, and their two children live out of state. To this day, I have a strong relationship with my parents and siblings.

Traditions

We just finished searching the pumpkin patch

BRIAN: Following in my father’s footsteps,

We love the holidays and celebrating with our extended families. Whether we are spending the 4th of July at Michelle’s parents’ lake house grilling out and watching fireworks from a boat, or Christmas dinner at Brian’s parents’ house with all of his aunts, uncles, cousins, and their children, we enjoy spending these days with the ones we love - making memories.

my career is in the remodeling business. I enjoy interacting and building relationships with people from all walks of life. After Clark was born, I was given the opportunity to shift to the sales end of the business, which gives me the flexibility to work from home one-two days a week. This transition has been great, and allows me to spend more time with Michelle and Clark.

MICHELLE: I am a high school Spanish teacher

A FEW OTHER FAVORITE TRADITIONS:

• Going to apple orchards and the pumpkin farm for hayrides, apples, fresh apple cider, and picking out the perfect pumpkins. • Visiting the Christmas light display with family at our local zoo. • Baking Christmas cookies with grandma, and making chocolate buckeyes and reindeer food with Michelle’s nephews. • Enjoying our town festival and parade, as well as our county fair to get the best milkshakes in Ohio.

Our Careers

Trick or Treating at the zoo

Thank You

and my school is less than a mile from our home. I have always valued education and I now enjoy sharing my passion for the Spanish language and culture with my students. Now that I am a mother, I would be lying if I didn’t say summers off to spend at home with Clark and Brian are the biggest bonus of my job.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our family and for considering us for your child. We promise your child will be loved unconditionally and we will devote our lives to giving him or her opportunities to grow and succeed in life. We will always be honest with your child about where they came from and the courageous choice you made. Please know we are praying for you, your peace of mind, and comfort with your decision during this time.