Taking the Plunge!

We were married in May of 2004 on a beautiful spring day in Prairie Village, KS. We endured a long two year engagement as Rachel waited for Jeff to graduate from Kansas State, like she had done already. While Rachel had put down some roots in the Northland of Kansas City, Jeff was finishing school in Manhattan, KS. It was a storybook occasion that we were able to share with three hundred of our closest friends and family members. The commitment that we made to God and each other that day is what has been the foundation for our strong relationship since. Seven year later, we see this commitment in every trial and success that we face.

Building a Solid Foundation

It has been of the utmost importance to us that we build a solid foundation before we start a family. Rachel, being the focused and driven individual that she is, started her career as a middle school Science teacher. While excelling full time as a teacher, she was also going to college at night to get her Master's in Administration certification. Through hard work and dedication, and the support of her loving husband Jeff, Rachel has flown up the ladder and is now an Assistant Principal at the elementary level. Last spring she was voted by her colleagues as the most outstanding Elementary Assistant Principal for Clay and Platte Counties.

After receiving his degree from Kansas State in Park Management and Conservation, Jeff worked for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for a summer at a local State Park. His desire to contribute more significantly to the financial success of their family landed him with a local electrical distribution wholesaler. Since starting with the company as a warehouse worker in 2005, Jeff has worked his way up into Inside Sales where he now enjoys a solid, steady career that will help him provide for his family for years to come.

Time for a Baby!

About four years ago, we decided that it was time to grow our family. We had raised our first dog together "Happy" from a pup, bought our first car together and signed over our lives with our first mortgage in 2006. It was time to take the next step. We didn't have success right off the bat, but the first "I'm pregnant" discussion is still a vivid memory. The excitement and joy that comes with this blessing from God cannot be associated with any other event in a person's life. On the flip side of that, the pain that comes with losing a pregnancy is equally emotional. We struggled through three miscarriages and one ectopic pregnancy before seeking fertility assistance. We saw two doctors and tried two different treatments with no success, leading us to where we are today. While we both would tell you that this has been the hardest experience of our lives, we insist on seeing the silver lining that exists with this situation. Our relationship with each other and our respect for life and all that God gives us has blossomed from this experience. Not to mention, we now have the opportunity to have a positive impact on multiple lives, not just the life of a biological child.

Current Household Occupants

We would be remiss if we didn't say a few words about our wonderful pets that we currently share our lives with. We are devoted dog lovers and consider it a privilege to have two fantastic dogs that bring so much joy to our lives. Happy is our seven year old chocolate lab that was given to us by one of Jeff's groomsman as a wedding gift. Simone is a two year old pound puppy that we saved through the Humane Society of Kansas City. And yes, there is a cat too! Rachel demanded to Jeff that Rocky was a packaged deal if they were to get married. So I guess you could say he is the elder of the three pets, although Simone wouldn't agree.

Active Lifestyle

We agreed early on in our relationship that we should be able to continue the activities we enjoy and having personal hobbies is a significant aspect of married life. Rachel is committed to being a part of our community with her roles in extracurricular events for both her elementary schools. She also enjoys reading, movies, and anything crafty. She is very creative and is open minded to experiencing all that life has to offer. Jeff enjoys anything outdoors. He also is a member of a competition barbeque team that participates in local events every summer. Together, we enjoy traveling to national parks and hiking. We also like to walk the dogs as much as possible, partly because if we don't, they tend to "bounce off the walls" so to speak!

Message to You

We have no comprehension of the strength that it takes to make the decision to put a child up for adoption. The fact that any birthparent would seek adoption with the welfare of their child as the forefront of their decision shows us that this birthparent has a respect for life that is unmatched. We believe we have the same respect for life and we are anxious to share a relationship with a birth family that would build from these beliefs. Our philosophy is that a child's life cannot be whole without knowing where they came from. We hope to meet you soon and are excited about starting this new chapter of our lives.