Our adoption profile

Kristin & Charley

Family Type: Heterosexual Couple
State We live in: Missouri

dear expectant mother

Dear Expectant Mother,

Since Charley was adopted as an infant, he grew up knowing that love makes a family and families come in all shapes and sizes. If you are reading this letter and thinking about adoption for your baby, you must be a strong and kind person. Your baby must be able to feel that too. We feel honored and deeply grateful you would consider inviting us to be part of your baby’s family.

Just as we have with our first child, we promise to surround your baby with love and to celebrate the unique perspective he or she brings to the world. We value kind communication, curiosity, and creativity in our house, and it will be a joy to help our children learn these values too. We are committed to providing an excellent education for River and his younger brother or sister and to supporting their dreams any way we can.

We know you are supporting your baby’s dreams too. Although he did not meet his birth mother until he was an adult, Charley had a deep sense his birth mother was always wishing the best for him and cheering him on in her own way. We promise your courage and love will always be part of your baby’s story. Thank you for considering us as adoptive parents for your sweet child.

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Just as we have with our first child, we promise to surround your baby with love and to celebrate the unique perspective he or she brings to the world.

-Kristin & Charley

About Us

Kristin is an author and artist who loves learning and teaching. Charley is an educator and the principal at an independant elementary school. Working in education helps us practice healthy communication at home too. We attended the same college and had a mutual best friend yet never got to know each other then. We found each other as adults and knew almost immediately the other was the one each of us had been seeking. Our engagement involved a five-mile snowshoe hike in Northern Michigan. Charley proposed at our favorite steep overlook—but instead of the gorgeous views of Lake Michigan, we had a good view of a blowing snowstorm. We got married on a beach close to that spot the following summer. Whatever the weather, we know we are stronger together. Our home is joyful and positive, and it revolves around shared family activities with our son, River.

Our Home & Pets

We live in a historic brick house with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Kristin loves to garden, so our small yard is full of flowers and vegetables. For running and playing, we have a playground across the street, or we stroll over to the huge, beautiful park just around the corner. We live close to lots of fun cultural activities. Multiple art museums, the zoo, botanical gardens, the symphony, and a vibrant restaurant district are all a short drive away. We love our neighborhood because it is one of the most diverse parts of our city. We have great neighbors on our block, and there will be lots of little friends for River and his new sibling to play with.

Our Extended Family

Kristin grew up in a loving family that values service and learning. Her dad is a retired colonel in the Air Force who now flies volunteer humanitarian missions. He lives close by, and River loves to spend time with his Papa. Kristin’s mom passed away a few months before River was born. She was a preschool teacher—we remember her by reading together as a family. Kristin’s sister and brother are both married, and her sister has two children. River’s cousins (ages 10 and 12) are especially excited to welcome a new baby into the family!

Charley and his brother grew up playing lots of sports and musical instruments, they explored museums on Sunday family outings, and they traveled across the country as a family to see cousins and grandparents. Charley’s parents, brother, and sister-in-law are delighted at the idea of another little one to brighten our family gatherings. We try to come together several times a year. Dog walks, farmers’ markets, sports activities, and nature exploration are consistent favorites with the family.

Both our families have property in Northern Michigan, so we love to spend summers, and sometimes Christmases, up north.

What Led Us To Adoption

Charley was adopted by a loving family as an infant, and he has always delighted in knowing true family is about love and commitment, not about genetics. When we decided to expand our family circle with another child, we knew we wanted to pursue adoption. We are excited our next child will not only have loving partners for parents but they will also have an uncle, aunt, and grandparents who have all lived in homes created by the beauty of adoption and are all excited to support this unique and beautiful family structure.

more about Kristin

more about Kristin

Occupation:
Artist/illustrator
Religion:
Christian
Race:
Caucasian
Education:
MFA in visual arts
Food:
Anything with ginger
Hobby:
Gardening, growing orchids
Movie:
The Princess Bride
Favorite Tradition:
Baking Christmas cookies
Sport:
Fitness: toddler hoisting & stroller walking :)
Holiday:
Christmas, Mother’s Day
Music Group:
Indigo Girls, Trampled by Turtles
TV Show:
Queer Eye
Book:
Griffin & Sabine
Subject in School:
Art, English, sustainability
Dream Vacation:
Hiking the Camino Santiago

more about Charley

more about Charley

Occupation:
Elementary school principal
Religion:
Spiritual
Race:
Caucasian
Education:
MA in education
Food:
Salad and ribs
Hobby:
Surfing
Movie:
Elf
Favorite Tradition:
Summers in Northern Michigan
Sport:
Hockey, volleyball
Holiday:
Thanksgiving
Music Group:
Simon & Garfunkel
TV Show:
Psych
Book:
Stephen King books
Subject in School:
Russian, theater, social studies
Dream Vacation:
Family train adventures in foreign lands

Contact Kristin & Charley

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