Our adoption profile

Maryann & Clayton

Family Type: Heterosexual Couple
State We live in: Kansas

dear expectant mother

Hello,

We’re so glad you’ve found your way to our profile! We know you’ve probably read many of these already, so we want to share who we are and what we hope for in an honest and heartfelt way.

We’re Mare and Clay, both 30 years old and living in a community we love. Those who know us best describe us as responsible, compassionate, intelligent, and witty—qualities we hope to bring to parenting every day.

Becoming parents has always been our dream, and for us, it’s never been about sharing DNA. Over the past three years, we’ve fostered seven children, from toddlers to preteens. While fostering has been deeply rewarding, the system can also be challenging, which is why we’ve chosen to pursue private adoption.

We’re open to whatever level of contact you feel comfortable with—open, semi-open, or closed. Ideally, we’d love to exchange letters or messages a couple of times a year, around birthdays and milestones, but we fully respect your wishes, whatever they may be.
Our promise to any child in our home is simple: we will raise them to be kind, confident, and curious. We will support them through challenges, celebrate their victories, and create a home full of love, laughter, and acceptance.

We also value diversity and representation. As a white couple, we intentionally seek out schools, communities, and friendships with people of different races, cultures, and abilities, so our children see their identities reflected, honored, and celebrated.

Thank you for getting to know us!

Our Lifestyle

We both work from home, which gives us a lot of flexibility and time together. Most days include a walk with the dogs, and weekends are spent grilling or hosting game nights. Mare is currently earning her MBA, so some evenings involve schoolwork, but there’s always time for painting and a little (admittedly bad) reality TV.

When we have foster kids, we spend lots of time at parks and playgrounds, giving them space to run and just be kids. They’re often involved in clubs or sports, so we’re usually on the sidelines cheering—unless Clay’s coaching! We have regular movie nights, enjoy doing crafts, and encourage quiet time for reading or independent play.

We love seeing the kids play outside with neighbors, go swimming at the local pool, and attend a few professional sports games each year as special outings. Even everyday tasks like chores become opportunities to teach teamwork and responsibility.
Our home is full of activity, laughter, and love—a place where kids are supported, encouraged, and always celebrated for who they are.

Our Home & Neighborhood

We own a home near Kansas City, Kansas, with a large kitchen where we love making homemade pizza and brownies with foster kids on weekends. Our house has multiple play areas - a living room, family room, playroom, and large backyard perfect for running and playing. The child would have their own bedroom and bathroom, plus, we’re near a cul-de-sac and 3 other families with children.

We've adopted four beloved dogs: Maple, Liv, Ember, and Thunder. Two are "nanny dog" breeds who take their job seriously, watching over, cuddling, and playing with kids. Our home sits in a highly-rated public school district, within walking distance of an elementary school, daycare, pool, field, and playgrounds. We're also just 25 minutes from adventure parks, an amusement park, the KC Zoo, and museums.

Our Family & Friends

We are surrounded by an incredible village of family, friends, and chosen family who support us deeply. In 2021, we relocated to be closer to Clay’s relatives—his two brothers and their partners, his aunt, uncle, and cousins. His stepmother and step‑siblings live about an hour away in Topeka, and his grandmother and extended family are in St. Louis. We’re also very close to Mare’s mom, who lives near Tampa, Florida; we visit several times a year and talk often.

Our chosen family—a close‑knit group of eight friends—has walked with us through life’s biggest highs and lows. We’re honored to be godparents to our best friend’s daughter and often lean on Clay’s brother and sister‑in‑law for household help, pet‑sitting, and emotional care.

We’ve also walked through grief—saying goodbye to foster children we cared for up to nine months and losing Clay’s dad in 2017 and Mare’s dad in 2024. These experiences have shaped our hearts and strengthened our capacity to love deeply and unconditionally.
Our support system means the world to us—and will be an incredible source of love for any child we welcome into our family.

What We Love About Each Other

Clay’s favorite things about Mare are that she’s hardworking, nurturing, and funny. He admires how she balances career advancement, school, managing the home, and creative hobbies like painting. He’s especially moved by the love she pours into their foster children and her soft spot for animals—they’ve rescued five dogs together!

Mare loves Clay’s thoughtfulness, intelligence, and passion. He’s a movie enthusiast, Dungeon Master for his D&D group, and a dedicated sports fan. He engages in meaningful conversations and brings that same care into his relationships.
Most of all, Mare appreciates how Clay consistently shows up for the kids in their lives—especially for early morning drop-offs or appointments. His steady presence, patience, and playful spirit make him a loving partner and a devoted caregiver.

more about Maryann

more about Maryann

Occupation:
Product Marketing
Race:
Caucasian
Education:
Master of Business Administration, Bachelor's in Marketing
Food:
Pasta, salads
Hobby:
Watercolor painting and interior decorating
Movie:
Marvel Universe, The Conjuring movies, A Quiet Place, documentaries
Favorite Tradition:
Game night, crafting, camping
Sport:
Soccer, basketball
Holiday:
Christmas, Thanksgiving
Music Group:
The Band Camino, Kane Brown, Destiny’s Child
TV Show:
RuPaul’s Drag Race, HGTV Design Star, Survivor, Bob’s Burgers
Book:
The Magnolia Palace and The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
Subject in School:
Math
Dream Vacation:
Alaskan Cruise

more about Clayton

more about Clayton

Occupation:
Digital Marketing
Race:
Caucasian
Education:
MBA, Master of Sport & Entertainment Mgmt; B.S. Marketing and Management
Food:
BBQ or Bar food
Hobby:
Watching sports with friends, Dungeons and Dragons (DM), and Reading
Movie:
Dune, Inception, Banshees of Inisherin, Jurassic Park, Anything Pixar
Favorite Tradition:
Movie night, amusement parks, and watching sports
Sport:
Football, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball
Holiday:
Independence Day, Halloween
Music Group:
Noah Kahan, Hot Mulligan, Fall Out Boy, Mt. Joy
TV Show:
Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Black Mirror, Stranger Things, The Bear
Book:
1984, Jurassic Park, Mickey7, Hunger Games, Dune
Subject in School:
History and English
Dream Vacation:
Road trip the Route 66

Contact Maryann & Clayton

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Need Help? Call or Text: 815-307-0620