Hello! We are Stephen & Amanda

Thank you for taking a few moments to get a glimpse of who we are. We wish we were in a place where we could introduce ourselves with a big hug and a bright-eyed smile. It’s our greatest hope that you would feel seen and loved in these moments and we admire you for the time you’re devoting to consider the options available for you and your child. 

We hope that through the words and pictures below, you can begin to see a bit of our personality and create a vision of the life we lead. We believe that knowing who we are and trusting us to walk this journey alongside you is important to make sure your voice is heard, your story is told, and what you want for your child is honored.

About Us

We grew up in the same area of Kansas, knew the same people, and ate at the same restaurants but our paths never crossed. It wasn’t until 2015 when Stephen was living in Texas and Amanda just so happened to be in town for a job interview that we finally met over brunch with mutual friends. A little over a year later, Stephen surprised Amanda with a trip to Savannah, GA where he proposed. A year after that, we brought all our friends and family to that same spot in Savannah to get married. 

Adoption holds a very special place in our hearts as it is how we met our son, Ryder, and we’re hopeful to have the privilege of welcoming another little life into our family. Ryder is almost 2 years old, and he is full of charisma. He likes to dance to “Wheels on The Bus”, play fetch with our dog Chief, and play outside.

Stephen's active demeanor and Amanda’s optimistic spirit have provided a love of sharing experiences. Whether it’s hiking the great national parks, constructing a sky-high tower of Legos, or rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs, our biggest joy is the gift of time together. 

Home and Family

Our home in Texas is cozy, comfortable, and warm. It has an open-concept floor plan that is centered around a large kitchen, and there is nothing more fitting for our family who loves to cook and entertain! We are within walking distance of a park with a splash pad, neighborhood swimming pool, and an elementary school. We are also only a five-minute car ride from a lake lined with restaurants that host water-side concerts during the summer. Visitors can expect to be greeted by our 80 lb German Shepherd who will demand a belly rub as a cost of entry. 

We have a large extended family and we get together as often as we can for holidays, birthdays, trips, cousin sleepovers, and dinners. We devote time each year to traveling with our families. Whether it’s the annual lake trip, or cramming into our parents’ house during the holidays, we know there will be endless laughter and storytelling.

Fun Facts

Amanda:

• She's a triplet. 

• Cooking and baking her superhero strengths.

• Optimistic, creative, & genuine

• Favorite food: warm cookie with a scoop of ice cream on top.

Stephen:

• Former collegiate football player 

• He built his own business

• Sentimental, dedicated, and thoughtful

• Favorite food: all Mexican food

Our Family Values

• Staying Active - Time spent outdoors is not time wasted. We like to go hiking, swimming, shoot hoops, and take our dog for long walks. 

• Togetherness -  We value moments and experiences over tangible items. There is nothing that fills us up like creating lasting memories with “our people”.

• Easygoing - We don’t sweat the small stuff, but we also don’t ignore the hard stuff. 

Thank you!

Thank you again for taking a moment to get to know us. While it is hard to express our family’s  character through a few words and pictures on a page, at the core of all of this, we hope you know we are humbled by the abundance of love you’ve already shown to this child and to yourself. This process is every bit emotional, and wherever you are throughout its course–whether we are included in your future or not – we are praying for you, your little and whatever comes next.