WE’re amanda and mark, really just a couple of big kids at heart!

As a military family we’ve been blessed to travel and live around the world for years. Creating a family has been our dream for many years and becoming parents through the adoption of our son, Elijah, has been the biggest joy of our lives. We are looking forward to adding another child to our family. We don’t know your situation, but we know you have great courage and love for your child to be considering adoption. We thank you for considering us for potential parents for your child and we are praying for you and your child, no matter what you choose!

About us

Our story began in 2012 when we met in Kansas City through a mutual friend. We made an instant connection and started dating almost immediately. After an epic proposal by Mark we got married in 2014. With Mark’s career in the Army, this life has allowed us to maintain our sense of adventure! 

Adoption has been on our hearts for a long time, it’s something we discussed when we were still dating. It’s been part of our lives since childhood. Mark’s Mom spent part of her childhood in an orphanage in Scotland; Amanda and her older sister were adopted by their dad and she grew up with adopted cousins as well. Though not being able to have children biologically was at times heartbreaking, it led us to our most incredible blessing, our son Elijah.

Meet BIG BROTHER

Elijah will be three this summer and he is always the life of the party. Elijah is fearless, active and always up for an adventure, but also gentle and encouraging to his more cautious friends. He loves to sing silly songs and is constantly wowing us with his growing vocabulary. He loves playing outside, reading books, snuggling, playing trains, flying his toy airplanes, and making up stories about trips he’s flying on (mostly to Hawaii or Mimi and Papa’s house).

The people we love and our home and community

Our family is tightly knit even though we live far away, and they visit every few months or we visit them. We also video chat every week with Grandparents and our nephews. As one of the youngest grandkids, Elijah is a bit spoiled and the entire family can’t wait to welcome another member of the family!

Moving around with the military, we’ve learned that a home isn’t just a building. It’s our family, the three of us, extended family that visits often, and our “family” we have created from our friends here. It’s dance parties in our kitchen to Elijah’s favorite songs while he “helps” Mommy make supper, countless books read snuggled up in our book corner in the playroom and chasing Elijah around the neighborhood as he races off on his balance bike. 

What we love to do for fun

We love to travel! From traveling around Europe, vacations back to Hawaii or traveling to see family, we’ve done it all! Elijah is a pro traveler and excited to teach a sibling about planes and trains! 

Biking is a family passion! From Elijah on his balance bike to Mark biking to work and Amanda’s cargo bike transporting Elijah and groceries! 

A hike with a mountain view? Yes please! We go hiking and walking on trails as often as weather permits here. 

At home you can often find us curled up with a good book, together or separately, as we are all bookworms. 

Contact Amanda and mark