Jennifer & Byron

Do you consider yourself religious or spiritual?

spiritual

-Jennifer

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the night sky?

We are all connected around the world looking at stars that people thousands of years before us gazed at.

-Byron

Dogs or cats?

Both! They each have such unique characteristics and relationships and I love almost all things furry! We have a 4 year old golden doodle named Minnie and a 1.5 year old black cat named Abby. They're both so sweet and loving and funny and neither knows a stranger! they've grown up alongside our toddler and the way the three of them play/wrestle is hilarious. They have dance parties with the three of them and the animals want to participate as much as the kid!

-Jennifer

What scares you?

something happening to my child.

-Jennifer

Do I have kids? How do they feel about a sibling?

We have 1 daughter, Ellie. She's 6 and asks four or five times a day if today is the day we are getting her a baby brother or sister! She is very excited about a sibling and frequently throughout the day will think of things she can't wait to do with or show her new sibling. When we are out in public, if she sees a child alone or sad, she will tell us we need to adopt them because they're lonely and we "have so much love to give them!" She's even asked friends if they'd like us to adopt them!

-Jennifer

If you had to live on an RV or sailboat for the rest of your life, which would it be?

RV so I can travel around the country and visit many different areas around the country.

-Byron

What is the best word to describe our family?

Connected

-Byron

My neighborhood is a good place to raise a family because…

Our neighborhood has a diverse collection of children of different ages, plenty of parks, and we're close to a beautiful lake.

-Byron

Complete the sentence, “I can’t live without……”

The love from my wife and daughter.

-Byron

If I could choose one type of food to eat for the rest of my life, it would be:

cherries! I love all fruits so much, but really sweet summer cherries are the greatest pleasure.

-Jennifer

My neighborhood is a good place to raise a family because…

We have such a diverse and unique neighborhood, many different cultures, ages, backgrounds all living together in a friendly and supportive network. We have a large group of friends with kids the same age in our neighborhood which allows us to have play dates, step in to help with pick up or watching each other's kids, looking out for each other's kids whenever their parents can be present (like at school parties and field trips, etc) and overall support for each other. All the parents have become friends and we spend time together as couples or on monthly mom nights out. it's a remarkably warm environment that gives us a "village" approach to raising our kids. We also have a neighborhood pool that has events almost every month for the kids as well as dozens of parks interspersed throughout the neighborhood. We are walking distance to our school and have huge bike paths for the kids to ride safely. And if that wasn't enough fun, we live a few blocks from a beautiful lake that allows for frequent picnics, walks and play dates for all of us!

-Jennifer

Favorite season and why?

Fall. The weather is perfect. Halloween is right around the corner and it's wonderful to play outside.

-Byron

Do you consider yourself religious or spiritual?

spiritual.

-Byron

I'm super competitive when it comes to...

Mario Kart

-Byron

When we argue, what’s it about?

what's for dinner! Though that's all in jest.

-Byron

Favorite season and why?

FALL! I have always felt like it was a season of rebirth, which is odd to some but it's the start of a new school year, it's the end of the oppressive summer but still warm enough to swim or play many days. And has the weather changes- it's crisp and brisk and makes you feel like anything could be possible! Plus the holiday season starts! It's a season that feels me with warmth and love and gratitude... I'm in awe every single year at how gorgeous everything is as the leaves change, etc. It's inspiring.

-Jennifer

If I could choose one type of food to eat for the rest of my life, it would be:

pizza!

-Byron

We are the best choice because…

I have always known that I wanted to adopt someday. After 13 miscarriages and years of infertility, ultimately followed by a hysterectomy, I don't think you could find a mama who has such a deep desire to grow her family. I knew I wanted to adopt the moment I found out my mom and her siblings were all adopted- they had a pretty awful experience with it and my 7 year old heart broke and ached to be able to provide children a safe and loving environment that my mom didn't have. Years later, I volunteered as a mentor and companion for birth mom's during their pregnancies and their births. Watching women selflessly choose to give such a precious gift (not only to the parents but also the babies) was monumental and so special to me. Helping them find the best families possible to raise their child, helping them process their own grief and trauma and being there holding their hands (and sometimes their legs! hah!) while they fought to bring their baby into the world was so humbling and beautiful. I learned how restorative open adoption can be for birth moms as well as how crucial that post adoption relationship can be for both the mom and the child. I hope for a relationship with a birth mom that not only respects and shows appreciation for the gift she's blessed us with, but also allows her to feel secure in the decision she made and gives her and the child a chance to safely bond. I don't see a birth mom as competition in a relationship with our child. We would both be their mom, if that's what the birth mom desires, and how lucky that child would be to know they have so much love.

-Jennifer

My best friend would describe me as...

My best friend tells me all the time that I'm smart, funny, and a ball of energy with a creative bent. We raised our babies together as single moms (before I remarried), and together we both learned to be resourceful, hard working, dependable resources for our kids but also each other. LaQuanda would tell you that I am someone who she can always call at any time for advice or if she needs help and I'll show up and give her whatever I can in any way to support her. She reminds me often that I'm a fierce mom but also tells me I'm adorably creative in finding ways to teach or entertain Ellie or make our home a little more fun.

-Jennifer