What does "Family Life" mean to you?
“Family Life” defines where we collectively center every individual’s potential, goals, and dreams with the bonding power of unconditional love and acceptance. Its well-being remains at the top of each family member’s prayer list and abides in each heart.
Describe your childhood:
Adoptive Mom? I was a happy, loving child who was forever trying to take care of everyone in my view. I guess some things never change. My parents encouraged me to read and I carried a strong love of reading throughout school and into adulthood. My favorite activities were playing with Barbies, riding horses, and playing outdoors with my friends, one younger sister, and one older brother.
Adoptive Dad? I grew up on a small family farm with both parents and one younger brother, so living in the country comes naturally for me. I was always really shy in school and played football in high school. My dad taught my brother and me how to hunt and how to treat the animals on our farm with kindness and respect. I thought that everyone had a stay-at-home mom, which is kind of funny because I am a stay-at-home dad!
Tell us about your home?
Our 5-bedroom, 3½-bath country home sits in the middle of five wooded acres. The front property is a fenced pasture where we are building a barn for horses. The acreage behind our house is also wooded but not fenced. A trail for bike riding or walking and a small stream are in this area. The front yard contains a large trampoline and swing set. The fireplace, dining room table, and kitchen are favorite gathering places in our home.
When you have a 3-day weekend, what do you like to do?
An “away” weekend might include a fun Amtrak ride to New Orleans to visit the children’s museum and the aquarium. A stay-at-home weekend could consist of a pancake breakfast to be followed by enjoying time together outdoors. Some of the visitors to our front yard include deer, fireflies, squirrels, turtles, and hummingbirds. We enjoy picnic lunches and sharing our dreams on the front porch.
Do you have pets? If so tell us about them?
We have 7 dogs—a Chocolate Labrador named Duncan Hines, three lovable “mutts”, Rusty, Boudreaux, and Tinkerbell, a Boston Terrier named Bully, a little Maltese named Christabelle, and a sweet Yorkie named Clairabelle. Four stay indoors and three are outside doggies. Two kitties joined our family almost two years ago—Bon Bon and Mittens. They are brother and sister and both are black with cute white paws. We adopted three white bunnies very recently, named Gum Drop, Whiskers, and Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea is blind and is Becky’s special bunny. Last, but not least, there is an aquarium with tropical fish and two tiny dwarf frogs in the family room.
What is your favorite food?
Adoptive mom? Popcorn. Adoptive dad? Fried pork chops.
What do you hope to teach your children?
The words we choose are important, but love is communicated best by our actions. Every person is very precious to God and must be treated as such. Even the tiniest acts of kindness can have tremendous positive consequences for the person it is shared with. Having the courage to follow your dreams usually involves stumbling a few times along the way.
Do you play any musical instruments?
Adoptive dad plays the guitar. Adoptive mom played piano as a child. Our daughters have been taking piano lessons for two years now.
Describe your neighborhood?
The neighborhood is located about 7 miles outside of a small town. Our street contains well-kept country homes that each sit on 5 or more acres.
Share something about your spouse that only you know:
Adoptive Mom? Becky is afraid of loud thunderstorms.
Adoptive Dad? Lee fed a nest of baby birds by hand that got separated from the mother bird.
Describe the last romantic thing you did together?
We went to Natchez for the weekend and stayed in a beautiful antebellum home that had been converted into a bed and breakfast.
What will you tell your child about their birthmother?
We will tell our child that their birthmother has provided the finest example of “Love is behavior” in making the adoption choice for her baby.
It's Daddy's day - what activity do you want to share with your child?
A pretty day could be spent at the zoo while a rainy day could be spent building a little wooden boat. Mother would help us paint it.
Do you plan on sharing with your child what their birth parents were like?
Absolutely
What kind of education are you hoping to provide for your child - Private or Public?
Private
How did you come to the decision of adoption?
We both wanted several children. When infertility treatments were unsuccessful, we were very excited about giving our two little girls a sister or brother through adoption.
What faith will you raise your child?
Seventh-day Adventist
How will you help your child accomplish their dreams?
Little imaginations need to be nurtured. As children grow and develop, they need encouragement to try on many new roles. Think about finding the perfect pair of jeans—you have to try on the ones that don’t fit to find the ones that do!
What kind of a relationship do you hope to build with your birthmom through her pregnancy?
We think that the birthmom’s individual circumstances, preferences, and personality will guide us in determining what kind of relationship will be ideal for her and for us.
How did you meet?
We met on a blind date at a local waffle house in 2002 and have been inseparable ever since. Lee proposed after two weeks and we married after dating for about 6 months.
What was your relationship with your parents like?
Adoptive mom? I was closest to my dad. I shared his love of reading and writing poetry. Mother did not want me to become a psychologist, so I did. Adoptive dad? I wanted to be like my dad and am in many ways. I cared for my mom when she became ill and still miss her since her death.
What attracted you to each other?
Becky: Lee instantly loved my little girls as his own. I was also drawn to his quiet strength. Lee: Becky is funny, independent, and so loving as a mother. Her homemade rolls sealed the deal.
Please describe your personalities:
Adoptive Mom? I am not shy but like some quiet time occasionally. I love to laugh and keep everyone in stitches! Finding the positive side in a bad situation is easy for me. I am kind and treat all I meet with the same respect and compassion that I enjoy from others. I am rarely at a loss for words.
Adoptive Dad? I am shy around new people and tend to be pretty quiet and reserved. I love being outdoors with our little girls and pointing out new discoveries to them. I love to eat!
What are your hobbies (please share those you enjoy as individuals and those you enjoy as a couple):
Adoptive Mom? Cooking, arts and crafts, photography, reading, writing poetry, nature walks, swimming, biking, bird watching, travel.
Adoptive Dad? Cooking, photography, nature walks, swimming, bird watching, travel, hunting, gardening.
When you close your eyes and see yourself holding your precious baby in your arms what are your thoughts regarding the birthmother?
My prayer is that God will use me to unselfishly bless others as she has blessed this tiny new life and my family. God places angels, like the birthmother, in our path to remind us of how very much He loves us and wants us to love one another.
How will a child enrich your life?
We only receive love as we give it away. I have found no greater joy than nurturing children with unconditional love in both my home and in my work.
Why did you each choose the career path you decided on?
Adoptive Mom? I knew at age 16 that I wanted to work with children who were experiencing special challenges or problems and that I wanted to do this as a psychologist. I see students at an alternative school in grades 4 to 12. Everyone needs someone that cares and listens without judging or chastising.
Adoptive Dad? I liked working with my hands when I helped my dad on our family farm. I became interested in welding, and trained to become certified while still in high school.
What makes a birthmom special?
A birthmom is the only person on earth who, by carrying and nurturing a tiny life, touches countless others forever. No other individual has the grace, strength, and power to do what she does.
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