Hi there, we are Kristen and Curt! We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to share our story and our lives with you. Thank you for considering us as prospective parents.
We met at the end of August 2007 at a mutual friend’s house. Curt was there rebuilding the engine of his car but was not clued in on the set up. Covered with grease and oil, he was clearly caught off guard by the introduction. On our first date, his car broke down and Kristen assisted in fixing it. Then and there, Curt knew that he would marry her, though Kristen admits it took her a few more dates before she knew. He proposed about three months later and we were married in August of 2008.
We started trying to get pregnant immediately but had no success. Because of Curt’s medical history, we had tests done and found the chance of conceiving naturally was almost impossible. We tried alternate methods for years but could never maintain the pregnancy past the first trimester. We applied to be foster parents, but that is another story of disappointment and loss. It has been a long journey getting here, but we have been undeterred as God makes everything happen in his time.
Becoming parents is our dream and we cannot wait for the day we get to share our lives with a child. We are family-focused and God-fearing, with a lot of love to share. We value education, community participation, and having a variety of experiences and adventures. We hope to raise a child to be honest, compassionate, hard-working, and appreciative.
I am the youngest of two children and have a very good relationship with my entire family. I studied elementary education with specializations in the education of the hearing impaired, technology education, and fine arts education. My Master’s degree is in learning and behavioral disorders with an additional endorsement in early childhood education. Currently, I am pursuing an educational specialist degree. My position as a special education teacher involves evaluating children for special education services. Helping parents and children get services to improve their learning is my favorite part of my job. I feel like I’m truly making a difference in their lives. The people I work with are great and I genuinely look forward to seeing everyone daily.
Education, family and faith are very important to me. My family and faith have been there for me through the good times and when I struggled. I was raised in a Lutheran church. However, I am now an active member in a Baptist church.
I strive to share my faith with every child in my life and to encourage them to see themselves as the wonderful, amazing child of God they are. As a mom, I hope to support this child and inspire them to be the absolute best they can be every day.
More about Kristen:
My Strengths: Organization, positivity, problem solving, creativity, strong work ethic
Favorite Holiday: Christmas; I love the decorations, the lights, the music, and the increased good will towards others
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Childhood Animal: Unicorns (Does that count? It should!)
I am the youngest of my mother’s five boys and was adopted at age one by my step-father.
Both of my parents are now deceased, but I dropped out of school at the age of 16 to care for them, since they were both disabled. My childhood wasn’t always great, but I developed a close and lasting relationship with my maternal grandfather. He played a large role in my life and I spoke with him daily until the day he passed.
When I first spoke of marriage to Kristen, she said she would not marry me unless I had my GED. Excited to start a life together, I immediately registered for courses and finished my GED in six months. I even registered for college, however medical issues prevented me from continuing. I’ve struggled with medical complications for almost my entire life, which resulted in years of dealing with infections. However, after years of struggling, I have now been infection and prescription free for almost three years.
Faith and church were not part of my upbringing, but I found the Lord when I was 21-years-old. History and science were always of interest to me too. I’m very excited for us to adopt and to become a stay-at-home dad. I look forward to sharing my faith with a child and instilling in them a passion for learning and education. If they find an interest in music, art, science or history, even better!
More about Curt:
My Strengths: Humor, creativity, loyalty
Favorite Color: Black
Favorite Artist: Jack Kirby
Dream Car: Dodge Viper
I’ve never participated in online blogs, even reading them. I was never one to journal or write in a diary. Curt is not a big talker or journaler either. So this is a bit uncomfortable for us. Like a one sided conversation, LOL! I really enjoy the back and forth of typical conversation. I never know what is important to share and how much is over sharing? I am on facebook, but I am not one of those that share every meal and every place they visit. So this is my start at blogging!
I’m excited for the end of the semester and the end of the school year. This year has had a myriad of challenges being virtual for the majority of the time. I am hoping that things will be more back to normal in the fall. I look forward to warmer weather, and our fist camping trip of the season.
We’ve recently moved into a new home. We’ve doubled our square footage and the space in our backyard. We have moved to a nicer area in a new city. Still within driving distance to work, but out of the city. We have woods on one side that we are looking forward to exploring. We are so excited about the move and setting up everything. It’s been exhausting, but so worth it. I’ve updated the home album with some new pictures, but I don’t know when they will get changed in the flip book.
Our home is a spacious, four-bedroom in Central Michigan. Our house has been recently updated bi-level with a two car garage and sprawling backyard. The house is located in a quiet subdivision on a dead end street lined with woods. We are using the bedroom on the lower level as a home studio for art and music in. There is a mid-sized playhouse, swing set, and climbing structure combination in our backyard and designated play space in the lower level.
Everything we need is right here in our community. However, even though we have recently moved, we have chosen to stay with the church we’ve been attending even though it it a 25 minute drive from our new home. Our church members are like family and we couldn’t imagine being as happy as we are in another church. We are walking and biking distance from a variety of schools and parks. A short drive gives us access to a beautiful nature preserve, orchards, and zoos. We are close to many other child-friendly activities like libraries, movie theatres, museums, event centers, and a hands-on children’s museum. We are excited to share all that Central Michigan has to offer with a child.
We have two cats; Galynda, our eldest, is black and white and quite the snuggler. Elphaba is completely black and very shy and skittish. Both are sweet and love getting treats. They are named after one of our favorite musicals, “Wicked.”
Kristen’s side of the family is close-knit and consists of her parents, her brother and his family. Kristen’s parent’s alternate monthly visits between their kids’ households. We spend the holidays with them and go camping together. Kristen’s mother is one of her best friends. We spend most holidays together as a family. We travel to see our niece and nephew at least twice a year to celebrate their birthdays. Kristen’s parents are just as excited as we are to have another child join the family.
We are close with Curt’s brother Michael and his nephew Mick. Mick and Curt have been friends since childhood and were even roommates for years. We see Mick and his wife and kids often as we attend the same church. Curt and Mick collaborate on making games, podcasts, and music.
Our close friends from church have become like family to us. Their children even refer to us Aunt Kristen and Uncle Curt and spend the night at our house about once a month. They love coming over to play and do crafts and going on adventures with us. We also go on vacation once a year together, typically camping.
We are active members of our church family; Kristen is involved in Ladies Ministry, Children’s Ministry and loves to decorate the church. Curt assists in grilling during our monthly “Family Fun Nights” and we both assist often in the kitchen for funeral services when we are able.
Friends and family check in often about this journey and have expressed their excitement at the opportunity to “spoil’ a child.
Curt is always busy playing music, drawing, or staying up to date on current news. He likes to work on cars and motorcycles as well as teach himself metalworking skills. Curt likes history and science as well as the arts. Much of Curt’s time relaxing consists of watching “how-to” videos. He is quite the visionary and is always coming up with ideas for new products, games, or creating original works of art. Recording music is another activity Curt partakes in daily. Curt is able to play a variety of types of guitars, the drums, the harmonica, and the keyboard.
Kristen enjoys reading, crafting, upcycling, baking, and watching movies. She’s a sucker for a good Hallmark film. She loves spending time with friends and family playing board games, card games, or just hanging out. Singing soothes her soul and led her to her love of musicals and the theatre. Recently, Kristen has rediscovered the joy of bike riding. Remodeling and home improvement is another interest of Kristen’s. Using power tools and seeing a project to completion gives her a great sense of accomplishment.
More About Our Family:
Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and for considering us as a potential match. We recognize that whether making an adoption plan was the easiest or hardest decision of your life, choosing the right family may be overwhelming.
If we are chosen as an adoptive family, please know that your child will be extremely loved by a village of individuals who want only the best for your child. We promise to raise your child with unconditional love and compassion. We would be honored if we were the family you choose to place your child with. Having a child would change our lives in so many wonderful ways and we would be eternally grateful if you gave us the opportunity to be parents.
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