Married Since: 2016

Pets: Yes

Stay at Home Parent: No

Other Adopted Children at Home: Yes

Other Biological Children at Home: No

Because of the Miracle of adoption on December 2, 2018, we received the call that our son was born, and we were going to become parents. We welcomed our son Kelby Wyatt into our hearts and lives and the joy that Kelby has brought to our family cannot be described by words alone. He is our everything and he makes us love fiercely and feel all the beauty and joy that life as a family brings. Our family is beyond ready to welcome another child into our hearts and our home through the Miracle of adoption.

Jeff and Amanda

from North Carolina

Jeff

Ancestry: German, English, Scottish, Belgian

Religion: Episcopal

Occupation: Executive Director and Faculty

Education: MBA, MA

Hobbies: Gardening, Watching sports and movies, Hiking, Kayaking, Travel and Running

Amanda

Ancestry: German, Polish, Czechoslovakian, Russian

Religion: Episcopal

Occupation: University Program Director

Education: BS, BA, Masters of Healthcare Administration

Hobbies: Cooking, Yoga, Reading, Hiking, Travel, Gardening

Baby

Preferred Ethnicity of Baby: All Races / Ethnicities

Preferred Gender of Baby: Either

Religion Child To Be Raised: Episcopal

Favorites

Jeff

Animal
Dolphin
Book
Iliad by Homer
Family Activity
Nature walks
Food
Shepherd's pie
Holiday
New Year's Eve
Movie
Dead Poets' Society
Sport
Futbol (aka soccer)
Early Bird or Night Owl
Both
Music
All kinds
Vacation Spot
Porto, Portugal

Amanda

Animal
Owl
Book
American Gods by Neil Gamin
Family Activity
Nature walks
Food
Soup dumplings
Holiday
Halloween
Movie
Labyrinth
Sport
American football
Early Bird or Night Owl
Neither, I love sleep!
Music
Indie, House and Rock
Vacation Spot
Outer Banks, NC
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From Us to You

Dear Expectant Mother,

We can only imagine the range of emotions you’re experiencing as you explore profiles and photos, trying to envision the best future for your child. Our family is deeply honored that you’ve taken a moment to learn more about us and how our son, Kelby, entered our lives through adoption from ANLC.

We’ve always dreamed of having a big family, but we’re unable to have biological children. However, we both have always wanted to build our family through adoption.  So, from the moment we received the call stating that Kelby’s mother chose us, our lives have been filled with joy, laughter, love, and purpose.

We feel truly blessed to begin another adoption journey as we work toward our dream of raising siblings. This time with Kelby right by our side, excited to become a big brother. We would be deeply honored if you chose us to be part of your journey.

Every day, we remind our son Kelby and ourselves that as long as we have each other, we will never walk alone in life. We will always be present and supportive of each other through good times and difficult moments. While we may not know you right now, please know that we are here for you, prepared to walk this journey alongside you, and offer the support you want every step of the way.

We understand that this is a deeply emotional and challenging time for you, we admire your selfless commitment and are genuinely grateful for the care you are showing for your child’s future. Should you choose us or another family, we sincerely wish for your journey to be filled with good health, abundant love, and a sense of peace.

Our family wants you to know that we are fully prepared and beyond excited to welcome another child(ren) into our hearts and our home. The three of us are committed to providing your child(ren) with everything they need to live their best life and to ensure they know how important you are to all of us.

We want you to know that our family will always be there for you and will respect your decision regarding your relationship with your child and us, even as they evolve. The three of us love traveling and experiencing new places and would be happy to come to you for visits or host you near us in NC if you desire. We also have family and friends in most states, making traveling easier.

Our profile shares a lot about us and our 5.5-year-old son, who is extremely excited to be a big brother soon. However, there are many more stories and photos that we just couldn’t fit. If you want, we would love to share more with you and answer any questions you might have.

We cannot express enough how thrilled we are for this dream journey to grow our family. We know the blessing of another child will transform our lives for the better, and we are excited about it. With deepest sincerity, we wish you the best in life. If you are willing, we would be honored to learn more about you and your dreams for your child.

Many Blessings,
Amanda, Jeff, and Kelby

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About Us

Top Two Things Things to Know About Us!

  1. We are deeply devoted to each other, our son, family, and friends.
  2. We love to laugh and have fun in all that we do.

The first time we saw each other, we both fell in love. As the years passed, our love deepened, and we celebrated it through our marriage, surrounded by family and friends… and a hurricane. Old tales say that rain on your wedding day brings good luck and has it ever! As a couple, we have and continue to enjoy beautiful experiences together, including traveling the world, celebrating professional and personal accomplishments, creating a home we both love, and, most importantly, growing together as parents.

We are both motivated and inspired by our families. That’s one of the many reasons we fell in love. We each longed to build families like our brothers and sisters have and create bonds like the ones they share with their children. We have built our relationship on respect, trust, and expressing our affections daily in little ways. Whether getting each other’s tea at night, opening doors, or giving the other space to unwind, we relish every moment we can show each other how much we care. As a couple, we always try to listen to each other’s perspectives and maintain equal partnership in our relationship, home, and family life. Our experience raising Kelby has proven that these foundational strengths help our relationship and family thrive and have added to our desire to always do our best for each other.

We are a couple who love to hold hands when we walk. When each day is over, we make sure to kiss and say, “Sweet Dreams” and that we love each other. We do this simply because we fully love each other in every way and want to do our best to start and end each day positively.

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About Amanda

Top 5 Qualities About Amanda (from Jeff’s perspective)

  1. Extraordinary Mother: From the start, Amanda has shown kindness, compassion, and selflessness, blossoming into a dedicated and loving mom since our son was born.
  2. Creative and Imaginative: Amanda’s creativity shines through in everything she does, from crafting Halloween decorations to preparing delicious meals and creating engaging games for our son.
  3. Supportive and Balanced: She successfully balances her career with family life, providing love and support while encouraging exploration in art, music, science, and sports.
  4. Community Builder: Amanda has a unique ability to bring people together, inspire those around her with her warmth and insight, and always see the best in others.
  5. Unconditional Love: She will devote all her love and energy to ensure your child(ren) feels supported, cherished, and free to explore the world’s beauty.

From the very first moment I met Amanda, I knew she was destined to be an extraordinary mother. Even on our first date, her kindness, compassion, and selflessness shone through, and I realized I had to marry her. When we welcomed our son into the world, she truly blossomed into the incredible mom I always knew she would be. Every day, she pours her heart and soul into our family, dedicating herself to ensuring our son is not only healthy and happy, but thriving. I promise you, she will do the same for your child(ren).

Amanda’s creativity knows no bounds. Whether she’s crafting elaborate Halloween decorations, whipping up delicious meals, or dreaming up imaginative games, her passion and inventiveness enrich our lives in countless ways. She loves to create sensory play experiences and encourages our son’s artistic side, nurturing his curiosity and joy.

With an unwavering drive and intelligence, Amanda balances her successful career while showering our family with love and support. Under her thoughtful guidance, your child(ren) will have the opportunity to explore everything from art and music to science and sports.

Amanda has a unique gift for bringing people together and creating community wherever she goes. Her warmth and insight often inspire those who meet her. She sees the best in everyone, and her immense care for others exemplifies the qualities of a true mother, mentor, and role model.

Above all, Amanda will dedicate every ounce of her love and energy to ensure your child is supported, cherished, and free to experience the beauty this world has to offer. I’ve witnessed her do this for our son and me, and I can assure you that your child(ren) would be enveloped in the same deep love and care.

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About Jeff

Top 5 Qualities About Jeff (from Amanda’s perspective)

  1. Dad from Day One: Watching Jeff hold Kelby for the first time was magical. Your child(ren) will be at the center of his world, just like Kelby is.
  2. Fully Present Dad: Whether playing Legos or riding bikes, Jeff is always there, supporting and encouraging with endless love.
  3. Inspiring Mentor: Jeff helps kids’ dream big and embrace their creativity—your child(ren) will grow up inspired and confident.
  4. Dedicated Sports Fan: Jeff’s love for sports is contagious! Whether cheering for his favorite team or playing soccer with Kelby, he’s always excited to share the fun—and will be cheering your child(ren) on at every game.
  5. Ready for More Love: Jeff’s heart is wide open, ready to give your child(ren) the same boundless love and support he gives to Kelby.

From the moment I saw Jeff walking toward me on our first date, I knew he was special. His warm, genuine smile melted my heart, and as I got to know him, I fell even more in love with his deep compassion and love for others. Jeff loves with his whole heart, and family is everything to him—not just our immediate family but extended family, friends, and even our dogs.

I always knew he would be an incredible father, but seeing him hold our son Kelby for the first time was magical. In that moment, I knew Kelby was his whole world, and I have no doubt your child(ren) will be too. Watching Jeff play Legos, plastic army men, sports, and running alongside Kelby on his bike fills me with so much love. He’s the dad who is fully present, nurturing, and always encouraging.

Beyond being a fantastic father, Jeff is a natural mentor. He’s the kind of person who helps kids believe in themselves, dream big, and embrace creativity. He pushes them to explore their potential and empowers them to chase their dreams. Your child(ren) will be raised in a home full of love, support, and inspiration, with a father who will always be their biggest cheerleader—whether they’re playing sports, performing in a play, or pursuing their passions.

Jeff’s heart is enormous, and he’s ready to share all of that love, warmth, and wisdom with another child. Our family can’t wait to welcome a new addition, and I know that Jeff will give your child(ren) the same boundless love and encouragement he provides to Kelby.

 

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Why We are Choosing to Adopt (again!)

Top 3 Reasons We Are Hoping To Adopt Again!

  1. Love to Share: Adoption brought us the greatest gift of our lives—our son, Kelby. We are filled with immense love for him and are eager to share that same love with another child, creating a nurturing and supportive environment.
  2. Kelby’s Wish for a Sibling: For over three years, Kelby has expressed his desire to be a big brother. His natural caring nature and excitement around babies assure us that he will be a loving, nurturing sibling, and we want to fulfill his heartfelt wish.
  3. Nurturing Sibling Bonds: We believe in the joy and support that siblings provide. We want Kelby and your child(ren) to grow together, sharing adventures and building strong, lifelong bonds.

Adoption has a special place in our hearts because it gave us the greatest gift of our lives—our son, Kelby. From the moment we met him, our hearts were filled with a love beyond anything we ever imagined, thanks to his amazing birth mother. We often tell Kelby the story of his adoption, and he knows how deeply loved he is. Now, we dream of sharing that same love with another child.

We have always wanted a big family, but we are unable to have biological children of our own. Even so, we remain incredibly grateful for the path of adoption that brought us Kelby. His constant wish to become a big brother has only solidified our desire to adopt again. For three years now, Kelby has asked when he’ll have a baby sibling, and we know he’ll be the most loving, nurturing, and fun big brother. His face lights up around babies, and he has a natural gift for caring for other children.

Both of us come from large families—Jeff with six siblings and Amanda with three. The strong, supportive bonds we share with our brothers and sisters have brought us so much joy and have shaped who we are. We want Kelby and your child(ren) to have that same experience, growing up together as teammates, sharing life’s adventures, and always being there for each other through thick and thin.

Our decision to adopt again is rooted in love. We have so much love to give, and we want to share it with another child. We can’t wait to welcome your little(s) one into our family, where they will be surrounded by love, support, and the joy of a sibling who’s been waiting to meet them.

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Our Home

Top 4 Reasons We Chose Our New Home

  1. Peaceful, Nature-Filled Setting: Our home is surrounded by beautiful trees that attract wildlife, including families of deer, offering a peaceful, scenic environment to enjoy from our patio.
  2. Family-Friendly Community: The neighborhood is filled with children of all ages, and the community regularly comes together for fun events like potlucks and trick-or-treating, fostering a close-knit, family-oriented atmosphere.
  3. Proximity to Schools and Activities: Our home is within 10 minutes of Kelby’s school, as well as a variety of restaurants, activities, and conveniences, making daily life easy and enjoyable.
  4. Access to Outdoor Adventures, Cities and Culture: We’re also within 10 minutes of a beautiful North Carolina lake, offering plenty of outdoor activities like swimming, kayaking, and hiking, while also being close to farms, museums, theaters, and three vibrant cities with endless family-friendly attractions.

Our home is a warm, welcoming two-story Cape Cod with plenty of space to grow and play. We have three large bedrooms on the first floor, along with a spacious office and a playroom on the second floor—though to be honest, with all the love and laughter in our house, it feels like the entire home is one big playroom! We just moved in this past summer and are excited to make it our own. From transforming our one-acre lot into a natural play area and veggie garden to adding personal touches inside that reflect our family’s lifestyle, we’re eager to create a home full of joy and love.

We fell in love with this home for so many reasons, especially the peaceful, tree-lined setting that attracts all kinds of wildlife. It’s a special feeling to relax on our back patio and watch families of deer pass by. It’s the perfect place for Kelby and your child(ren) to grow up, just 10 minutes from school and close to plenty of restaurants and activities that make everyday life fun and convenient. Our neighborhood is filled with kids of all ages, and the community comes together regularly for events like the fall potluck, trick-or-treating, and other festive gatherings.

Beyond our home, adventure awaits. We’re within 10 minutes of one of North Carolina’s wonderful lakes, where we love swimming, kayaking, and exploring hiking trails. Our area is also rich in culture, with nearby farms, museums, theaters, and more. With quick and easy access to three vibrant cities, there’s always something exciting to do as a family, whether it’s attending major sporting events or attending festivals!

Most importantly, we chose this home because it’s the perfect place to grow our family, and we can’t wait to share all of these experiences with a new little one.

 

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Our Families and Friends

Top 2 Reasons Your Child Will Be Surrounded By Love

  1. Strong Family Bonds: We are grateful for our large, loving families, including devoted grandparents, 17 aunts and uncles, and 25 cousins, all eager to welcome your child(ren) and shower them with love.
  2. Supportive Community: Our amazing friends, whom Kelby affectionately calls his aunts and uncles, are always there for us, and they can’t wait to have another niece or nephew with whom to play and enjoy life’s moments together.

We are incredibly grateful for the amazing family and friends who surround us with love and support, celebrating life’s moments together. Both of us come from large families spread across the country, which means we have plenty of vacation destinations to explore! Our close-knit relationships with our siblings and extended family are invaluable, as they generously share their wisdom on raising a family and fostering a nurturing environment for siblings to thrive—just like our son, Kelby, and your child(ren) will.

Kelby is fortunate to have devoted grandparents he sees frequently, 17 aunts and uncles, 25 cousins, and many more family members—all eager to shower your beautiful child with love.

We know that dedicated parents and a loving community raise happy children. We are blessed with amazing friends who have been there for us through thick and thin. Kelby affectionately calls many of them his aunts and uncles, and they can’t wait to welcome another niece or nephew to spoil! We love spending quality time with our friends and their families from work, school, church, and the neighborhood. Whether it’s hosting delicious meals, enjoying game nights, or watching movies in our yard, we cherish these moments. We also have a blast organizing weekend playdates with other parents and kids!

With such loving, caring, and devoted people in our lives, we look forward to creating new bonds as our family expands. We can’t wait to see the joy your child(ren) will bring to our already vibrant community!

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Our Sweet Puppies

Quick Facts About Our Furry Family

  1. Our Furry Boys: We have two lovable rescue dogs, Franklin and Simon, who bring joy and companionship to our family, making every day an adventure!
  2. Kelby and His Brothers: Kelby loves playing with his dog brothers, feeding them, and taking them on walks—it’s a daily adventure filled with laughter and tail-wagging fun!

Our children are at the heart of our family, and we cherish including them in everything we do. Even before Kelby joined us, we lovingly referred to our dogs as our “kids.” We always joked that once we were blessed with a baby, we’d get a puppy, so we affectionately call Kelby “Puppy.”

Our furry family members bring us so much joy! Franklin, our oldest, is a sweet Shih Tzu mix we rescued as a puppy. At eight years old, he has a charming human-like personality, especially when lounging on the couch. Our youngest, Simon, is a 6.5-year-old mix of pure cuteness, also a rescue. He’s Kelby’s devoted companion, always watching over him and showering him with kisses.

As a family, we love walking around the neighborhood, and Kelby enjoys walking the boys himself. He adores his canine siblings, feeding them, petting them, and playing with their toys. It’s common to see Kelby joyfully running away from the dogs with one of their toys, with the boys happily chasing behind. We feel incredibly fortunate that Kelby is growing up in a home filled with love and laughter from his doggie family!

 

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What We will Teach Your Child

Love. We will always teach your child to love themself and to love all people, animals, and the planet.

Faith. When we have faith, we can become free to give to others, live a happy and impactful life, and find home in our families, friends, and communities.

Respect. If we can respect ourselves and others, then we can work to create an environment where all feel safe and welcome. We will teach your child to respect people, wildlife, and nature.

Laughter. We will expend every effort to teach your child the joy of laughing and being silly, but never at another’s expense.

Patience for themselves and for others. As we each develop uniquely, we must teach our children that patience is essential in establishing relationships.

Communication. We both strongly believe that open and honest communication is imperative and also extremely difficult. We are always actively working on our communication skills. When we model effective communication, we teach our children those same skills.

Education. We will teach your child that education is one of the keys to a fulfilling and successful life. You cannot know everything, but being open to learning about everything is very important. The more we learn, the better-informed decisions we can make to live a happier and healthier life.

Failure leads to learning and success. Allowing ourselves to try new things and to learn from our mistakes is wonderful. We find success and opportunity by learning from failure rather than fearing it. By teaching this to your child, we will enable them to try more things and not give up. They can create and live out their dreams with more confidence and character if we teach them that perfection is an unrealistic goal and that they will achieve great things if they have an open mind and know they can always improve.

Dancing. When have you danced and not felt great afterward? We will teach your child that there is always time for an impromptu dance party.

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On a Typical 3-Day Weekend

Our Top 3 To-Do’s on Long Weekends

  1. Beach Days & Ferris Wheels: Carolina Beach is one of our favorite getaways. We love playing in the sand, riding the Ferris wheel, and indulging in all the ice cream!
  2. Nature Adventures: Whether hiking new trails or kayaking on serene lakes, our family loves exploring the outdoors and making memories together.
  3. Local Fun & Playdates: From pool days to visiting local farms and museums, there’s always an adventure waiting and tons of friends to play with.

When we’re lucky enough to have a long weekend, we love making the most of it! Sometimes, we head to the beach to play in the sand, ride the Ferris wheel, and eat all the ice cream we can. Other times, we venture into the mountains for fresh air and nature trails. With beaches, lakes, and mountains nearby, we always have an exciting family destination. One of our favorite spots is Carolina Beach, where we relax by the ocean day and night.

But it’s not always about big trips. We also cherish long weekends at home, spending the days at the pool or on playdates with neighborhood friends. We also enjoy local adventures like hiking, visiting farms, or exploring the numerous science centers and children’s museums. Living near the state capital gives us endless options for fun!

One of our recent adventures took us kayaking, swimming, and hiking before finishing with a delicious lunch by the river. We’re already planning our next trip and can’t wait to share these experiences with another little one. There’s always something exciting happening, and we’d love for your child(ren)  to be part of our family’s adventures!

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Family Vacations

Our Top 3 Vacation Spots

  1. Disney World and Land
  2. Naples Florida
  3. Carolina Beach

We love vacations! To us, vacations are about family and exploration. They are about coming together, having fun, and experiencing our world. We love visiting our brothers and sisters who live in seven states from the east coast to the west coast and from border to border. We make it a point to visit Jeff’s parents in Southwest Florida and Amanda’s family in Northeast Pennsylvania each year. We often visit family members and close friends who live in different locations throughout the U.S. Kelby has been fortunate enough to visit Disneyland in California, Savannah in October for a haunted ghost tour, and Michigan in the early winter for great sleigh rides.

This year our spring and summer were full of vacations, with more on the way. Over Jeff’s spring break, he and Kelby rented a room on a train for a fun ten-day trip in Florida to visit Grammy and Grampy. Our family spent a long weekend in Wilmington, NC, where we explored a pirate ship, the beach, and a thoughtful stranger gifted Kelby his first pedal bike. We just returned from Disney World, where we rode several roller coasters in Magic Kingdom, went on safaris and splashed through rapids in Animal Kingdom, encountered a velociraptor at Jurassic Park, spent hours in the hotel lazy river, and came home with so many Legos from Legoland. Next, we will finish the summer at our family spot for a week, Carolina Beach, where Kelby will have his first sea aquarium summer camp. We will celebrate the end of the summer with a trip to Pennsylvania for a family wedding.

For us, vacations are also about meeting different people and communities throughout the U.S. and worldwide. We both have traveled the globe and are excited to provide our children with travel opportunities to experience different places. We have already planned a trip next May to Portugal, and we would love to include our newest family member on that trip!

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Family Traditions

Our Top 6 Family Traditions

  1. Birthdays: We love gathering for birthdays, singing “Happy Birthday” multiple times, and blowing out candles together.
  2. New Year’s Eve: Jeff can’t wait to start our New Year’s tradition with Kelby—skiing, snowboarding, and cozying up with hot cocoa at a family lodge.
  3. Halloween: Halloween is a family favorite! We decorate inside and out, dress up in themed costumes, and enjoy trick-or-treating.
  4. Easter: Our Easter egg hunt has become a yearly tradition Kelby looks forward to every spring.
  5. Christmas Joy: Christmas is about family—matching pajamas, baking cookies, and even a visit from Santa himself!
  6. Family Always: Whether it’s a holiday, BBQ, or weekly FaceTime, being together and creating memories is at the heart of our family.

We believe that family traditions create cherished memories and help shape who we are, which is why they’re so important to us. We love carrying on the traditions we grew up with and creating new ones for our children.

One of Amanda’s favorite traditions is gathering everyone together for birthdays. We sing “Happy Birthday” multiple times, light candles, and celebrate with plenty of laughter. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to show love. Jeff grew up spending New Year’s at a ski lodge in Michigan with family and friends, making memories on the slopes and warming up with hot cider and cocoa. We can’t wait to continue this tradition with Kelby—and your child(ren)—in the years to come.

When it comes to holidays, we go all out! Halloween is a big deal in our house. Amanda loves decorating inside and out, and Kelby’s excitement for trick-or-treating makes it even more magical. We already have family costume plans for this year! For Easter, we enjoy an Easter egg hunt, filled with treats and toys after church and a long brunch with Grammy and Grampy.

Christmas is a time for gathering, and we love hosting family at our home. Baking cookies, playing games, and sharing meals together are just a few of the ways we connect. One special tradition from Amanda’s family is gifting matching pajamas on Christmas Eve, often accompanied by a surprise visit from Santa. These moments of togetherness, whether for a holiday, a family BBQ, or just a weekly FaceTime, are what make our family strong.

We can’t wait to welcome another child into our home and share these joyful traditions with them, creating lasting memories filled with love, laughter, and a sense of belonging.

 

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Racial and Cultural Diversity

3 Reasons We Believe in Raising Children Who Respect Others

  1. A Home That Celebrates Culture: By embracing and celebrating all people and their beliefs, we have created a loving, inclusive home for everyone who enters, including our future child(ren) and their family.
  2. Teaching Compassion & Understanding: We are committed to teaching our son and future child(ren) the value of having an open heart. We believe in fostering empathy and understanding so they can listen, learn from, and respect others, even when perspectives or opinions differ.
  3. Building A Better Future: We are dedicated to raising compassionate children who strive to make the world a better place where everyone can thrive.

We believe that understanding and embracing cultural diversity is an important ongoing journey. As the world changes, so must our understanding of those around us. It’s important to us that our son—and your child(ren)—grow up with open hearts, appreciating the uniqueness of every person they meet. Amanda’s work has always focused on making sure everyone feels seen, cherished, and celebrated. Jeff has also led initiatives at our church and, through work, to build supportive communities that help those facing food insecurity and other challenges, all grounded in love and respect.

We believe everyone deserves to feel valued, appreciated and loved. We will raise our children to celebrate differences, support and advocate for others, and approach life with kindness and compassion. Most importantly, we will help them learn to listen, understand, and respect people from all backgrounds and beliefs. Your child will grow up in a family that cherishes diversity and is committed to making the world a more inclusive and loving place.

 

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Hobbies

Top Hobbies of Our Family

Amanda: Cooking and baking delicious treats.

Jeff: Watching sports with his family and friends

Kelby: Creating elaborate scenes with Legos, wildlife figures, and army men

Amanda has a passion for cooking, baking, puzzles, and reading. She finds peace in the kitchen, creating delicious treats like layered cakes and cupcakes to share with friends and family. When she’s not experimenting with new recipes, Amanda enjoys reading and practicing yoga. She even teaches yoga classes to her coworkers during the week and takes classes on weekends when time allows.

Jeff’s hobbies revolve around his love for family and sports. He enjoys playing with Kelby and the dogs, watching sports at home or out, and exploring the cultural aspects of sports. His daily routine includes morning walks with the dogs, which he finds a great way to start the day. Jeff also loves filmmaking, working in the yard, grilling, planning trips, learning about other cultures, going to the theater, and watching movies.

We’ve developed shared interests that bring us closer as a family. We’ve grown organic vegetable gardens and enjoy connecting what we grow to our cooking and grilling. We also love playing board games, watching movies, and discovering new places to explore.

It’s been such a joy watching Kelby grow and explore his hobbies. He loves playing video games and building elaborate scenes with Legos, wildlife figures, army men, and magnet tiles. Kelby’s creativity shines through in his craft projects, whether making cardboard stores, sculpting clay monsters, or elaborate maps. His imagination knows no bounds, and we love seeing where it takes him! He also loves riding his bike or scooter around our new neighborhood.

We look forward to seeing what new hobbies Kelby will develop, what our future child(ren) will be interested in, and what new hobbies we will grow into as a family.

 

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What Kind of Parents We Are

Our Top 5 Parenting Styles

  1. Team Together: We raise our son with love, teamwork, and adventure, celebrating joyful moments and navigating challenges together.
  2. Hands-On Family Life: Kelby is an active member of our family! We involve him in everything—from cooking to caring for our dogs—and can’t wait to do the same with your child(ren).
  3. Fun & Laughter: Our home is full of joy! Amanda’s spontaneous dance parties, tickle matches, and Jeff’s fort-building and humor ensure our son and your child(ren) will always find laughter here.
  4. Nature Lovers: We cherish the outdoors and teach Kelby to respect animals and care for the planet. He loves playing outside, and we can’t wait to share that joy with another child.
  5. Adventure Awaits: We encourage Kelby to try new activities like gymnastics, Taekwondo, and BMX racing. We’re excited to welcome a new child and create unforgettable adventures alongside their big brother!

As parents, we believe in raising our children with love, teamwork, and a spirit of adventure. We share everything equally, from celebrating joyful moments to navigating the tough ones. Our parenting style is all about compassion, creating a safe “yes” environment where our son Kelby can explore freely while knowing we’re always there for support.

We’re hands-on parents who cherish involving Kelby in every part of our daily life—whether it’s cooking, caring for our dogs, or tackling chores together. To us, he’s not just an almost six-year-old; he’s a valued and active member of our family. We’re excited to extend that same approach to your child(ren), encouraging them to explore their passions and fully wrap them in our family love.

We are also all about having fun! Amanda is known for spontaneous dance parties, tickle matches, and sneaky “Boo!” moments. Jeff loves building forts, sharing his quick wit, and play wrestling with Kelby and the dogs. Laughter is a big part of our home; your child(ren) will always find a place filled with joy here.

Nature plays a significant role in our family. We teach Kelby about the importance of the outdoors, respecting animals, and caring for our planet. He’s developed a love for playing outside, no matter the weather, and we can’t wait to share those moments with another child.

We’re also big on trying new things. Kelby has experienced everything from gymnastics, Taekwondo, and baseball to BMX racing and swimming. And when it comes to food, we’ve always encouraged him to explore different flavors and textures. We’re so excited to welcome another child into our home and create new adventures for them to experience alongside their big brother!

 

Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
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Our Daily Lifestyle

4 Things We Always Do Together

  1. Morning Routines Full of Love: Each day starts with excitement and warmth, whether Kelby wakes us up with a smile or we sneak into his bed for a cozy snuggle.
  2. Food is Our Fuel: We love cooking together, with Kelby as our enthusiastic sous chef, or heading out to try a new restaurant or a family favorite.
  3. Family Bonding Evenings: After dinner, we all wind down with a family TV show, followed by snuggles in bed with a good book.
  4. Adventure-Packed Weekends: Weekends are filled with exploration, from visiting children’s museums and farms to enjoying outdoor activities like biking and watching sports.

Each day in our home begins with excitement and warmth—whether it’s Kelby waking us up with a big smile in our bed or us sneaking into his for a cozy morning snuggle. Our weekday mornings are filled with laughter as we share a quick breakfast, help each other get ready for school and work, and take turns dropping Kelby off at kindergarten.

After school, our evenings are a whirlwind of fun activities! Depending on the day and season, we might head to Tae Kwon Do, soccer, gymnastics, or unwinding at home. We love to make dinner together, often turning the kitchen into a creative cooking space. Making homemade pizza from scratch is a family favorite, and our cooking adventures extend to grilling outside or whipping up quick, delicious meals like pasta and breakfast for dinner. Kelby has been our little sous chef since he was two and has a passion for food that matches ours. When not cooking a delicious meal at home, we love trying new restaurants or visiting our local favorites.

After dinner, you’ll find Kelby diving into playtime with his Legos, army men, wildlife toys, or video games on his switch while we tackle home chores. We love winding down together as a family with a cozy TV show, followed by Kelby’s nightly routine, where he gets to choose between a “scary” story or animal adventure story. Lately, he’s taken the adorable step of reading to us at bedtime!

Weekends are our time for adventure! We love exploring children’s museums, farms, and nearby science centers with Kelby and his friends. We make sure to soak up the outdoors by visiting parks, riding bikes or scooters in the neighborhood, walking the dogs, and finding all the creatures we can. On weekends, we enjoy taking Kelby to baseball, basketball, and soccer games, and he’s eager to catch a hockey game next! Family date nights are a must, filled with trips to the movies, fun at the arcade, or a competitive game of bowling.

Our lifestyle is vibrant and active, revolving around family, silliness, and shared adventures. We can’t wait to welcome another child into our hearts and create new traditions, meals, and exciting experiences together!

Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
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Our Relationship with Kelby's Birth Mother

We currently have a semi-open relationship with Kelby’s birth mother, which developed during a whirlwind experience that brought Kelby into our family. Just hours after a phone call, we learned that Kelby’s birth mother had welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world the day before. She had chosen adoption for him. When we met her at the hospital, she shared that she felt an instant connection to us after seeing our profile and was thrilled with her decision upon meeting us.

Since our adoption journey was shorter than we expected, we didn’t have a concrete plan for how Kelby’s birth parents would remain involved in his life. Instead, we left it open for them to decide what felt right for them. We regularly text his birth mother updates about milestones and special moments, along with plenty of photos. Sometimes we hear back from her, and other times we don’t. We understand that there will be times when she may find it easier to respond and times when it may be more challenging. We will always respect her choices and reinforce with Kelby her selfless and loving decision to give him the best life possible. As long as she doesn’t ask us to stop, we will continue to share the joy of Kelby’s life with her.

Jeff and Amanda
Jeff and Amanda
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Our Promise to You

We promise to love your child(ren) unconditionally, filling their world with wonder and adventure. Our home will be a safe haven where they can explore, learn, and grow, surrounded by endless love. Every moment, your child(ren) will be held close in our hearts and arms, receiving the boundless affection they deserve.

We are dedicated to providing your child(ren) with the best life possible. The journey that brought us together will be a treasured story we share with them, highlighting the love and blessings that made our family whole. Kelby is excited to be the best big brother and is ready to shower your child(ren) with love and support.          

If you choose to stay connected, we promise to keep the lines of communication open, honoring your wishes about your involvement in your child(ren)’s life. Above all, we vow to fill their days with hugs, laughter, dance parties, and unforgettable family adventures. Your child(ren) will be surrounded by love, respect, and encouragement every step of the way.

Message Jeff and Amanda

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Hi, We are honored that you are considering us! Our adoption specialist at Adoption Network, will be reaching out to make sure your needs are being met and your questions about adoption are being answered. She will help us get in touch with each other. We can’t wait to connect with you!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Contact Jeff and Amanda

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Hi, We are honored that you are considering Adoption Network! Mary, or one of our other adoption specialists will be reaching out to make sure your needs are being met and your questions about adoption are being answered. She will help us get in touch with each other. We can’t wait to connect with you!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.