Hannah

Adoption is such a beautiful reminder of God's great love for us - the idea of being called to share in the hard, beautiful reality of foster care and adoption is humbling because it reminds me that a great God is willing to use me to do big, beautiful things that could only be done through Him.

I would love to meet with you. I would love to hear your stories and about your life. I would love to walk alongside you on this road of adoption and ensure that you feel heard and seen, because you are.

  Hannah  

Things I love...

Walking at the gardens by my house because it gives me time to listen to music, chat with friends, or talk to Jesus.

Reading because it's calming and always feels like a treat, especially mysteries!

Baking/cooking because I find it relaxing and I like eating it afterwards too!

Laughing because it releases crazy amounts of stress and tension and it's more fun!

Spending time with my friends and family relationships are really important to me.

Traveling because I get to learn about other cultures and people!

Serving God because serving Him is the greatest adventure I could go on!

Going to church because that's where my community is.

Deep, intentional conversations because it fills my soul.

Peter Pan and Disney because it makes my inner child happy. 

Music (listening, singing, and playing) because it expresses every emotion I feel. 

My favorites...

M.A.S.H., Peter Pan, Michigan or Ireland, Green, Dark Chocolate, Giraffes, Swimming/Walking and Christmas!

I love children. My jobs have all surrounded children - first as a babysitter/nanny, then as a teacher, and finally as a children's director. I love getting to know each child and their unique personalities and quirks.
 
I have many children in my life that have held a special place in my heart but no one more than my nephews: Asher and Caden.
Asher has the most smiley eyes ever, they light up the moment he makes a joke or finds something funny or fun!
Caden is a sweetheart, he loves to snuggle and when he is really tired he loves to entwine his fingers in hair as he is rocked to sleep.
Both of them love being t-rexes or Komodo dragons so there is a lot of growling and roaring within our house when they come over. They bring a lot of joy each and every day!   

My faith is the most important thing in my life. Jesus is my Savior and my friend and I live to serve Him. He has allowed me to go on many amazing adventures and to see His people across the world. He led me to teach at a Christian school and showed me the beauty of intentionally teaching scripture and then called me to teach scripture full time as a children's director at a church. I am sold out for Jesus and I hope that I will be able to pass that down to my child throughout their life. 

My Family...

My family is incredibly important to me. My parents are still very active members of my life since we live in a multigenerational home. My siblings are some of my dearest friends and will have a very active role in my child's life. They all live within the same city so we see each other at least once a week. We love to attend each others churches, play games, go to the zoo, have family dinners, visit pumpkin patches, cut down Christmas Trees, Family traditions, play in the pool, and have family movie nights.

One of my favorite family traditions is cutting down our family Christmas tree. We have gone to the same farm since I was in Kindergarten with the same group of friends. We all get lunch together and then everyone comes over to decorate the house and watch a Christmas movie together.
 

I greatly admire my parents for many reasons but their faith is a primary one. They truly serve God well. 

I have lived in my house since I was 10 years old. It has already raised a family and is ready to raise another! We know many of our neighbors, some have been a part of my life since I was little. It is a neighborhood of young families with a creek in the middle, a great place to look for ducks or frogs and offers small sledding hills in the winter months.

We live within walking distance of a metro park that we make use of many times a week. It has beautiful walking trails and a fun treehouse themed playground. Within 15/20 minutes we can visit the Zoo, science museum, Art Museum, library and occasionally will make it to a baseball game during the summer.

My Friends...

I have many circles of friends that are willing to support me. I have friends that have known me since childhood that are my main go to's when I need prayer or just someone to visit with. I have friends through different Bible Studies, jobs, and churches and each of these individuals have special places within my heart and are people that I regularly visit them. Several have their own stories of adoption!

My church network is AMAZING and I hang out with them nearly daily since I work on staff. They also hold a lot of stories of adoption.

I have many friends on the mission field and although we don't see each other often, they are dear to my heart and always welcome!

I have many individuals in my life that were adopted or are adoptive parents and each story is different and they all know that they are loved just as God created them. I am blessed to call them all friends. 

Dear Family Considering Adoption,

I can't imagine the difficult decision that you are facing. I know that you are working to figure out the best future for your precious child and I will be praying for you as you do. Please know that you are a beloved child of God - you are fully seen and fully loved.

During this process I will be praying for you to feel peace, clarity, and hope for your future as well as your child's. If adoption is the road that you choose to take, please know that you and your child will both be well loved and if you choose to parent you both will be well loved then as well. The choice that you are facing requires such strength and bravery. Thank you for making such a brave choice.

My child will be raised knowing she/he is adopted from the very beginning. We will share the story of their birth and adoption from the very beginning being sure to highlight the bravery and strength of your decision. 

I would love to meet with you and hear your stories and about your life. I would love to walk alongside you on this road of adoption and ensure that you feel heard and seen, because you are.
 
I pray that no matter your choice, that God will grant you confidence in the knowledge that you are doing what is best for your child. If you choose to place your child for adoption and select Me and my family, please know that your child will know that their mother made a brave and beautiful choice.

  With Love,
    Hannah