Occupation 

Healthcare Supply Chain

Education

Some College (5 years)

Hobby

Cooking & home projects

Favorite Family Activity

Hanging out in the backyard

Favorite Food

Texas style BBQ

Favorite Holiday

Thanksgiving

Favorite Place to Travel

Kauai, HI

Our Story

We met on a dating app just as we were both about to give up on online dating. Michael told his friends he’d give it “one last try” and decided to meet me for dinner. That night, I was struck by his honesty, openness, and desire for a serious relationship—something I hadn’t seen in others. By the end of the date, we both felt something special was beginning.

Early on, we introduced each other to our beloved pets, who had been with us most of our adult lives—it felt like introducing our kids for approval! As we continued dating, we bonded over our shared love for family and our dream of having children one day.



We got engaged in the summer of 2020 and began planning a fall wedding, but the pandemic quickly changed our plans. We scaled back our guest list to keep everyone safe and focused on having our closest loved ones with us. It turned out to be a beautiful fall day full of Texas sunshine. We were married in our church and held the reception at my parents’ ranch before they sold it. It was a memorable day that flew by, and we’re so grateful we were able to safely celebrate with the people we love most.

Izzy is the light of our lives and brings joy to everyone she meets. She’s a happy, outgoing child who greets everyone—friends and strangers alike—with a big smile and cheerful “Hi!” or “Bye-bye!”

Her personality is blossoming with boundless curiosity, a strong will, and a growing sense of humor. She loves being outside—hunting for snails, spotting airplanes, splashing in water, and collecting rocks. Swimming lessons are a weekly favorite, and she enjoys practicing her skills at the local pool.

At home, music is always playing, and Izzy loves to dance—hopping is her move of the moment! She has a sweet, caring nature and especially enjoys being around other kids, often following the “big kids” with admiration. Her joyful spirit and love for people make her an absolute treasure.

We stay in touch with Izzy’s birth mom through texts and photo updates and meet with her and Izzy’s half-siblings a few times a year. We cherish this relationship and are committed to making sure Izzy knows her adoption story and feels connected to her birth family.

Our Home

Our home is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house with an open concept living space. The backyard features a large deck with two dining areas and a fire pit, making it perfect for hosting family and friends. The spacious lawn is great for running and playing, and it's shaded by big trees to block the Texas sun. Izzy loves playing in the sprinkler, water table, and baby pool.

We live very close to a state park with fantastic hiking trails, swimming spots, splash pad, and plenty of picnic areas. Additionally, we're just a block away from an elementary school with a playscape and near a large shaded park that offers a playground, walking trail, and a pool.

Michael's Family

My family is all from Indiana and still lives in my hometown. My parents met in high school and have been married for 45 years. I have two siblings. My older sister has two daughters, aged 23 and 22, and my younger brother has an 8-year-old daughter.

Even though we don't live near my family, we see them often and talk on the phone and FaceTime regularly. I am very close to my nieces and believe my role in their lives has created a bond that we all cherish. My relationship with them has directly impacted the kind of father I am, teaching Izzy to be independent and experience unconditional love and support from our family. I love hearing about their lives and their plans for the future. I am thankful for the bond I share with my family and look forward to all the moments we share and the memories we make together.

We have visited my family multiple times since Izzy was born, and they love her so much! My nieces enjoy holding her and spending time with her. My brother, his wife, and my sister also love having another little one around. My parents, who visit frequently, love to spoil their granddaughter. They are all beyond supportive and cannot wait for another child to join our bunch.

I come from a close-knit family that includes my parents, married for 49 years, and my younger sister and brother, both married with kids. We live near my parents and my sister’s family and see them weekly. My dad, “Pop,” shares a special bond with Izzy—he cared for her when I returned to work and still helps out often.

My brother and his family live in Dallas, and we visit each fall and take a spring break trip together with both siblings' families. Izzy, the youngest cousin, loves trying to keep up with all the “big kids.”

Each summer, we host “aunt camp” for our nieces and nephews, packing the days with swimming, boating, frozen bananas, and pizza—making fun memories together.



I also have a large extended family nearby, including my grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Every two years, we gather for a big family reunion, alternating between Texas and Kentucky. This year will be Izzy’s first, and everyone is excited to meet her!

Michael & Christi - A Look Into Our Life

Our Boy Wilbur

After losing both of our beloved pets, we decided it was time to get a dog to bring life back into our home. That's when we met Wilbur, who needed a new home, and we happily welcomed him into our lives. He is a very energetic, loving, and cuddly pup who adores kids, especially because they are at his level for giving kisses.

Wilbur is especially fond of Izzy as she willingly feeds him snacks when we aren’t looking and often leaves a hefty crumb trail for him to clean up. Wilbur has welcomed Izzy as part of the pack and loves to greet her in the mornings when she wakes up and is the last one to leave her room at bedtime.



 Izzy refers to Wilbur as “Ba-Ba” (which she uses for all dogs) and often says “Ba-Ba” the whole way home from school each day. She loves to greet Wilbur as soon as she walks in the door and is eager to give him his treat before we leave in the mornings. She welcomes Wilbur’s kisses and loves to tell him to “sit” or to give a “high five” so she can feed him treats.

Family Fun

We love exploring new places and introducing Izzy to the unique everyday activities in our city. One of our favorite spots is the Wildflower Center, where Izzy enjoys the water feature and the seasonal exhibits. We also like to visit the local zoo and outdoor restaurants, often meeting up with friends and family.

Christi and Izzy particularly enjoy walking around the lake trail, watching the dogs, and feeding the turtles and fish. When the weather is cooler, we take Izzy to local trails in a hiking carrier, and she loves taking in the sights and exploring on her own. We also enjoy going to UT sporting events.

Oh, The Places We'll Go

We love to travel and see new places as it gives us a broader perspective of the world and other cultures. We enjoy visiting places where we have friends and family who can show us their favorite local spots. We've taken Izzy on several trips within the US and look forward to traveling internationally when she is a bit older.

Most of our trips revolve around outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or going to the beach, and we have a list of cities and national parks we plan to visit in the future. We also have a state park pass and like to visit the state parks in our area when the weather cools off. We can't wait to share our love of travel with our children and witness them learn from the experiences they will have.

Our family has a few favorite holiday traditions that we look forward to every year. At Halloween, we host “BYOP” (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) with Christi’s cousins—a fun night of chili, costumes, and pumpkin carving. We also love visiting our local pumpkin patch as a family.

For Thanksgiving, we usually head to Indiana the weekend before to enjoy the fall weather with Michael’s family and visit friends with young kids in Chicago. Back home, Christi’s dad leads a big Thanksgiving dinner where everyone contributes a dish, followed by a gathering with extended family.

At Christmas, we all wear matching pajamas (including Wilbur!) for our festive PJ breakfast. We used to attend Midnight Mass, but now go to the children’s service and plan to return once the kids are older. Christi’s dad cooks Christmas dinner, and we open gifts in age order—from youngest to oldest. We always squeeze in a few Christmas movies and work on a family puzzle together.

As our family grows, we’re excited to see these traditions continue and evolve.