Adoption Celebration

Thank you for celebrating with us as we welcome Sam & Weston into our family!

We are so thankful for all of the prayers, support and love! A lot of people have asked us if there is anything we need. Because the boys are 13, we don't need cribs, diapers or clothes. For anyone who would like to "get" us something, we've put together a travel fund. For the last 2 years, the boys have said that they want to go to Hawaii or a tropical place where they can live in board shorts, explore, eat snow cones and snorkel. To honor this dream we are planning to take a family trip to give Sam & Weston the gift of travel, adventure and a time for family bonding.

We'd also like to ask for continued loving support - people who are available for late night chats, who will invest in friendship with our boys, who will call to check-in, and will think of us often. Thank you!

OUR STORY

We met Sam & Weston at the Royal Family Kids Camp (a summer camp for children in the Foster system) in the summer of 2013. Travis was Westons' camp counselor and he fell in love with Sam & Weston immediately. Travis would call Shawn every night to tell her funny and lovely stories about the twin boys and how amazing they were. There was no way we knew what the future held, but we knew we wanted to stay involved with Sam & Weston.

We began mentoring Sam & Weston through Royal Family Kids Camp. We would pick up the boys and take them on adventures throughout Los Angeles. Together we would skateboard, ice skate, explore new areas of the city and play at the beach. We loved providing Sam & Weston with new experiences and watching their curious minds at work - things like grasping the concept of a taxi or sneaking onto rooftops to see how big the world is. From 2013 to 2014, the four of us grew together and we fell deeply in love with these twin 9-year olds.

In 2015 we learned that the boys were eligible and hoped for adoption. After months of prayer, encouragement and consideration, we began our Foster Parent Certification. In the fall of that year, we asked the boys if they would take us as their parents. The boys excitedly and nervously said yes. That "yes" was powerful, because even at their young age, they knew that being adopted meant moving away from their three older brothers and the only stable Foster home they'd known. To take the risk of opening their hearts to us is likely one of the bravest things the boys will ever do.

In June of 2016 Sam & Weston moved in with us and we began our journey as a family. It has been deeply rewarding, challenging, fulfilling, joyful and sad as we have all processed the loss and change that comes with adoption. Together, we've made huge strides bonding as a new family, healing some of the trauma and loss, and moving into the teen years.

We are still just at the beginning, and there is so much excitement knowing that the story continues together in love. We are incredibly proud of Sam & Weston and their bravery, commitment and willingness to work to overcome all of the challenges. They are amazing young men and we are honored to be their parents.

We truly want to thank each of you as well. You have all supported us with encouragement, listening ears, good advice, drinks, laughter, and friendship. You have held us up for the boys and allowed us the space and support to grow our family. Thank you!