Thank you for taking the time to read our profile. First, we would like to express our appreciation for what you are doing. While we will never fully understand what you are going through, we do recognize the selflessness that this process involves. Regardless if you decide to place with us or not, we respect you for your decision and pray that you will always remember that you are a beloved child of God.
Laura and I met each other while we were attending Texas A&M University. It was definitely love at first sight. It just so happened that the “first sight” came at different times for each of us. I always laugh when I think of how we met. Laura was prompted to drop an anatomy class she was taking at the time because she felt like she needed to attend an Institute (church) class instead. It just so happened that each Wednesday night, I would also attend the same Institute class. I was sitting in the back like normal and heard a girl behind me mention to her friend that it was really warm in the room. I turned around and asked her if she would like me to go change the temperature. Well, the girl’s friend was Laura, and that was the first time we met. Laura claims it was love at first sight for her, but I didn’t really notice her though until a few days later.
A following Sunday, she came to visit my church ward with the same girl she was with at Institute. I saw her sitting next to my former roommate and immediately felt a mixture of sadness and jealousy. I saw my old roommate sitting next to a beautiful woman that I all but knew was supposed to be sitting by me! I was in love and I didn’t even know her name and thought she was already dating someone else. Unbeknownst to Laura, our mutual friend came up to me after church and told me that Laura actually came to meet me. Let’s just say my attitude went from the lowest low to the highest high in an instant. Eight months later, Laura and I married in the San Diego Temple. It’s hard to believe that was 6 years ago.
Right after we got married, we honeymooned in San Diego, came home for a few days and then immediately left on another vacation to Japan where I was able to show Laura where I had served as a missionary for my church. Having these two trips back to back gave us the travel bug and we haven’t stopped going on vacations ever since. We have been to Japan, Hawaii a few times, gone on several cruises, and traveled all across the US in our married life. We are grateful that I have a job that allows us to take frequent vacations and we look forward to being able to bring our children along with us to see the rest of the world once they are a little older.
Speaking of children, we have been blessed with two (insert any and every complimentary adjective here) boys. We could write a whole book about how Carter and Talon came into our lives, but we’ll just be brief. After two years of trying to have a baby and several failed fertility treatments later, we both realized that adoption was the right path for us. Before ever meeting each other, we both had desires of adopting a child. We just didn’t know that it would be out of necessity. In 2010, through a twist of fate, we were selected by one birth mother and before our case worker was able to remove our profile, we were selected by another birth mother. To follow the rules we initially said no to the second birth mother but after a few days both the birth mother and Laura and I knew that was the wrong choice. Long story short, our boys were born three weeks apart half way across the United States. It was an interesting few months settling into a routine but we wouldn’t change it for anything. We love them and couldn’t imagine life without them!
(Written by Laura) Daniel is a unique character. He managed to earn a degree in Finance from Texas A&M University in 3 years with a 4.0 GPA while still being a relaxed likable guy. Daniel is a problem solver. He is a great listener and is very observant and aware of people and his surroundings. He is very sensitive to others’ feelings and always tries to help anyone he can. People often come to him for advice on any problems they may be facing. If he doesn’t know how to fix something, whether it is a bad situation or a broken appliance, he won’t stop until he knows what to do. Daniel is always planning his next outdoor adventure! Whether it’s backpacking, skiing (water and snow), biking, or kayaking, Daniel just loves spending time in nature. He’s a great teacher and loves to bring me along with him on his outdoor adventures. Daniel also likes to read a good book, watch and play sports, learn about new things, or randomly hum or sing whatever song pops into his head. It can be anything from classical, pop, Disney, children’s songs, to random movie soundtracks. Daniel can sometimes be reserved, but really opens up in small groups or around children. Daniel loves children and they love being around him. Daniel is an amazing dad. He is very hands on and tries to spend as much time with them as he can. He enjoys helping with diaper changes, feeding, bathing and bedtime. I got very lucky! Our boys love him and they get so excited when he comes home from work. He has a perfect job tailored just for him. He appraises privately-held businesses for litigation and gets to learn about new things every day. He can interview the owner of a national clothing chain, research specific details of gambling laws in different states, or learn the mechanics behind new inventions all within a few days time. It takes a good mix of patience, intelligence, and confidence for him to deal with lawyers, divorcing couples, or proud business owners on a daily basis.
(Written by Daniel) Laura is six months older than I am and I never let her forget it! After we got married, Laura transferred to University of Texas at Arlington to be closer to my job and received her degree in Child Growth and Development. Although we both value education immensely, Laura’s greatest skills and talents could never be learned in any school. Laura is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She has the talent of making anyone she meets feel comfortable. Combine that with the fact that she is fiercely loyal, it’s no wonder that she has many lifelong friends that she keeps in touch with frequently. She is a stickler about keeping a clean house and always reminds me to put away my shoes. Laura has a quiet confidence in herself and is a rock of strength not only in my life, but in many others’ lives as well. Somehow packed in that tiny body of hers, there is strength in the face of adversity, a sense of adventure, and a deep testimony of the gospel. Overall, Laura doesn’t let her small stature stop her from having a big personality and a giant heart. She does have one vice though. She will drink at least two gallons of milk every week all by herself! It is a running joke in the family that buying a dairy cow would be a good investment for us. Aside from drinking milk, she likes to do interior decorating, sewing, and is always willing to accompany me on any new adventure. She is a wonderful mother. The boys love her to death and are constantly giving her hugs and looking for her approval. She has worn out the knees of several pants because she is always down on the ground either playing with the kids, reading them books, or teaching them new and interesting things.
Carter will be turning 2 years old in June and is such a sweet boy. He loves giving hugs to everyone and has a huge heart and infectious smile. Carter is a very curious boy but he has a very calm personality. This is good because it helps even out Talon. Carter is the leader and the first one to figure out or discover new things.
Talon will be 2 in July and he’s already turning into quite a good actor. He can go from the saddest face to the biggest smile in two seconds flat. Talon is a very pensive kid and can win a staring contest with anyone. He loves any activity that has to do with the outdoors or water. He loves to be held and will walk up to anyone with his arms straight in the air so they can pick him up.
The boys love to play and giggle with each other. They are both very sensitive of one another. Carter will give Talon hugs or pat him on the back when he cries and Talon will cry when Carter gets in trouble. One of their favorite activities is to sit on our lap while we read to them. They get along great with each other and for that we are very lucky.
We aren’t perfect and we have been through our own trials and struggles, including our infertility. However, we have relied on our Savior and the strength of each other in order to try and be better every day. Laura and I both have strong beliefs in the eternal nature of families. We both have been blessed with wonderful parents and siblings that love us and have helped make us who we are today. Laura has two older brothers and Daniel has three older siblings, one brother and two sisters. Between the both of us, we have 6 nephews, 6 nieces and one more niece on the way. We look forward to anytime we can spend time with them.
Again, whether you choose to place with us or with another couple, we just want to express our gratitude for you and your sacrifice and selflessness. We are open to sending letters, pictures, and emails and are more than willing to explore any level of openness. Should you decide to place your baby with us, we greatly look forward to discovering all the talents and strengths they will bring into our family. We love you and pray that you will have the strength and fortitude you need to make whatever decision is best for you and your child.
Again, whether you choose to place with us or with another couple, we just want to express our gratitude for you and your sacrifice and selflessness. We are open to sending letters, pictures, and emails and are more than willing to explore any level of openness. Should you decide to place your baby with us, we greatly look forward to discovering all the talents and strengths they will bring into our family. We love you and pray that you will have the strength and fortitude you need to make whatever decision is best for you and your child.
Daniel and Laura
