Erin and Jen
We are Erin (on the left) and Jen (on the right). We are so excited and ready to become parents, and grateful for the opportunity to create a family through open adoption. We try to imagine what this process might be like for you. Please know that our hearts are open to you as you consider whether we are right for you.
We live on a lovely piece of land that we are turning into a small organic farm. We love sharing the farm with friends and customers. At our annual Open Barn Day this year we had 20 kids running around feeding goats, petting chickens, and eating vegetables out of the garden that they would never have eaten off their plate at the dinner table! Our animals provide us with a lot of entertainment too. Just the other day we went out to the pasture and couldn’t see a single chicken, which was alarming – had they all escaped?! Then Jen made a clucking sound and, all of the sudden, 25 chickens were running full speed out of the tall grass towards us – there aren’t many things funnier than a chicken running!
Our house is open and colorful; it was a country preschool before we came along, with great kid energy and a built-in outdoor play area. We live with 3 wonderful indoor critters. Gracie is our dog, the sweetest one on earth. She’s great with kids, quiet and gentle. Our cats are Audrey (the adventurer) & Edgar (super-cuddler). It is easy to imagine a child growing up here.
We live 15 minutes from a great university town, so we have a “city life” of sorts, too. We are both hard-working folks who can transition easily into relaxation and fun. We enjoy having balance in our lives… like spending time inside and outside, working with our minds and our bodies, and having quiet time as well as social gatherings. The farm helps us maintain that kind of balance. We love hiking, traveling, watching funny movies, cooking good food, and hanging out with friends and family, including our three young nieces.
We met 10 years ago, and it didn’t take us long to realize we wanted to spend our lives together. We actually got married in Canada, but the real fun was the celebration with a great gathering of friends and family at a state park in Arizona. We are solidly committed to one another and to being great parents. We can talk with one another about anything and we strive to come from a place of love and respect for others.
Erin is full of joy and kindness, and people are just crazy about her. She has had a versatile professional life—she created a city recycling program, studied marine animals, and most recently worked on making stronger state environmental laws. Now she is managing our farm projects and getting ready to be a stay-at-home mom for awhile. She is always thinking of others and helping out neighbors and friends. For instance, the day before Thanksgiving she found herself in a refrigerated truck (brrr!) helping a farm neighbor sell fresh turkeys in the school parking lot.
Jen is easygoing and very kind. She has a great sense of humor and loves it when someone laughs when she’s being silly! She has worked as a social worker for many years, and is currently leading the child mental health program at her agency and teaching a class at the nearby university. She volunteers with a homeless shelter that serves families with kids. Jen adores coming home, sharing in the creation of the farm and having downtime with Erin.
Our hearts, our family, and our home are open and ready for a little one (or more, as the case may be) to join us. Our sweet nursery is all ready for a baby, and we keep a little tree-shaped nightlight lit as a beacon of safety, warmth and hope. We are deeply committed to open adoption, and what it can provide for the health and well-being of all involved. We look forward to growing into a relationship with you, if you find we’re the right fit.
Warmest regards,
Erin and Jen