Chris & Isabel

Hello from the Mitten state! We are fun-loving college sweethearts, and after working through infertility, we are excited to respond to God’s call to become first-time parents through adoption. Thank you for considering us as you discern God’s plan for your child.

We can’t wait to share with your child our faith, our love of music, and summers at the family cabin on the lake. We will raise your child in a loving, stable, and nurturing environment that fosters their growth into the best version of themselves. We will encourage them to discover and pursue their talents and interests, but more importantly, their relationship with Jesus and compassion for others.

We look forward to getting to know you, and based on your comfort level, we are open to photos, letters, and/or scheduled visits.

About Us

We met in our college choir over 10 years ago. It was love at first sound! God began nurturing our desire for adoption even before we got married, so the beauty of our infertility journey is that it led us to realize that now is the time to pursue adoption. We are especially looking forward to having family meals together, visiting our families, and reading bedtime stories with our child.

 Some of Our Favorite Things:

• Praying together
• Singing together
• Reading together
• Summers at Isabel’s family cabin on the lake
• Exploring nature on walks/hikes
• Visiting our alma mater for Homecoming Weekend
• Dancing (including swing, merengue and rumba)
• Puzzles and board games such as Farkle, Isabel’s Grandma’s “31” card game, and Scrabble
• Road trips

About Isabel

According to Chris: Isabel is the most contagiously fun and fiercely loyal person I’ve ever known. I was first drawn to her by her boldness in confronting difficult challenges and her big heart, especially for the Lord. She is all about making time for experiences that bring us closer together. She’s always finding the fun in the most mundane tasks, like cleaning up after a meal.

Isabel currently enjoys nannying for a family, using the Montessori principles she has picked up through her work in childcare.

Isabel can’t wait to share her love of wholesome movies, such as “It’s A Wonderful Life”. She can’t wait to sing and play the guitar and piano for our child, to teach them how to make her Mary Engelbreit “signature” cards, and to just be on “lake time” with them.

Some Things Isabel Likes to Do:
• Checking out cute shops downtown

• Going to musicals such as Wicked, Les Misérables, etc.

• Walking through our neighborhood

• Watching movies/shows such as “Leap Year”, “Little House on the Prairie”, and “Last Man Standing”

About Chris

According to Isabel: Chris is an amazing man whom I have been blessed to have had in my life for more than 10 years now. He has the kindest, purest, and gentlest soul I have ever known. He has such a strong, solid faith in the Lord and his bold, child-like spirit just exudes from everything he does. He also works so hard to provide a good, comfortable life for me and our future family. He enjoys fixing up things around the house and keeping everything working well, and he can’t wait to finally be a daddy and care for your child with even greater passion!

Chris is a client specialist in the auto auction industry. In this role, he grows relationships with his car dealership clients and helps manage their inventory needs. He is so incredibly hardworking and has cared for his clients very calmly and patiently in the midst of some difficult situations.

Chris works from home, so it is a great comfort knowing that he will always be around to help support me in raising our future child. I know he will be an incredibly kind, gentle, but strong, and patient, loving father. He is looking forward to reading to your child, singing together, and riding roller coasters with them.

Some Things Chris Loves to Do:
• Running
• Singing
• Cooking
• Gardening
• Thrill rides

Our Family

Isabel’s Family: Isabel’s parents live in Upstate Michigan on a lake in the summer and in Florida for the winter, so anytime we visit, it’s a vacation! She also has two brothers and many relatives nearby in Michigan. It is easy to keep in touch through visits and weekly phone calls, as well as special gatherings, such as the annual pierogi making day in December. Also, her first cousin’s family with 5 kids is just 10 minutes from us, and we frequently meet up for special activities, such as church and birthday parties.

Chris’ Family: Chris comes from a big family scattered across the country, but many of whom still live in his home state of Nebraska. We love to visit his home for family gatherings, and we keep in touch via weekly calls/Skype.

Both sides of the family are excited for us to adopt! Chris has 2 cousins who were adopted, so his side is already familiar with the beautiful way adoption can grow a family. Isabel’s parents can’t wait to become 1st time grandparents!

Our Michigan Home

We live in a 3-bedroom, 1910 colonial home in a very charming, historic neighborhood, with lots of young families and parks. We are a few minutes’ walk from our church and tight-knit community, and a fun little downtown with lots of cute shops and restaurants. We also have a lake just a couple miles from us.

We are never without fun events happening just a short walk away, such as movies at the historic theater, holiday markets, and the annual Fantasy of Lights parade!

We enjoy visiting many nearby parks and museums, especially The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. We also love attending classical music concerts. Being in a small town also allows us to take advantage of apple picking, local cider mills, and farmer’s markets.

We also love cozying up by the fireside on cold evenings, playing board games and the Wii, doing puzzles, swing dancing, and having movie nights with popcorn.

Our Promise

We promise to provide a loving, safe, and laughter-filled environment for your child to thrive in. We will share our love of God and our strong community of faith, family, and friends. We look forward to sharing our great love for music, spending time outside in nature, and visiting family.

We promise to lay down our own desires and put your child’s needs first in everything. We promise to promote the free exploration and development of your child’s natural gifts. We promise to provide your child with a good Catholic education.

We promise to share with your child their adoption story. We will teach your child to honor you for the special, irreplaceable role you have in their life and for the courageous, sacrificial journey you’ve embarked on all out of deep love for them.

We would love to make you part of the family through pictures, letters and/or visits, whatever you’re comfortable with. We have been praying for you and your child daily since we began this journey, and we’d love to get to know you more, if you like. Please call or text Lifetime at 1.800.923.6784.

In Closing

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about us! We will give your child a Christ-centered home, surrounded by a strong community of extended family and friends as part of a nurturing, safe, and loving upbringing. We will foster your child's free exploration of their gifts so they can grow into the person God has called them to be. Finally, you will always be a special part of their story. We are open to letters, pictures, and/or visits with you. Please know of our daily prayers for you and your child. We can’t wait to meet you!