Get to know us!

Hi! We’re Mike and Beth! We thought we would take a minute and answer some questions so you can get to know us better. We are an active and outdoorsy couple and we can’t wait to grow our family. 

If you want to know something about us, we didn’t answer here, feel free to leave us your questions in the comments. 

1. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time? 

Mike: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and spend time with my family.

Beth: Spending time with my family. I also love to run, hike, and travel. It’s always my favorite when I can do any of those things with my family. 

2. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one item would you bring?

Mike: A satellite phone

Beth: Probably a multipurpose tool. 

3. What is something spectacular you have done? 

Mike: Becoming a father. It has challenged me in the best way possible. A close second: I received my masters degree in clinical mental health counseling. It took a lot of work and was difficult.

Beth: I would agree about becoming a mother; especially during a worldwide pandemic. My close second: I ran a marathon a few years ago. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically...and mentally. It taught me so much about perseverance and the strength I have within. 

4. What is “home” to you? 

Mike: Wherever my family is. 

Beth: My first home is Utah, but it’s anywhere with Mike and Barrett. Arizona was our home for a while and it will always have a place in my heart. 

5. If you could travel anywhere right now, where would it be? 

Mike: Camping or anywhere outside. 

Beth: Tanzania. Hands down. I can’t wait until we get to visit. I want to do a safari and would love to stay at Taasa Lodge. 

6. Who would you love to have dinner with, dead or alive, and why? 

Mike: One of the founding fathers or an ancient king from the 1300s. It would be interesting to hear about their lives. 

Beth: That’s a hard one. Maybe a pioneer. Their faith and perseverance is so incredible! I would love to hear their stories from crossing the plains and the persecution they experienced. 

7. If your house was burning down and you could only save one item, what would it be? 

Mike: My wallet, assuming Beth, Barrett and hendo are out. 

Beth: If I was thinking practically, I would grab our important documents file. If not, my camera bag (it has all of my memory cards!) and all of this is assuming Barrett and hendo are out! 

8. What profession are you in and how did you choose it? 

Mike: Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I was inspired by my grandma, but I also found psychology classes to be inspiring and desired to pursuing it all the way. 

Beth: Social Work! I started in Child Welfare in 2014 and truly believe it’s where I need to be. It is so difficult, but it is important work. I get to use several of my skills and it’s different every day! 

9. What’s your favorite food? Savory and dessert. 

Mike: General Tso’s Chicken and cheesecake. 

Beth: Hamburgers and root beer floats. 

10. How would your best friends describe you? 

Mike: Driven and encouraging.

Beth: Introverted, but likes to have fun. I will always say yes to family. 

11. What are some traditions you would like to continue in your own family?

Mike: Being outside, especially camping and hiking in the summer and visiting all of the National Parks together. 

Beth: One thing we love doing is picking out an ornament anytime we travel. Curry Sunday with my family, our Christmas traditions: getting a book on Christmas Eve, seeing a movie on Christmas Eve, sleeping under the Christmas tree, etc. 

12. What are you most grateful for?

Mike: That I have people in my life that care about me. 

Beth: My family, employment, home, and freedom. 

MOAB

One of our favorite annual traditions is a trip to Moab, UT. We don’t always go the same time of year, but it is one of our favorite places, so we always make a point to visit at least once per year. 

This year we decided to mix it up a bit and visit Canyonlands NP instead of Arches. We have a goal to visit all of the US National Parks together and Canyonlands was one we hadn’t checked off yet. 

We had such a good time, but decided it’s time for a Moab camping trip next time. We reminisced about camping along the Colorado River next to the big, red cliffs. We can’t wait to go back! 

To our baby’s mama...

If you’re familiar with Rachel Hollis, maybe you’ve heard of her “start today journal”. It’s a journal where you write down what you’re grateful for and 10 dreams you have as though they’ve already happened. 

Everyday I write down my biggest dream, “I am a mama”. But in order for that to happen, it means someone else has to choose to allow me to mother their child. 

It breaks my heart to think about it. How can I possibly ask this of another woman? 

I want our baby’s first mama, wherever she is, to know I pray for her every night (and morning, and afternoon). I love her already and we will welcome her with open arms into our family. We won’t discount the role she will continue to have in our little one’s life. 

Adoption is hard. There is pain, sadness, joy. I hope we can do a good job navigating the hard when our little one is here. One thing I know for sure, he/she will be so loved by so many, and so will his/her first mama. ❤️

Dear baby Flint

Dear baby Flint, 

I haven’t met you yet and I don’t know when I will, but I already love you so much! My love for you grows each day and sometimes my heart feels like it could burst waiting for you to come into our lives. Everyday I wait, I remind myself how worth it you will be. 

I don’t know what you will look like, what you’ll enjoy doing when you grow up, or even if you’ll be a boy or girl. But little one, I do know how loved you are now and how loved you will continue to be. You will be coming into a family that understands we’re not your only family, you will always have your first family, too. We are so happy you are going to have all of these people to love on you forever. 

I can’t wait for the days I get to take you on your first hike, vacation, and for the days I get to stay home and snuggle you. This waiting is hard, but one thing I know for certain, is you are 100% worth the wait. ❤️

xoxo, mom 

waiting, waiting, waiting.

Waiting, waiting, waiting. We are in what is called “the adoption wait”. 

I wish that I could say I’m taking advantage of this waiting time and making the most of it, but most days I feel like we haven’t made any progress. 

The other day my sister told me she has had several people ask about us, telling her they are thinking about us; and honestly that makes the waiting easier. 

We’re nearing almost 5 years of waiting to grow our family and while it’s disappointing, I’m constantly reminding myself how amazing this little babe coming to us will be. 

I know without a doubt, when I’m holding our little one for the first time, I will look at him/her and say, “you were absolutely worth the wait”. 

MIKE

It’s Mike’s birthday today!! I am so lucky to have him! We’ve been together going on 11 years and he continues to bring so much joy to my life. Mike is turning 28, so here are 28 things I love about him! 

1. I love how passionate he is for fitness and his work. He lights up anytime he gets to talk about either subject! 
2. I love that he indulges my travel obsession! In the 6 years we’ve been married, we’ve visited 11 countries together! 
3. I love how good he is with kids, even if he’s sometimes shy about it. 
4. I love how supportive he is and always works to help make my dreams come true. 
5. I love seeing his smile when he’s genuinely happy or excited about something. 
6. I love how much he enjoys being in the outdoors. Camping with him is one of my favorite summer traditions! 
7. I love how he can get along with everyone. He is so easy to talk and connect with. 
8. Similarly, I love how compassionate he is. He is always willing to help. 
9. I love that he brings me donuts in bed on the weekends (haha, he knows the way to my heart!) 
10. I love how much he loves dogs. Show him a sweet video of a dog and he will melt. Dogs with jobs on reddit is one of his favorites. 
11. I love him for turning the heat on for me in the mornings, when he leaves for the gym and I’m still asleep. 
12. I love that after nearly 11 years together, he’s still my favorite person to spend time with. And I love that our favorite way to spend time together is quietly at home. 
13. I love how much he loves my family, even when it’s loud and crazy. 
14. I love how smart he is without being a know it all. 
15. I love how grounded he is. He continually reminds me of what we want most over what we want now. 
16. I love that he has run two half marathons with me, even though they’re not his thing. (And beat me both times) 
17. I love his dedication to MMA. He spends so much time training, but that dedication carries over in other aspects of his life. 
18. I love his laugh. His full on laugh. 
19. I love how much he loves hendo. I always tell him how much of a sucker he’ll be when he’s a dad. Those babes will have him wrapped around their fingers. 
20. I love how much he loves spicy food. Giving him hot sauce to see how hot he can go is one of my new favorites. 
21. Similar to #10, I love how much he loves animals. He is giddy anytime he sees a mountain goat or other animal he has dubbed cute! 
22. I love that he puts up with how annoying I can be. 
23. I love how well he provides for our family. 
24. I love that he is always pushing me to be better and to do hard things. 
25. I love how much he wants me to be happy. 
26. I love that he always gives people the benefit of the doubt. 
27. I love how good he is about going with the flow. 
28. I love that he constantly tries to grow and improve to be a better person. 

Happy birthday, Mike!