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Hi there, we are Travis and Meranda. Thank you for choosing to read our story and learn more about us.
We began dating in early 2004, while still in high school. After graduation, we went to the same college and eventually moved in together to start the next chapter of our lives. After seven years of dating, we were finally married in 2011. Shortly after our honeymoon at Disney World in 2012, we decided to settle down and build a home near Lansing, Michigan. Little did we know that four years later we would be packing up and moving back to Northern Michigan to be closer to the family!
In 2014, we decided it was time to try and start a family. We tried for a period of time to get pregnant naturally but we were unable to conceive naturally. At this point, we also began to look into IUI and IVF options. We went through many rounds of IUI and two rounds of IVF and we were unable to conceive. In November 2020 we were selected to be the adoptive parents of a baby girl, Audrey. At the end of December, she was born and we have been in love with her since then! She is nearly two and a half years old, talking, singing and dancing all of the time while learning more and more every day! She enjoys playing in a small playhouse we built recently and loves collecting rocks everywhere we go. We are looking forward to watching her step into the big sister role. Despite the challenges with natural conception, IUI and IVF we have always loved children, and we’re excited to continue to grow our family through adoption.
Financial Support
Expectant mothers who choose to make an adoption plan may qualify for some level of financial assistance during their pregnancy. However, each person's situation and specific needs are different. Your adoption social worker can help you determine what level of assistance you qualify for and deserve. Many expectant mothers qualify for financial assistance to cover basic pregnancy and living expenses, including but not limited to - transportation reimbursement, utility assistance for phone, water, and electricity/gas, maternity clothing and supplements, etc.
FAQ’s about placing a baby for Adoption
I'm considering giving my baby up for adoption. How much does that cost?
It won't cost you anything. If you choose to place your baby for adoption, all of your medical and legal fees will be covered and you may be eligible for financial assistance with other pregnancy-related expenses.
I'm experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and don't know who the birth father is. Can I still place my baby for adoption?
Yes. Even if you don’t know the identity of the birth father, you can still choose to make an adoption plan. However, every adoption situation is different. The adoption social worker you’re assigned to will get to know you and your story first, and then guide you through the process accordingly.
When is the right time to talk with an adoption professional?
You can make an adoption plan at any point in your pregnancy, even after the baby has been born. But, it's important to start the process as early in your pregnancy as possible. Connecting with those resources will allow you to gain access to important medical services, including prenatal care, to help ensure a healthy pregnancy.
When I create an adoption plan, will I get to choose who is in the room with me during delivery?
One aspect of your adoption plan is the "Hospital Plan" an outline of how you'd like your hospital stay and delivery to go. You can craft this on your own or with the help of your adoption social worker. But everything is up to you. You’ll be able to choose who comes to the hospital with you, who is in the room with you during delivery, and how much time you’d like to spend with the baby before signing the final papers.
How much contact will I have with the adoptive family after I place my baby with them?
As part of your adoption plan, you'll determine whether or not you’d like to have an open or closed adoption or something in between. Open adoptions may include phone calls, messaging (via social media, email, or text), and/or periodic visits each year. Closed adoptions may include no contact at all or annual updates provided to the birth parent(s) by the adoptive family. Each post-adoption relationship is different and can vary based on what an expectant mother chooses in her adoption plan.
Our Blogs
Recent Updates - Sept 2023
09/20/2023
It's been a busy summer! Lots of activities on weekends and during the week. Audrey was recently in a parade for the third year and with her cousins they won Most Original! A few weeks before that we went to a local car show and she was able to sit in a few classic cars! She enjoyed running around, talking with everyone and looking at the cars. She also spent a weekend with grandma recently and had a great time outside and playing with one of the neighborhood cats as well as Audrey's own dog Bear.
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It's been a busy summer! Lots of activities on weekends and during the week. Audrey was recently in a parade for the third year and with her cousins they won Most Original! A few weeks before that we went to a local car show and she was able to sit in a few classic cars! She enjoyed running around, talking with everyone and looking at the cars. She also spent a weekend with grandma recently and had a great time outside and playing with one of the neighborhood cats as well as Audrey's own dog Bear.
Memorial Weekend - New Traditions
06/02/2023
Hey there! It's been a little bit since our last update. We took a long weekend to get away with family for a camping trip to the Upper Peninsula. Most of Meranda's siblings (minus her brother who had a prior obligation) and her parents joined us Friday through Monday morning. It was also a good chance for all of the cousins to run wild and just enjoy themselves away from electronics (for the most part!) Camping is always something that Meranda grew up with, her parents and siblings typically went at least once per summer to stay in Grand Marais, MI on the lakeshore at Woodland Park Campground as her grandparents typically spent the whole summer up there. After Meranda's grandfather passed away two years ago the grandkids decided they wanted to continue the tradition but we would pick a different campground each year. For the first year we went to Woodland Park but this year we went to Newberry Campground. We are already looking for next year, we are hoping to test out a few this summer though prior to picking next years! We were able to get several spots next to each other and setup nearly all of...
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Hey there! It's been a little bit since our last update. We took a long weekend to get away with family for a camping trip to the Upper Peninsula. Most of Meranda's siblings (minus her brother who had a prior obligation) and her parents joined us Friday through Monday morning. It was also a good chance for all of the cousins to run wild and just enjoy themselves away from electronics (for the most part!) Camping is always something that Meranda grew up with, her parents and siblings typically went at least once per summer to stay in Grand Marais, MI on the lakeshore at Woodland Park Campground as her grandparents typically spent the whole summer up there. After Meranda's grandfather passed away two years ago the grandkids decided they wanted to continue the tradition but we would pick a different campground each year. For the first year we went to Woodland Park but this year we went to Newberry Campground. We are already looking for next year, we are hoping to test out a few this summer though prior to picking next years! We were able to get several spots next to each other and setup nearly all of...
Weekend Getaway
05/01/2023
Meranda, Audrey and I took a quick weekend getaway to Great Wolf Lodge. Audrey had never been to a water park yet but she absolutely enjoyed her weekend. She was grabbing our hands and pulling us to different slides and areas of the water park on the second day. We also spent some time in the arcade, shopping around town and eating out at a few different places. On the last day we had Audrey pick out a stuffed animal from the build-a-bear workshop, she's been carrying it around ever since! Overall we had a great weekend and we are looking forward to going back when Audrey is a little older and she can enjoy some of the larger slides as she kept asking to go on them!
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Meranda, Audrey and I took a quick weekend getaway to Great Wolf Lodge. Audrey had never been to a water park yet but she absolutely enjoyed her weekend. She was grabbing our hands and pulling us to different slides and areas of the water park on the second day. We also spent some time in the arcade, shopping around town and eating out at a few different places. On the last day we had Audrey pick out a stuffed animal from the build-a-bear workshop, she's been carrying it around ever since! Overall we had a great weekend and we are looking forward to going back when Audrey is a little older and she can enjoy some of the larger slides as she kept asking to go on them!
Easter Weekend Fun
04/12/2023
We had a packed week and weekend leading up to Easter. Audrey has been in several egg hunts, one sponsored by local companies, several put on by family and one by daycare. I think she's becoming a pro at collecting eggs at this point! We had two meals with family and also decorated cookies during two of the get togethers! Overall we had a great weekend and the weather is finally starting to warm up so we are spending more time outside. I (Travis) went for a 10 mile run on Easter Sunday in the afternoon, Audrey fell asleep after about 3.5 miles but I think she just enjoyed being outside. She's wanted to run around the yard each evening after daycare and it's a good way to get her tired out before bed! Below are a few pictures from the weekend. Have a great Wednesday!
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We had a packed week and weekend leading up to Easter. Audrey has been in several egg hunts, one sponsored by local companies, several put on by family and one by daycare. I think she's becoming a pro at collecting eggs at this point! We had two meals with family and also decorated cookies during two of the get togethers! Overall we had a great weekend and the weather is finally starting to warm up so we are spending more time outside. I (Travis) went for a 10 mile run on Easter Sunday in the afternoon, Audrey fell asleep after about 3.5 miles but I think she just enjoyed being outside. She's wanted to run around the yard each evening after daycare and it's a good way to get her tired out before bed! Below are a few pictures from the weekend. Have a great Wednesday!
Evening Reading
02/25/2023
One of our favorite things to do is read with Audrey. As soon as she gets home from daycare we'll usually read a few books and by the time the evening wraps up there are books scattered on the couch, coffee table and floor in the living room. She'll usually end up bringing them in batches of 4-6 at a time, and she definitely has her favorites.. most involve animals! As the evening progresses she'll keep brining them but also bring a blanket and a few stuffed animals. It's a nice little "tell" for when she is starting to get tired and ready for bed. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
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One of our favorite things to do is read with Audrey. As soon as she gets home from daycare we'll usually read a few books and by the time the evening wraps up there are books scattered on the couch, coffee table and floor in the living room. She'll usually end up bringing them in batches of 4-6 at a time, and she definitely has her favorites.. most involve animals! As the evening progresses she'll keep brining them but also bring a blanket and a few stuffed animals. It's a nice little "tell" for when she is starting to get tired and ready for bed. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Valetines Day and upcoming weekend
02/17/2023
Happy Valentines Day! Hopefully everyone had a great day! Audrey had her first dentist visit this week, she did great. She was able to show the dentist her teeth and wasn't scared at all. She held my hand several times throughout my own cleaning and made sure to keep asking if it was OK :) Meranda and I have a community dinner / dance / silent auction we are attending this weekend, so we are looking forward to that! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
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Happy Valentines Day! Hopefully everyone had a great day! Audrey had her first dentist visit this week, she did great. She was able to show the dentist her teeth and wasn't scared at all. She held my hand several times throughout my own cleaning and made sure to keep asking if it was OK :) Meranda and I have a community dinner / dance / silent auction we are attending this weekend, so we are looking forward to that! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Week Shenanigans
02/10/2023
Hi everyone, It's been a busy week with work and the latest snow storm. Meranda has been working on a quilt this week. The main part of the design is done, it still needs a backing (purchased yesterday), to be stitched and a border. Audrey likes it though and has already claimed it: The next day she wanted to see the sewing machine and how it worked. Meranda has showed her a few times but this time she went and sat up near it by herself and was looking it over: We hope everyone has a great Super Bowl weekend and Happy Valentines Day!
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Hi everyone, It's been a busy week with work and the latest snow storm. Meranda has been working on a quilt this week. The main part of the design is done, it still needs a backing (purchased yesterday), to be stitched and a border. Audrey likes it though and has already claimed it: The next day she wanted to see the sewing machine and how it worked. Meranda has showed her a few times but this time she went and sat up near it by herself and was looking it over: We hope everyone has a great Super Bowl weekend and Happy Valentines Day!
Snowy February!
02/08/2023
Hello!Been a little bit since we posted an update here, the last time was before we adopted our first daughter, Audrey! She is a little over two years old now and loving life. Here is a recent picture from over the weekend playing outside. We have a decent amount of snow here so I shoveled a small hill and had her start using one of our bigger sleds. After the first two times or so I was able to get a picture and video then after that she kept telling me to go take more pictures since she wanted to "cheese" and then "scoot" down herself. We have a busy month ahead with a birthday party this weekend, local dinner/dance the following weekend and the 19th anniversary of when we started dating the following week. We are hopeful that we'll hear something in the coming weeks/months. Audrey has been an asbolute blessing and she is looking forward to being a big sister!
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Hello!Been a little bit since we posted an update here, the last time was before we adopted our first daughter, Audrey! She is a little over two years old now and loving life. Here is a recent picture from over the weekend playing outside. We have a decent amount of snow here so I shoveled a small hill and had her start using one of our bigger sleds. After the first two times or so I was able to get a picture and video then after that she kept telling me to go take more pictures since she wanted to "cheese" and then "scoot" down herself. We have a busy month ahead with a birthday party this weekend, local dinner/dance the following weekend and the 19th anniversary of when we started dating the following week. We are hopeful that we'll hear something in the coming weeks/months. Audrey has been an asbolute blessing and she is looking forward to being a big sister!
Summer Update
09/08/2020
Hello Meranda here,It has been awhile since we have posted. Since the last time we posted my husband and I were beginning the process of adoption. We've officially been "live" for a little bit now! So exciting!This summer we have been celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and a new pregnancy from my sister. I'm super excited to be a new Aunt in February. We took a vacation to Missouri to visit one of my sisters new home and help them move in. I recently had a change in my job. Unfortunately when Covid-19 hit the clinic that I was working at closed. Luckily my supervisor was able to work around that and I received a new position testing patients for Covid.Travis update:Hi everyone! -- As Meranda mentioned we've been pretty busy this summer. Lots of family events, golfing with my brother-in-law and father-in-law, tearing our deck apart to prep for a patio next year, staying busy with work and running with some close friends. I worked from home before Covid so not much has changed for me there, but the social interactions with family have been interesting, a "new normal".We are looking forward to hearing from you. God Bless.
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Hello Meranda here,It has been awhile since we have posted. Since the last time we posted my husband and I were beginning the process of adoption. We've officially been "live" for a little bit now! So exciting!This summer we have been celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and a new pregnancy from my sister. I'm super excited to be a new Aunt in February. We took a vacation to Missouri to visit one of my sisters new home and help them move in. I recently had a change in my job. Unfortunately when Covid-19 hit the clinic that I was working at closed. Luckily my supervisor was able to work around that and I received a new position testing patients for Covid.Travis update:Hi everyone! -- As Meranda mentioned we've been pretty busy this summer. Lots of family events, golfing with my brother-in-law and father-in-law, tearing our deck apart to prep for a patio next year, staying busy with work and running with some close friends. I worked from home before Covid so not much has changed for me there, but the social interactions with family have been interesting, a "new normal".We are looking forward to hearing from you. God Bless.
Open Adoption Memories
10/09/2023
Two weekends ago we went to an Apple Farm on Saturday with some family and a pumpkin farm on Sunday.Audrey had a blast both days as each had some animals. She absolutely loves going places to see pigs, goats, sheep, horses or cows. She could spend hours going back and forth between the animals.We are probably going to make a family trip next year and go to both a zoo and an aquarium downstate or out of state.After we got back Meranda sent some pictures of the weekend festivities back to Audrey's birthday mom.It's something we like to do to keep in contact with her birth parents. We usually also send physical pictures as well as small gifts with Audrey's hand or foot prints on them for days like Mother's Day or birthdays.We always look forward to creating these new memories to send to her birth parents so they can see Audrey growing up as the birth parents are very important in an adoptive child's life.
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Two weekends ago we went to an Apple Farm on Saturday with some family and a pumpkin farm on Sunday.Audrey had a blast both days as each had some animals. She absolutely loves going places to see pigs, goats, sheep, horses or cows. She could spend hours going back and forth between the animals.We are probably going to make a family trip next year and go to both a zoo and an aquarium downstate or out of state.After we got back Meranda sent some pictures of the weekend festivities back to Audrey's birthday mom.It's something we like to do to keep in contact with her birth parents. We usually also send physical pictures as well as small gifts with Audrey's hand or foot prints on them for days like Mother's Day or birthdays.We always look forward to creating these new memories to send to her birth parents so they can see Audrey growing up as the birth parents are very important in an adoptive child's life.
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