| Owen |
| Owen was born July 20, 2004. We met his birth mom, Kerry 6 weeks before he was born. She was very open and honest with us right from the start. The first time I looked into her eyes I felt like I knew her and I knew she was the one. She allowed us to be involved as much as we could and we got to be at Owen's birth. I got to cut the cord when Owen was born and I bawled the whole time. We stayed in a hotel at night and spent as much time with him during the day that we could. We got to take him out of the hospital on my birthday two days later. That was the best birthday present I ever had. Owen was born in Michigan and so we weren't allowed to bring him home across state lines until all the proper paperwork was filed. We got to stay in a lovely hotel for 3 weeks alienating all the other guests with his screaming all night long. It truly was one of the happiest times of my life. We didn't care, we had our little baby. |
| Owen is in preschool again this year and he absolutely loves it. He is a very smart kid and does really well. He will start kindergarten in the fall. He is such a boy through and through. Anything Gary does Owen is interested in. 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, wrenching on trucks and any kind of sport. He loves to ride his own real 4-wheeler and does really well. He even takes people for rides and he is very careful. Owen is great in the water and swims very well. He learned to swim last summer without a life jacket. He is so proud to jump in one end of the pool and swim all the way to the steps all by himself. He loves to color and paint pictures for everyone he knows. He is a very sweet, amazing little boy who loves everybody and tells them so often. Owen has adored Caleb since the day we brought him home. He loved to help with diaper changes and feedings. They play very well, when they are not fighting over toys. Owen and Caleb are always together, making each other laugh and getting into trouble. They are wonderful together. |
| We have kept an open relationship with Owen's birth family right from the start. We have shared phone calls, emails and a few visits a year since he was born. We know just about everything there is to know about each other. Whatever questions Owen may have about his birth family we will be able to answer. Owen will always know who they are and that they love him very much. Kerry and her family has been invited to our house a couple times. They were thrilled to see his home and meet all the people that love him so much. Kerry is so special to us and we could never thank her enough for what she's given us. |
| Owen and his biological brother and sister, Nick & Jenna, and his birth Mom, Kerry. |
| Mandi, Owen & Caleb, and their birth moms, Emily on the left and Kerry on the right. |
