Being a solo mom is hard sometimes, but I have the best support system that starts with my parents and sisters. We spend a lot of time with our family and we’re all very excited to welcome a new member to the crew. My parents live a few houses away from me and my sister lives in the same town too. My kids will both be so lucky to have them all close by. G and Pop Pop are so loved by Jack, so I’m confident our new family member will feel loved, encouraged and supported too.

I became a solo mom when I adopted my son, Jack, through AWL. Becoming a solo mom through adoption was such an obvious choice for me then and continues to be now. I have been so fortunate to have grown up in a family that was built, in part, through adoption. My sisters were both adopted from China. I’ve grown up in a world that instinctually taught me gaining family members through any means results in equal love. I can’t wait to add more love to my life through this next adoption.

There are so many things I look forward to sharing with or doing with my children! I’m excited to pass down family traditions and recipes and to share my favorite books and movies. My family recently got a lake house we spend many weekends at. We’re just starting to build all new family memories there and I’m so excited my kids will grow up with the lake as part of their normal life! My family and I are big Disney fans, so I can’t wait to continue the family trips to the parks and sing-a-longs at home. It’s so magical to experience Disney through my children’s eyes!

As a family, Christmas is our favorite holiday. The magic of Santa still existed when we were a family of adults. Adding kids to our growing family has just amplified the fun! My favorite family tradition is to send creative and funny Christmas cards. I love that I have continued that tradition with my own family and I already have a ideas for the next few card designs!

I live in a beautiful home that has a great fenced in yard, perfect for playing outside. My neighborhood has very little traffic, so it’s a great place to learn how to ride a bike, walk the dogs or even learn to drive someday. I live in a small town with a good community feel and school system. It’s the town I grew up in – I enjoyed it so much growing up here that I came back to grow my family here too!