Our journey through infertility to adoption

Our heartfelt journey of how we became a family through the adoption of our two children, Rylee and Kayce—from the first conversations and paperwork to the emotional hospital moments, legal milestones, and everything in between. We hope to shed light on the beauty of open adoption, the reality of infertility, and the incredible support that made this story possible.

Listen to our journey

Infertility

Our battle with infertility

The journey to grow our family began in the fall of 2019 when we decided to start trying for a baby. We took all the right steps—going off birth control, improving our health, and tracking ovulation—fully expecting to conceive quickly. However, after six months with no success, we sought medical advice. Initially, our doctor reassured us that it was normal for conception to take up to a year. But after further testing in late 2020, we received shocking news: Tyler's AMH levels were alarmingly low, indicating a diminished ovarian reserve. A subsequent genetic analysis revealed a paracentric inversion on chromosome 11, causing our doctor to initially warn us against trying to conceive due to potential risks. However, after consultations with genetic specialists, we were assured that our chances of pregnancy were still viable, though we now carried a diagnosis of unexplained infertility.

Determined to keep trying, we pursued fertility treatments, starting with Clomid and later Letrozole, paired with intrauterine insemination (IUI). Month after month, we faced disappointment as each cycle failed. After five unsuccessful treatment cycles, we reached an emotional breaking point. We took a step back to grieve, leaning on our faith to find peace in what felt like an impossible situation. One of the hardest aspects was sharing this journey with family, especially after initially hoping to surprise them with joyful pregnancy news. Yet, as we mourned our struggle, we began seeking comfort in the idea that perhaps God’s plan for our family looked different than we had originally envisioned.

By October, a shift began in our hearts, particularly for Tyler, as we opened ourselves to the possibility of adoption. During a photography session with a family, we had a realization—love and care for a child are not bound by biology. This moment ignited our curiosity, leading us to research adoption more deeply. We learned about different adoption paths and ultimately decided to pursue domestic infant adoption. Open adoption, where the child maintains a connection with their birth family, became our preferred route. Over the next few months, we immersed ourselves in research, reaching out to multiple agencies, and in December, we took the next step by signing with Christian Adoption Consultants to guide us through the complex process.

Since then, we’ve worked tirelessly to complete our home study, a critical step in becoming eligible to adopt. This has involved extensive paperwork, meetings with a social worker, and various approvals to ensure we are prepared to welcome a child into our home. Once approved, we began applying to multiple adoption agencies, hoping to expedite the matching process, though we knew the timeline would be uncertain. Whether our adoption journey takes weeks or years, we trusted that God’s timing is always perfect. We were beyond excited for this next chapter and deeply grateful for the support and prayers of our family and friends as we moved forward on this path.

How common is infertility?

Infertility is more common than many people realize. In the United States, about 1 in 6 married women between the ages of 15 and 49 experience infertility, meaning they are unable to conceive after a year of trying. Even more—roughly 1 in 4—have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. And it’s not just a women’s issue: male factors contribute to infertility in about one-third of couples. Despite how widespread it is, infertility can feel incredibly isolating for those experiencing it, especially since it’s not often talked about openly. Understanding how common it is can help reduce the stigma and open the door for more support, compassion, and conversation.

Adoption

Preparing for adoption

The journey to adoption is filled with excitement, paperwork, waiting, and most importantly—hope. Looking back, we see how every step brought us closer to the child meant for our family. From the first conversations with loved ones to meeting the incredible woman who chose us, this experience has been life-changing. We’re so grateful to share our adoption story with you.

Taking the First Steps

In November 2021, we officially shared our plans to adopt with our closest family and friends. This was a huge milestone for us, as adoption had been on our hearts, but vocalizing it made everything feel real. Shortly after, we dove into research, considering multiple individual agencies and weighing our options carefully. After weeks of meetings and countless questions, we decided to sign with Christian Adoption Consultants on December 17, 2021. We trusted that God would use them to give us wisdom and guide us through the process. Over the holidays, we excitedly shared our adoption news with our extended circles, making the dream of growing our family finally feel tangible.

The Home Study Process

The next big step was completing our home study, a necessary process that qualifies hopeful adoptive parents. In early January 2022, we applied with The Family Network, were assigned our social worker, and started the required paperwork. Thankfully, with the help of our consultants and home study agency, the process felt smooth and well-organized. Tyler, being very task-oriented, actually enjoyed checking off each step along the way. From background checks and fingerprinting to medical exams and interviews, we tackled each requirement with a sense of purpose and excitement knowing that each task brought us closer to meeting our child. By March 10, 2022, we were officially home study approved! That moment was a breath of fresh air—after months of preparation, we could finally start applying to adoption agencies.

Waiting & Trusting the Process

Once we were home study approved, we entered the waiting phase—though “waiting” is an active process in adoption. The best way to describe it is like a dating app, but instead of swiping right, you’re being considered by an expectant mother making one of the biggest decisions of her life. When a pregnant mother reaches out to an adoption agency, the agency shares her situation with waiting families who fit her requested criteria. We would receive these situations, which included details about the mother, her pregnancy, and what she was looking for in an adoptive family. From there, we had anywhere from one day to a week to decide if we wanted to apply to be considered. If we said yes, our profile book—filled with photos and stories about our lives—was submitted along with those of other families who also applied. The agency would then select a handful of families to officially present to the mother, and from those, she would choose one or two she wanted to talk to. If both sides felt good about moving forward, a match was made, and at that point, the adoptive family paid a significant agency fee. For families who weren’t chosen, the waiting continued, and the process would start again with the next situation that came along. During this time, we also focused on preparing our home, purchasing essentials like a stroller and car seat, and celebrating our journey with a baby shower in May. This season was filled with so much anticipation and trust. Some weeks were harder than others, as we faced uncertainty, but we knew the right match would come in God’s perfect timing.

Meeting Rylee's birth mother & A Life-Changing Match

Then, on June 27, everything changed. We received a call from our consultant and an email from our agency, telling us that a brave expectant mother was interested in us. Even more incredible—out of all the profiles she viewed, we were the only couple she chose. After months of waiting and hearing the words, "she chose another family" over and over again, we finally got our yes. The very next day, we had our first phone call with our daughter's mother, and by the end of it, we all knew this was the right match. In July, we traveled to Florida to meet her in person. We spent time together in Daytona, had a special dinner where we got to know each other, and shared meaningful conversations that we will be able to tell Rylee about for the rest of her life. Meeting her was an emotional and beautiful experience—one that confirmed how perfectly God had orchestrated this entire journey.

Now, as we look back on the twists, turns, and waiting that led us here, we are filled with gratitude. Every difficult moment, every unanswered question, every prayer—it was all leading us to our daughter.

What is open adoption?

Open adoption is a type of adoption where the adoptive family and the biological family maintain some level of contact, which can range from occasional updates and photos to regular visits and an ongoing relationship. In everyday life, this might look like exchanging letters, FaceTime calls on birthdays, or even meeting up for special occasions. The level of openness varies depending on what is best for everyone involved, especially the child. Research shows that open adoption benefits children by giving them a stronger sense of identity, reducing feelings of loss, and allowing them to have answers to questions about their background and heritage. Most importantly, it reassures them that they are deeply loved by both their birth and adoptive families.



Adopting Rylee

From Daytona with love

August arrived, and even though Rylee’s due date was still four weeks away, we felt an unshakable pull—one we wholeheartedly believe was from God—to head to Florida early. Trusting that instinct, we packed our bags, changed our plans, and flew out, thinking we’d have a little vacation before the long-awaited moment of meeting our daughter. But God had an even better plan. Within eight hours of landing, we received the life-changing news when Rylee's biological grandmother called Tyler to tell us the news —Rylee was born. In a matter of hours, everything had shifted, and less than 24 hours later, we were on our way to the hospital to meet her for the first time.

The drive to the hospital was a blur of emotions—excitement, nerves, gratitude, a lot of confusion, and sheer disbelief that this moment had arrived so suddenly. When we walked through the hospital doors, the staff greeted us with warm smiles and the words, “We’ve been waiting for you.” They led us to our own private room, and before we knew it, we were invited into Rylee’s birth mother’s room. That first meeting was a sacred moment—so much love, emotion, and gratitude all in one space. After spending a few moment together, we gently wheeled Rylee back to our room, where she would stay with us until we were discharged. Since she was born early, we had three beautiful days in the hospital, soaking in those precious first moments as a family of three.

On the second day, our attorney arrived with the placement paperwork—the documents that officially gave us custody of Rylee and set the legal process in motion. This began ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children), a required legal process that ensures all adoption paperwork is approved before a family can leave the state with their child. It can take up to 15 business days, depending on how quickly the paperwork is processed between states. We prepared ourselves for the wait, knowing it could be a slow process. But, in yet another unexpected blessing, we were cleared to return home in just 5 days!

Oddly enough, even though we had been eagerly waiting for this moment, we weren’t entirely ready to leave Florida! Tyler’s mom had generously gifted us two wonderful weeks at a beautiful timeshare in Orlando—complete with huge rooms, gorgeous views, and a relaxing atmosphere. It was the perfect place to bond as a new family, but despite how much we loved it, nothing compared to the excitement of bringing Rylee home to meet our family. So, we packed up once again—this time with our daughter in our arms—and headed home, ready to introduce her to the loving family that had been praying for her all along.

Over the next nine months, we navigated the post-placement process, which involved two home visits from our social worker. These visits were designed to ensure that Rylee was thriving in our home and that we were adjusting well as a new family. Everything went smoothly! Our social worker was always encouraging and supportive, and we had such a wonderful experience working with The Family Network throughout the entire journey. Looking back, we are incredibly grateful for their guidance, as well as for our adoption consultants and of course our adoption agency, who walked alongside us and gave us so much wisdom from the very beginning.

Nine months later came the day we had been waiting for—Rylee’s official adoption finalization! Her Zoom court date was set for May 16, 2023, the day she would legally and forever be recognized as our daughter. We knew this was a monumental occasion, and we wanted to celebrate it surrounded by the people who had supported us throughout our journey. So, we (virtually) invited ALL of our family, friends, and special clients who supported us on this journey to join us online for the special moment.

When the court session began, even the judge was surprised at how many people were in attendance! Our attorney, who had been through many adoptions, admitted he had never seen this many loved ones show up for a finalization hearing. It was a powerful testament to how deeply Rylee was already loved—not just by us but by an entire community of people who had prayed for her, celebrated her, financially supported her, and welcomed her with open arms.

From that day forward, May 16th became more than just a date on the calendar. It became Rylee’s “Forever Day”—a day we will celebrate every year as a reminder of the incredible journey that brought us together. Much like a birthday, it’s a time to reflect on her story, express our gratitude, and honor the beautiful way adoption made us a family.

From the very beginning, we made a commitment that Rylee would always know her story. Adoption is not a secret in our home—it’s something we cherish and talk about openly every day. She will grow up knowing that she was deeply wanted, fiercely loved, and intentionally chosen. Not just by us, but by her birth mother too. And most importantly, she will always know that she was God’s plan for our family all along.

Kayce

Kayce’s Story: Faith, Waiting, and Joy

After welcoming Rylee into our family, we always knew adoption would be part of our story again. In April 2024, we officially began the journey toward adopting our second child. This time, we felt more confident, knowing what to expect, but we also knew that every adoption story is unique with it's own highs and lows.

We started by renewing our home study, a crucial step in any adoption. We had moved from Irvine to Fountain Valley so our social worker had to do a whole new home study. With the support of The Family Network (TFN), we completed background checks, doctor appointments, and paperwork, ensuring everything was in order. By May 6th,  our home study was approved, and we began the process of becoming active with 8 adoption agencies through Christian Adoption Consultants and quickly began presenting to expectant mothers across the country!

The following months were filled with applications, waiting, "not this time's", and a heartbreaking disruption. In November 2024, we were chosen by an expectant mother in Arizona. We signed contracts, paid fees, and began preparing to welcome a new baby into our family. But just weeks later, the agency called with devastating news—the mother had changed her mind and chosen another family. It was a crushing blow, one that felt like falling off a cliff. After months of anticipation and planning, the future we had envisioned disappeared overnight. It felt like we had lost a child, and the future we had pictured was suddenly gone. Despite the pain, we knew we had to keep moving forward, trusting that the right match was still ahead.

On January 14th 2025, we received and applied to a new baby born situation (meaning he was already born on Jan. 8th and in the care of a Cradle Care family). This was the 14th situation we had applied to since beginning in April. We were hopeful but cautious. After a full week of waiting, we were finally notified that we had been chosen to present to a birth mother, and a week later, on January 29th, she officially reviewed our profile. That same week, we had the incredible opportunity to speak with Kayce’s birth mother, and on February 3rd, we were officially matched! With our hearts full of excitement, we signed the paperwork, made the necessary payments, and booked our flights to Florida. The next day we were on the plane to FL while Dan's parents flew from TX to CA to watch Rylee.

On February 5th, we arrived at our adoption agency and met Kayce’s cradle care worker, who had been lovingly caring for him. Then, at last, we held our son in our arms. Those first few days were spent bonding with him, taking in every little detail of the baby we had waited and prayed for. We soaked in these early moments, even celebrating Tyler’s 30th birthday at Epcot with Kayce in tow!

On February 13th, we finally flew home, where Rylee eagerly awaited the moment to meet her baby brother. Seeing her joy as she met Kayce for the first time was a memory we will cherish forever. Over the next couple of months, we had two post-placement visits with our social worker, ensuring that everything was progressing smoothly. Each milestone reinforced that Kayce was exactly where he was meant to be—home, with us.