Charlie and Jakia

We are Charlie and Jakia!

“Hi!” From Three Excited Hearts

Welcome and thank you for visiting our little corner of the world. Our hearts are so full and thankful for this opportunity to share more about why we want to adopt. But before we get into that, are you comfy? Do you have your water nearby? Do you need a blanket or maybe a snack? We ask because we want you to relax and stay awhile. It’s not lost on us that this process can be daunting and quite possibly overwhelming. So do what you need to get as comfortable as possible and let’s chat.

The road leading our little family to adoption has been a beautiful journey. It’s a story of triumphs and losses, and in each chapter we learn a little more as to why God has planned it so. From the beginning of our relationship to early days as newlyweds, we always said our dream family would include adoption. Jakia was adopted at the age of 18 by her step-father, so we welcomed the call of adoption, and would proudly answer when the time had arrived.

After being told that due to Jakia’s age, chances were low to conceive, however we were miraculously blesses with the birth of our son, Isaiah. Then a couple of years later, clinging to the hope that we could conceive once again, we were devastated by the news of infertility. While struggling how to move forward with our family planning, Charlie said something so simple, so poignant, that it shifted the tide of how we would proceed. He asked “is it more important for you to be pregnant or for us to welcome another child?” And that’s when we heard the call. It was always there, but we wanted to be sure that our path to adoption was not a secondary choice, but a loud, full-hearted “yes” to a holy calling.

And that’s where you come in. We may not know the details of your journey, but we do know the love in your heart. And that it has led you to this page, to hear our story, to find a connection with a family that cares about you and the hope that you carry in your womb.

Our Family Profile Book

Learn more about us by watching our video below!

About Us

From Best Friends to Best Partners

We met 15 years ago on the job. And despite working on the same floor for years, our paths never crossed. Then one lucky day we met in the break room and soon there after, struck up a friendship. This friendship grew for over eight years, that eventually made way for a romantic relationship. It eventually came to a point where we decided that we’d invested enough time into building a solid relationship that we were finally ready to get married.

Looking back, we’re both thankful for the years spent working on ourselves and our friendship before getting married. That time during our courtship was invaluable in teaching us how to navigate hard conversations and to mature. We gained helpful tools that now support our communication in marriage.

This year is we’re celebrating seven years of marriage and it truly feels like yesterday. We both married our best friend, so doing life together has been such sweet blessing. Having a trustworthy and loving relationship has been helpful as we navigate growing our family through adoption. Being able to be vulnerable and open has made this journey so rewarding.

Always Up For An Adventure

Life has proven to be far more exciting as a couple. We love an adventure and not just the jet-setting kind either. From discovering neighborhood eateries to people watching in the park, we have learned to turn ordinary experiences into interesting outings. Since having Isaiah, we’ve also learned to embrace the slow-living pace of life. You won’t find our family rushing from activity to activity on a daily bases. But rather, we are intentional with our time and energy towards interests.

For example, we love an opportunity to hike – when the weather is decent. There’s something about being surrounded by beautiful green giants and listening to the songs of birds that is truly restorative. Most weekends you’ll find us at either the library stocking up on books or the our local park for an imaginative run around the playground. And during the week we take bike rides around the block or piddling in the garden. While these may seem like uneventful activities, we manage to make those moments fun and educational.

Top 10 Favorite Things We’ve Done So Far This Year!

Family trip to California
Family outings to the zoo, especially in the winter. Best time to see the big cats!
Date nights at the museum
Getting ice cream after dinner and people watching from a bench
Charity work with community kitchens or our church
Working in our garden
Bike rides and walks in our neighborhood
Visiting the local farmers market for food and delicious pastries
Playing board games and puzzles
Hosting family dinners in our home

Our Family

One tradition we’re excited to share is our Thanksgiving Day family fun. It’s an all day affair that begins with lunch, followed by games, then the much needed naps with a movie, and ends with a grand family walk in the neighborhood. It sounds so simple, but it’s truly one of the most magical times in our home.
Another tradition we are looking forward to experiencing as a newly expanded family is trips to the farmers market on Saturday mornings and the ice cream parlor in the summer.

The More The Merrier!

Our family is a blended bunch including Jakia’s brother (half-brother), Jeremy, two sisters (half-sisters), Mykaila and Kyrena. Charlie’s sister, Calla, and her three kids and husband, Simon. Then Jakia’s mom, Tina, and father, Craig. Charlie’s mom, Joan and her husband, Kirk and Charlie’s dad, Chuck and his wife, Lisa. All of these people love on our family so well. We celebrate specials occasions and the regular old moments. Then there’s our chosen family with friendships that go back as far as 20 years. Jakia’s group of girlfriends are some of the most generous and loyal group of women you’ll ever meet. No matter the distance, they make time for each other and show up through every season in life. We are truly blessed to have such a loving and kind tribe of ladies in our corner. There’s something powerful about a tightknit community and a family that shows up for one another no matter the reason. Charlie and I are fortunate to have hit the jackpot with our people and everyone is so excited to welcome the news member of the crew.

Things to Know About Us

1. We’re young at heart and always find ways to make each other laugh or smile.
2. We’re very intuitive with each other. From body language to tone, we can get a sense of each others emotions or disposition.
3. We have a lot of respect for one another, so when facing disputes, we handle those discussions respectfully and with love.
4. Always striving to grow closer and improve how we can show up for one another. We often ask ourselves, “are we reflecting that we’re relatives of Jesus in this moment?”
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Our Home

A Neighborhood Full of Grandparents

We love our home! It was only by the grace of God that we found this home and were able to make it ours. After touring over 100 houses, we knew the moment we stepped foot into the doorway that this was the place. And as we walked around from room to room, the excitement built because this was where our family would grow roots.

This home already has so many memories engrained in the walls. Charlie carried me over the threshold after we got married and Isaiah was born in the upstairs bathroom. Little by little, we have worked to make each nook and cranny reflect a cozy refuge where can relax and play.

One of the most unique features of our neighborhood is that our neighbors are predominately retirees. For the longest time, we were the youngest by 30 years! Thankfully more younger families are moving in, but we appreciate our older friends. They love and dote on Isaiah and are the best at looking out for one another. We share pies during the holidays, help each other with our gardens, and have neighborhood block parties. It’s such an idyllic place to live.

Our home sits in a corner, tucked away from the street. So it provides a bit of privacy and an long driveway for chalk art and bike races. Our back yard is quaint, but has plenty of room to play soccer, tag, running through the sprinklers on hot days. I’ve recently added more flowers all around our property to attract butterflies and bees. And we also have a small garden for growing tomatoes and other salad vegetables. We are looking forward to hosting some summer barbeques now that the yard is almost finished.

Inside is a special place too. The kitchen is the hub of energy and it’s where you’ll find homemade breads and muffins, or a large bowl full of fruit for endless snacking. Upstairs is where the kids reign. Each will have their own room and share a common area for playing. While the play area is upstairs, we run and play all around the house. And we’ve created a soothing nursery for the baby and the best part is the big comfy chair next to the window. It’s the perfect spot for feedings and reading stories.

We’re also not too far from a park, so some days we load up the bikes (or stroller) and head out for a couple hours of play. It’s a great way to see the wildflowers and small animals. Again, we love our house.

Final Thoughts

“Lovely Day”

There’s a song that we often dance to around the house. It’s called “Lovely Day” by Bill Whithers. Part of the lyrics read, “When the day that lies ahead of me/Seems impossible to face/When someone else instead of me/Always seems to know the way/Then I look at you/And the world’s alright with me/Just one look at you/And I know it’s gonna be/A lovely day.” This is a “lovely” reminder that despite what obstacles you may or have faced, you are not walking alone. By God’s unwavering love and grace, He has brought you to this moment and is holding you close with each step. Under the care of His mercies, the joy you have grown is a reminder that lovely days are ahead. And as a couple who has faced difficult seasons in life, this is a beautiful truth about our Father. Thank you for taking the time out to learn about us and our family. We pray that whatever choice you make, it will give you an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort. With all our love, Charlie, Jakia, and Isaiah

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