Hi! We are Jimmy, Allie, and Declan, and we thank you for taking the time to learn more about our family.
The sacrifice you are making is not lost on us and never will be. We admire you so much for choosing life and considering adoption. Please know that we are praying for you and your sweet baby throughout this pregnancy and that God fills you with peace in this decision. We are very excited to grow our family through adoption and have so much love to share.
Relationship/Journey
We met at LSU as freshman living in the Engineering Residential College, became close friends, and started dating about a year later. After graduating LSU, Allie moved to Texas to earn her Master of Engineering degree, so we were long distance for about 2.5 years. While that wasn't ideal, it proved to us that we could get through tough times as a couple and allowed us to grow as individuals as well. Just after moving back home in 2019, we got married and have been married now for 6.5 years. In early 2021, we started the adoption process and later that year, we welcomed our sweet Declan into the world. Declan just turned 4, and we like to describe him as energetic, silly, kind, empathetic, brave, loving, and helpful! He is a social butterfly and enjoys playing with other kids. He loves babies and is so excited about the possibility of getting to be a big brother.
Why Adoption?
Adoption has always been a part of Allie's side of the family, and Jimmy has always had it on his heart to help others through fostering and/or adopting. We just weren't exactly sure how or when or exactly what that would look like for us. However, in early 2021, God made it abundantly clear that we were meant to grow our family through adoption. By late 2021, we had our precious baby boy in our arms! Everyday God blesses us and shows us that this is exactly what we were meant to do...truly couldn't imagine it any other way. Now, we are ready to add another sweet baby in our family to love.
Home
We live in a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood that features two large lakes and are great for fishing and canoeing. There is also a large green space/park area with lots of space for kids to run, play, and feed the ducks. Our neighborhood is very active. While walking our dog, we see so many other families taking walks, riding bikes, or going for runs. Declan loves to ride his bike all around the neighborhood and talk to everyone he sees! Our 3 bedroom, 2 bath home sits on one of the lakes, and we enjoy taking the canoe out in the middle of the lake to see the picture-perfect sunset or sit on the deck and watch Declan fish.
Travel
As a family, we really enjoy getting to explore new places together. We love traveling to places that have plenty of opportunities to be outside such as the beach, mountains, and nature trails. We love bringing Declan along and seeing everything through his eyes!
Hobbies
Jimmy really enjoys playing kickball and volleyball, watching sports, rough housing and being silly with Declan, playing fantasy football, and being a volunteer coach for Declan's team. Allie loves to be outside, go to dinner with her friends, be a room mom at Declan's school, attend all the fun kid activities and play dates while getting to chat with other moms. Declan is involved in all sorts of things. He plays soccer and t-ball, and he also is in a gymnastics class. Of course, he also has frequent play dates, birthday parties, and fun activities around town. As a family, we enjoy going to watch Declan participate in his activities, trying new restaurants, traveling, going on evening walks, having movie nights, and going to watch Jimmy play kickball or volleyball.
Pets
We have a 9 year-old Lab mix named Manning. He is so sweet and gentle and such a great listener. He loves to take walks, go swimming, and eat!
School & Work
We both attended LSU for our undergraduate degrees where Jimmy graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering, and Allie graduated with a BS in Biological Engineering. Allie also received her Master of Engineering degree from Texas A&M in Biomedical Engineering. Jimmy works in a chemical plant as a Production Superintendent. Allie now stays at home, but she used to work as an Assistive Technology Professional designing custom wheelchairs.
Our Extended Family
Whether it's a random dinner, a party, Declan's game, or just visiting each other's houses, we really enjoy getting to hang out with our families and friends!
Family Traditions & Holidays
We take holidays and birthdays pretty seriously in our family, we love any excuse to celebrate, so we decorate, have parties, do themed activities, and make themed snacks! Allie really enjoys finding ways to create childhood magic.
