Adrienne & Ethan

We both love horses. Ethan team ropes quite a bit and Adrienne loves to work with young horses. One of our favorite pastimes is saddling up and helping round up cattle with friends. We have quite a few critters about our place, and we both love the caretaking of them all! Even though it is daily work, having animals is important to us, not only because they bring us so much joy and entertainment (and lots of fresh chicken eggs!), but they give purpose and teach lessons on being responsible, diligent and kind, whether it is convenient or not. We also have two large gardens, and every fall we’re able to can, freeze, and preserve lots of fresh produce!

We also love to hang out with our families! Every summer we all get together at the lake and spend quite a few days boating, tubing, skiing, and grilling. Time with family and lots of laughs will cure just about anything! Weather permitting, we normally get together with both sides of the family during Christmas as well.

Our home is located in north-eastern South Dakota. It is small, but tidy and clean. We are surrounded by low hills and beautiful pastureland, with a State Park just down the hill. We have two lab dogs and three cats, as well as chickens, ducks, geese, horses, cows - and two mini goats! People like to say we have a “funny farm”! On the north end of our yard, we built a nice big sand arena to ride our horses in. We also have two large gardens, one full of flowers and one with fruits and veggies.

Our neighbors are very good friends. We get together regularly for potluck suppers or grill outs, and we all look after each other like extra family. Not far from us are some fishing and recreation lakes that we all enjoy. Our favorite part of our home is the people we have around us, and the sunrises and sunsets that overlook our house every day.

Our support group consists of our friends, our church community and our pastor, and our families. Both of us are very close with our parents and siblings, and when we informed everyone that we were praying about and pursuing adoption they were all so excited and happy for us! There is absolutely no doubt that our families will be there for us no matter where this journey goes.

Ethan is adopted, and has one sister who is also adopted but not related. Even though there is a significant age gap between Ethan and his sister, they grew up close and remain that way. Adrienne has two brothers and two sisters, and just can’t imagine life without them! Family was a huge priority in both of our lives growing up, and it continues to be. We have friends and relatives that also have adopted, or fostered, and we have been able to gain some valuable insight and advice from them as well.

(Adrienne) One of the things I love about Ethan is his big heart. He owns/manages a meat locker, but despite the craziness of that job he always makes time for family. He has a wonderful relationship with his family, and puts his parent’s needs in front of his own, all the time. He cares for us with kindness and compassion. He has a fantastic work ethic, a quick and witty humor, and he is honest. He is wise with finances/ business management. I love his smile and his genuine personality.

(Ethan) Adrienne has a heart made for caring for people and animals. She gives horse-riding lessons to kids, and they just love her and her horses. Nobody in our home goes without. She takes care of the animals, our house and home, and also works in town. She is a hard worker and she loves to laugh a lot. She is a genuine person with a big personality and giving attitude.