Help Us Make Our Family Official

Asking for help is incredibly difficult for us. If you know us, you know we would much rather be the ones giving than asking. We've gone back and forth about creating this fundraiser because we truly don't like asking for money. But after a lot of encouragement from family and friends, we've decided to set our pride aside for the sake of our family.

Most of you already know our story.

Twelve years ago, Sunnie and Beau came into our home. What began as a temporary situation became a lifetime of bedtime stories, school concerts, homework, birthdays, family vacations, holidays, and everyday moments that make a family. They have grown up alongside Malina, Malakai, and Luthor, and they are simply our children. We can't imagine life any other way.

Now we have the opportunity to make what has been true in our hearts for the last twelve years official through adoption.

This isn't about changing our family because we've been a family for a long time. This is about giving Sunnie and Beau the permanence, security, and legal recognition they deserve. It's something they have asked for, and it's something we want more than anything.

Unfortunately, getting to this point has been much more expensive than we ever imagined.

This year alone, we have already spent over $9,500 in attorney and court fees. We still need to add another $3,000 to our attorney trust to complete the adoption, $1,500 for the completion of a home study and we recently received an unexpected $550 counseling bill for a session requested by bio mom during the court process.

The unexpected hearings required to protect Sunnie and Beau from being forced into visits they did not want completely changed our financial plans. We had hoped this would be a straightforward adoption while we also worked toward buying a larger home for our growing family. Instead, every extra dollar has gone toward court costs.

Even with both Damien and me working two jobs each, we've reached the point where we simply need help.

If we don't reach our goal, we'll still find a way to finish this adoption. There is no question about that. It may just take longer and create additional financial strain on our family.

If you're able to contribute, no matter the amount, we would be deeply grateful. If you're not in a position to give, simply sharing our fundraiser would mean the world to us.

Thank you for loving our family, believing in us, and helping us take this final step after twelve years together.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Damien & Liz