Keep Splash in Our Family

The short version is that Tom and I have had to suddenly intervene in a foster care case a month before trial to seek custody of our foster daughter. The cost of a lawyer can easily surpass $20,000, which is a huge chunk of change to come up with in a month! We are committed to doing what it takes to keep Splash in our family, but we know we need help to ensure we don't put ourselves in a dangerous financial position at the same time. Any and all help is appreciated more than you know.

And now if you'd like the long version of the story:

Meet Splash...minus her head.


I swear that she has one. It even has an infectious smile and adorable curly hair. 

Because she's part of an ongoing foster care case, we can't show her face or give her real name, so just take our word for it that she is a super cute kid.


Splash was placed in our home 18 months ago. She's the third foster child that has been placed in our home. We had Jellybean for 2 weeks followed by Lucky 13 for the first 5 months of his life. We're actually the ones who brought him home from the hospital!

When Splash's foster case began, we didn't know how long it would last, so we did what we always do; we provided a loving and safe home for her.  As the case continued on and on, extending past the one year mark, Splash continued bonding with us and there's no denying that now she is a part of our family. As the case nears its conclusion, we actually felt pretty good that she would be placed with us permanently.


However, an 11th hour surprise twist in the case has put this in jeopardy. It's made it necessary for us to hire a lawyer at the last minute so we can intervene in the case to do what's in the best interest of Splash - keeping her with the family that has provided her love and stability for half of her life.


If you're wondering who we are, here's a little about us. Tom has a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology. Currently he teaches a genetics lab course at The University of Texas at Austin. I'm a former elementary school teacher with a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Currently I'm the district curriculum coordinator for elementary mathematics in Round Rock ISD just north of Austin.


Tom and I met in 2005. We dated for 5 years before getting married in 2010. We had an awesome wedding at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin complete with a Princess Bride Quote-a-Long. Our marriage wasn't "legal" in Texas, but my motto has always been, "If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's a duck."


In 2013, when the Federal government agreed to recognize gay marriages, Tom and I decided to take a trip to San Francisco to get married.



We're now approaching 10 years as a couple, and we couldn't be happier. Well, if we get to adopt Splash, then we would be even happier.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading. If you're able to donate even a small amount, we are so, so thankful for it. And please, share this page with others you know who might be interested in helping keep our family together. We appreciate the support.