Heather and Justin

We met online playing video games in 2007. We were just teenagers then, and had become really good friends over the game Halo 3. After a couple of years, Heather flew out to Justin’s senior year prom and we started dating long distance. Justin is originally from a small town in Kentucky, and Heather is from the suburbs in Utah.  Justin moved to Utah in 2011. Shortly after, we took a trip to California to go to Disneyland and the beach! Justin asked Heather to marry him on Christmas Eve at Newport Beach. She said yes! We were engaged for a couple of years (we wanted time to plan) and got married in 2013. Since then, we have built a life full of love, beautiful experiences, and unwavering support for each other. Over the years, we have been through a lot together.

About a year after we got married, we quickly became pregnant. We were ecstatic! We saw our baby’s heart beat and felt so much love. Sadly, at about 9 weeks we experienced the heartbreaking loss of our baby. We took some time to grieve the loss of our baby and eventually started trying again. After about a year of struggling to conceive, we began infertility testing and found ourselves at a crossroads – choosing between IVF or adoption. Heather had ALWAYS wanted to adopt since she was a teenager. She had seen the love that can come from adoption in her own family (two of her amazing sisters are adopted). After lots of prayer and discussions, we decided to start our Foster Care journey.

Our sweet oldest daughter, Ricki, came to us when she was just eight days old. After about ten months, we were blessed to officially adopt our beautiful baby girl. Four years later, our cute youngest daughter, Rylie, was conceived naturally and was a complete surprise! Shortly after Rylie was born, we decided that when it was time to grow our family again, we wanted it to be through adoption. Fast forward to now, and we are excited to start the adoption journey!

It feels unfair to try and describe Heather with just simple words on a page as they will always fail to adequately represent how incredible she truly is. Watching Heather be a mother to our girls is such a beautiful thing and motivates me to be a better father every day. The girls and I are so lucky to have her in our lives. She is the glue that keeps our family operating so smoothly. There are so many things she does behind the scenes that go unnoticed but are so critical; she does all these things with no expectations of thanks or praise but does them just because of her love for all of those around her. Heather cares so much for our family and goes above and beyond for the rest of us all the time. She works a full time job, runs her own company on the side, volunteers weekly to go into our daughter’s school as the class mom, and that is only the tip of the iceberg. With as busy as things get you would never know it with the way Heather is always present at home and with the girls.

Heather is so loving and taught me to expand my views and helped turn me into a better man. There are so many things I love about Heather but the one that attracts me the most is her caring soul. In the 15 years I have been with Heather, I have never once seen her make a decision with her own feelings as the primary concern. She always puts her family first and cares so deeply about those she loves. She is genuinely such an amazing mother and wife who is just as beautiful on the inside as she is beautiful on the outside.

Justin is the absolute best! He is so incredibly funny and is so loving. Watching him with the girls is my favorite! He is so sweet with them, and is ALWAYS playing. If you could get a glimpse into our home, you’d see him and the girls running around the house like crazy. At bedtime, I have to remind them to calm it down; haha. Our girls adore him and it’s so beautiful to  witness. He is patient and kind, and works hard to take care of those he loves.

He is also such an amazing husband. His sense of humor is what initially attracted me to him. He can make me laugh with such ease. If I’m having a bad day, he knows exactly how to brighten my mood and make me feel better. The way he approaches every moment in life as a team is so refreshing. I know that no matter what life throws at us, we will get through it together. He is such a loving and supportive husband and I feel incredibly lucky to call him my husband.

Justin is extremely smart! He is an executive in the IT field and loves what he does. He is extremely hard working and provides so much for our family.  He truly is the entire package. We love him so much!

Ricki is the sweetest little girl you could ever imagine!  She has a natural gift for comforting and supporting others and is such a genuine and kind soul. Ricki is truly a blessing in our lives and we are so incredibly grateful to be her mom and dad.

Ricki loves swimming (she does swim lessons twice per week) and is in a theatre program. In her last play, she was Glinda from Wicked - which she totally rocked! Ricki also loves playing with her little sister, running around outside, riding her bike and listening to music (she loves Taylor Swift). Ricki is also very much in her Disney Era. When we go to Disneyland, she loves thrill seeking rides like Tower of Terror (Guardians of the Galaxy), Big Thunder Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Incredicoaster.

When we say that Ricki is ready to be a big sister again, we mean it. haha She asks where we are in the processes almost daily, and is so excited to hold her baby sister or brother!

Rylie is such a vibrant and funny little princess! Her silliness and big personality brighten every room she enters.  With Rylie, there’s no guessing - her face tells you exactly what’s on her mind! Her perfect cheesy little grin melts our hearts every single day. We have loved watching her grow into the strong willed and bright spirited girl that she is.

Rylie loves playing with her toys, cuddling up on the couch and riding her bike. Playing with her big sister is her absolute favorite! Watching them run around the house like crazy girls is hilarious. Rylie loves to sing! When we are in the car, she belts out any song she knows. Her favorite food is peanut butter, she will eat it by the spoonful. She also loves going to Disneyland! Her favorite rides are Haunted Mansion, Spider-Man Web Slinger and Monsters Inc.

Rylie is excited to be a big sister! Anytime we talk about having a sibling, her face lights up and she says  “ooooo when!!!?!?!”

We feel incredibly grateful for the many adventures we get to share as a family! With our Magic Key passes, we visit Disneyland every few months – it’s one of our favorite traditions. We also love camping, playing games, riding our E-bikes, and spending time outdoors. Whether we’re cheering on Real Salt Lake, enjoying movie marathons, or grabbing a bite at the Cheesecake Factory, we cherish every moment together.

Family time is deeply important to us. Whatever we’re doing, we focus on making the most of it and finding joy in the little things. Our bond is strong, and we’re incredibly thankful for the closeness we share.

We live in a beautiful rambler-style home nestled in a family-friendly neighborhood that we truly adore. We love taking evening walks to Heather’s parents’ house, just a few blocks away. Our spacious backyard features a play-set and swings, which Ricki and Rylie absolutely love. During the summer, we love spending time in our front yard, where the girls enjoy playing with a variety of outdoor toys and water bounce houses. We share our home with four  beloved dogs - three playful Dachshunds and one energetic Australian Shepherd - who bring endless joy and snuggles to our family.

Our home is a supportive and uplifting space where positivity thrives. We believe in fostering a warm environment that embraces individuality and encourages open expression of thoughts and feelings. Honest and completely open communication is a cornerstone of our family, even when conversations are difficult. We celebrate diversity and inclusion, and are dedicated to teaching our girls the value of respecting and appreciating different traditions, cultures, and perspectives.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about our family and for considering us as part of your child’s journey. We are honored by the possibility of growing our family through adoption again, and we approach this experience with deep respect for all that is involved.

If chosen, we will raise your child in a home filled with unconditional love, stability, and encouragement. We will nurture their dreams, support them through life’s challenges, and provide a safe place where they can always be their true selves – knowing they are deeply loved, respected, and cherished.

Contact Children’s Service Society at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call/text 801-656-8527.