Ben & Lauren In Nebraska

We are two stable and caring parents who care deeply for our son, Ty, and want to share that care and love with another child. Ben is an officer in the Army and has been for nearly 14 years. We met in Washington State during Ben's first duty assignment. We have traveled all over the US as Ben's job has moved us every two years.

We have lived in seven states over the last 14 years and enjoy experiencing the many different cultures, climates and practices our country has to offer. As a result of constantly moving, we do not have to travel far for vacations. We take a short weekend trip every month and one large extended family vacation per year. Last year, we went to Florida with Lauren's parents for a week.

Ty is our little bundle of joy. At just shy of two years old, he lives life to the fullest. He loves to play outside in our backyard and with all the kids in the neighborhood. Even though he is quite a bit younger than most of them, that doesn't bother him and they all love it when he comes over to play. He is a little shy at first, but warms up quite quickly to people. He loves to wave and blow kisses. This summer, Ty is playing on a soccer team which he really enjoys.

No matter the location, we love the challenge and changes the Army throws at us. Ben will be eligible for retirement in 6 years - at the ripe old age of 42! We plan on moving out to the country and having our own little farm. Nothing big, just a few acres with some chickens and barn cats. Ty will be just entering middle school at this point, and we hope to settle down some roots for him and our soon to be adopted son or daughter.

We have two cats. Before getting married, Ben told Lauren "We will never have pets! They are too much work!" Three months after getting married, we adopted Stryker from a local cat orphanage. We both fell in love with Stryker and wanted to give him a buddy for when we were at work. We adopted a second cat, Merlin, three weeks later from the same orphanage. Seven years later we still have Stryker and Merlin. They keep each other busy, and now that we have Ty the cats get a workout running around the house with a little toddler!

Our home is nestled in a vibrant and diverse military community that embodies a true sense of community - inclusive of all walks of life. With tree-lined streets and friendly neighbors, it's a place where people of all backgrounds come together to create a welcoming atmosphere. Just a short stroll away, there are over sixty parks where families gather for picnics, playground fun, and weekend sports activities. These green spaces provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures and quality family time.

In terms of education, Omaha boasts reputable schools known for their commitment to academic excellence and nurturing environments. We're excited about the prospect of enrolling our children in these schools. Our military community has three elementary schools alone, where they'll have access to a rich and supportive learning environment.

Cultural opportunities abound in our neighborhood. Omaha is the cosmopolitan hub of Nebraska with local museums, galleries, and community events showcasing the diversity and creativity of our community. From cultural festivals to classes, there's always something exciting to explore right in our own backyard.

Our home features a spacious yard, perfect for outdoor play and family gatherings. As we eagerly await the arrival of another little one, we've already built a cozy nursery filled with love, laughter, and dreams for Ty. We look forward to bringing another little one into the mix!

With Ben being in the military and all the moving, we have not usually lived very close to family. So, for Christmas, we will travel and trade off every year with Lauren's family and the next year Ben's family. This year we were with Ben's family in PA, so Ty got to meet a lot of his relatives.

Lauren's family comes often to see Ty, or Lauren and Ty will travel often to WA state to see Lauren's parents. Ty is Lauren's parents' first grandchild, and they absolutely adore him. They have never gone more than three months without seeing him. Ty loves his grandparents!

This summer, when Lauren and Ty travel to WA state, Ty will see the ocean for the first time. He will also get to go on the little kid rides at the Washington State fair, which is in the town Lauren grew up in and her parents still live. We love seeing Ty's relationship with his grandparents grow.

Ben's brother, Jake, also likes to visit us yearly on his breaks from work. Despite the long distances in Ben's family, we typically get to see everyone for Christmas every other year. Hopefully, with Ben's mom and dad retiring this year we will get to see them more often.

Ben is a big runner (he has run 11 marathons and the Boston Marathon twice). Every night Lauren, Ben, and Ty go for a long walk after dinner. While Ty is just learning to walk he sure has long arms and legs (from Lauren) that would make him a great runner!

Lauren and Ben also enjoy vacationing at the beach - be it Panama City, the Dominican Republic, or Rehoboth Beach. Soon it will be time to take Ty to the beach for his first visit to the ocean. We are planning a trip to the Oregon coast this fall to visit Lauren’s parents in Washington.