Tashina & Aaron In Utah

We first met as kids when Tashina's family moved to Idaho. We went to Junior High together and had several of the same classes. Although we weren't friends, we had friends who were friends and would sometimes end up in the same social activies. Tashina's family then moved back to Utah, and we lost touch for about 10 years. We met again at a church service and started talking. Then we just didn't stop! Our first date was mini-golf and icecream where we discovered we both love Star Wars and Batman. We dated for a year before getting married, and have since brought our two dogs, Mozzie and Violet into our home. We love to mini-golf and spend time with friends and family; usually playing some board games, going out to eat or to a movie.

Aaron is from a family of five, including his mother, father, two brothers and himself. He grew up in a small town in Southern Idaho with lots of extended family around. He enjoys relaxing with a sitcom on and playing board and card games with friends and family. Tashina's family consists of her mother, father, three brothers and herself. She grew up in a small desert town in Southern Utah. She loves to read, and has several favorite TV shows to binge watch. She also loves getting together with family and friends to play board games.

Aaron is a Documentation Control Specialist. He works full-time at Thermo-Fisher Scientific, a global company. Tashina is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Infant Massage Instructor. She currently works at a day spa and teaches infant massage classes. She hopes to incorporate her knowledge of infant massage and bonding with our future children.

We live in a very quiet (low traffic) neighborhood with mostly young families. We are part of a newly developed part of town. We are within walking distance of soccer and baseball fields, a couple of little play parks and the local grocery store. We have hiking trails, dog parks, splash pads and a swimming pool within a 5-10 minute drive from our home.

Our house sits on .24 acre and our yard is mostly grass with room for flower and vegetable gardens. We have a 3 bedroom, 2 full-bath home with the space to add 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom in the unfinished basement. Our plan is to finish the basement within 5 years. We already have a gate at the top of the stairs. The 3 bedrooms are all on the same side of the house, so it will be quick and easy to get to the nursery. The kitchen and dining area opens into the living room.

Tashina is the only girl with three brothers. She is very close with her siblings and their families. She has 2 nephews (ages 10 and 8) and 2 nieces (ages 3 and 1). We love spending time with all of them! Unfortunately, her mom's family does not get together very often because they all live so far away from one another. Her maternal grandparents and her paternal grandpa have passed away, leaving her with one grandma. With the loss of her grandpa, and never really knowing her mom's parents, she truly appreciates the time she has to spend with family. She knows she will cherish all of the little moments with Aaron and their child(ren).

Aaron is the youngest of three boys. He grew up in southern Idaho with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins around. His family is always up for a game night. His family experiences have taught him to cherish the moments spent with each other. Having immediate and extended family around, he always felt loved and supported. That is something he wants to pass on to his child(ren). To let them know that they are always loved, no matter what.

Tashina has so many fond memories of family traditions growing up. Her extended family would always have a picnic at Easter where we could rock climb and hike, have paintball games and launch mini rocketsChristmas Eve was spent at her paternal grandparents' where they would get a handmade blanket from her grandma and a set of pajamas to sleep in. One of her favorite traditions was celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve because her grandma's birthday in December 25th. So we did Christmas the night before and then Christmas day we would be back at my grandparents to celebrate grandma's birthday. She always felt like they got two holidays instead of one. Now that we have moved away from extended family, we continue to gather Christmas Eve and get to open one present from Tashina's parents, or we can open the gift her grandma sends (she still sends blankets to everyone!). We eat dinner together, open a present and play some Christmas themed games.

Some of Aaron's favorite traditions are coloring Easter eggs and hiding them for the younger kids. At Christmas we would drive around town to see the lights, then stop for icecream. His maternal grandma always hides glass pickles on her Christmas tree, and there is a prize for whoever finds one.

We have wanted to be parents for several years. Adoption has been in our hearts for all that time. Tashina has known for many years that she would not be giving birth to children.