From our Friends

From Amanda 

I have known Blake and Olivia for 9 years.
I met Olivia through one of her business; she is very entrepreneurial. I have also worked for her in several capacities over the years. I have observed that Olivia and Blake are very kind and patient people. Although they don't have any children of their own, they have always interacted in a kind and friendly way with my children. Blake enjoys and relates to kids very easily. For instance, Blake has taken my son out to fly kites. It can be a trying experience with young children but he handled it very patiently and my son loved it! Olivia has been a very supportive friend through three of my pregnancies and deliveries. She has been loving and nurturing to my children as they grow from babies to children. They all love and anticipate her visits. She came to Colorado Springs specifically to visit when my last two babies were born, so she could be present for the birth. Since I have known them, Olivias dream has always been to have a baby to complete their family. I do not know of anything in their character or history that should prevent them from being successful adoptive parents. The baby they receive will be one of the luckiest babies. It will be coming into a loving household with two great parents who will love her/him with all their hearts.

From Kim

We were introduced to each other in the summer of 2011 while Blake and Olivia were here visiting Utah. We all became friends right away. Not long after meeting them, they bought a home in our neighborhood and have been a part of what my family and many of our other friends lovingly refer to as our "Point Family". We are a tight knit community of friends that live near one another and share many common interests. Many of us have children that have become great friends and we love having Blake and Olivia as part of our family. We celebrate birthdays, kids and adults alike, holidays, BBQs, girls nights and just hanging out enjoying each others company. Olivia and I have had many conversations about she and Blake wanting children. Sometimes having children of your own doesn't always work out how you might have planned and adoption is the best answer to that. I, myself was adopted as a baby, and Olivia and I have talked about this many times. This gave she and I a special connection instantly. We have talked about how lucky I am to have been given a wonderful upbringing with my parents. I have been asked many times about how I feel about being adopted, and this is what I told Olivia as well. I feel that I was loved so much by my birth parents that they wanted to give me everything that they could not, thus giving me the life I truly deserved with my parents. Also, I feel like the labor of love that my parents went through to adopt me as a baby is so amazing, that I can't help but feel truly blessed. My parents wanted me so badly that they put themselves out there for all to see, investigate and interview for years. Their families and friends were also involved in this two to three year process at the time, just to be given the gift of a child to their lives. I know that Blake and Olivia have some of the same feelings that I do about adoption. They have so much love to give and bring to a child's life. I see it every day with them both and my own children. They love them like their own and my boys love Blake and Olivia. Olivia and Blake are such passionate people in all that they do, whether it be work, play, family or friends. They love with all they have and would be such great parents. They are both caring, compassionate, patient, nurturing, fun loving and giving of all they they have to anyone in need. Blake is wonderful with my children and all of our kids in our circle of friends and neighborhood. He takes the time to teach them how things work and why, and they love interacting with him and his playful personality. Olivia is always the first to offer her time to watch our kids or help out when you are in a pinch, with no hesitation. They are both genuinely always there for their family and friends and love giving in any way possible. Olivia and Blake really are an amazing couple who are so in love with one another. The one thing that could make them stronger is the love that only a child can bring you. I know that they will be such amazing parents. They have so much to share and give to a child. It is such an amazing gift to have a child that means the world to you, and you in return are their world.


From Shad

I originally met Blake nearly 10 years ago through our shared love of the outdoors and adventure.  Since meeting him, I have been continually impressed with his kindness, patience and respect shown to everyone he encounters.  Blake has an incessant calm, an unrivaled finesse for encouragement, is honest and trustworthy, and is the friend I most frequently turn to for guidance.  Traveling the world together over the years, I have had the opportunity to witness his interaction with children of many cultures; the laughter and smiles are endless for everyone.  I am confident the qualities which make him one of my dearest friends will lead him to be a wonderful and exemplary father.  Not long after meeting Blake I was introduced to Olivia. My admiration for Olivia has continuously grown throughout the course of our friendship.  She exhibits compassion and friendliness to all,  shows a willingness to sacrifice for the gratification of others, and is passionate about supporting and assisting others with the achievement of their goals.  There is something special about photographers, painters, and artists in the way they view the world; Olivia is one of these artist.  She regularly inspires me and those around her, with her ability to observe and appreciate the simple beauties of life; taking the time to marvel in the daily wonders that surround us.  Her interactions with children are jubilant, playful and heartfelt.  These qualities coupled with her thoughtfulness, tenderness and patience will make her a magnificent mother.  Individually, Blake and Olivia are amazing people.  Together, they are extraordinary!  They are always pleasant to each other, encouraging one another, include others in activities, join in easily within groups, and are genuinely a pleasure to be around.  They have diligently worked to achieve both individual and mutual goals; such as buying their dream home, creating financial stability and freedom, and now their desire to start a family.  Blake and Olivia repeatedly display humility, modesty and generosity.  I cannot think of two more wonderful and deserving people to be considered as adoptive parents.  It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child; Blake and Olivia live in one such village.  The family, friends and neighbors that surround their home are, in my opinion, unrivaled.  They regularly come together in the neighborhood park to fly kites and play games, frequently host cookouts and gatherings, genuinely encourage the curiosity that captures all children and strive to protect their innocence.  They work together, as a community, to foster a safe, vigilant and protective environment for each other.  Should Blake and Olivia be privileged with the responsibility of adopting a child, it will be welcomed into a loving household with two great parents, and a village full of people to help care for and encourage him/her.

From Susie

I met Blake and Olivia when they moved into our neighborhood in Utah a little over five years ago. My family and I were lucky to get to know them even more when they purchased the home next door to us. We live in a cul-de-sac, and my husband and I have two young children, 10 and 9 years old. Blake and Olivia have been a great addition to our neighborhood and community of families in the area. In the evenings, you will always find children playing in the cul-de-sac, and parents visiting while watching their children. Although Blake and Olivia do not have children of their own yet, you will still find them playing and visiting outside with the children and parents on a regular basis. It is clear that they are very fun and energetic people. It is not uncommon to see Blake outside playing basketball or catch in the cul-de-sac with the neighborhood kids until the sun goes down. Olivia loves entertaining the kids as well, always inviting them in for a snack and a seat on the couch. She is famous with the little girls in the neighborhood, offering painting their fingernails and let them play with her dog, Danni. My kids love to go over to Blake and Olivia's house just to hang out. They are involved in the lives of my children. On more than one occasion, attending sporting events for my son and recitals for my daughter. They are encouraging towards the children's activities and excited to be a part of their success. Blake and Olivia are always pleasant and respectful to each other and the people around them. They give their love and attention willingly to those in need and always look towards a positive outcome. I know they will be amazing parents, ready and willing to share the unconditional love they have with a child.

From Jayme

I have known Olivia my entire life.  We grew up together and have always been the best of friends. Through the years that we have known each other, I have learned how special she is.  Even though we are cousins, I feel we are more like sisters.  Olivia has dreamed of having children since she was a little girl. She is an amazing woman and I have seen her love for children portrayed through her photography as well as her daily life.  She goes out of her way to make her loved ones feel special.  She is patient, kind and has lots of love to share with children.  My daughter Ava thinks Auntie Livy hung the moon. Even though we live in separate states, Ava always asks me if she can have a sleepover with Aunt Livy and Uncle Blake.  As for Blake, I could not ask for a better addition to our family.  He came into our life many years ago and I immediately knew Olivia had found her soulmate and her best friend.  I knew that he was a "keeper!"  He is smart, sensitive and a great provider.  He is a great listener and makes everyone he comes in contact with feel important.  At family events, he is always down on the ground playing with all the kids.  He has a natural gift for relating to children on their own level and treats them all special.  Olivia and Blake have been married for several years.  During the last few years, they have wanted to have a child of their own to love.  I have been there as they have hoped and prayed for their dreams to come true.  They truly deserve to be parents. They are both upbeat, optimistic people and lead active lifestyles; enjoy hiking, fishing, camping and traveling.  I am very confident that they will be excellent parents and they will be able to provide a loving home for children to grow.  This baby will be one of the luckiest babies.  He/She will be coming into a loving household with two great parents who will love her/him with all their hearts through eternity.  They both genuinely love children, and they are wonderful with every child I've seen them interact with.  I know the child would be truly wanted, cared for and loved.