Dustin and Courtney and Boys
As you look to find the perfect family and future for your child, we thank you for taking the time to learn about us. May this journey be a hope-filled and empowering one - for you, your child and your family.
Families come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and situations. Our blended family comes from two very different backgrounds. We feel our combined experiences and upbringing will serve us well as parents. It already has!
We are Courtney and Dustin. We live in southern rural Minnesota. Courtney is 32 and was previously married and has 3 sons. They are ages 10, 9, and 8 at the time we write this. Dustin is 30 and has never been married or had children. Secondary infertility is the issue that first started us on this journey towards adoption but it is the path we have chosen because we have a strong desire to be parents.
Our first date was in a barn....
We knew almost right away that we were meant to be together. We met in August and had our first date on Dustin's farm. It was a lot more fun than it sounds. We married the following August and have been married for a year and a half. I guess you could say we had a whirlwind romance. Even Dustin's parents knew we were meant to be together, his mom had a talk with him just before Christmas encouraging him to "not let me get away." Little did she know we were going to announce our engagement later that day!
Dustin's strengths are Courtney's weakness and visa versa. We compliment each other is so many ways. These compliments are even evident in our parenting. We "tag team" parent with the current issues and daily trials with the boys. As you might imagine some problems are better handled by one parent over the other. We are so blessed to work so well together. The boys always get a calm, rational, supportive and encouraging parent. Even when its time for reprimand we work together to help them learn a lesson.
Courtney on Dustin:
Dustin is a sixth generation dairy farmer who was clearly born to be a farmer. He grew up in a strong family and a solid foundation with honesty, fairness, hard work and Christian faith. Dustin never complains and embraces life's ups-and-downs with such patience. After high school Dustin attending college and majored in Dairy Herd Management. One day he hopes to expand into a larger dairy operation. Dustin grew up with three sisters; one older and two younger. Poor guy! Seriously though, he has an amazing ability to understand me and I thank his sisters and mother everyday for teaching him how to be a wonderful husband. Dustin is thoughtful, easygoing and generous. He is silly, funny and light-hearted. He is the first one playing with his neice, nephew and the boys. Dustin loves to fish when he can get time away from the farm. We enjoy football games and baseball games and backyard ballgames with the boys.Dustin on Courtney: Courtney grew up in the suburbs. However, she
was always very near the city. She loved ballet as a girl and took classes several times a week. Courtney has one brother who is 3.5 years younger than her. After high school she went to college and also got her cosmetology license. She met her sons' father not long after she started college. Clearly that didn't work out and the boys spend time in our home and their dad's home on a shared schedule. Though she spent time on her great-aunt's farm and up at the family cabin for many summers she didn't have the first clue about a dairy farm - any farm! Courtney fell in love the rural lifestyle and the farm and animals too. She has worked with children on a professional level most of her adult life as a pre-school teacher and Learning Center Director. She loves to garden and cook and make crafts. In the summers she likes to run cross country and be outside as much as possible. She is a wonderful mother and I've had the joy of seeing her in action before we have more children. She has a wonderful way of keeping things calm and peaceful in a household of three busy boys.The Boys:
We absolutely LOVE being parents. In an effort to protect Courtney's boys we aren't listing their names here and have limited photos. They are 10,9 and 8 and we will openly share more specific information with verified parties. 
The boys are active in 4H for their second year. They all play football in the fall and have fun with karate classes. There are many adventures enjoyed outside pretending to be pirates and star wars jedis. They know their father was adopted and have regular contact with both of their grandmas. They have an age appropriate understanding of adoption and are excited to have a younger brother or sister.
A big, fun farm house!!!
Our home is a typical rural farm house. 4 bedrooms, one bathroom, neat wood floors and lots of windows. We are a good way back from the county road and have 10+acres of land to play on. There are wooded areas on each side of our house to play in. The best part
about where we live is how close we are to Dustin's parents - Grandma and Grandpa are just over a mile down the road. Courtney's parents are a bit further away but we try to get together at least once a month. At least one Sunday a month Dustin's side of the entire family gets together to eat, talk and have fun! Dustin's grandparents are just over 5 miles away and we see them often. There are many cousins in the family, and most live within about 20 miles. Dustin's younger sisters and Courtney's younger brother are all newly married and we expect there to be many cousins joining the family soon. Dustin’s older sister is married and has two children. We don't have the baby's room finished yet. We want to wait and make sure this is a special room for a specific child. We aren't going to generalize this process at all. We are very active in the community. We are Vice-Chairmen for the County Dairy Association, active in 4H and the County Fair with the kids and engaged in our church events regularly.Being adopted into this family means....
· A huge, patient, kind, loving, fun, excited family· Three older brothers who can't wait to meet you and teach you all about Star Wars. (they are into that right now!)
· A Mom and Dad who want to give you all the tools to be a successful, happy and capable adult.
· The experiences in life that will make you a giving, kind and faithful person.
· Parents with very different backgrounds to help you learn about rural and urban cultures.
· Lots of pets and animals to learn about and care for.
· A strong family focus on education, experiences, dedication, communication and love.
· The eternal support, devotion and love of your entire family.
We will never disregard or ignore the bond of mother and child. Your child will be LUCKY enough to have a mother and a mom, hopefully, a father but, definitely a dad! NO gift to your child will ever be greater than that. We feel the parent's responibility is to give a child the best life we can. Even if that means we don't get to raise them.
We hope that we have offered you a good look into our lives and what kind of parents we can be for your child. If you feel we may be a good fit or you would like to speak with us more please contact us below.
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