Our Family
The Army life has moved us around quite a bit, but our family ties have only become stronger over time and distance. Both of our families are extremely supportive and have stood behind us throughout or military journey and adoption journey. Although we are geographically separated from our families, while living in Georgia, they are an integral part of our lives and we feel blessed to have them in our corner at all times. Both of our families are spread across the East Coast. Laura’s family is originally from Michigan and New Jersey but are now spread across Virginia and North Carolina. Josh was born and raised in New Jersey and that is where all his family still resides. Even though the families are spread far and wide, we still get together every year at Thanksgiving or Christmas and at all major life events throughout the year. Laura has two younger sisters who are both married and have children of their own and Josh has an older brother. We have very close relationships with our siblings and our brothers-in-law. We are all super close, video chat regularly and have a group text chat we talk on daily. Every year during the holiday season Laura’s parents host a family holiday party at their house, which is the most central location and Laura’s childhood home. These parties draw a big crowd with both of our brothers-in-law’s families attending and Josh’s family joining in when they are able. Laura’s parents are always celebrating during that time of year and keep the house full of laughter and the smell of home cooked meals. We both come from big cooking families and the kitchen is bustling all day during the holiday weeks. Josh loves to cook and helps with all the holiday dinners while Laura, an expert in charcuterie and décor, helps her sisters make the house holiday ready and keeps everyone full between meals. The best part is that over the years the family has continued to grow, making gatherings ever larger and always an event to remember. We have also started a new tradition over the last few years, family beach trips! Each summer the family chooses a new beach location and we rent a huge beach house with all our immediate and extended family. We meet up for a week of fun in the sun, long beach days, swimming and grilling on the BBQ at night. Our life in the military has also afforded our families unique opportunities to travel for vacation and our families never miss a special event taking place at our duty stations. Both sides of the family have traveled to see us and explore the states and cities where we are stationed. We are fortunate to receive this type of unconditional love and we know that we will receive the same support when we bring our little one home.