Hello from Sitka! We’re Joel, Courtney, Harbor, Fiona, and our dog Griz. In our home, everyone who steps inside is embraced as part of our extended family. Our guiding belief is that every person deserves to be valued and loved, and we celebrate the unique light that each child brings.

Our Journey and Beliefs: 

Although we’ve known each other for 15 years, we fell in love in 2016 and got married at Juneau Lake Cabin on the Resurrection Trail in December 2018. We talked about adoption long before we had biological children and knew we wanted to try for a blended family, knowing the fertility cards were stacked against us. We miraculously welcomed our twins, Harbor and Fiona, in 2020 and our lives changed forever. When the girls were about 2 we started the process of becoming foster parents in the hopes that we could help children who needed a soft spot to land for however long they needed it. Courtney was briefly in foster care as a child and it had a profound impact on her and she especially wanted to provide a safe space for children in need. We have been blessed to have had 5 foster children ranging from newborn to almost 3 years old over the last couple years. We have loved each one just as much as our biological children and worked hard to build strong relationships with their families.

We like to say fostering is one of the hardest things we’ve ever done, but not because of the children or their families. It also taught us important lessons about love, loss and embracing uncertainty. Every child that left our home brought feelings of both extreme joy that they were heading to family or homes that could nurture their cultural connections, and overwhelming sadness that a child we loved so completely wouldn’t be part of our lives anymore. Over time we realized we’d really love to welcome a baby or young child who we could watch grow up in our family. We understand that every child has a unique story, and we are committed to nurturing their strengths, cultural connections, interests, and the special relationships that are important to them.

Our Family:

Joel: With the sea in his blood, Joel is an enthusiastic educator who teaches SCUBA diving and fishing. He loves boats, sailing, kayaking, and fixing/tinkering with just about anything. He brings energy, creativity, and a playful spirit that lights up our days. Originally from Anchorage, he has spent most of his adult life exploring the ocean in Homer and Sitka.

Courtney: Nature is at the heart of what Courtney does. From gardening and foraging to preserving food and crafting art, she involves the children in every step of life’s daily adventures. Her nurturing, tenacious spirit ensures that our home is both resourceful and full of joy. She also joins Joel and the girls for ocean adventures and home fix-it projects. Courtney hails from Minneapolis and lived in Anchorage for 10 years before she and Joel made their home in Sitka shortly after the girls were born.

Harbor and Fiona: Our spirited twins are a bundle of creativity and energy. Fiona’s love for animals and outdoor play beautifully complements Harbor’s affectionate, imaginative nature. Whether they’re dancing, playing guitar, practicing gymnastics, crafting or exploring the outdoors, they delight in every new adventure while eagerly preparing for kindergarten in Fall 2025.

Our Loving Home and Community: Our Sitka home is a lively, open space surrounded by mountains and ocean—a perfect setting for family adventures and creative play. We have chickens, a greenhouse, and a big garage for all our projects. It’s a place where lifelong memories are made and every corner bursts with enthusiasm. We have a close-knit network of friends and family in Sitka, Anchorage and beyond that have embraced every child that has come into our home as a fully fledged member of the family.

Why Choose Us?

Unconditional Love: We believe that love has no limits and that family is defined by whom you love. Everyone who enters our home is celebrated, embraced, and given the space to thrive.

Respect and Experience: With years of nurturing children of all ages, we strive to provide a secure and loving environment that supports growth, self-expression, and independence. With experience has come patience and acceptance of every child’s unique needs and abilities.

Fun-Filled Living: Our lives are enriched by outdoor adventures, creative pursuits, and daily laughter—ensuring that every day is a celebration of life alongside a loving community.

We look forward to adding another spark to our family—a child who will be celebrated, supported, and cherished. Our promise is a lifetime of love, care, and fun adventures during the next chapter of our shared journey.