Shanna and Gary, adoptive parents in Austin that are looking to adopt a baby again, with their adopted daughter.

Shanna & Gary

Shanna and Gary have recently welcomed a new baby into their home and are no longer available to be matched with. Other families are still waiting though, and you can VIEW THEM HERE. To learn about additional families or to speak with an adoption specialist, please call Adoption Advocates at (512) 477-1122.

Hi! We’re Gary, Shanna, Rachel and our doggies, Charlie and Zoey. Thanks for browsing our online profile, we hope it gives you a peek into our lives. We can’t begin to understand how you are really feeling right now, but we do appreciate how much thought and care you are taking to make the right decision. We truly believe that there’s an open adoption match for everyone and hope you’ll reach out if you feel that connection with us!

We are morning people, getting up early and going to bed early. Shanna has the adventurous spirit, always willing and eager to try new things. Gary is patient and thoughtful, excited by anything that has a puzzle to figure out. We’ve been together for 20 years and have created careers that allows us to spend nearly our whole day together. We enjoy long leisurely meals with family and friends, be it in our home (Shanna was a professional chef) or a restaurant in Sydney (Gary has close family in Australia), as mealtime is a special time for our family to connect and share.

Things We Can’t Wait to Do as a Family

Play I Spy | Visit the Dinosaur Park | Watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer | Read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish | Make pancakes | Teach him or her how to jump in muddy puddles | Travel to a beach

Toddler with pigtails adopted from Adoption Advocates in her cozy coupe.

OUR DAUGHTER

Rachel is an easy-going and adventurous toddler that loves dinosaurs. She is eager to be a “Big Sissa” and take her little brother or sister swimming and nature walks.

Adoption Advocates adoptive family's two small dogs cozy in their bed.

PETS

Our doggies Charlie and Zoey bring so much joy to our family! A bonded pair that were rescues from Houston, during Hurricane Harvey. We take them on a nice long walk every morning and they love joining us on our trips to the beach on the Texas coast.

Shanna and Gary, a Texas couple that wants to adopt, on vacation in Paris with their daughter.

TRAVEL

We travel quite a bit and enjoy experiencing culture through food. By our 5th wedding anniversary, we had flown over a million miles together. Although we are spending more time at home these days, we still make time for a long weekend away and generally take a longer international trip every few months.

Shanna and Gary, an Adoption Advocates couple waiting to adopt, at sunset on the beach.

HOW WE MET

We were seated next to each other at a networking dinner for young professionals. Shanna thought Gary was too old for her and Gary thought Shanna was too young for him – little did we know, we were only 3 years apart! A year later, we happened to bump into each other at a bar and laughed about our mistaken identity. From that moment on, we were inseparable.

Adoption Advocates waiting family Shanna, Gary and Rachel

HOPES FOR OUR CHILDREN

We want our children to be comfortable in their own skin, the strength to build their own path in the world and always know that are loved.

Shanna, an Austin parent looking to adopt a baby

5 Things About

Shanna

When I grew up I wanted to be a hip hop dancer.

I am really good at showing up for friends.

I am terrible at interviews.

My favorite quote is “It isn’t the mountains ahead that wears you out; it’s the pebble in the shoe.”
Muhammad Ali

My best mom joke is A cheese factory exploded in France… Da-Brie is everywhere!

Gary, an Austin parent waiting to adopt a baby, outdoors in a blue shirt

5 Things About

Gary

When I grew up I wanted to be a baseball pitcher.

I am really good at seeing things from others’ point of view.

I am terrible at keeping my desk organized.

My favorite quote is “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

My best dad joke is When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent!