My Oregon roots run deep.  I am a fifth generation Oregonian.  I was conceived in a small logging town in Oregon.  Born in Portland Oregon, and raised by my adoptive family on a farm in Oregon.

My adoptive parents were  loving parents.  I look back and they really tried to support my interests.  I was so much different from them in so many ways.  I love the outdoors.  I was an active kid, playing basketball, softball and riding horses.  Definitely a free spirit.  My husband refers to it as a “hippie cowboy”.

Fast forward to April 2021.  I was 59 at the time and decided I was ready to pursue finding more information about my birth family.  Sadly, my bio Mom had passed 11 years before I began my journey.  I feel that loss often.

Both of my birth parents grew up in the small logging community of Powers Oregon.  Powers is like the sitcom “Cheers” where everyone knows your name.  And thank goodness they do!

I was able to connect with my bio Moms best friend and if it wasn’t for her I am pretty sure I would have never found my Dad.  He never knew I existed. My Mom’s best friend is my Dad’s wife’s step sister!

I was completely welcomed into the family by my father and his wife, sisters, nieces and nephews.  And more of their friends than I can count.

I now know where my love of the outdoors comes from.  Most of my bio family now lives in Alaska.  My husband and I were able to attend my niece’s wedding a couple years ago.  She surprised my Dad and I with the father-daughter dance that we both missed out on.  I can finally tell that story without tearing up.

I have been blessed in my life to be able to travel and experience many great adventures while meeting all kinds of people.  Nothing compares to riding around Haines Alaska in a off-road side by side with my Dad looking for bears and moose.