The Journey Thus Far

We met as missionaries over 10 years ago in Northern California. Our mission was the Santa Rosa Mission and we absolutely LOVED it! Picture Endor and Jurassic Park, minus the dinosaurs and Ewoks. Simply breathtaking in every way. Now, as much as Brian loves to tell people we dated as missionaries and had "p-dates," didn't happen. Though we did have an infamous "nerd" card we passed back and forth... You can tell who has a sense of humor or not based off their reactions to his favorite "p-date" joke. 

Majestical Redwoods

Post mission we dated for a month, engaged for 3 months, and now married for almost 10 years (March 30th). Crazy how time flies! Brian studied, and graduated in, Computer Information Technologies at BYU-Idaho. Brittany was studying Recreational Management with an emphasis in Aquatics Management, but stopped with an Associates when Cecilia decided it was time for her arrival. Cecilia was a birth control baby. When you get to know her, it will come as no surprise that she decided on her own when it was time to come to our family. Cece is, and always has been, an adorable spitfire that we cherish in every way.

Brittany and Cecilia 2014

5 months later, Brittany got really sick and we weren't sure why. After some doctors visits, hospital trips, and a colonoscopy (which, for the record, makes you feel 900 years old to be getting when in your 20's), we discovered she had Ulcerative Colitis. Thankfully, medication has managed this ailment flawlessly since then. 

Not long after the medical scare, we felt it was time for another addition to the family. A lot sooner than we had previously "planned," but we have always gone with what feels right. So, 18 months after Cecilia, we welcomed Calvin into the family. This boy came into the world loud as he could be, and not much has changed. Kidding! But really, what kid isn't loud? Calvin is mechanically minded, the best snuggler, and an essential part of our family.

Calvin 2016

As a family, we enjoy board games, video games, family walks, trips to the lake, hiking, Dungeons and Dragons, movies, pretending we know how to garden (but don't bring up zucchinis), and so much more. Our favorite place on earth is Knott's Berry Farm. All the western themes and focus on Peanut's (Snoopy), magic. We are a family that prays, attends church weekly, and does what we can to come closer to our Heavenly Father.

Knott's Berry Farm 2019

To backtrack only a tad, we discussed adoption a lot while dating. It was unclear whether or not Brittany would be able to have children due to overly erratic periods. But, even if we could bear our own children, we knew adoption was a likely path we would walk one day. Well, that day has arrived. Now that we live in our quiet little lakeside town in the mountains of Utah, Brian is happily working remote, Brittany is working as a Special Education Aid at the kids elementary, and we sold/gave away/tossed out all our baby things years ago, we have that feeling of "someone is missing." If we have learned anything in our 10 years together, it's to never ignore an impression.

Thus, welcome to our journey. Welcome to the Menasco's. This is just the tip of the iceberg that is us. Get to know us. The good, the less good, quarks, personalities, hobbies, histories, and everything that makes us us. We are far from perfect, but we do our best and try to laugh all along the way. We can hardly wait for what lies ahead. In the infinite words of Calvin as we asked him how he felt about adopting a new little sibling, "I think it will be great! Because tag is more fun with 3 people." More fun awaits.

Family Hike 2021

If you are an expectant mother, welcome. Have questions? Ask. Feeling a connection? Reach out. We are an open book and ready to fill in more pages.

Until next time,

The Menasco's

P.S. Looking to support us? We set up a GoFundMe!