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WELCOME
Welcome to the new and improved design of our family web site, including the interactive, clickable photographs on our "picture board."
Take a look at our new Life page, still a work in progress. Check back for continued updates.
Also, our slideshow hasn't disappeared. When you click on the "Slideshow" link to the right it will appear in the middle of this page.
Blessings, The Garys
TIM
Tim grew up as an MK (missionary kid) on the island of Guadeloupe in the French West Indies, where his parents still live and minister after 33 years. He graduated from Oauchita Baptist University with a degree in French and a minor in Communications. The summer before his last year of college, Tim enlisted in the Army National Guard; he later completed Officer Candidate School after moving to Virginia, becoming a 1st Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. In Virginia, his civilian job involved working as a Computer Analyst for the International Mission Board, the same missionary-sending agency for which his parents work. He currently works as a Senior PC/Network Support Analyst at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. His ongoing passions include: Ted Dekker books, woodworking with his recently acquired tools, Flash creations, fixing computers, and hanging out with his family.
TIM & HEATHER
After college, Tim was looking either at moving out West for a job, or coming to work in Richmond at the IMB in their IT department, where he ended up in July of 1997. Heather, on the other hand, had lived in Virginia since she was 6 years old. After graduating in '98, she turned down a 2-year missionary assignment with the IMB, not feeling at peace about the timing, then worked a brief stint as a 1st year teacher in an inner city school before going to work, in January of 1999, for the IMB home office in its HR department. Heather's boss, Charlene, receives credit for introducing them on her first day of work. Our first date was at a Cuban restaurant in Richmond (Kuba Kuba's for ye natives to the city) during which we found out we were both called to international missions and had a heart for adoption. We became an "item" just after Tim returned from his 1st mission trip to the African continent (Zambia and Zimbabwe); then, during a second work trip to Zimbabwe, Tim purchased a "rock" unbeknownst to Heather, which he later presented to her on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway as they returned from celebrating Thanksgiving in Roanoke with her sister and brother-in-law. We married in October of 2000, with a beautiful fall day for our outdoor reception.
HEATHER
Heather grew up in Richmond, Virginia, graduating from Clover Hill High School in 1994 as valedictorian of her class. She attended the distinguished College of William & Mary (founded in 1693) in colonial Williamsburg. While there, she was heavily involved in the Baptist Student Union where she met many wonderful friends (don't tell anyone in Baptist circles, but we had lots of dances)! She especially loved being a part of the Creative Ministries team (specifically dance and drama) that led worship in various churches in the area . She graduated with a dual BA in Elementary Education and Spanish. Since college, she has worked as a 1st grade teacher, Training Coordinator at the IMB, high school Spanish teacher and SWBTS seminary student (concurrently), and the most fulfilling and demanding of all careers - a stay-at-home Mommy to Ethan (and now Justin). Her passions include: her faith, her family, children, international missions, travel, protection of unborn children, adoption, decorating, design, writing, puppy dogs and flowers.
ETHAN
Ethan entered our world (after two days of failed induction) in February of 2005 . . . he was definitely on his own schedule and continues to be. Needless to say, our life has been completely re-prioritized since his arrival, and we continue to be stripped of our selfishness. He is the absolute love of our life! Our little man is now two years old and continues to develop his vocabulary: "moo-ca-ca" is motorcycle, "wawa" is water, "baw-baw" is PaPa, "no-bo" is Noah's boat, "mo-mo" is Elmo", "um-bo" is rainbow, and "nya-nya" is Ethan, and "pur-pur" (his word for purple) means medicine. He is extremely inquisitive, which often brings him to teeter on the edge of perilous situations, like finding different ways to get out of his crib (he's now in a big boy bed), or opening the gate from our yard, or eating Tiger Balm. His passions at this stage of life are: his puppies, cars and trucks, water, books, tools, and animals.
JUSTIN
We knew before we married that adoption would be an integral part of our life one day (Tim's two siblings were adopted, and Heather felt the calling to adopt while in college). In mid-January of this year (2007), we received a phone call one icy, wintry evening notifying us that 1) we were officially licensed as foster-to-adopt parents through Buckner Children & Family Services here in west Texas and, in the same breath, 2) that there was a little 9-month-old boy needing placement. On a side note, 140 children come into foster care in our area every month. Justin has become the second love of our life, though we're pretty sure his presence in our home is not permanent. He is a sweet, chatty, bubbly little boy who loves to eat -- his favorite food we've discovered is FOOD!
MAGGIE
Maggie was our first child of sorts; we got her as a puppy in our first year of marriage. In a litter of black cockapoos, she was the only one with a white chin (which looked like spilled milk) and a touch of white on her paws. Tim and Heather both grew up with Cocker Spaniels, loving the sweet loyalty of the dogs, but frustrated at times by their temperamental nature (especially around kids), so we opted for a cocker-poodle mix (poodle mixes are great for those who struggle with allergies because they don't shed). Maggie is now older than us in dog years, but still very much a child and extremely high-maintenance at times. She's a bit prissy and hates to get her feet wet outside (she will swim, though, but only to fetch one of her favorite toys -- a stick). Overall, she is extremely loyal, is keenly aware of our moods, is an anticipator, and extremely bright and trainable. We call her our "circus dog." Her passions are: sticks, treats for tricks, avoiding Ethan at all costs, herding Pascha when he gets the crazies, barking at any weird noise, tearing up toys to get to the squeakers inside, and laying on top of our chests when we lay face up.
PASCHA
We rescued Pascha, a Sheltie mix, from doggie jail in February of 2006. His name has its roots in either the Greek or Latin for "Passover" and "Easter", and we joke that an early death "passed him over" when he came to live with us. While Maggie can be high-strung at times, Pascha is extremely laid back and loves to snuggle and be petted; he'll even sit on us (and the boys) to make sure he gets his fair share of affection. He's really good with the kids, even patiently letting them pull his long, lovely hair. In contrast to Maggie, he loves playing outside and doesn't mind a bit becoming entirely muddy for the sake of fun. Though easy-going, he can just as easily succumb to the crazies and runs all around the house in wild abandon. Frisky and fun-loving, his passions are: stealing Maggie's toys, fetching a ball, petting from his humans, chasing bugs, chasing our laser light all around the floor (much like his feline counterparts), sneaking up to sleep under the boys' beds.