What does "Family Life" mean to you?
Family life is the ability and willingness to spend time with parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family on a regular basis. It allows one to be able to truly know and respect one another and see each other grow. It also allows us to recant stories with everyone knowing the characters. Family life keeps you grounded and reminds you what is important in this world, love.
Describe your childhood:
Adoptive Mom? I am an only child. During my childhood, we traveled and lived in various islands of the Caribbean. I was and am very close to my mother’s side of the family. As a family, we always traveled and spent time together. I was able to be schooled in various countries and pick up several languages. My childhood was very loving and nurturing.
Adoptive Dad? I am the oldest of four siblings and have three younger sisters. I lived in the Midwest for twelve years, moved in 1977 to Pennsylvania, and have lived there since. I had an uneventful childhood. I was a Boy Scout for a couple of years, and played t-ball and baseball up to age twelve. My passion is basketball which I played competitively until 11th grade. As a family, we did a lot of sightseeing which included Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. These and other trips were filled with fun and laughter.
Tell us about your home?
Our home is a two-story traditional home. We have four bedrooms, one which is being used as an office, and 2.5 baths. We have a huge living room, dining room and family room. Our backyard is fenced in to accommodate a small dog. Our home is welcoming. It is warm and cozy, not overly furnished. It is not only where we hang our hat in the evening but is a place that has lots of room for playing and family time. We enjoy hosting family and friends for brunches, luncheons, and dinners. Out-of-town friends feel comfortable just stopping by and know that they have a place to spend the night.
When you have a 3-day weekend, what do you like to do?
We enjoy going to the movies, the park and if there is time, dinner at a restaurant. If we go to the park, we take Roscoe, our dog with us. We enjoy being together, whether it’s being outdoors or watching sports.
Do you have pets? If so tell us about them?
Roscoe is a Jack Russell/Beagle mix. We got him at an SPCA shelter. He is very protective and playful. Although he is a lap-size dog, he does not like to be carried. He behaves like a big dog. He is our watchdog and bed companion. He loves belly rubs and treats.
What is your favorite food?
Angela’s favorite foods are seafood and Italian. She loves all sorts of fish grilled or fried; and for her Italian food, she prefers rose-cream or wine sauces. Joe’s favorite foods are seafood and Italian also. He likes his seafood grilled. He likes red gravy.
What do you hope to teach your children?
We believe that children should be reared with a combination of discipline, encouragement, love, and patience. We want to foster independence yet insure that the child understands respect of others and their elders. We want to teach them about our Catholic faith and have them involved in helping others. We also want to teach our children languages and the arts.
Do you play any musical instruments?
Neither Joe nor Angela plays musical instruments.
Describe your neighborhood?
Our home is situated in an established neighborhood surrounded by nature yet close to amenities. Our neighborhood is private and tranquil. We have quick access to a children’s park with a souped up playground, several fields for sports and are close to several good schools. It is a family-oriented community. Age groups vary. Our neighbors are relatively young (40’s). We are walking distance to the YMCA and two minutes from shopping areas.
Share something about your spouse that only you know:
Adoptive Mom? Joe is very calm and easygoing but is not a pushover.
Adoptive Dad? Angela may be tough on the outside, but she is a very caring and thoughtful person.
Describe the last romantic thing you did together?
We attended a wedding in New Orleans and treated ourselves to fine dining and lots of pampering.
What will you tell your child about their birthmother?
I believe that at an early age Joe and I will broach the subject of adoption with our child. Adoption is a wonderful thing. Our child will know that both her birthparents and we who raised her love her more than anything. We will be honest with our child. If we have details on the birthmother, we will share them.
It's Daddy's day - what activity do you want to share with your child?
I would do whatever the child enjoys, whether it’s playing a sport, going shopping or sharing a hot dog. I would be thankful just to be able to spend time with our child.
Do you plan on sharing with your child what their birth parents were like?
I believe that at an early age Joe and I will broach the subject of adoption with our child. Adoption is a wonderful thing. Our child will know that both her birthparents and we who raised her love her more than anything. We will be honest with our child. If we have details on the birthmother, we will share them.
What kind of education are you hoping to provide for your child - Private or Public?
We will have our child experience both Private (Catholic school) as well as Public School.
How did you come to the decision of adoption?
Being a parent has always been important to us. I want to be a mother; and, Joe wants to be a father. We have so much to pass on to our child. Not only is there loyalty, love and values; there is also knowledge and lessons. We want to see our child become independent and have her own thoughts and feelings. We want to see our child become a young adult and have children of her own. We want to look at her and be proud of what she has become from the nurturing that we provided to her. We would want to see in her some of us. The decision of adopting was made by life circumstances. Angela has known for many years that the only way she would have children to rear is through adoption (either it be by marrying someone with children or adoption). Parenting has always been a yearning we have had.
What faith will you raise your child?
As to religion, Joe and I were brought up in Catholic homes. All we have known and practiced is the Christian Catholic upbringing. Although Joe and I are both Catholic, because we were raised in different parts of the world, we have different practices. Joe and I come together with our practices. Joe’s parents are very observant as mine are not. As an adult, I became more involved with my faith. Joe has been involved with religious education for those who want to receive their confirmation. As to values, I believe our values were developed through teachings of right and wrong as well as through religion. We lead our lives within the teachings of our faith and with reasoning.
How will you help your child accomplish their dreams?
We will encourage the child to do the best they can do and never forget that we will always be there for them in good times and bad. No dream is too silly, too small or unreachable.
What kind of a relationship do you hope to build with your birthmom through her pregnancy?
We hope to build a relationship that is built on trust and honesty. We would want to help with any financial, emotional or spiritual needs of the birthmother.
How did you meet?
Joe and I met through eHarmony.com. We were matched in June 2003 and did not meet in person until September of that year. Immediately, we hit it off. It was as though we knew the other was everything we were waiting for.
What was your relationship with your parents like?
We are very close to our parents. We always did activities together. We still get together on a regular basis and speak on the telephone once or twice a week.
What attracted you to each other?
Angela was attracted to Joe’s easygoing nature and his sense of humor. Joe was attracted to Angela’s honesty and no-nonsense approach.
Please describe your personalities:
Adoptive Mom?
I am sensitive yet prickly, shielding my hurt. I tend to put my vulnerabilities aside to help comfort others instead. I am warm towards others. People trust me and know that I am sincere.
Adoptive Dad? I am rational, sensitive, tender, and warm. I have a delightful sense of humor. I have the uncanny ability to see right through Angela’s toughness and provide her the comfort and support that she needs.
What are your hobbies (please share those you enjoy as individuals and those you enjoy as a couple):
Adoptive Mom? Angela enjoys dancing, art, scrapbooking, cooking, reading thrillers or crime books, and photography. She also enjoy swimming, bowling and tinkering with my computer. One of Angela’s favorite pastimes is attending the Renaissance Faire in Maryland, in the fall. Although she cannot play any instrument, she likes all sorts of music (for listening or dancing)—any meringue, salsa, Paso doble, foxtrot, swing, soft rock, tumba, tango, calypso, soca, reggae, big band, old ballads, and country. She does not like rap and is picky about classical music choices.
Adoptive Dad? Joe is a sports fan who enjoys watching, playing and attending sporting events. He can remember from his earliest recollection that he has always enjoyed sports. He enjoys taking care of our lawn and playing with our dog, Roscoe. He enjoys spending time with our family and friends, who have children ranging from age 3 to age 21.
When you close your eyes and see yourself holding your precious baby in your arms what are your thoughts regarding the birthmother?
Our thoughts of the birthmother are that she gave us the most precious thing in our lives. She has blessed us with her wonderful child. Caring for her precious child and showering her with love will be our far-most duty and responsibility. We are grateful and honored by her gift. We are fortunate.
How will a child enrich your life?
The child will show us how to be self-sacrificing and humble. The child will help us become better people through everything we do to raise the child.
Why did you each choose the career path you decided on?
Adoptive Mom?
Angela enjoys business and the creative side of marketing. She excelled in her communication, analytical and organizational skills. She likes the flexibility of being in a support position versus being an executive because it allows her the opportunity to focus on family and friends.
Adoptive Dad?
Joe enjoys accounting and finance because of his high school accounting teacher. Because of the passion of his accounting teaching, he decided to make accounting his major in college. With the accounting degree, he was able to obtain his CPA.
What makes a birthmom special?
A birthmom is special because she is giving Angela and me a chance to raise a child that we cannot have on our own.
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