What does "Family Life" mean to you?
Family life is very important to us. To us, it means spending time together as a family, whether we’re eating dinner, going for walks, camping, visiting family, or playing games. We spend a lot of time together around the house, running errands, driving to work, and going for bike rides. We’re very excited to have a child be included in our family activities and to impress upon him or her how important family is.
Describe your childhood:
Adoptive Mom?
As a child, I learned the importance of family, being a good person, being kind and thinking of others. I’ve always been very close with my family. My brother is two years younger than me and, throughout childhood, we were each other’s best playmates. Our imaginations were our favorite toys. On weekends, birthdays, holidays, and special times we’d visit extended family that lived nearby. I’m very close with my cousins and they feel like other brothers and sisters. School was a good experience for me, which helped me decide to become a teacher myself. I enjoyed learning, working hard, and seeing my friends each day. I also enjoyed participating in school activities. I ran cross country, played basketball and soccer, sang in the choir, and was part of the stage crew for high school musicals.
Adoptive Dad?
My fondest memories as a child were playing down by the creek, which was surrounded by a small forest and fields. Many neighborhood kids would get together to swim, build forts, and play numerous games. I also remember doing special things with my parents during the summer; they were both teachers. My mom would take us to the local swimming pool for the early afternoon session, but we’d have to leave after the first break. When we’d get home, she made us chocolate milkshakes and the sleepiness would kick in-we were down for a nap. (Mom knew what she was doing. Nap time was quiet time for her.) My dad and I would play baseball in the backyard, practicing pitching for hours on end. Every once in a while, we’d have to take a break to check the food on the grill. As I grew up, my experience in basketball, baseball, and running allowed me to work with kids in summer camps. I realized I was a positive role model and this led me to my career choice as a teacher.
Tell us about your home?
We love our ranch-style home, which is about nine years old. In the center of our house is a great room, that includes the kitchen, dining room, and family room. This is definitely where we spend the majority of our time, and a perfect place to relax in when family and friends visit. On one side of the great room is our master bedroom and bathroom. On the other side, there are two extra bedrooms (one of which will become the nursery) and another bathroom. We’re in the process of finishing our walk-out basement. When it’s completed, it will include another bedroom and bathroom, an office, and a larger family room. This will be ideal for spreading out kids’ toys and books. Grandmas and Grandpas will also, then, have their own space when they visit their grandchild. Our large fenced-in backyard is almost like a park because of all the trees lining it. It’s the perfect place for children and dogs to play in safely.
When you have a 3-day weekend, what do you like to do?
When we have a 3-day weekend, we like to spend most of it visiting family. Many times, we can plan ahead so that our siblings, parents, and/or extended family can all get together. We enjoy playing with the dogs, going swimming or on boat rides, playing games, and listening to music. There’s always great cooking and a lot of laughter.
Do you have pets? If so tell us about them?
We have two dogs that are definitely a part of our family. Miles is a 6-year-old Black Lab mix who loves to play Frisbee and go swimming. Molly is a 3-year-old Golden Retriever who loves running around the backyard and getting petted. Both dogs are happy, laidback, and very loving. They always get excited when we go for walks or rides in the car. Rarely are they ever far away from each other-they nap next to each other, wrestle, and play together. They are also the official “greeters” when we get home from work or when anyone comes to visit.
What is your favorite food?
Kristen’s favorite food is corn on the cob. Sam’s favorite food is stir-fry.
What do you hope to teach your children?
We hope to teach our children family and moral values in order to become good people. We also want to teach them to be responsible, caring, self-confident, and independent individuals.
Do you play any musical instruments?
Sam used to play trumpet and was even in a jazz group in college. Kristen used to play clarinet and piano. Neither of us play musical instruments anymore, but we love listening to music. We often have jazz playing as we prepare dinner or clean the house.
Describe your neighborhood?
We live in a quiet, safe neighborhood in a small town. Many of the adults are police officers or teachers-our road is affectionately referred to as “Teacher Row.” Our neighbors are extremely friendly-always ready to talk, help out, or share some goodies from their gardens. Our neighborhood is very family-friendly. Most days, you can see young kids running around, riding their bikes, swimming or building snow forts (depending on the season), and having fun. Many of our neighbors also have dogs who love to say hi.
Share something about your spouse that only you know:
Adoptive Mom?
Sam whistles when he is content and happy.
Adoptive Dad?
Kristen drinks a lot of chocolate milk.
Describe the last romantic thing you did together?
The other day, we picked strawberries from a local farm to bring home. As we cleaned and prepared the strawberries, we gave each other a strawberry treat. Basic, daily activities often become special times for us as a couple.
What will you tell your child about their birthmother?
We’ll make sure our child knows that his/her birthmother was a caring, courageous, selfless person who wanted to make sure her child grew up in a loving and stable home. Any questions our child has about his/her birth family, we’ll answer honestly. We want our child to know how highly we think of his/her birthmother and how important she is to us.
It's Daddy's day - what activity do you want to share with your child?
On this summer day, which is Daddy’s day, we work up a sweat by hiking on one of the many trails in the area. We look for bugs and animals that were interesting, so we could share what we saw with Mom. Then, to cool off, we go to a local lake and take a dip. To top off the day, we stop at the ice cream shop on the way home. However, we won’t tell Mom because she’d be concerned that we were spoiling our supper appetite.
Do you plan on sharing with your child what their birth parents were like?
We definitely plan on sharing what our child’s birthparents were like. We know it’s important for the child’s self-esteem and sense of belonging to know as much as possible about the adoption and birthparents. Discussions will be open, honest, and ongoing.
What kind of education are you hoping to provide for your child - Private or Public?
As public school teachers in a small town, we’ll be happy to have our child attend the district we work in. Our schools are excellent and always looking for ways to become even better. Since it’s a small district, and class sizes are usually less than 20 students per teacher, students get much needed one-on-one attention and help. Even though the district is small, students have a lot of opportunities like choir, band, art, drama, and athletics. Our schools are very important to our community. Athletic events, concerts, and plays are always well attended by community members.
How did you come to the decision of adoption?
We’ve always known we wanted a family. However, for the last few years, we haven‘t been able to get pregnant. We’re so excited to have children and love them unconditionally. Right now, we feel led to grow our family through adoption.
What faith will you raise your child?
Our child will be raised as a Christian Scientist. Kristen is very active in her Christian Science church. Sam is Christian also, but is not affiliated with any one church. Occasionally, he accompanies Kristen to church because he feels it’s an important thing to do as a family.
How will you help your child accomplish their dreams?
We will always give our child positive support. We know it’s important for him/her to try things out on his/her own, but we’ll also help guide when necessary. We’ll make sure our child gets a great education, both from the teachers and schools, as well as from us as the parents. We’ll also expose our child to a lot of different activities so he/she can find out what interests him/her.
What kind of a relationship do you hope to build with your birthmom through her pregnancy?
We hope to have an open line of communication with our child‘s birthmother. During her pregnancy, we hope to get to know each other so she feels comfortable and confident about her decision. We’d also like to learn as much as we can about her so we can share that information with our child as he/she grows up and asks questions.
How did you meet?
We met while we were in college; we had a few teaching classes together. Because we lived near each other, we would walk to and from class together. This gave us a great opportunity to get to know each other. On our first date, Sam took Kristen out to dinner and then we drove through a park to look at Christmas lights (he remembered her saying how much she loved looking at Christmas lights). We continued to date for about a year before we were engaged on New Year’s Eve. Nine months later, we were married on a beautiful day, with our family and friends sharing the excitement and joy with us.
What was your relationship with your parents like?
Our relationships have always been close with our parents. Growing up, and now as adults, the communication is open and honest. We could go to them with any problem or question and know that they’d help. As adults, we think our relationships have gotten even closer with our parents. We realize, even more now, how important our parents and family are.
What attracted you to each other?
I was attracted to Sam’s looks and personality right away. He has always been good at thinking of creative, unique, and special activities for us to do together. Without even realizing it, he can give me a look to make me feel like I‘m on top of the world.
I was attracted to Kristen’s looks, and as we started dating, I realized how kind and caring she is. I knew then, that she’d be an excellent wife and loving mother. Growing up with teachers as parents, it was wonderful to have both of them home during summer vacation. Kristen wanting to become a teacher, like myself, that was a bonus.
Please describe your personalities:
Adoptive Mom?
Kristen is caring, sensitive, sincere, and laidback. She really looks for and tries to bring out the best in everyone.
Adoptive Dad?
Sam is laidback, funny, kind, and sincere. He understands where others are coming from and then tries to help them.
What are your hobbies (please share those you enjoy as individuals and those you enjoy as a couple):
Adoptive Mom? Kristen enjoys cooking, baking, and reading.
Adoptive Dad? Sam enjoys listening to jazz music and biking.
Together, we like to camp, go for walks with our dogs, bike, and go to ball games.
When you close your eyes and see yourself holding your precious baby in your arms what are your thoughts regarding the birthmother?
I am so thankful to our child’s birthmother for this precious gift. I know that she is truly remarkable and has given us a wonderful blessing. She will always be a special person.
How will a child enrich your life?
With our child, we will be able to share our love and values. We’ll be able to see the world through a growing child’s innocent and pure eyes. We’ll also be able to experience activities and sights in new ways with our child.
Why did you each choose the career path you decided on?
Adoptive Mom?
I loved school and knew, early on, that I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to see children grow, learn, and realize who they are and what they can do. I also wanted to be a solid, positive influence on the lives of young children.
Adoptive Dad?
My main goal in becoming a teacher was to have a positive impact on youth. I am able to do this as a middle school teacher and high school boys’ basketball coach. I also realized the importance of spending time with family during summer vacations and holidays, and being a teacher gives me the opportunity to do this.
What makes a birthmom special?
A birthmother is special because she’s providing us with an opportunity to start a family. She’s extremely brave, loving, and selfless to make an adoption plan for the baby she’s carrying. Our child will always know what a wonderful, special person his/her birthmother is.
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