About Us |
Family Photos |
Family Details |
Contact Family
Featured Family: Christopher and Melanie
Chris and Melanie
What does "Family Life" mean to you?
For us, family life is all about the special moments we spend together. It is the cornerstone of our lives and the thing that bring us the most joy.
Describe your childhood:
Adoptive Mom? My childhood was filled with love and nurturing care. My parents made my sister and me their top priority and shared their love of learning and family with us. We took many family trips and spent much time together. I had an exceptionally positive childhood and am very grateful to my parents.
Adoptive Dad? My childhood was filled with fun and adventure with my four siblings. My mom stayed home with us and my dad worked hard to support the family. We often took long ski trips and camping trips together. I had a very happy childhood and have very fond memories.
Tell us about your home?
We have a sprawling brick home in a lovely neighborhood. We have large French doors that open to our oversized backyard, where we can often be found. We have a large kitchen that is often filled with laughter and sweet smells of home cooked food. We also have a bedroom that is just waiting for our new addition.
When you have a 3-day weekend, what do you like to do?
We love to camp and travel. New Mexico offers beautiful mountains for skiing, hiking and camping and there is sunshine most days of the year. If we are staying home, we spend time with our many family members and friends who have children as well. Cooking and gardening are two of our favorite things to do when we are home.
Do you have pets? If so tell us about them?
We have a big, cuddlely yellow Labrador named Jack. He absolutely loves children. He is definitely a member of our family and brings lots of love to our lives.
What is your favorite food?
We all love Italian food, especially pasta with meat sauce. We often spend lazy weekend days cooking pasta sauce, talking, laughing, and just enjoying each other’s company.
What do you hope to teach your children?
We hope to teach our children the value of hard work, and the importance of family, ethics, and community service. We also want them to know that they are loved unconditionally.
Do you play any musical instruments?
We both played instruments in school.
Describe your neighborhood?
Our neighborhood is filled with homes on oversized lots, with beautiful trees and landscaping. Most of the homes are brick. We have a park and a swimming pool in walking distance and we visit both often.
Share something about your spouse that only you know:
Adoptive Mom? She loves to eat chips in bed.
Adoptive Dad? He really enjoys dyeing Easter eggs with our daughter and has even downloaded Martha Stewart’s tips regarding making the prettiest eggs. (Shhh – don’t tell his buddies.)
Describe the last romantic thing you did together?
We took a leisurely walk along a beautiful river that flows several miles from our home.
What will you tell your child about their birthmother?
We will tell our child that she was an incredibly brave woman who wanted only the best for her child.
It's Daddy's day - what activity do you want to share with your child?
Definitely a trip to the ice cream parlor and the park.
Do you plan on sharing with your child what their birth parents were like?
We would love to share whatever information the birthmom wanted us to share with the child.
What kind of education are you hoping to provide for your child - Private or Public?
Our children will definitely attend private school. We have the resources to see that our children receive the absolutely best education possible and we are committed to doing so. Education is very important to us and we hope to share that value with our children.
How did you come to the decision of adoption?
When we learned that another pregnancy would not be feasible for us, adoption was a natural choice as four of Melanie’s cousins are adopted. For us, it is a perfectly natural way to complete our family.
What faith will you raise your child?
Catholic.
How will you help your child accomplish their dreams?
We will teach them the importance of persistence and practice. We will also support our children with our time and dedication in helping them achieve whatever is in their hearts.
What kind of a relationship do you hope to build with your birthmom through her pregnancy?
We would love to get to know the birthmom and support her through this difficult time. We would, of course, allow the birthmom to decide the extent and nature of the relationship that would best help her and make her feel most comfortable.
How did you meet?
We met while we were both playing soccer.
What was your relationship with your parents like?
We were both incredibly blessed to have fabulous relationships with our parents. Our parents taught us through example how to be wonderful parents and marriage partners. Indeed, Melanie’s parents have been married for 40 years and Chris’ parents for 44 years.
What attracted you to each other?
Adoptive Mom? Chris’ humor definitely attracted me to him. He is genuinely the funniest person I have ever met and I love laughing with him.
Adoptive Dad? Melanie’s kindness and sweet nature won me over.
Please describe your personalities:
Adoptive Mom? Melanie is very kind and nurturing. Her family comes before everything else in her life and she would not have it any other way.
Adoptive Dad? Energetic and very fun-loving. Chris is very social and loves being surrounded by family and friends. He is also a wonderful provider and a calm and generous man.
What are your hobbies (please share those you enjoy as individuals and those you enjoy as a couple):
Adoptive Mom? We love to cook, hike, camp and travel together. I also enjoy reading and yoga.
Adoptive Dad? One of Chris’ favorite pastimes is coaching our daughter’s soccer team. Above all we enjoy spending time together as a family.
When you close your eyes and see yourself holding your precious baby in your arms what are your thoughts regarding the birthmother?
I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude at her selflessness and courage. I am also incredibly proud and honored that my sweet baby has such an amazing human being for a birthmother and shares her very special genes.
How will a child enrich your life?
We will be truly blessed to add the sweet laughter and joyful smiles of a new baby to our lives.
Why did you each choose the career path you decided on?
Adoptive Mom? I love challenges and being intellectually stimulated and the law offers both of these things in abundance. I am truly fortunate to only work very part-time as a lawyer and have time to spend with my family. I also appreciate that my children will have the role model of a successful working woman but still have the benefit of most of my time.
Adoptive Dad? I enjoy being up on the latest computer technology and working with people. IT was a natural fit for me.
What makes a birthmom special?
She is brave and courageous. She is making the most difficult choice to help her unborn child and will be enriching the adoptive family’s life in so many wonderful ways.
|
Adoption Brochure