Describe your childhood:
Adoptive Mom? Well, first I want to say that I was adopted as an infant. I was adopted into a loving home and unfortunately lost my father to a heart attack when I was only 2 years old. So, although I never knew my dad, I have been told that he was a very loving father. My mom remarried when I was only 5 and I grew up with a wonderful step-dad. When I think of my childhood, I remember playing with my sister and my best friend, playing with many pets, going to church, traveling to the beach, riding horses, and spending holidays with extended family at my uncle's camp house. I would say I had a well-balanced childhood where I was encouraged to work hard and do well in school but yet I had lots of fun!
Adoptive Dad? I had a wonderful childhood. My parents were both very loving and supportive of me and my brothers. Most of my memories are with my brothers- playing sports in the yard, swimming in our pool, and having friends over. We traveled a good bit to the beach, out west, and internationally. I went to one of the top private schools in the nation and loved it. I was given every opportunity to grow and learn that a child could possibly want. It was a happy and typical American childhood.
Tell us about your home?
Our house is a gray cedar and stone house with about 2 acres of land - wooded with a creek in the back. It has 3 floors and the bottom floor is a huge playroom. Our house is simply the physical structure… what we fill it with comprises our home and our home is full of love and good times! It is a Christ-centered home where an "attitude of gratitude" is always emphasized. We cherish time together here and often times will put aside "chores" or work to simply hang out! Hanging out can involve turning the music up and dancing and being silly, playing board games, cooking together, playing in the yard, riding bikes, playing with the dog, watching a movie, etc. We believe education and a good work ethic are important, but not at the expense of relationships.
When you have a 3-day weekend, what do you like to do?
We either like to get away for a short vacation or stay home and get projects done and just relax. If we stay in town, we like to do things like riding bikes, swimming, playing golf, maybe go downtown to a show (play or musical or concert), go shopping at the outlet mall, rent a boat to go skiing, or have friends or family (we have several cousins that live very close to us) over, etc. If we go out of town, we like to go hiking or camping in the mountains and see the fall colors, go to college football games, go white water rafting, visit the grandparents, or hop up to NYC!
Do you have pets? If so tell us about them?
Yes- we have 1 dog which is the cutest and sweetest white cock-a-poo! His name is "Bear" because he looks like a white teddy bear! His favorite things to do are go for a walk and play with our son! We also have 1 cat and her name is "Scaredy". She is also the sweetest pet ever! We are very fortunate to have 2 very social and friendly pets! Oh- we also have 5 fish.
What do you hope to teach your children?
First and foremost how much God loves us just as we are! Also, that God makes no mistakes and we are all perfect in His eyes! This being the foundation for everything, we will teach your child that life is a journey full of ups and downs and it is how we view and handle these ups and downs that will stretch us and grow us as individuals. We will teach that education and hard work are important and that nurturing relationships is too. We will teach them to put others first and always give to those less fortunate. We will also teach them to be responsible and forgiving. We will teach them to balance fun and hard work and to not take life too seriously. We all mess up - it's ok - learn from it, ask forgiveness, and move on. We live in an imperfect world where people are all different - love them all and accept their imperfections because that's what you would want them to do for you.
Describe your neighborhood?
It has about 82 homes and is beautiful! It is full of beautiful landscapes and lots of flowers. It has a nice clubhouse with a pool, tennis courts, nature trail, and play set. Most families here are young and have children. The children play together in the cul-de-sac and in backyards. It is a very safe community removed just enough from the hustle and bustle of the city yet close enough to attend many cool things! It is surrounded by horse farms, parks, and beautiful land.
What will you tell your child about their birthmother?
That she loves him/her very much and that she loved him/her enough to place them for adoption so that he/she could have a better life. Being adopted myself, I will be able to completely relate to your child and the feelings that go along with being adopted. I can assure you that we will do everything we can to let him/her know that he/she was placed in our family because of love.
It's Daddy's day - what activity do you want to share with your child?
Whatever the child wants to do! Go to a pro baseball, football, or hockey game, or go to a water park or theme park, or go play golf. If your little one is a girl, Daddy would take her to the American Doll store or to get a manicure or shopping or riding bikes or whatever she wanted to do.
What kind of education are you hoping to provide for your child - Private or Public?
We have planned and are prepared to provide a private education at a Christian school.
How did you come to the decision of adoption?
I have always wanted to adopt because I was adopted (Angie). I want to give back. My husband and I have considered it together for several years now and we both just really felt now was the time to go forward with our dream. We know that God calls all of us to care for orphans and widows and we simply want to take a little one in, and make him or her a part of our family and love him/her like Jesus loves us - completely unconditionally.
What faith will you raise your child?
Christian
What kind of a relationship do you hope to build with your birthmom through her pregnancy?
A supportive and trusting one and it will depend on what type of relationship she wants with us too.
How did you meet?
We met through work. We admired and asked about each other from afar for several months before Paul had the courage to ask me out! I was a pharmaceutical rep and he was my customer! It only took a few dates to know it was a match made in heaven!
What was your relationship with your parents like?
Adoptive Mom? Well, my father who adopted me died when I was only 2 so I never knew him. My mom remarried and I had a step-dad from age 5 on and he passed away from Parkinson's disease many years ago. I had a good relationship with my parents but my mom is just one who does not know how to show her love really well and wasn't an open communicator and that came between us. My step-father was a really good man who really loved us. We had a great relationship.
Adoptive Dad? I had a great relationship with my parents, especially my mom. Both of my parents were so supportive of us and were very loving. My father worked a lot so I didn't see him as much as my mom but my mom literally showered us with unconditional love and attention. We are still very close and see them 4 or 5 times a year at least and all holidays.
What attracted you to each other?
Adoptive Mom? We were mostly attracted to each other's heart. Paul was the sweetest and most thoughtful guy I had met, not to mention quite handsome, smart, and funny. He was a man of integrity and had solid Christian values and he was so humble despite the fact that he was quite successful. Now, 11 years later, I know I am with the one God intended me to be with.
Adoptive Dad? I was attracted to her eyes, outgoing personality, smile, easy going-ness, ability to communicate so openly, and her loving heart. She possessed Christian values and really lived her life for a higher purpose. She was perfect for me and I knew it after the 3rd date!
Please describe your personalities:
Adoptive Mom? Fun-loving, silly, love to laugh and make others laugh, open-minded, good listener, loyal, hard working and goal-oriented, happy, energetic, grateful, outgoing and friendly, and warm. I possess a deep inner calm. I have a lot of peace in my heart that comes from my faith. I am reflective and a deep thinker. I live with a motto of "attitude of gratitude" for everything! Life is all about perspective and attitude!
Adoptive Dad? I am hard working, ethical, humble, loyal, compassionate, funny (at least my wife and co-workers say so!), very relational, very much a family man, a good communicator and a patient listener, and very calm. I have a peace within me that comes from God that keeps me centered on what really matters in life. Those who know me best say I am easy-going and laid back… a leader, but a gentle leader and I have a ton of love in me to give.
What are your hobbies (please share those you enjoy as individuals and those you enjoy as a couple):
Adoptive Mom? Spending time with my family is first and foremost and, tennis, piano, singing, dancing, working out, running, yoga, mission work, decorating, reading, writing, spending quality time with friends, golf, and traveling.
Adoptive Dad? Working in the yard, home projects, playing basketball and baseball and football with our son… going to SEC football games, mission work, reading, riding bikes, and golf.
When you close your eyes and see yourself holding your precious baby in your arms what are your thoughts regarding the birthmother?
Gratefulness - pure gratefulness ….. and sadness that the birth mom has to separate from her child. I will also feel admiration for how selfless and brave she was to go through with the pregnancy, put the needs of her child first, and make sure he or she will have a good life.
How will a child enrich your life?
A child will enrich our lives in so many ways. It is hard to imagine unless you have done it how much we, as parents, grow as individuals from the experience of raising a child. We have grown so much in wisdom, faith, and maturity with our first child and can't wait to see what God has in store for us with the second. All children bring a certain joy with them - they are such pure, empty little vessels when they come into this world just waiting to be filled and we can't wait to fill him or her with love, love, love!! He or she will give us another family member, a new daughter or son to love forever, celebrate the little milestones with, and a new baby brother or sister for our son, Haden. Haden is SO excited!!! He talks about the baby all the time and wants him or her now…so cute…to see the way that he will protect and love this little one will be icing on the cake!
Why did you each choose the career path you decided on?
Adoptive Mom?
I knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field…I like helping people and I have a great interest in health, personalities, and people. So, I began with a degree in psychology and then went to pharmacy school and I am now studying on line to get my Masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. I hope to work in counseling after the kids are grown as my #1 calling at this point in life is to be a mom and I am very blessed to be able to stay at home and do this.
Adoptive Dad? I have always wanted to be a doctor. I knew this even as a child. I like feeling like I am making a difference and truly helping people. It is a very rewarding job and I am so grateful that I've been able to pursue and accomplish this dream.
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