It has always been our hearts' desire and lifelong dream to share our passion for life with children. We have so much joy and love to give! We were inspired by two sets of friends who found great joy through adoption. Nothing is more important to us than becoming parents, and we view adoption as a wonderful way to build a family.

Allan Melanie Job Description Manager & Share Owner of an Outdoor Kitchen Store 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher Education Attended Two Years of College B.A Education Master's in Education Favorites Hobby Youth Group Kids & Sports Hobby Youth Group Kids & Sports Movie Jaws Movie Remember the Titans Musical Group Brooks & Dunn Musical Group Rascal Flatts Cartoon Bugs Bunny Cartoon Scooby Doo Magazine Florida Sportsman Magazine People Children None

We are very involved with our church-and this involvement has brought much joy to our lives! Two of Melanie's students invited us there about eight years ago. We were searching for a church, so we decided to go, and immediately fell in love with this family-oriented, "down-to-earth", active congregation. Melanie began serving on the youth staff right away (currently we have around 250 middle and high school students!) and Allan helps out as often as he can. We frequently have the youth kids over to our house for get-togethers, and escort them to local sporting events and concerts as well.

Allan plays softball on the men's team, and we just got back from an awesome, fun-filled "marriage retreat" (at a beautiful resort) with fifteen other couples. Our church has an amazing children's pastor who runs a wonderful program for pre-schoolers through 5th graders. We would love for our child (children) to be fully involved with this! Then, of course, we would like to have them involved in the middle and high school programs. We have always thought that we would be thrilled to put our own children in such fun, nurturing, and inspirational youth organizations!!

Melanie- "I noticed immediately that Allan has a gift-he is able to make ANYONE-old/young, male/female-feel very special. My first observations of him were on the cruise ship where we both worked. I marveled at his connection with the passengers and staff, then got to know him myself. After almost eight years of marriage, I still believe that my husband is a genuine, compassionate soul who makes me feel like I am a queen! He appreciates me and loves me at all times-whether I'm dressed to impress and at my best, or sick as a dog and at my worst! I also trust him with all my heart and KNOW that he will ALWAYS be by my side."

Allan-"Melanie's "bubbly" personality attracted me to her right away. She is sweet, kind, and wonderful, and makes me feel good about myself. I LOVE that she shares my interests in life-and that she is a sports fanatic like me! (Not too many guys are that lucky!) Melanie is easy to get along with and supports and encourages me frequently. Her strong spirituality and the fact that she loves me unconditionally inspire me to be the best I can be." To top it all off, we have "a BLAST" together! We have so much in common that we truly are best friends!”

Hercules & Xena

We have two dogs, a cat, and lots of fish. (We also have tons of squirrels that call our yard home!) We "rescued" our dog Hercules and our cat Spaz from the Humane Society. We found our "Warrior Princess" canine Xena at a local softball field when she was 5 months old and obviously homeless. It is a great feeling to spoil them with love and give them a safe and happy home. It is also awesome to be greeted at the door at the end of a long day with wagging tails, excited barks, and jumps for joy. Who can't feel happy when you are treated like a king or queen EVERY TIME YOU WALK THROUGH THE DOOR?!? We also crack up laughing as we watch Herc and Xena play tug-of- war with their stuffed animals, or romp through the yard with the neighbor dogs. It really becomes hilarious when the cat decides he wants "in" on the action!

Our pets are extremely loving and loyal and are precious to us! They are constantly adding joy and laughter to our lives!