We know this is just one of many profiles you have had to or will have to sort through and we thank you for taking the time to consider us. We understand what a difficult decision this is for you and admire your strength for doing the best thing you can for your child no matter what. Please know that if you choose us to bring up your child, we will do everything and anything to give them a great childhood and a good foundation to take with them on their journey through life. We are just waiting for the opportunity to give a child a loving, fun-filled home!

Anthony Shannon Job Description Correction Officer Patient Care Technician in an Area Hospital Education Some College Associates of Arts in Elementary Education, Currently Obtaining an Associates of Science for a Degree in Nursing (Will be an RN upon Completion in 2008) Favorites Dream Job Scuba Instructor Dream Job Nurse in Disney World Family Activity Mini Golf Family Activity Going to the Boardwalk Leisure Activity Fishing Leisure Activity Reading on the Beach Sport to Play Baseball Sport to Play Softball Tradition Sunday Dinner with Family Tradition Sunday Dinner with Family Children None

Between us, we have family that have adopted, been adopted and have placed a child for adoption. Anthony's aunt and uncle adopted their two sons many years ago. They have both graduated from college and one is married with a child on the way. His aunt checks in on us regularly to ask about our progress and how we are doing with our adoption journey. She frequently lets us know she is there for us if we ever have any questions.

Eight years ago, Anthony's cousin and his wife adopted their daughter through American Adoptions. She is a beautiful little girl whom everyone adores. The same agency also assisted some old friends of ours to realize their dream of becoming parents not more that a couple of years ago.

Shannon's cousin was on the other side of the coin. He and his girlfriend made the difficult decision to place their child for adoption. At the time, they had one child and were barely making ends meet. They knew they wanted more for their child than they could possibly give at that time. They were still young and felt that this was the right decision for them. Our family respected and supported their decision and the baby was placed into a great home with parents who love him very much. To this day, they believe that was the best decision they could have ever made for their son.

Our priorities always have and always will lie with our families. That is not to say we would shun other responsibilities, but shuffling them has become an art form for us. When Shannon was going through all of the fertility treatments, Anthony was there. When Anthony's father had a heart attack and his mother battled cancer, Shannon was there. We strongly believe that family comes first. We had taken temporary custody of a foster child for about 6 weeks in 2006 and we reshaped our lives and our work schedules for that infant without even batting our eyes because he was our family, if only for those 6 weeks. We are very similar that way. That is how we know that when the time comes for us to have the opportunity to raise a child, we will do whatever it takes to rearrange and give that baby everything he or she will ever need…a home, food, clothes, support, understanding, encouragement, education and most importantly, love and we will be there every step of the way to watch him or her play, learn and grow.

With Tigger at Disney World

We love Disney!! We love going alone or with kids. We've gone every year for 4 years. We even bought into the Disney Vacation Club which is like a time share, but better. We went in October of '06 with Anthony's whole family. It was our niece and nephews first trip and we had such a great time. We went on all the rides with them, or just stood in line and exited before the ride if someone got scared. Every morning our 8 year old nephew would get up before 7am, get himself dressed and knock on our bedroom door. We'd say "Who is it?" He'd say his full first and last name. When we'd ask what he wanted, his response was always, "I'm ready!!" It was too cute!! We just had to get out of bed and take him somewhere until everyone else was ready.

When we go alone, we have just as much fun. We're like big kids!! We get pictures with characters, get on all the rides and just have a ball. The best part about Disney World is that there's so much there beyond the theme parks. We shop, go to the water parks, or relax by a pool. We can stroll the "boardwalk", take the kids miniature golfing, to a petting zoo or horseback riding. You can even go camping…. in a tent!!! Okay we've begun to sound like a commercial now so we'll shut up…but we really love it!!!