We want you to know that we completely admire the love, unselfishness and devotion that you are demonstrating by considering adoption. We will do everything in our power to make sure that this child has every opportunity for a happy and successful life. We will love this child unconditionally and encourage them to follow their dreams, be kind toward others, and to respect the life that you have given him or her. Your will always be remembered in our prayers. We will be forever grateful to you for placing this child in our arms.

Jim Suzanne Job Description Senior Network Engineer/Consultant for a Major Financial Institution Stay-at-Home Mom & Part-time Network Strategic Research (from Home) for a Major Financial Institution Education Majored in Business Administration for 2 Years while Working, Many Advanced Technical/Networking Certifications Related to His Profession Bachelor's Degree in Psychology & Minor in Speech Language Pathology, Master's Degree in Human Resources Administration, Many Professional Certifications Favorites Childhood Memory Cruise with Entire Family Childhood Memory Family Beach Vacations Disney Movie Old Yeller Disney Movie Parent Trap Family Activity Camping Family Activity Beach Vacations Hobby Woodworking & Home Improvement Hobby Cooking & Exercising Leisure Activity Spending Time Outdoors & Playing Basketball Leisure Activity Reading, Walking & Travel Children Kara-2 years old

We received a call in February 2005 informing us that someone selected us to be her child's parents. It was a feeling that we will never forget. We met Kara's birth mom and family very early during her pregnancy. We immediately hit it off. Within minutes we were laughing and joking around. We turned out to be very similar in many ways and we knew right away that we wanted the same things for Kara. We had a wonderful experience together and became very close. We continue to keep in touch through e-mail, cards, pictures, and an occasional phone call. We know that she and the rest of her family think of Kara everyday and we also know how much they love her. We think of them every day also. They are reassured in knowing that she is loved with all of our hearts.

Kara is a beautiful child in everyway. She is sweet, funny and very loving. One of her biggest pleasures is making us laugh. She is constantly amusing us and has already developed a great sense of humor. Kara is always the kindest girl at the playground. She loves being outside. In fact, getting her to come inside is our biggest challenge. She loves all animals, large and small. We take long walks looking for frogs, deer, horses, barns, etc. She is also crazy about babies. When she spots a baby stroller, while we are out, she races to see the baby. We have had many people tell us that she will be a wonderful big sister. She loves dressing up, playing with her dolls, being read to, and coloring. She is also a real Daddy's girl. She likes hanging out with Jim while he works on cars and builds things in the garage. She pays attention to everything he does. Hopefully, she will learn his "Mr. Fix It" talents. Her best friends are her golden retrievers and her cousins. She is a child that truly loves life.

We talk to Kara about being adopted and read her age appropriate story books about adoption. She will grow up knowing how much her birth family loves her. Kara will always be encouraged to share her feelings with us about adoption.

Kara’s 2nd Birthday at Our Home

Suzanne: Birthdays are very important in our family. We get together for everyone's birthday, including the adults. My Mom always makes our birthday special by cooking our favorite meal and birthday cake. This year for our daughter Kara's 2nd birthday, we had a big party with all of our family and friends. Jim's sister brought a pony from her horse stable because she knows how much Kara loves animals. All the children got to take turns riding the pony. They had a blast. We will always make our children's birthdays something extra special, just as my Mom has always done.

Jim: An Easter egg hunt with all the children has been a tradition in our family for years. My parents fill the Easter eggs with candy and money and I get to hide the eggs in the craziest places.

Suzanne and Jim: While our families get together for all the holidays, Christmas is our favorite holiday. We decorate the house inside and out. Our extended families all get together on Christmas Eve at our home and enjoy a traditional dinner and opening of presents. Before exchanging gifts, everyone gets to pick a grab bag gift. It is always a big hit, especially with the children, no matter how inexpensive or simple the gift may be. Since our marriage, Christmas morning is our special holiday time together. We get up and have a big breakfast and exchange our gifts. In the afternoon we go over to Jim's parent's home and have another Christmas celebration with Jim's relatives. What could be better than celebrating Christmas three times a year? It is a tradition that gets more joyous every year.

Camping/Vacations: We usually take two big vacations a year. We also love to take lots of weekend trips and one day excursions. Our daughter Kara has already been to so many places. We go camping every summer with our closet friends and Jim's brother's children. We have been doing this every year since we got married 16 years ago. We sit around the campfire telling stories, roasting marshmallows, and eating all day long. We even have fun when it rains!