We have wanted to be parents for as long as we can remember. We tried to have a child of our own but believe, with all our hearts, that God has another plan for us. That is what has led us to adoption. Adoption enabled us to extend our love for one another and share that love by creating a family. We are extremely kind and caring with a huge love for life and a desire to share that love with your child. We will love, care for and nurture your child while providing him or her the best opportunites life has to offer.

Tom Elise Job Description U.S. Army officer (Major) Stay-at-Home Mom, Formerly Elementary School Teacher Education BS Engineering Management & Master's Degree in Public Policy BA Elementary Education & MS in Education Favorites Hobby Hiking Hobby Watching Movies Bedtime Story The Little Engine That Could Bedtime Story Cinderella Childhood Memory Camping & Skiing with My Family Childhood Memory Sailing on the Hudson River with My Family Cartoon G.I. Joe Cartoon Scooby Doo Vacation Spot Italy, Czech Republic Vacation Spot Italy, Greece Children Margaret-1 year old

We have wanted to be parents for as long as we can remember. Even before we were married we talked about our desire to raise a family together. We adopted our daughter Maggie, who will be 2 in May, and each day we feel amazingly blessed. When we first met Maggie, we fell in love with her instantly. She has profoundly touched our lives in ways we couldn't have even imagined. We had always felt that becoming parents would be a privilege. Now we know it is.

We decided that it was important for Elise to be a stay-at-home mom. Each day Elise and Maggie share experiences like Gymboree, play dates, library story hours and playtime at the playground or pool. One of the highlights of the day is when Tom comes home from work. That's when family time begins! After walking our dog, playing and eating dinner together, Tom reads Maggie a story and puts her to bed. On the weekends we picnic, go to festivals, explore downtown DC and bike ride. Each day with Maggie is an adventure, a chance to explore and learn, laugh and play. Maggie is so full of life; happy, good-natured, easy going, smart and curious. She loves playing with other children. We truly believe she will be a wonderful sister and friend to your child.

We feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to watch Maggie grow, help her to grow and support and love her throughout. We simply love being parents and would love nothing more than to have another extraordinary child become part of our family.

We have many traditions. Some that started when we were married and some that have started since, but all of our traditions have made incredible memories for us. One of our favorite and most frequent traditions happens on Saturday morning - we wake up, grab a cup of coffee and take long family walks together. Every summer, we go to our family's beach house and spend a week together with our family. Maggie and her cousins play and we all enjoy the laughter and fun of lazy days at the beach. Each fall we take a trip to the orchard where we watch fresh donuts being made (of course we get to taste them too), pick apples and enjoy fresh cider. After Thanksgiving, we choose our Christmas tree, make hot chocolate, play holiday music and decorate our tree. On Christmas Eve, we attend midnight mass with our families and wake up the next morning to open presents and have a big breakfast with one another.

All of our traditions have become more special now because we are sharing them with Maggie. To see the twinkle in her eyes as we string the Christmas tree lights or her excitement as we ride the hayride to pick out our pumpkin - these moments are incredible! We want to share all of our love and good times. We want to carry on these traditions and have the chance to start new ones with your child as well.

Hiking in Cinque Terra, Italy

We love our time together. We are each other's best friend and truly cherish each moment we spend together, whether it is hiking, running, going to a party, or having friends over for dinner.

We love family trips to the park. We also enjoy eating out and trying new and exciting restaurants. We love traveling and have traveled all over Europe. This past spring we took a trip to Hawaii and next spring we are taking a family vacation to Ireland for a cousin's wedding. But, we also love nights at home, barbequing with friends and neighbors, or just watching a movie together.

Tom is a huge fan of running. He has run several marathons and can often be found training along the Potomac River. He also loves reading, hiking and cycling.

Elise is a runner but runs purely for recreation. Three miles is her limit!! She loves shopping, gardening, cooking, hiking, and going to movies with her girlfriends.