It is our deepest desire to have a child in our lives and we would be forever grateful to you if you chose us. We would consider the opportunity to nurture and provide for your child to be an incredibly precious and generous gift - one that we look forward to with excitement and hope.

Andy Elizabeth Job Description Director, Operations Planning & Analysis Systems Developer/ Future Stay-at-home Mom Education BS Accounting, CPA BA Economics Favorites Game Monopoly Game Yahtzee Vacation Spot Hilton Head, SC Vacation Spot Wisconsin (but not in Winter!) Ice Cream Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pralines and Cream TV Show King of Queens TV Show Iron Chef America Sport to Watch Hockey Sport to Watch Hockey Children None

The most precious and treasured things to us aren't things - they are the family and friends who have blessed our lives. And as much as we love the people in our lives today and yesterday, we are so very excited about the coming tomorrows we would share with your child. We spend quiet time together at home and a lot of time visiting with our families and friends. The connections with the people we love are what keep us going, sharing our joy in good times and supporting us when things get tough.

We value honesty, loyalty, kindness and character in each other and the people who surround us. As parents we would strive to encourage, love, support and teach a child - to give him/her the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual foundation to become the confident, loving, compassionate, independent and successful individual he/she was meant to be. We feel that spending time with a child -- teaching, playing and encouraging - is so important that we have planned and worked for a long time to be in a position that will allow Elizabeth to be a stay-at-home mom. And Andy looks forward to being a 'hands-on' dad - you know, the one cheering the loudest in the stands at hockey or baseball games, the first one standing in applause at a band concert (or whatever activities he/she chooses). But the one-on-one time is just as important - reading bedtime stories, going for walks or just playing catch in the backyard.

We look forward to building new family traditions as well as celebrating those from our families that we love - Easter egg hunts and egg fights, putting shoes out for St. Nicholas Day, Midnight Mass, 4th of July barbecues, Homecoming football games, Thanksgiving dinner with family - and new traditions like celebrating the joyous day a child comes into our lives. We would always let that child know how much he/she is loved by us and by you - birthparents selfless and courageous enough to choose an adoption plan for your child. And we would share photos and letters with you, marking the milestones and everyday achievements of your child over the years.

Somehow things don't always work out the way we plan, but we have faith that things happen for a reason. After several years of trying to have a child, we realized that we needed help and turned to very capable specialists. However, they confirmed that it would be impossible for us to have a biological child. But we love children and we wanted to build a family. Since we both grew up with friends who were adopted and we have friends and family members who have adopted children, it felt right for us to pursue adoption to bring a child into our lives.

Elizabeth has cousins who have recently adopted children and they are very supportive, excited and enthusiastic about our plans to adopt a child. Your child would have family members who truly understand their history because they share an adoption story. We would make sure that your child knows how he/she came into our lives through your incredible courage and selfless love. You would be honored by us and remembered with gratitude for choosing to give such a precious gift.

Relaxing Poolside in Mexico

We enjoy being with each other and spending time with friends and family. We had the basement finished so that we could have the gang over to watch hockey games, football games, celebrate New Year's Eve or just stay in and watch a movie (and we planned ahead and have a play room ready and waiting). Our weekends usually fill up with get-togethers with our friends at home, at their homes, going out for dinner or heading out to play golf or go to baseball or hockey games. We both sing in our church choir - a terrific and fun-loving group of people whose faith and prayers have been a treasure. Andy used to say that he couldn't carry a tune if you wrapped it up in a box - it's amazing how far a little encouragement can take you.

Sometimes we get the urge to travel, so we head out to see a bit more of the world. We have traveled near and far -- to Aruba, Mexico, Florida, the Carolinas, Texas, Wisconsin and downtown Chicago. Sometimes we've traveled with friends and sometimes we just take time to get away on our own - but we always have a great time. When we went to Mexico we got to meet singer Jim Peterik (The Ides of March, Survivor), even having dinner with him one evening since he was there without his family. That was our very cool brush with fame.