Ian & Shari

Having adopted a child we are well aware of the sacred trust that this entire relationship is built on. We have come to understand that all the parties involved with an adoption truly have the best interests of the child guiding their decisions throughout this complicated time. A child is truly the wonder of all wonders and we know that all of us in this process feel this to be true. We want you to know that we think we owe a sense of responsibility to not only your child but to you as well. With our son we have chosen to celebrate the reality of his being adopted, and we will do the same with your child. Preferred Gender: Either

Ian Shari Job Description Vice-President of General Contracting Corp Primary Care Physician-Internist with own Medical Practice Education B.A. in both History & Literature, Graduate Studies in Humanities & Liberal Arts and Sciences B.A. in History, Graduate Degree in Medicine-Physician & Masters Degree in Public Health-M.P.H. Favorites Form of Exercise Roller Blading Form of Exercise Biking Hobby Reading Hobby Singing and playing guitar Memory with a Child For both of us it would be bringing Gabriel home from Albania after adoption on New Years Eve Memory with a Child For both of us it would be bringing Gabriel home from Albania after adoption on New Years Eve Dream Car Electric Truck Dream Car Mustang Convertible Children Gabriel-6 years old

Adoption has played a very significant role in our lives together as a couple. After many years of various fertility treatments we had to face the fact that we would never be biological parents. For us this inability has served as a true blessing. The greatest thing that has happened in our marriage is the fact that we became adoptive parents. In 2004 we adopted our son Gabriel from Albania, and it has become the most important event in our history together. He has allowed us to become a "family" and has made our dreams come true. Watching him grow as a person from day to day has been a remarkable experience. We feel blessed that we were able to adopt this bright, energetic, and kind-hearted child. Without adoption there would have been a huge void in our lives and marriage. And here we are once again waiting in excited anticipation to adopt another child. Although this time there is someone else even more excited than we are. Gabriel is finding it very difficult to hide his enthusiasm about having his very own brother or sister. It really does not matter to him if it is a boy or girl, just as long as this child comes as soon as possible. He has told us that he is going to feed the "new kid" and teach them how to get dressed. Not surprisingly he has informed us that he will not be changing any "smelly diapers." We have been pleasantly surprised by his willingness to put aside old toys and clothes for his anticipated sibling. We think that his enthusiasm for this adoption is a good thing for all of us.

In our family we have always been completely open with Gabriel about his adoption. We believe that his adoption is something that should always be celebrated and must never be kept secret. For us adoption has been a marvelous choice in our lives; and we believe that it has been a marvelous thing for Gabriel as well. Having already adopted a child, we have come to truly appreciate the fact that it is a process deeply rooted in true love for the child. We are all the richer for it.

Among our favorite leisure activities is traveling. We approach travel as a way for us to step outside of our normal and familiar environment and in the process get a taste of different people and cultures. We love to hike in the great outdoors and experience foods that we normally would not be exposed to. Traveling as a family allows us to have memorable times together while at the same time providing us with educational experiences. We want our children to always be aware that there is a large world out there that they are a part of. We may live in a comfortable suburban home, but we want our children to know that they are not confined to only one place.

Travel for us does not only mean getting on a plane and going to foreign places. We love going to neighboring states for weekend getaways. We enjoy renting small cottages in scenic areas that are off the beaten path. We like the freedom that a cottage provides us with. We love to take trips based around the various seasonal festivals held throughout the good old U.S.A. Last fall we went to a wonderful autumn festival in Michigan where we picked pumpkins, walked through giant corn mazes, and picked fresh grapes off the vine that were the sweetest things we ever tasted. Talk about wonderful family memories.

A Child's Best Friend,
Our Dog Sunny

As a family and as parents we believe that pets play a very important role in our lives. We are blessed with a truly wonderful Labrador Retriever, Sunny, and she tends to bring out the best in all people, especially children. As parents we have come to appreciate the positive influence that a dog can have on the behavior and values of a young child. The kindness, devotion, and unconditional love of a pet, we feel, will help to develop similar traits in children.

Having a pet helps us to teach our son the importance of caring for other living creatures besides human beings. Our son's love for our dog has led to his interest in all animals; and the world we all share. He understands the idea that we must protect our world for all living creatures. This invaluable approach to life really would not have been possible without the influence of our dog.