Bud & Brenda

If you trust us with your child, we promise you that we will be your child's #1 fans, giving him or her the unconditional love and support they need to grow up self-confident and secure. In addition, your child will know that the first and most important gifts- a life and a future - came from you. Your gifts to this child will be honored for the rest of their and our lives. Preferred Gender: Either

Bud Brenda Job Description Writer/Editor Account Manager Education Master of Science in Technology Management Master of Arts in English Favorites Disney Movie Toy Story Disney Movie Finding Nemo Dream Job Surfing Instructor Dream Job Teacher Food Lobster Food Berries & Cream Form of Exercise Rowing Form of Exercise Hiking Song Try a Little Tenderness by Wilson Pickett Song I Hope You'll Dance by Lee Ann Womack Children None

We have already been blessed by having two children to raise, Bud's son and daughter from his first marriage. After we got married and formed a new family, we found that dinner together with all four of us was an important way to bring us close. We would all share our experiences of the day, sympathizing over the tough moments, celebrating the successes, and laughing at the kids' funny stories. Another way we bonded was through our family vacations. One rainy summer vacation to Maine is memorable for Bud's creative spelling at one of the many board games we played - the kids still talk about it. We also found ways to strengthen our individual relationships with the kids, Brenda encouraging our son's interest in music and drumming, and Bud sharing his interest in sociology with our daughter. When the kids were getting ready for their SAT tests, we would bring the dictionary to the dinner table and all learn 5 new words every night - I think our favorite new word was "lugubrious" - we loved how it sounded. The kids both turned out to be emotionally well adjusted and academically successful, and are now off at their universities, preparing for their careers. We miss them very much, and are looking forward to having another child with us to start all over again! Both our kids are looking forward to coming home to see the new baby as soon as he or she comes home. Our daughter says she is looking forward to being a big sister and mentor to the new baby, and our son is excited about someday teaching his little brother or sister to drive his go-cart.

Bud says: "I have loved every minute of being a father. I am very proud of my two older children, and I miss them a lot now that they are grown and moved away to college. The house isn't the same without kids around." Brenda says: "I became a step-mom when Bud's kids were young teenagers, and we have had great times together. I always wanted the chance to love a child and watch them develop starting from a very young age, and to experience the world through their eyes. I can't have biological children, so we decided to adopt." We are both really looking forward to the fun and crazy times of having a child to share our lives with us.

Brenda Volunteers at DC Women's Shelter

Both of us strongly believe that we have been very blessed in this life, and that we need to use those gifts to improve the lives of our fellow creatures on this earth, through both financial donations and volunteer work. We both volunteer at our church, supporting fundraising activities and various church committees. We also were active during the most recent U.S. presidential campaign, meeting others and encouraging them to participate in our democracy. We also regularly volunteer with other local food banks and women's shelters. Our new favorite activity is one we began recently, sponsoring a needy family at Christmas time. We enjoy picking out presents appropriate for each member of the family. We look forward to sharing with our new child the fun of giving as well as receiving!