Rafael & Christine

Our families mean the world to the both of us. We have come to realize the two of us got a late start to our married life since we gave so much of ourselves to our families. We have no regrets however, now it is time for us to build our family. We want more than anything in this world to be parents. Your decision to consider adoption is one that is both loving and selfless. It takes a lot of courage to give a child a life with someone else. Be certain that we will offer your child unconditional love, a stable home life, a nurturing environment and a good education. We would be honored to be a part of your plans for the future of this child. Preferred Gender: Either

Rafael Christine Job Description Financial Analyst for a Global Pharmaceutical Company Records Analyst for a Global Pharmaceutical Company & Future Stay-at-Home Mom Education B.S. Spanish B.S. Medical Record Administration; M.A. Health Services Management Favorites Author James Patterson Author Nicholas Sparks Dream Job Pilot Dream Job Owner of a Specialty Greeting Card Store Dream Vacation Hawaii Dream Vacation Ireland Hobby Gardening Hobby Singing in a Chorus Holiday Tradition Watching Classic Holiday Movies Holiday Tradition Viewing Storefront Windows in Downtown Chicago Children None

How Far is it to Dairy Queen?

Who would have ever thought that a shy, Midwestern middle class teenage girl would cross paths with a scrawny, poor, non English speaking Peruvian teenage boy and their lives would never be the same. We did not enter into marriage lightly. Our marriage is based on many years of friendship, love of family and respect for one another. Both of us are bilingual and look forward to teaching Spanish to a child. In addition to having family in Wisconsin and Peru, we have an extended family in Bolivia as well as a large faith community within our parish.

We are members of a nearby Catholic Church. Our church provides us with a beautiful sense of community. Time and time again our church family has been there for us. We feel truly blessed. Several of our friends have young children whose company we thoroughly enjoy. The church is a very dynamic parish offering many opportunities for involvement. Christine has participated in the choir, women's retreats, indoor environment/art team and the employment ministry. Rafael has participated in the landscape ministry and men's retreats. With the addition of a child Christine looks forward to becoming an active participant in the "Mothers with Young Children" group. The group offers an opportunity for involvement in a parish playgroup as well as time for mothers to converse and share. The church provides a family mass every Sunday. It takes place in a less formal setting and is attended by many families with young children. The priests involve and speak directly to the children. We have attended this service on a couple occasions and were touched by the experience. We would hope to share this with a child of our own some day.

Jungle Flora

Our favorite vacation spot is Hawaii. It has such beautiful surroundings. The fresh air energizes you while the warm tranquil water refreshes you. The breathtaking views offer a little bit of heaven here on earth. The six islands are so unique and offer distinct experiences to entice many a tourist. What a wonderful experience for both adults and children alike, not to mention a very family friendly location. There are miles of beach perfect for building sand castles, collecting sea shells and chasing hermit crabs. Also, there are submarines, helicopters and glass bottom boats to ride. Let's not forget museums where you can learn about volcanoes and aquariums housing dolphins and sharks. The wonder of Hawaii is more than enough to spark the imagination of a child.

Home Sweet Home

We have had varying exposure to adoption through a couple close friends as well as families we have met through our local adoption agency. We have a set of friends who are African American and also adopted an African American infant girl through a local adoption agency. It is heart-warming to see the bond they have created as a family. They are both amazing parents and we are grateful to learn from their example.

Let's Get Going Before the Lions Are Let Loose

Another adoption experience we have witnessed first hand involves an Asian couple friend of ours. What a small world! Some years ago we sold a home to this couple and later on encountered them in classes at our local adoption agency. About three years ago their dream came true when they traveled to China to pick up their baby girl. They are a wonderful family and their daughter is thriving beautifully in this loving home. Currently, they are in the process of trying to adopt again from China. They are so looking forward to us adopting and our children becoming playmates.

We also have friends of ours who adopted two siblings through the foster parent program. Each story is unique and there is something to be learned from their experiences. We can't wait to create a story of our own!