American Adoptions -- America's Adoption Agency
 Our parent's gifted us the freedom to pursue our own aspirations, while providing the guidance to realize our dreams. This is the gift we wish to pay-forward to the child we hope to raise. That the child isn't born to us doesn't diminish our desire to provide the fertile environment where a child granted into our care may flourish into their full potential. Your courage to consider granting us this opportunity humbles us beyond words. |
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Our leisure time is spent on a variety of activities, from enjoying a good book while out on the deck, to taking day or weekend trips to the river with friends and family for camping and engaging in water gun wars with each other and fellow rafters as we float with the current. We enjoy visiting the many parks to take pictures and hike among the natural beauty of the area, or taking our nieces and nephews to the local conservatory, especially when they release the butterflies. We look forward to sharing trips with a child to Jack Hanna's world-class zoo, which we are fortunate to live near to. Our nieces often come by to earn a little spending money by performing various chores, but these visits invariably include playing with our dogs and playing some Xbox Kinect games with us. It is not uncommon for Ellie's camera to come out during all these activities, either to record the fun or as fun unto itself as we ham it up. Also, being NASCAR fans, we typically spend a portion of the weekend cheering on our favorite racecar drivers on the big screen. Or, when we can manage it, we even try to catch a live race.
Our pets are parts of the family. There is nothing like the unconditional excitement our two dogs, Sparta and Loki, exhibit when we return home. They are always up for a game of tug-of-war or fetch (still working on the part about bringing the ball back), or curling up with us when it's time to relax. Our cat, Xander, will usually venture out about this time to join in for some quality cuddle time. The emotional lift our pets give us by virtue of their involvement in our lives cannot be underestimated and our own skills as providers have been enhanced in their care. They depend upon us completely and we take a deep satisfaction in seeing their happiness. And they return care upon us as well. For example, when Ellie broke her ribs and was confined to the couch to heal, Sparta knew she was hurt and would not leave her side, clearly aware of her need and ministering to her in his own way.
We put a premium on family and friends. We both were raised by parents who instilled a sense of familial support where the definition of family was not necessarily limited to those who were tied to us by genetics. Being there to support those close to you, whether related or not, when in need or just to enjoy one another's company, is a quality inherited from our parents, who on both sides have always been ready to give of themselves to be there for a relative or a friend. To make her retirement stretch further, we invited Ellie's mother to live with us and she has in turn been a real boon to us in helping to manage the household. She additionally is always shuttling our nieces to sporting events or just being there when they come home from school if Ellie's sister is still at work. We often host holidays and plan family camping vacations every year. For Michael's family, who lives in California, we usually go to California to see them or they host us on a cruise vacation to spend time together without the distractions of life. We really enjoy that time together and it is a great way to see many other places and cultures. We are lucky to have a family on both sides who are open to inviting a new family member in unconditionally and will love them with all their hearts.
