Michael & Stephanie

We have been constructing our lives and surroundings for years with the goal of someday being able to tell a birth parent that their child's home is prepared for them. With great sincerity and excitement, we can tell you that your child's home is ready. We have created a healthy environment rich with love, peace, humor and happiness, perfect for a new son, daughter or twins. It is a real pleasure to have the opportunity to introduce our family and community to you - one that is eager and committed to hug, hold and support the development and happiness of your child. Preferred Gender: Either

Michael Stephanie Job Description Runs an Investment Banking Practice for a Private Firm in Which He is a Founding Partner Former School Principal; Currently Works for a Non-Profit Organization that Works with Cities and States to Identify, Train and Support Principals for Urban Public Schools Education Bachelor's Degree in Finance Bachelor's Degree in Education, Two Master's Degrees in Education Favorites Childhood Toy Basketball Childhood Toy Big Wheel Dream Vacation See Earth from Space Dream Vacation Round the World Trip with Family Family Activity Pool/Picnics Family Activity Everything We Do Together Hobby Writing, Fantasy Sports Hobby Working Out Quality about my Spouse Makes Me a Better Person Quality about my Spouse Sense of Humor and Love of Life Children Elizabeth-5 years old, Grace-1 year old

Mommy, Ellie, Grace and Daddy Pause for a Photo as they Celebrate Ellie's Moving Up to Kindergarten!

Stephanie has dedicated her entire professional life to ensuring that every single child has the chance to receive a quality public school education. This passion led Stephanie after graduating Harvard University to become a principal of a public inner city Chicago school in the early 1990's. Since then, Stephanie has founded and built two new public schools, worked as a public education consultant to state and government officials, and to run a private foundation solely focused on improving public education in Delaware. Currently, Stephanie works two days a week from home for a non profit organization that works with cities and states to identify, train, develop and support principals for urban public schools. This organization currently has hired and developed over 500 principals in 9 locations, which are or will provide better education tools and leadership for public schools serving over 200,000 children.

Steph is excited to shift her education experiences more locally, to ensure that our children receive a quality education from experienced, caring teachers. The quality of our children's education is the principal reason we have chosen to live in our community. We intend to provide the opportunity for all of our children to be college educated or beyond, and recognize the financial responsibilities that these education goals require.

Ah, Sledding with Mom and Dad and Friend Jacqueline

We found and fell in love with each other in our early thirties, and started a family in our mid to late thirties. Now having both just turned forty this year, we feel like we bring a helpful mix of youthful enthusiasm and life maturity to parenting. We believe we have built a family foundation made up of two individuals who are "comfortable in our own skin," having experienced and accomplished enough in our own lives (both independently and as a couple) that we feel well prepared to handle the occasional challenges as parents and growing families with a measure of patience and appreciation. We have a sign in our kitchen that proclaims "It's a Wonderful Life," which while a little hokey, is truly how we view and shape our daily lives. While our lives might look complex on the outside, we try to live simply on the inside - live and love fully everyday, communicate well, and try to keep any issues that arise in perspective. We think it's worked well so far, and created a good environment for our growing family.

Playing Checkers with Ellie

Mike just loves any and all children, and in our circle of families and friends, his "job" is to entertain the kiddies during every event, which results in endless games, "piggy piles", and giggling story times. Mike has a limitless reserve of energy for children, which makes him the local magnet for kid fun in the community. Often, while other friends and adults are convening in one location during a social gathering, Mike can be found somewhere else leading a pied-piper line of kids in some fun raucous games, scavenger hunt or athletic activity.

One of Mike's favorite hobbies is writing and publishing children's books for Ellie and Grace, as well as other children close to our family. With today's available online self publishing websites, it's a creative way to incorporate some of the fun and interesting activities in our children's life into an entertaining story that we can read to the children now, and save as keepsakes of their youth. Since Mike has no artistic skills, he recruits other family members to help out with the illustrations, so it's a whole family affair.

Ellie with Her Best Buddy, Jaden, and His Family

We are very fortunate to be raising our children in New Jersey, which is a highly diverse community, and outspoken in the importance and support of social and ethnic diversity. Luckily that environment has translated into a group of local friends and family rich in racial and cultural diversity, providing us with a deep reservoir of talent and experiences from which to draw. Our plan is to embrace the diversity inherent in adoption openly, both with our natural and adopted children, as well as within our community. Given the openness of our community, all types of family and partner development are welcomed, and we expect our adoption to be no different.