Nigel & Sarah

We believe that any child placed with us would be part of a large, joyful, extended family, and would experience and learn a zest for life. Being part of a multi-cultural family will allow your child to experience life in America and Europe. We know that happiness and laughter are important to a child and our goal as parents is to provide a home where these will flourish. If you choose us to be your child’s adoptive parents, we promise he/she will be able to pursue their dreams, and receive unconditional love. Preferred Gender: Either

Nigel Sarah Job Description Marketing High School English Teacher Education Bachelor of Arts in English, Master of Arts in Communications Bachelor of Arts in English/Education, Master of Arts in Journalism, ABD Curriculum and Teaching Favorites Food Indian Food Thai Form of Exercise Cycling Form of Exercise Rowing Hobby Coaching Soccer Hobby Baking Memory with Spouse Watching the Champions League Final in Istanbul Memory with Spouse Camping in France Musical Group Smashing Pumpkins Musical Group Black Eyed Peas Children None

Nigel with Nephews Dan and Jake After a Long Hike

We have both experienced adoption, through family and friends. It's part of our lives. Nigel's sister Samantha had difficulty starting a family, and after having one son biologically, she and her husband turned to adoption to provide a sibling for their son Dan. Even while living in Belgium, Nigel remained very involved with Samantha and the long process of adopting a child in England. It was absolutely worth the wait when Jake joined the family in 2006. As we embark on our adoption journey, Samantha has always been there for us, providing support and guidance.

Sarah has adoption on both sides of her family. Her cousin Joanie adopted two children from Romania, and both she and Nigel are very close to the children, Loradanna and Michael. Joanie and her husband Michael have been very supportive during this adoption process. On her mom's side, Sarah has two cousins who have adopted. Her cousins Coleen and Butch adopted a little girl from China and the newest addition to the extended family is Theresa B., who was adopted last year by her cousin Pam.

We both have friends who have adopted, too. Mike, Nigel's good friend from college, recently adopted a boy, and our mutual friends Kelly and Thijs adopted Lola, a little more than 6 years ago.

We feel fortunate to have witnessed and experienced different types of adoption, both domestic and international. We've learned to appreciate how difficult it is for the birthparents, while at the same time seeing what it means to the adoptive parents and how it completes a family.

Hiking in England

Nigel is English. He was born and raised in the country where he became an avid player and follower of the country's favorite pastimes: soccer (football) and cricket. While English, his parents' families have some Irish and Welsh heritage. He has a very dry sense of humour and can easily make fun of himself, which is truly an English trait!

Sarah is American, but comes from a close-knit Lebanese family. Her parents are first generation Americans, and Sarah grew up in a home where Arabic and English were spoken. Being Lebanese, Sarah is very close to her extended family (all 32 first cousins!) and her immediate family. Sarah is Maronite Catholic, which is the Christian faith of Lebanon, named after Saint Maron.

Since Sarah's parents are first generation Americans, she has always been exposed to cultural diversity. Sarah attended Catholic schools, where students came from a variety of backgrounds including French, Irish, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean. In fact, one of Sarah's family's closest friends is Cape Verdean. Having gone to college in America, and attending three different institutions in three different parts of the country, as well as living and working overseas, Nigel has been exposed to many cultures, with one of his best friends being Spanish. Together, these experiences create an environment where cultural diversity is valued and respected. Additionally, we live in a very diverse area, which regularly celebrates the different cultures through festivals and other events. Through these events your child will will always be exposed to a variety of cultures, and appreciate and respect diversity.

Christmas Lights in Our Park

We share a tradition called the "breakfast weekend." It's actually a birthday celebration, but one day it was called "breakfast" and the name stuck. So rather than having a simple one-day celebration, whoever is celebrating his/her birthday receives special treatment for two days.

An Autumnal View View of the Park that Faces Our House

Our house is located facing a park, which at Christmas time is illuminated with many Christmas decorations. After moving in, we began a tradition of inviting friends and family over the evening the lights are first turned on. Everyone gathers on the front porch, bundled up in scarves and hats anticipating the arrival of the lights.

Within our family we rotate the major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. In our extended family, we celebrate Epiphany, which is the day the three wise men visited Jesus. Legend has it that one of the wise men was Lebanese, which is why it's a major celebration for us. We gather at a cousin's house and at midnight on January 5th we toast to good health and happiness for the rest of the year.