Dave: I am the fifth child of six for my parents, better known as Nan and PoPo. We are a close knit family that relies on each other for help with projects and to bounce around ideas. My parents are closing in on their 50Th wedding anniversary and are enjoying their retirement years. They keep busy with their grandchildren and siblings, going on daily walks, and volunteering at their church several times a week. All of Jane's cousins and aunts and uncles have welcomed her with a loving heart. Everyone feels fortunate to be part of Jane's life. My parents come from large families that have produced approximately 100 first cousins for me. Our annual family reunion requires renting a park that provides the setting for lots of laughing, playing, and storytelling. Holidays are special to our family because of some of our traditions like card playing, teasing and joking, and enjoying my mom's caramel rolls. They seem to disappear as "samples" even before the meal starts!
Jenny’s Parents
Jenny: My family consists of my parents, an older sister (who is married and has a son) and a younger brother (also known as the "forever bachelor"). My parents have been married for over 40 years and are both retired. When they're not visiting with friends and family or babysitting our daughter, my Mom is busy quilting and my Dad golfing. Mamaw and Poppy (my parents) have two grandchildren and can hardly wait to spoil another. We live close to my parents and brother while my sister lives just a couple hours away. My mom and I try to have a "girl's day out" once a month and Dave and I will go golfing with my Dad. We gather for holidays, special occasions, and just to visit. When we get together, you can expect to find a lot of laughter. Some of the same stories are told, never seeming to get old. You can also expect to experience family recipes, like my Grandma's Scratch Baked Beans or my Mom's Texas Sheet Cake. The gathering wouldn't be complete without a game of cards and a lot of disputing about the rules (all in fun of course), though much of the time is now spent playing with the grandkids. Poppy is always trying to get Jane to laugh or give him hugs and kisses. My family is always willing and ready to help one another and is excited for our adoption plans.
Our House and Neighborhood
Our Home
Our house is a brick and stone ranch that sits on approximately one acre. We have a wooded area adjacent to our property ready for exploring. The house has three bedrooms, a large kitchen and living room, and a partially finished basement.
On Our Front Porch, Ready for Halloween
Our neighborhood is in the suburbs of a small city. It is a friendly and established neighborhood with new families moving in. The local grade school is within walking distance of our house and we often stop there to play and let our dog run. We are fortunate to live next door to an older couple that likes to garden, bake, and share (and dote over Jane)!
Our community offers a variety of activities for all ages. We have many parks and hiking trails, several universities, cultural and sporting events, libraries, and festivals. We have taken Jane to the pumpkin patch, parades, story time at the library, tumbling and swimming at the Y, and to the Farmer's Market to buy produce and cinnamon rolls (a weekly event with Daddy). We are fortunate to experience all four seasons in Ohio. We take the opportunity to camp in the fall, ice skate in the winter, and swim in the summer.
American Adoptions, a private adoption agency founded on the belief that lives of children can be bettered through adoption, provides safe adoption services to children, birth parents and adoptive families by educating, supporting and coordinating necessary services for adoptions throughout the United States. For more information on American Adoptions please call 1-800-ADOPTION (236-7846).
