Lorenzo with His Twin Sisters

We both love getting together with our families. Lorenzo comes from a very large family and is the youngest of eight, and if chosen for an adoption, will be the last of the eight children to welcome a child into his home. He has a large number of nieces and nephews. When he is with his family they love to reminisce about old times and when they get together they usually enjoy large family meals which are cooked by his Mother. Her specialty is southern cuisine and sweet potato pie.

Lorenzo as Santa with Juanda’s Family

Juanda is the oldest of 3 children. We love to get together to celebrate each other’s birthday and have cake and ice cream. Our favorite family tradition is to get together on Christmas morning. First we all have breakfast together and then we sit around the tree as each individual opens their gift, including the smallest child (once they can tear off the wrapping paper). It usually takes 2-3 hours because everyone opens their individual gifts one at a time. On some Christmas mornings the highlight of the day is when Santa (Lorenzo), dressed in his red outfit and white beard, and his helper (Juanda) enters the home handing out gifts. We have a lot of fun every Christmas morning, as Christmas songs play in the background.

Both of our families are very excited about our adoption plan and are looking forward to being a part of the process.

Our Home

Our home is located in a development that includes 83 houses. Our house has a lot of green grass and open space that surrounds the house. We have a nice front yard with colorful flower gardens and a large backyard. Our nieces and nephews love to play in our backyard and roll around in the grass.

The Back of Our Home

We have neighbors that live close by. Although we do not have kids, we are very close to the kids that live closest to us. You will find one of us occasionally giving out treats, playing catch, shooting a few hoops, or playing street hockey with the boys and girls. Many of the kids call Lorenzo the candy man because often when out cutting the grass he will stop and hand out candy to the kids. When out working in the garden some of the kids will come and talk with Juanda. They sometimes bring her cut flowers from their garden, or they will stop by to play a game of catch.

The neighbor who we have developed a closer relationship with recently adopted a child. He and his wife have been a great support for us as we have moved through the adoption process.

Our development has two playgrounds and a walking trail that is surrounded by a lot of trees. Our community is a calm and quiet environment, and a very pleasant place to live.