We both like to play Euro-style board games, like Ticket to Ride and Patchwork. We can get quite competitive! We also enjoy watching TV and movies together, especially comedies and science fiction programs. We both also play computer and video games. Michael usually plays competitive multiplayer games, while Elisabeth likes simulation-style video games like Animal Crossing.

Michael is an amazing home-chef and baker. He tries out new recipes often and has been particularly focused on barbecue lately. He has set up a full backyard barbecue station including a kettle grill and a wood-burning smoker. He has also set up one of our rooms as a home gym for him to train in powerlifting, and where Elisabeth practices yoga.

Elisabeth has enjoyed reading since she was a young girl and her grandfather used to read funny books to her. She often spends her evenings reading a graphic novel or a cozy mystery. She has also had a love for animals all of her life, starting with her family's pet cats. She spends time training our dogs, Eddie and Daisy. In particular, Elisabeth has done both dog agility training and canine good citizenship training with our dogs. She has also volunteered with local non-profits, including wildlife rescue and community outreach organizations.

Daisy and Eddie, our two dogs, are part of our family. They have been with us through the most memorable times of our lives. They love us unconditionally, as we do them, and we would do anything for them.

We adopted Daisy about ten years ago when we lived in California and we're not exaggerating when we say she changed our life. We could tell right away that she was a special dog. We immediately began training with her and soon learned that in addition to being sweet and loving, she was also very intelligent. She completed basic dog obedience training and went on to earn certification as a Canine Good Citizen and learn basic agility skills.

We adopted Eddie about three years ago. Daisy was around seven years old at the time and we felt like it was a good time to add another dog to the family. It took a lot of searching to find Eddie, but we knew he was the one when we went to meet him and, after running around like crazy, he settled down in Elisabeth's lap for a snuggle. Eddie is a terrier and very different from Daisy in many ways, but, like her, he is amazingly loving and a perfect fit for our family.

We can't wait for Daisy and Eddie to meet our child!

Michael majored in Information and Computer Science in college. When he started college, he thought he would go into programming at a tech company, but as he saw how those jobs were changing, he decided to take a different course and went to law school. During law school, he knew his aptitude with computers would be helpful in a particular field: patents. While he works on a variety of cases, he is primarily a patent litigation attorney, oftentimes working on cases that involve computers and new technologies.

When Elisabeth started college, she thought she was going to major in criminal studies and take pre-med courses. She quickly discovered that was not the right path for her. After tutoring middle and high school students, working at a toddler and infant center, and taking classes in order to minor in education, she knew she wanted to become an elementary school teacher. After earning her credential, she taught second and third grades for 9 years before moving to Texas. After the move, her career changed again as she started working as a library assistant within the children's department.

We are both incredibly lucky to work in fields that we are passionate about. We hope your child will find their own passion in life and will support them as they work to achieve it.

We chose to move to our town in Texas because while it is growing, it has retained a lot of its "small town" charm. There are events year-round including spring and Christmas celebrations. We particularly enjoy watching the parades filled with local clubs, high school bands, and elementary school students.

Our house is located in a safe, quiet neighborhood with a city park and community pool within walking distance. There is a cul-de-sac located directly across from our house where the neighborhood children often ride bikes and play games.

When we moved to Texas, we made sure our house would have space not only for our growing family but for all of our friends and family who would come out to visit. There are a total of five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. We also have a game/play space on the second floor and an office downstairs where Michael often works from home. Our favorite place is the large backyard. It has space for the dogs to run, Michael to grill and smoke, and us to play with a child.

While both of us grew up as only children, we were lucky to have close relationships with our aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We get together with Michael's extended family a few times of year in Southern California. Michael's Aunt Kim is a fabulous cook and we often play a board game, or have a Nerf gun battle, after stuffing ourselves.

Elisabeth's extended family is spread throughout the States but meets up at least once a year. We've gotten together in San Diego, Las Vegas, and once in Texas.

One of the benefits of moving to Texas was being able to purchase a large house with space for our family. We have hosted Christmas several times for our parents. They have also come out for visits during spring and summer as well. We enjoy taking time off during their visits and exploring Central Texas. We've visited the LBJ Ranch, Hill Country, local museums, and more. Some days we also just hang out around the house, playing games and watching our favorite movies. We feel blessed whenever our families visit and make the most of our time together.

Thank you for getting this far in our profile! Our names are Michael and Elisabeth and we are excited to begin this journey with you.

We know you have a lot to think about and are so happy you chose to learn more about our family. We have been together for eighteen years and married for seven. Our dogs are an integral part of our family; Daisy has been with us for ten years and Eddie has been with us for 3 years. Like every couple, we have seen highs and lows, and have overcome adversity. This has only led us to having an even stronger relationship, one that has lasted the test of time and is ready for a new arrival: your child.

Children are very important to both of us. Indeed, almost every job that Elisabeth has ever had involved caring for and helping children. She has been a tutor, a day care worker, an elementary school teacher, and a children's library assistant. Elisabeth loved teaching, but she loved being a part of her students' lives even more. She frequently attended her students' birthday parties, performances, and graduations and knew their families well. We are privileged to have the opportunity for Elisabeth to be able to be a stay-at-home mom for your child.

Michael is an attorney who specializes in patent litigation, representing companies in disputes over technological inventions. He truly loves learning about new and different technologies. He plans on sharing that love and enthusiasm for science and technology with your child. While Michael does not frequently interact with children at work, he has enjoyed acting as an "uncle" to the children of friends and family. His job allows him to work from home which will also allow him to be more involved in the day-to-day in raising your child.

We are so tremendously excited to start this next phase of our life by adopting our first child. We did not initially plan on adoption, but fate intervened and we couldn't be happier at the opportunity to welcome a child into our home. We have discussed growing our family for years and are excited to be getting closer to making that a reality. We are both only children and our parents can't wait to become grandparents as well!

Like all first time parents, we plan on documenting every moment of your child's life. We will make sure we save the best stories and photos to share with you! We also want to ensure your child knows how much you cared for them. We plan on discussing their adoption with them from the very start and will connect them with other adoptees and support.

Thank you again for your consideration. We know that raising a child is incredibly important. Although it is sometimes trying, it is ultimately one of life's greatest experiences. We are so grateful that you would consider us as potential parents for your child. We would love to welcome you and your child into our family.

Love,

Michael & Elisabeth