We were lucky enough to adopt our little girl, Megan, five years ago through the Independent Adoption Center, and enjoy an open adoption with her birthmother, Sherry. Now we're ready to add a second child to our happy family. We are fortunate to have the resources to give another child a full and wonderful life and we have so much love to share with this child. Knowing this is probably the biggest decision you'll ever have to make, we admire your courage and love for this baby and we will always try to consider your feelings. This is a brave and wonderful decision you are making for this child. We hope you'll want to get to know us better.
As a couple, we are committed to each other forever and have a strong, loving and supportive relationship. We met on a bike ride 13 years ago and the three of us still love to go for family bike rides and spend time together.
Our Home We live in a large, white rambling Victorian house in San Carlos, California (30 miles south of San Francisco), which Jack's family has lived in since it was built in 1912. The beach is one half hour away. We have a sweet, friendly collie dog named Riley, who adores children. We live in a very close-knit neighborhood where there are lots of barbecues and get-togethers. It's a very friendly and safe small town community with children out riding bikes, playing, and going for family walks. The local schools are excellent, and families are very active in their children's education and lives.
Our house sits in a park-like setting surrounded by roses and flowering trees. Megan loves to play tee ball in the yard, and hit the ball over the fence. We have a backyard wonderland: a children's play area with a hand-built climbing structure, sandbox and playhouse. Megan and her friends love to come inside and play in our train room where they can run electric trains in a miniature village.
Family Our family is VERY important to us! We love to visit Jack's sister, husband and two children who live in Tahoe. We enjoy skiing, rafting, swimming and hiking together.
Linda's family lives in the San Francisco Bay area. Megan's cousins share a very close relationship. We get together often and celebrate every holiday and birthday. Everyone convenes at Linda's mother's house with friends for impromptu soccer games, food and fun. Megan visits her adoring grandmother every week. They bake cookies together, read stories and play games.
Religion We are a Christian family and attend a neighborhood Episcopal church. Megan loves Sunday school. In her prayers at night, Megan often asks for a baby brother or sister.
Open Adoption We have an open relationship with Megan's birthmother, Sherry. Megan can see the love Sherry has for her-it's mutual! We get together about twice a year and keep in touch by phone, e-mail and letters. Sherry never has to worry about Megan and can see for herself how happy she is. If you want to talk to Sherry, she says she'd be happy to tell you more about her relationship with us. We know that every adoption is unique, so we want to be open to you and respect your feelings about the level of ongoing contact.
Linda quit her job as a graphic designer to become a full-time Mom after Megan was born. Linda and Megan spend every day together. Linda often works in the garden with Megan beside her, digging for worms and collecting pet bugs. Linda likes to organize art projects and children's parties at our house. She volunteers in Megan's classroom and is a Daisy Girl Scout leader. She loves having the children run up to her and give her hugs at school. With Megan in kindergarten four hours a day now, Linda has more time to devote to a new baby.
Our family has a love for nature and animals. We like to hike, take frequent trips to the park and beach, visit farms, go to zoos and museums, ride ponies, and romp with our wonderful dog, Riley. We can't wait to put our new baby into a snugglie and show him or her what makes this world such a wonderful place!
Jack works out of our home as a sales manager for an electron microscope company. This gives him a flexible schedule so he can join Linda and Megan for picnic lunches. Megan likes knowing she can always go downstairs for a quick Daddy visit and a spin in his chair.
Jack and Megan have a close and special bond. They often go on father/daughter field trips to the park, the beach or a walk downtown. Megan has started soccer and t-ball and Jack hopes to get involved coaching.
Megan LOVES babies and can't wait to become a big sister! She says she wants to play peek-a-boo, rock and sing to the new baby. She's been practicing with her dolls, and loves to help out when her friends' baby sisters and brothers get changed and fed.
Fun! Fun! Fun! We enjoy outdoor fun year-round, from playing in the surf at the beach and snorkeling with the fish, to hiking and exploring the mountains and skiing. Summertime is filled with street fairs and concerts, holding hands as we're walking, hiking or riding in the hills on our mountain bikes, swimming at our local pool, or having a backyard barbecue with friends. We like to go on family excursions in our sailboat on the San Francisco Bay and Jack also surfs and windsurfs.
One of our favorite things to do as a family is to travel. We've visited Mexico several times and we're all learning Spanish together. Our family traveled with Jack's sister's family to Bali, Indonesia. We spent a fantastic two weeks with the children swimming, playing and learning all about another culture. Another time, the three of us ventured to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. The world is an amazing place and we can't wait to explore it with our children!
We especially love to cuddle together and read stories. We started reading to Megan when she was a newborn. She says her favorite toys are her books. She is so excited about learning to read this year! At bedtime we read stories together, then continue after the lights go off by making up stories together.
We want to teach our children compassion and a respect for other people and their cultures. We want them to be open-minded and informed. We'll foster their independence and creativity. We hope they will attend college as we did, and will encourage them to work hard at whatever they want to do. And, of course, we will love them unconditionally and forever.