Stephanie and Doug
Call us: 1.888.257.3077 PIN # 3880 | Email: stephdougandskeeter@yahoo.com
Adoption Attorney: Douglas Donnelly | Attorney Phone Number: 1.805.962.0988
Dear Expectant Mother,
You have been given the most beautiful gift of all -- being able to create life. Your choice to find the perfect home for your baby makes you an incredibly special person.
As husband and wife, unable to create new life ourselves, we learned to appreciate the delicate balance in this world: some events are beyond our control, but in other events, we're given choices. Your choice to share your gift is the most selfless thing anyone could do.
We hope that in the following paragraphs, you'll gain insight into how we could be the perfect parents for your child. We will honor your wishes for making this adoption as open as you would like.
Excuse me, I would like to introduce myself…I'm Skeeter, the family cat.
I'll be interviewing my adopted parents, Doug and Stephanie, and adding in my two-cents worth. My keen observation skills will not lead you astray.
DOUG - AN UPSTANDING MANSkeeter: Let me introduce you to Doug. Doug's an ex-jock who somehow ended up being a responsible businessman. How in the world did that happen?
Doug: Although I love southern California and can't imagine living anywhere else, Wisconsin and the Green Bay Packers are my roots. At 6'5" tall, I grew up playing lots of basketball and volleyball. As starting center on my high school basketball team, I learned the value of being a team player.
Skeeter: I doubt you would have had much luck being a horse jockey or gymnast...
Doug: COLD college years in Minneapolis motivated me to venture out to California. My dad and two of my 5 siblings started their own businesses, so it must be in my blood.
I'm 43 and started my own financial consulting business 12 years ago (which is now quite successful) in this beautiful, upscale, coastal town.
Filled with cultures from all over the world, Santa Barbara is the perfect size. Our two cars sit in the driveway while I happily ride my bike two miles to work and people often recognize me walking down the street.
Skeeter: Being blonde, blue-eyed, and that tall doesn't allow you to blend, you know.
Doug: Although I grew up in "meat and potatoes land", at one point after moving to California, I lived in a large house with many roommates from around the world who exposed me to tofu and Indian food, among other things.
I love the openness and variety of viewpoints my friends in California provide. Work is extremely flexible (since I boss myself around) so I can be a dad anytime - to be there for school plays or after-school sports. I love taking advantage of warm sunny afternoons to play Frisbee and bodysurf at the beach, or bike ride in the mountains. I look forward to sharing this time with my child.
STEPHANIE -
BUBBLY STEPHANIE
Skeeter: And now for Stephanie. You found me as a stray kitten, so I have a soft place in my heart for you!
Stephanie: Another transplanted midwesterner, I grew up outside of Chicago, and ended up coming to California for college and never left. Although a straight A student all the way through graduate school, I filled my non-academic life with theatre, dance, music, and gymnastics.
Skeeter: Why are all the short people good at gymnastics (she's 5'2")?
Stephanie: I'm a blue-eyed, brown-haired girl. My high school classmates voted me the one with "Most School Spirit" (born optimistic and enthusiastic, can't help it) which naturally led to a career in sales and marketing. Having energy left to burn after work, I dive into outdoor activities like running, tennis, bicycling, or hiking. At age 44, I'm proud to say I'm in better shape than many of my 25-year-old friends. I love to cook and create silly things like homemade cards and birthday poems. Sewing crazy Halloween costumes and doing birthday theme parties can't come soon enough.
THE ADVENTURES OF FAMILY LIFE
Skeeter: You're good at getting me to chase that string and brushing my long fur, but what kind of life will you give to your child?
Stephanie: My successful career days have come to a halt. Fulltime mommie-hood is beckoning. We hope to adopt two children eventually. This will be our first. At night, I'll play my guitar and sing everyone to sleep.
Skeeter: …or keep them awake, more like…
Stephanie: Hey - I'm not that bad!
Doug: Balance is the key, of course. Sports balance academics.
Stephanie: And music and dance and the arts can expose our little one to some class and culture!
Skeeter: I've seen you two dancing. I know you're not all he-man, Doug. You're in touch with your sensitive side, as well.
Stephanie: Doug's one of the most well balanced and compassionate people I know. He never loses his sense of humor, and he cooks, too! He also helps the homeless, will listen to anyone's problems and gives insight that truly helps. I know, as a dad, he'll handle the tough teen years with a sensible voice that will connect with our children, rather than alienate them.
Doug: And people just flock to Stephanie. She's one those likable types that people want to spend time with and open up to. She's so playful! She'll find the right balance between being a friend and parent.
Stephanie: I searched a LONG time to find Doug - the perfect man to be my husband and father of my children-to-be. It's funny how God works: you're more fertile in your teens and 20's, but perhaps better parents with some age and experience under your belts.
Doug: We're definitely more financially stable in our 40's and have learned patience and hopefully some wisdom through the years.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Skeeter: Am I gonna have someone else to play hide and seek with?
Stephanie: I'm a people-person. Our fridge will be stuffed with goodies ready for a barbecue. Our yard and street will be buzzing with kick-the-can, softball, or ping pong games.
Doug: I love throwing the football with kids playing in the tree-lined streets.
Stephanie: With the elementary school just 3 blocks away, families and kids fill the neighborhood. You can see the mountains through our big picture windows in the living room and dining room, and beaches are just 2 miles away. All the neighbors around us have small children and have more on the way. They look forward to our children adding to the mix.
Doug: That'll be perfect for when we build a big Halloween spook house in our side yard that all the kids have to walk through to get their candy.
EXTENDED FAMILY
Skeeter: Will I be able to play with my new friend, too?
Stephanie: I want to have more critters as our children grow up. They can pick and choose which kitten or goldfish and help in taking care of them.
Doug: I have 5 siblings, all with kids, some of them just starting to have kids of their own, who love to come and visit us in sunny southern California.
Stephanie: My sister and brother-in-law have no kids and would LOVE to spoil their niece or nephew. My parents now live in the Rocky Mountains which makes for great ski vacations.
Doug: Neither of our parents ever divorced and all my brothers and sisters remain happily married to their original spouses. We both come from solid, functional families who gave us lots of love, support, and really fun childhoods. We're ready to provide the same to our family.
MORAL AND RELIGIOUS VALUES
Skeeter: Why can't I join you on Sundays? I promise I won't meow!
Stephanie: Although raised Presbyterian, I studied world religions in college, and we have friends from various religions. We want to raise our child in a Christian church, but make sure he or she has respect for all religions.
Doug: With a Lutheran mom and a Catholic dad, mealtimes were loaded with healthy discussions. What matters most is following a path that results in helping you become a better person and a good influence on those around you by example.
Steph and Doug: We thank you for taking the time to get to know us a little. We open our hearts to you and would love to communicate with you further. Please contact us through any of the ways listed with this letter. We admire the strength and courage you have in making the decision to place your child for adoption. As husband and wife, best friends, and soon-to-be mommy and daddy, we look forward to creating a family full of love and joy, growing pains and tears of gains, peace and happiness.
With respect and affection,
Stephanie and Doug
Toll-Free: 1.888.257.3077 PIN # 3880
Email: stephdougandskeeter@yahoo.com
Adoption Attorney: Douglas Donnelly
Attorney Phone Number: 805.962.0988
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