| Family Type: | Heterosexual Couple |
|---|---|
| Children: | Yes |
| Location: | IL |
|---|---|
| Religion: | Christian/Spiritual |
dear expectant mother
Dear Expectant Mother,
Since Charley was adopted as an infant, he grew up knowing love makes a family and families come in all shapes and sizes. If you are reading this letter and thinking about adoption for your baby, you must be a strong and kind person. Your baby must be able to feel that too. We feel honored and deeply grateful you would consider inviting us to be such an important part of your baby’s journey.
Just as we have with our first child, we promise to surround your baby with love and to celebrate the unique perspective he or she brings to the world. We value kind communication, curiosity, and creativity in our house, and it will be a joy to help our children learn these values too. We are committed to providing an excellent education for River and his younger brother or sister and to supporting their dreams any way we can.
We know you are supporting your baby’s dreams too. Although he did not meet his birthmother until he was an adult, Charley had a deep sense his birthmother was always wishing the best for him and cheering him on in her own way. We promise your courage and love will always be part of your baby’s story. Thank you for considering us as adoptive parents for your sweet child.
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About Us
We are both happy educators, working at the same liberal arts college. Kristin is an artist and author who loves learning and teaches on the studio art faculty. Charley works in the Dean’s office after years as an elementary school teacher and principal. Working in education helps us practice healthy communication at home too. We found each other as adults and knew almost immediately the other was the one each of us had been seeking. Our engagement involved a five-mile snowshoe hike in Northern Michigan. Charley proposed at our favorite steep overlook—but instead of the gorgeous views of Lake Michigan, we had a good view of a blowing snowstorm. We got married on a beach close to that spot the following summer. Whatever the weather, we know we are stronger together. Our home is joyful and positive, and it revolves around shared family activities with our son, River.
Our Home & Neighborhood
Our home is within a beautiful and historic college residence hall, where Charley supports students from all over the world. We eat many of our meals in the campus dining room with students, expanding our perspectives as we learn about faraway countries and cultures. We can’t imagine a better place for a child to develop a generous and inclusive view of the beautiful people of the world! Our neighborhood is a wooded park-like campus that includes a variety of spaces for little adventures, like an indoor swimming pool, a dance studio, playing fields, playgrounds, and a community garden. Sporting events, plays, dance productions, and concerts happen year round. It’s also the perfect place for family bike rides, hikes overlooking the Mississippi River, and playtime with other kids in the neighborhood.
Our Family & Friends
Our summer and winter breaks allow for precious time with our close-knit family, who can’t wait to hang another Christmas stocking over the holiday fireplace. In the winters, we go north to snowy Michigan for sledding, snowshoeing, and warm evenings by the fire with cousins, aunts, and uncles.
At Papa’s (Kristin’s dad’s) house, matching pajamas, old-time candy making, and carols around the piano help us to embrace the holiday spirit. Papa is a retired colonel in the Air Force and a pilot who now flies volunteer humanitarian missions. Kristin’s sister and brother are both married, and her sister has two children (ages 11 and 13) who make for playful and caring cousins.
Springs and summers add Florida and Ohio to our road-trip list. Charley’s brother (also adopted) gives tours of his big-rig truck and proudly gives presents adorned with Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns insignias. Grampy (Charley’s dad) is a former lawyer and entrepreneur who now lives close to the beaches, where we build castles and scour for shells and shark teeth. Family gatherings always include dog walks, Cleveland sports, and lots of laughs and hugs.
We also celebrate both of our moms, who have passed, through games, puzzles, and family reading—the things they loved the most!
What Led Us To Adoption
Our family has been blessed by adoption over and over again! Charley was adopted by a loving family as an infant, and he has always delighted in knowing that true family is about love and commitment, not about genetics. With cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents who have all been adopted, the next little member of our family will be surrounded by a family with adoption woven into the very fabric of our love. When we made the decision to expand our family circle with the addition of a precious little one, we knew we had the perfect history and foundation to embrace the beauty of adoption and support this unique and expansive family structure. We can’t wait to go on this journey with you!
Fun Facts
About Kristin
| Occupation | Artist/college professor |
|---|---|
| Education | MFA in Visual Arts |
| Race | Caucasian |
| Favorite Food | Anything with ginger |
| Favorite Hobby | Gardening, growing orchids |
| Favorite Movie | The Princess Bride |
| Favorite Sport | Fitness: kid hoisting & chasing :) |
| Favorite Holiday | Christmas, Mother’s Day |
| Favorite Music Group | Indigo Girls, Trampled by Turtles |
| Favorite TV Show | Queer Eye |
| Favorite Book | Griffin & Sabine |
| Favorite Subject in School | Art, English, sustainability |
| Favorite Tradition | Baking Christmas cookies |
| Dream Vacation | Hiking the Camino Santiago |
About Charley
| Occupation | College residential life |
|---|---|
| Education | MA in education |
| Race | Caucasian |
| Favorite Food | Salad, ribs, sushi, cookies |
| Favorite Hobby | Surfing |
| Favorite Movie | Elf |
| Favorite Sport | Hockey, volleyball |
| Favorite Holiday | Thanksgiving |
| Favorite Music Group | Simon & Garfunkel |
| Favorite TV Show | Finding Your Roots |
| Favorite Book | Stephen King books |
| Favorite Subject in School | Russian, theater, social studies |
| Favorite Tradition | Summers in Northern Michigan |
| Dream Vacation | Family train adventures in foreign lands |
Contact Kristin & Charley
Choose a Family for
Your Baby With Confidence
As you browse our list of hopeful adoptive parents, you can feel confident in knowing that all of the adoptive families working with Angel Adoption are prepared to offer your baby a safe, stable, and loving environment along with a wealth of opportunities for a happy and fulfilling life.
Each adoptive parent has been thoroughly evaluated through a home study course conducted by a licensed agency. A completed home study means the family is emotionally, physically, and financially ready to adopt a baby.
The home study process includes assessments of each parent’s character, marital stability, financial situation, lifestyle, and medical history. The agency also runs background checks to verify there is no record of criminal activity or child abuse. In addition, a social worker will inspect the family’s home to ensure it is a safe environment for a child.
Furthermore, Angel Adoption requires each family to be educated on adopting and parenting. After a baby has been placed with the adoptive family, a social worker will continue to monitor and supervise the family. We go to great lengths to make sure all the families you have to choose from are going to be excellent parents for your baby!
Not sure how to start? See our How to Choose an Adoptive Family resource page.
If you need more help, you’re always welcome to contact us any time!