dear expectant mother
We can’t imagine how difficult it must be for you to make the many decisions you are faced with, and we are so grateful you are taking time to read this letter.
Having a child will change our lives in ways we can’t even imagine yet. We are excited to share the things we enjoy and are passionate about with a child and to see the world through their eyes. We are also excited to be able to provide opportunities and experiences for our future children and to help them navigate their journey in this world.
While adding a child to our lives will be a big change, it is one we are looking forward to. A child will easily fit into our family walks around the neighborhood, baseball game outings, neighborhood festivities, and lazy weekends. These weekends are for family bonding, love, laughter, and pancakes. We are planning to travel as much as we can, including trips home to Arizona. We are excited to experience other cultures that are different from ours so we can learn about this world we live in together.
Thank you for reading this letter and considering us in your journey. Whatever you ultimately decide, we want you to know we support you. We want you to get the most out of this life and wish nothing but happiness for you and for the baby who will soon enter this world.
About Us
We connected in 2016 through eHarmony and met in April for an in-person coffee date that lasted almost two hours! After a year, we moved in together, and in October of 2017, we got engaged. We married a year and a half later back home in Arizona.
Shannon is outgoing and loves anything to do with Harry Potter or musicals. Shannon has her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and works as a Job Accommodation Specialist, helping to set up job accommodations for people with disabilities. Grant is more reserved and loves Seinfeld, reading, and baseball. Grant recently earned his Master’s in Healthcare Administration. He currently works as a Behavioral Health Counselor at a residential facility while searching for a position utilizing his degree.
We love traveling together, going to baseball games, spending time with our friends and family, and walking our dog.
Our Home & Pets
We live in a two-bedroom apartment in a residential neighborhood in Illinois with our sweet nine-year-old rescue dog, Toby. There is enough room for him to run around and for us to sit and enjoy the outdoors on our patio. There is also a park across the street and another two parks within decent walking distance. Across the street is an elementary school with a playground, and there are two other schools nearby. There are many things to do in our community: large parks, a zoo, sports, museums, and even a body of water close by to enjoy. There are also many community events to enjoy throughout the year that are fun for all ages.
Our Extended Family
Grant grew up in Arizona as an only child. His mom passed away when he was 15, and his dad later remarried a woman with three children, three grandchildren, and another on the way. Grant has two aunts on his dad’s side, with a total of five cousins. Grant has another aunt on his mom’s side. Grant is also very close with his great-uncle and great-aunt in Arizona, who have two adopted children and three grandchildren.
Shannon grew up with her sister in Arizona, and their parents divorced early on. Her mom remarried and added a brother and sister. Shannon is very close with her sister, who is married with one child. Shannon's step-brother is married with two children. Shannon has two cousins and an aunt and uncle on her mom’s side. She also has three aunts, an uncle, and five cousins on her dad’s side. Shannon also has a nine-year-old half-brother through her father.
While we live in Illinois and our families live in Arizona, we connect with them daily via phone and video. We go to Arizona often, and our parents visit us at least once a year.
What Led Us To Adoption
We discussed the possibility of adoption early in our relationship. Shannon has a genetic condition that could make it difficult to have biological children. Once we started discussing expanding our family, we discovered that not only would having biological children be difficult but dangerous for Shannon as well. That is when we ultimately made the decision to officially pursue adoption. Both of our families have been enriched by adoption, and we’ve seen firsthand what joy adoption can bring. We are excited for this opportunity to add to our family because we hope to be the people to provide love, support, experiences, and opportunities that will help a child find a place in this world.
Fun Facts
About Shannon
| Occupation | Job Accommodation Specialist |
|---|---|
| Education | Master of Arts - Counseling |
| Race | Caucasian |
| Favorite Food | Pasta, chocolate |
| Favorite Hobby | Photography, reading |
| Favorite Movie | Frozen |
| Favorite Sport | Soccer, volleyball |
| Favorite Music Group | McFly |
| Favorite Subject in School | History, band |
| Favorite Tradition | Christmas Day brunch |
| Dream Vacation | Travel around Europe |
About Grant
| Occupation | Behavioral Health Counselor |
|---|---|
| Education | Master of Science - Healthcare Administration |
| Race | Caucasian |
| Favorite Food | Mac and cheese |
| Favorite Hobby | Walks, reading |
| Favorite Movie | Pulp Fiction |
| Favorite Sport | Baseball |
| Favorite Music Group | Norah Jones |
| Favorite Subject in School | English, social studies |
| Favorite Tradition | Time with family and friends |
| Dream Vacation | Europe, South America |
Contact Shannon & Grant
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!