Our names are Rachel and John, and we want to thank you for your consideration and taking the time to review our profile. It is an honor to share our hopes and dreams for a child with you. You are facing a challenging decision and we want you to know that adoption is a gift that is selfless and brave. Adoption is a blessing that touched our lives when we adopted our son 3 years ago and we can't wait to become parents again!

John Rachel Job Description Capital Projects Analyst for a Manufacturing Company Stay-at-Home Mom, Former Elementary Teacher Education B.S. Business Administration B.S. Elementary Education Favorites Quality about my Spouse Honesty Quality about my Spouse Sense of Humor Sport to Watch College Football Sport to Watch Baseball Tradition Friday Night Pizza Tradition Annual Local Parade & All of Our Family Coming TV Show The Amazing Race TV Show Law & Order Family Activity Trips to the Zoo Family Activity Trips to the Zoo Children Max-4 years old (adopted)

We knew that we had lots of love to offer a child. We tried for 5 years to conceive and had no luck at all. We then decided to go to our doctors and see if medically there was a reason that we could not have children. At this time, Rachel underwent surgery for endometriosis. We thought this would change things, but still no luck. After lots of thinking, we both felt that our child was to come from someone else. At this time, we pursued our first child through International adoption. We had several friends who had adopted from Russia and decided that this is where we should go. We both knew that we wanted children and it did not matter how they got here.

Adoption has affected our lives in several different ways. John's brother was adopted domestically at 6 months of age. We also have 3 precious cousins who are adopted from China and our wonderful son is adopted from Russia. When we adopted our son, Rachel was a first grade teacher and wanted to be able to stay home and raise our son. At this time, we started speaking at Information Meetings at our adoption agency to answer questions for other prospective couples. This led to Rachel accepting a part-time, work from home job for the adoption agency speaking to couples who were interested in adopting. Adoption has become such a huge part of our lives that we could not imagine having started our family any other way.

Every moment that you have to share with a child is special. What may seem like a simple task, can be the most enjoyable time you spend with a child. Whether it is getting up on Saturday morning to cook pancakes, reading a book before bed, or taking a "splish-splash" each night, those are the things you enjoy the most and love to share with a child. We love the outdoors, and enjoy going to the park and zoo. We have a big yard, with lots of room to run and play. We look forward to sharing all of these wonderful experiences with this child.

Getting Ready for a Ride to the North Pole on the Polar Express

Adoption is an amazing journey! This is your child's story of how they came to be who they are. We will start very early telling your child that they are adopted and how many wonderful people around them love them. We will talk about it very positively and openly. They will know whatever information we know. We will honor the child's birthparents by telling them how thankful we are to them for the gift that they gave us, but that we are most thankful for the gift of life they gave their child. The child will never feel different or alone because they will have a brother and cousins who are adopted, but most of all they will have people around them that love them no matter what the circumstances.