Choose A Family : Parent Profile
Lisa & Jay
Hello,
We’re Jay and Lisa and we sincerely thank you for reading our letter and considering us as parents of your child.
We take this opportunity to invite you into our lives and help you get to know us better. Your strength, love, and courage as you consider an adoption plan for your precious child inspires us. We are extremely grateful and honored for the chance to be blessed and chosen as the parents of your child.
What Led Us to Adoption
A few months before we married, we found out that it was virtually impossible for us to conceive biological children. We knew immediately that medical intervention was not for us; rather we would pursue the growth of our family through the miracle of adoption.
Our Life Together
We met at a small Baptist church in Los Angeles ten years ago and have now been married for almost five years. We enjoy going to church, meeting friends for dinner, attending family functions and traveling. There doesn’t seem to be a day that goes by which is not filled with laughter. After ten years together, we still kiss before the first bite at each meal. We’re best friends and each other’s confidante.
We love to travel, especially if there is a beach involved. A few years ago we discovered the joy of snorkeling. On one of our trips to Hawaii we were even able to swim with dolphins in their natural habitat.
When we go out to dinner we always make it a point to save room for dessert … it serves as a nice reminder that life is sweet.
About Lisa
I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma. Our house was set on five acres of land and we had horses, dogs, cats, and a few rabbits. Growing up in the country led to many adventures such as sledding down snow covered creek beds and discovering Indian arrowheads buried beneath the red earth. I was in the Brownies, took baton twirling and piano lessons, and was on the junior high school drill team. I was brought up in a Southern Baptist church where I attended Sunday-School and went to Vacation Bible School during the summers.
I have three sisters and four brothers – the youngest was adopted at birth. I loved reading as a child and am still an avid reader. Once I start a book it is hard for me to put it down until it’s finished. After attending college, I became a flight attendant for a major airline (my flight for the interview was actually my first time ever on an airplane) and moved from Oklahoma to New York City – a small town country girl in the “Big Apple!” After a few years in New York, I decided to try another great city, so I transferred with my job to Los Angeles … where I would meet my future husband, Jay.
Some of my fondest memories of childhood take place in the kitchen with my Mom where I helped her bake and … of course licked the spoon free of the cookie or cake batter. This has probably led to my lifelong love of cooking and baking. I love being in the kitchen baking cookies, cakes, cheesecakes or other types of desserts. It is never hard for me to find a reason to bake a sweet treat. I dream of the day that I can share this with our child. The last few years I started preparing and making Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners.
With 18 years of seniority with the airline, I have job security as well as wonderful health insurance and a great retirement plan. My career also allows me to take the first nine months off of work after the birth to care for our child. I can even take additional leaves of absence when needed. Being a flight attendant is an extremely pro-family career. After returning to work, I plan to fly only part-time (approximately 5-6 days a month) which will give me the full benefits of my job, including health insurance.
About Jay
I grew up in the suburbs just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My favorite part of growing up in Wisconsin was spending parts of the summer with my family on Lake Geneva where we had a speed boat – I still remember the times as a kid when my Dad (“Pops”) would let me take the helm of the boat to steer for awhile. After graduating from high school, I needed a break from cold weather so I attended the University of Arizona where I received my degree in classics with a minor in anthropology.
After college graduation, I spent nine years working in politics and the entertainment industry. Most of this time was in Los Angeles where I represented celebrities, screenwriters, television shows, and corporate clients in either a public relations or management capacity. I also worked on political campaigns while living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Charlottesville, Virginia.
Growing up I never could have imagined all the amazing people I would meet through my career, but I am most thankful that it took me through Los Angeles where I met Lisa the first time I went to the church she attended. We have so much fun together!
After working for nine years, I went back to school and earned a law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. Lisa and I actually got married in New Orleans during my first year of law school. I currently practice labor and employment law at St. Louis’ largest law firm. The practice of law is intellectually stimulating, but it also allows Lisa and me to be financially stable and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
When not working I enjoy traveling, going to church, working-out, watching college football, playing with dogs, and eating all the delicious food Lisa cooks and bakes. I also stay active in politics by volunteering on campaigns and traveling to colleges around the nation to train students.
Our Family
We have family all over the United States. Lisa’s family mainly resides in Oklahoma and Arkansas while Jay’s live in Wisconsin and Arizona. We get to see our family several times a year as one of the perks of Lisa’s job is that we can fly for free. We split the big holidays by spending Christmas in Arkansas with Lisa’s family and going to Arizona for Thanksgiving with Jay’s family.
Together, we have 16 nieces and nephews that are so excited to welcome a new cousin into their lives. Our five year old niece, Riana, was adopted as an infant.
Our parents are so thrilled and anxious for their next grandchild to join the family. Lisa’s mom is a retired schoolteacher who is excited to share her joy of learning with her newest grandchild. Jay’s parents in Arizona have their own business that they operate out of their house. This gives them the freedom to travel and spend lots of time with their next grandchild.
Our Future and Promise to You
We promise to raise the child you place with us in a loving home full of encouragement, a strong faith in God, and love that is pure and strong. We will instill in them a strong sense of self, faith, and pride. Our child will have the opportunity to attend wonderful schools and to pursue his or her dreams to the fullest. We will love your child unconditionally and always be honest with him or her about the gift that you have blessed us with … for without you we could not be a family.
Thank you again for taking the time to learn about us. If you have any questions or would like to speak with us, please contact your adoption advisor at AdoptHelp by calling 1-800-637-7999.
God Bless,
Jay & Lisa
Check Our Rating