Choose A Family : Parent Profile
CeJe’ and Dexter
Dear Expectant Parent,
Hello! When we began to think about this letter and what we wanted to say to you we were overcome with emotion. Quite simply, we just wanted to run to you, hug you, and say, “THANK YOU!!” Thank you for choosing life, thank you for making a decision full of love during a very difficult time, and thank you for taking the time to get to know a little bit more about us.
We want you to know that even though we have yet to meet you we have a huge amount of love, respect, and admiration for you. We do not even pretend to know what you are going through, but we do want to tell you that we would love to go through it with you to the very best of our abilities. Most of all, we promise, if you give us the opportunity, to love your baby with all of our hearts.
Who Are We?
We were both blessed with wonderful childhood homes and memories, and we completely realize that the stable and loving relationship we share today is very much a product of our stable and loving childhood. The same kind of childhood we look forward to providing to your child.
It is very hard to pinpoint when we met because we were friends and have known one another our entire lives. We grew up about 4 miles from each other. But we do remember fondly our first date was in 1999, when we went to the movie theatre to watch Sleepy Hollow. From that point on we were inseparable and after dating for four years we were married in 2003, in a beautiful, fairy-tale wedding at the church where we met and continue to attend, surrounded by friends and family.
Today, we love to travel, whether it is to beaches or to the mountains, any time we spend together as a family is what we value the most. Our current favorite destination is Disney World and we really enjoy seeing the joy it brings to our five year old son’s face. We cannot wait to share this experience with a new child.
Nonetheless, we realize that our most precious time is when we are with one another at home. We love to cook hamburgers on the grill and make a pallet in the floor of our living room and pop in a movie or play a game, our current favorite being What’s Inside Ned’s Head.
Dexter on Cassandra (CeJe’)
I have tried to think about the very best way to describe CeJe’ to someone who has never met her and it is difficult. I believe that CeJe’ is the most beautiful woman in the whole world both on the inside and on the outside. She is a wonderful mother and is always patient and kind, and truly enjoys introducing our son to new things in the world around him. But I know that you probably want to know her on a personal level. What is she like every day? I think I can best describe that by what I wrote in our wedding vows, “I promise to everyday celebrate your uniqueness.” I remember saying it with a big smile and seeing the tears in her eyes but that is what defines her and I am thankful for that every day.
CeJe’ loves to sing – anywhere – in the car, in the shower, and always knows every word even if she has only heard a song once. She also plays the flute, conducts a drama team at our church, and is anxiously awaiting sharing these talents with our son and a new child. CeJe’ also loves to read. Her favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird,“ and after reading it once she determined that she would become a lawyer, she loved that Atticus Finch’s daughter thought he was the bravest man that ever lived, and she wanted her children to have that opinion of her. CeJe’ graduated law school and passed the bar exam this year. However, she does not practice law but has kept her job working for the board of education because she wants to be at home on an extended leave when a new baby arrives and she loves having plenty of time off now to spend with our son.
CeJe’ on Dexter
I think Dexter is best described as kind. He has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. His voice is even kind and gentle. Dexter loves our son and I unconditionally and I can honestly say that I have not doubted his love for me even one day in the many years I have known him. Not only because he tells me in words everyday but because he shows me and our son with his actions. He is a pharmacist so he provides for us very well financially but he never fails to make sure he is involved in all the little things. He works for a small, independent community pharmacy so that allows him to never miss one of our son’s activities or even a check-up at the doctor’s office. He is an amazingly involved father and he cannot wait to have another child. In fact, that is one thing he prays for every night.
On a personal level, Dexter loves to play tennis and golf. I am very artistic but he is a perfect balance for me because he is athletic. He has recently begun teaching our son to play tee-ball, dribble a basketball, and run with a football. With his constant encouraging attitude Zach already thinks he is a pro. Dexter is also a huge fan of college football. He loves Alabama but he is willing to watch any team just because he loves the sport. Finally, Dexter loves to be around friends. We have a group of friends from our Sunday school class that we get together with often on the weekends. Our kids love to play and while we girls do activities with them such as painting, camp fires, swimming, or baking – Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies are a fave – Dexter and the guys like to play cards or shoot basketball.
Family Traditions and Special Times
We are very close to our families. In fact, by simply traveling a few miles our family can gather and represent five generations. We realize that we are blessed to live so close to grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. We spend much time together throughout the year.
The summertime and most definitely the Fourth of July is spent at the lake near our home. We love to swim, well-supervised of course, watch fireworks, and go to the local parade. We have even been known to build a family float to ride in the parade.
The fall and winter are special around our home too. We attend football games, go to the pumpkin patch, and attend a fall festival at our church. The night before Thanksgiving CeJe’ loves to prepare a home-cooked meal. When Dexter gets home from work we eat dinner around a beautifully set, but kid friendly, table and then we turn on Christmas carols and decorate our entire house for Christmas. Zach, our five year old, loves to put up at least three trees every year, and we are completely fine with the fact that most of the ornaments are on the bottom half! We love to celebrate the entire Christmas season with numerous family gatherings, caroling, Christmas programs at church, and nights watching Christmas movies at home and cooking treats or making ornaments.
This year’s vacation to Disney World!
Ten Things We Promise to You
Your child will be loved UNCONDITIONALLY! This is what we as a couple strive to offer one another and it is what we offer our son and will offer our new child.
Your child will always be loved by two parents. Our marriage is strong, secure, and we love to say we have always been married because we have loved one another from childhood.
Your child will be surrounded and loved by a kind and caring extended family and friends. We live close to extended family so barbecues and game nights are frequent.
Your child will live in a safe, happy home and community. Our community is very small, we do not even have a red light, but it is beautiful. There are always plenty of watchful eyes to make sure children are safe and protected and there are always children to play with.
Your child will have numerous opportunities to travel and have fun. On average we try to go on at least three family vacations every year.
Your desired level of openness will always be respected. We believe a child’s life deserves to be enriched in every way possible and touched by every person who loves him/her but we also realize that your life must continue in whatever way you choose as well. We will also learn and care about your dreams and hopes for your child.
Your child will always be provided financial security which will allow him/her to never be hindered in seeking his/her dreams.
Your child will always be provided with opportunities to pursue his or her dream. If your child wants to take dance, we will find a dance class; if your child wants to play piano, we will find lessons; and if your child wants to play sports, we will join the team.
Your child will have boundaries so that he/she will feel secure and be protected. We believe children should be creative and have fun, but we also believe children should learn to live and become productive members of a society with rules.
We value and promise to always value and teach your child to value; faith, family, friendships, education, hard work, and people.
In Closing
We are very excited about raising another child! We know that right now our family is happy and whole: but ready to share our energy, fun, and excitement with another child. We believe that parents must pray for their children, love their children, and support their children no matter what the circumstances. We have always discussed adoption and when we learned that it would be medically difficult for us to bring a healthy child into the world biologically we were not devastated but excited and anxious to pursue the adoption process. Our family is already filled with adopted cousins and members, of all ethnicities and ages, and we believe this fact makes our family stronger. We did begin, however, at that point to pray for you, the person who would read this letter, and we hoped for your safety and peace during this time. We would LOVE to meet you in person, get to know about you. If you would like to learn more about us contact our Adoption Advisor at AdoptHelp, 1800-637-7999 toll-free.
With Love,
CeJe’ & Dexter
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