Hello! We are Edward & Carrissa from CA! We greatly appreciate the opportunity to give you a glimpse into our lives, and for considering us as adoptive parents. Your selflessness and strength to choose the path of adoption speaks volumes for the love that you have for your baby.

We hope that through our profile you will be able to see the love we have for each other, our family and our future child. We always knew adoption would play a part in our family story, and now it will be the main event. To us, becoming parents is more than biology. It means raising a child to be the best human they can be and embracing them with unconditional patience, love, and understanding. We are so excited for the journey ahead and sincerely thank you for considering us. Know that your decision will be the right one, whatever you choose.

With admiration and gratitude,
Carrissa and Edward

Both originally from Texas, we first crossed paths in summer 2003. We shared a quick smile and wave, but never spoke. Months later, we saw each other while out with friends and instantly recognized one another from the time before. Carrissa was flying to New York on vacation, followed by a trip home to visit her family. In hopes that Carrissa wouldn’t forget Edward, he called her every day that she was gone until their first date 3 weeks later. The rest, as they say, is history! We dated for 5 years and married in a VERY large Hispanic wedding on November 2008.

This small family, city boy and large family, country girl may have their differences, but we complement one another extremely well. We share a love for playing and watching sports, trying new food spots, watching a good movie, taking boxing classes, the outdoors and quality time with family and friends. We are the ying to the other’s yang.

Fun Fact: We are HUGE Comic Con fans and we have attended various Comic Con events nationwide for over 10 years.

I was raised in a large Hispanic family with about 25 first cousins on each side. Although I grew up as an only child, after my brother passed away when I was 7, I always had family by my side. My parents have been married for 43 years and have always set the example for where strong communication, hard work, empathy and love can take you. There was never a shortage of hugs, kisses, laughter and reasons to celebrate one another growing up. Even today, our family looks forward to visits and reunions in our small TX ranching town to continue celebrating together.

I was always an active student; joining the dance team, playing saxophone and participating in academic societies. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Development & Learning, and taught 2nd grade for six years before moving to California. In California, I earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and now oversee corporate training programs. I enjoy a flexible schedule that offers work from home options and the ability to be a present wife, reliable friend and the active parent our future child deserves.

Carrissa has so many magnificent qualities including her smile, laugh, caring heart, competitive nature, playful personality, and never ending affection. I love her and know our future child will fall in love with her too.

I was born and raised in Texas. While my parents divorced at an early age of my childhood, I was raised by my paternal grandmother and still saw both my biological parents on a regular basis. My childhood was spent playing baseball, skateboarding, listening to music, and working out. The household I grew up with consisted of my great grandmother, grandmother, and for a six year period, my aunt and two younger cousins. This household created an extremely fun and loving environment for my childhood.

I decided to stay close to my family and attended the local university where I obtained my Bachelors and Masters Degrees. While in Grad school, I worked in Human Resources for the federal government and continued this career path until today. My current position offers a vast amount of flexibility which includes a set schedule, weekends off, and work from home options, which will allow me to be present for our future child. I am looking forward to spending time with our future child and sharing all my experiences and knowledge with them.

Fun Fact: I enjoy collecting vintage 80’s toys and exclusive Pop Funkos is kind of a hobby. I even have some of my original childhood toys in my collection.

Edward is going to be such a wonderful father. I know he will be there from the beginning, encouraging their passions and showering them with love. I can’t wait to see him and our little one fall in love with one another.

Family is the best! Edward was blessed to grow up in a household with five generations of family on his paternal side. Although they are not all with us still today, he remains close to his older sister Eileen, younger sister Michelle, her son/our nephew Dylan and his cousins, Eric and Meghan. Eileen also lives in Southern California, and she cannot wait to be an aunt! The others live in Texas, but his sisters and nephew spend Thanksgiving with us in our home. We ensure to visit one another once or twice a year and know visits will likely increase when a cousin is added to our family.

There is an unwritten rule that we won’t go more than 4 months without seeing Carrissa’s parents, Socorro and Juan. Now that they are retired, their visits can last up to a month. At least one of those is to celebrate Carrissa’s birthday and 4th of July (just days apart) with fireworks by the water. Christmas is always spent back in Texas with the extended family. Carrissa’s parents are ready to pack their bags and spend as much time as they can here with their future grandchild!

Friends are a blast! In our years in California, we’ve seen our circle of friends enter relationships, marriages and start families through birth, fostering and adoption. They are just as excited as we are to meet our future child and embrace them as one of their own! Friendsgiving, New Years, Super Bowl and birthdays, are always on the calendar with this crew and future babysitters.

We live in a family friendly neighborhood in Southern California. We’ve lived in this neighborhood for 10 years and absolutely love it! Our one story home has 4-bedrooms and a big grassy backyard. It allows us to comfortably host friends and family. (Think future birthday parties!) The elementary school is across the street and our neighborhood park is a close 10-minute walk away. Our neighbors are a blend of young families and retired couples that have lived here for years. We are a quick drive to beaches, hiking trails, museums and amusement parks.

Carrissa’s parents were drinking their morning coffee on their front porch when a vocal kitten hopped on their laps, requesting attention and food. After no one in town claimed her, we took a road trip to meet her and it was love at first sight with our calico, Sisy.

Sisy is a bit shy at first, but soon warms up to friends and family that stop by for a visit. She loves to greet us at the door, roll over for belly rubs, sunbathe by the windows, chase her toys around the house and explore at outdoor time.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and considering us as adoptive parents. Your child will know that you chose adoption because of your own selfless love for them. We promise to provide them the opportunities to seek out their dreams, knowing we’re right behind them cheering loudly and providing the guidance they need. We promise to have open communication and listen without judgment. We promise to raise your child to be a kind, respectful and genuine human being. We promise to provide an emotionally and physically safe environment filled with laughter, adventure and unconditional love.

The journey to becoming parents hasn’t been what we thought it would be, but life doesn’t always go as planned. Some of the most amazing things happen when you take a new path. We know this decision does not come easy, and we admire you greatly for the path you have chosen.

-Carrissa & Edward