First off, we are so grateful that you have chosen to bring this baby into the world and are honored you paused to learn about us and consider us! We know this is an impossible decision and we are here to ease your fears and look forward to supporting you in any way we can. We have been waiting so long to welcome this child into our family.

Adoption is part of our family history and has always been a desire for us. Liz’s mother was adopted and was incredibly open about this fact her whole life. As Liz was growing up, it became important that one day she would adopt a child and she found a man who shared this feeling. Liz’s mom’s adoption story has shaped our perception and values in the adoption process and the story you will share for the baby.

We have known each other since junior high and discovered we had feelings for each other in our senior year of high school. We dated for four years before getting married. Over the next nine years we completed college, started our careers, traveled and set up our life for our future family. We remain committed to each other and our family.

After four long years and infertility issues, we found our way to parenthood, and we welcomed our son Samuel into our lives. Waiting until Samuel was older, we started the adoption process and have been eagerly waiting to welcome another child into our family, our home, and our hearts. Samuel is excited and an active part of our adoption journey.

I have known I wanted to have a career working with children since I was young.

It was not until my future mother-in-law introduced me to the idea of Speech-Language Pathology that I ever considered pursuing that career path. After graduating with my degree in Speech-Language Pathology, I was immediately hired at a public preschool where I remained for 14 years. I’m now at an elementary school. At work I get to spend every day working with children who have different diagnoses including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and language disorders.

Through all this experience we have raised our son to be accepting and being kind to all.

A perk of working in the public schools is that I get school vacations and summers off, allowing more time for Samuel and our future child.

Liz has always dedicated her life to helping children. She is specifically gifted in working with young children which, in addition to her profession, allows her to be an amazing mother to Samuel. She is a very caring person and connects with people on a very personal level. All this mixed with her great sense of humor and patience makes her not only an amazing soul mate, but an especially wonderful mom.

I have always been a creative person, even in my childhood when building worlds with my Lego sets. As I got older, I focused that creativity towards designing and building in real life. I graduated with a degree in architecture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and then Liz and I relocated to Los Angeles where I have been working in this field ever since. I even designed my parents’ home for them.

My parents encouraged my brother and I to follow our dreams and to find a career path that we enjoy. I plan to encourage our children to do the same.

Beyond work, I find joy in being a dad, reading comic books, going for walks, and traveling. I have always enjoyed exploring new places and learning about their history. Lately it has been really fun to be able to play video games and build Legos with Samuel.

Gregg is the most supportive man and dedicated dad. Before our relationship got serious, we talked all about our future and what we were looking for. He has fulfilled everything I could have ever dreamed of and more. When I struggle with things, just knowing Gregg is by my side helps me continue to become the best mom, wife and person I can be.

Samuel is an amazingly special kid and we do not take one minute with him for granted.

While he can be spirited and loud, he has such a big heart. He is one of the first kids to give someone a hug when he sees them hurting. He has assembled an eclectic group of friends, which has continued to grow each school year. Samuel has persevered through his own struggles in school to become a great student. We are aware that every child may have different areas of need and we are ready to do everything we can to support and accept our children for who they are.

We have been incredibly open with Samuel about the process of adoption, starting when he was very young. He started talking to us about his future adopted sibling before we started the process. To say he is excited and ready to be a big brother is an understatement. He truly is a big brother in training and supports and cares for his little cousins and younger friends. He enjoys reading to them and joining in their play.

I am 12 years old. I am good at reading and playing video games. I like having my best friends Evan and Perla. I enjoy watching Stranger Things, playing Star Wars video games, and going to trampoline parks.

I also love playing with toys and creating fun stories along with acting them out. I cannot wait to help with caring for my sibling and help to teach them things. My mom is very caring, and she will never give up on me. Dad is silly and plays video games with me.

We love to travel to see family and friends and explore new places. We have traveled all across the world and we especially enjoy learning about and being exposed to different cultures.

We have fun watching sports as a family, specifically going to football and baseball games. We have taken Sammy to many Dodgers games and several Chargers games here in LA.

We enjoy watching movies as a family, with our favorites being Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, and Harry Potter. We even have a closet full of costumes and themed outfits.

We love amusement parks! Living in LA, we have access to Knotts, Legoland, Universal Studios and our favorite, Disneyland.

Creativity is something our family nurtures. Whether it be Liz crafting personalized gifts and tshirts, or Gregg creating our Halloween decorations. Sammy always loves creating new things with his Lego collection.

We were both raised in Christian families, and we are raising our son similarly. We love, as God has loved; give to those in need, accept and respect those around us.

At Christmas time we decorate the whole house, including multiple Christmas trees in different themes in each room. In addition to it being close to our anniversary, it is a special time of year where we spend with friends and family, usually un in San Luis Obispo where both sides of the extended family gather.

Easter has always been a special time to gather with our families. With the loss of Liz’s grandmother, the holidays have brought time for reflecting and cherishing all the memories.

It’s important to us to spend holidays with our extended family and can’t wait to share with our future child. We would be happy to share any of your family stories as well.

Each year on Halloween Liz’s parents join us to dress up in costumes with the same theme. We love to pick a theme each year and dress up and decorate our front yard to match. Our neighbors look forward to our house each year.

Our community of Culver City has everything that we love about the greater Los Angeles area. It is a smaller community in the heart of the west side of LA.

We are minutes from the beaches and entertainment industry that makes LA so famous. At the same time, it has a small town feel with schools within walking distance. Liz and I are blessed to both have short drives to our work along with Liz’ parents only a short drive away. Samuel enjoys the fun local trampoline park and its slides.

Our favorite part of the weekend is taking Samuel to explore new things in LA. We love sharing new experiences and adventures with him and cannot wait to share these experiences as a family of four.

We both grew up in a small town called San Luis Obispo. We discovered Culver City, a small but very diverse community within the larger Los Angeles area. Our neighborhood reminds us of our small-town roots.

It is close enough to the excitement and opportunities of Los Angeles, but away from the busy life of Hollywood or Downtown. We purchased our 4-bedroom home in Culver City because it has excellent public schools and a friendly neighborhood.

With a living room, family room, small central play area, grassy front yard and back patio, there are plenty of areas to play. We are close to the elementary school where Samuel attended. Our neighbors have been very welcoming and there are several young children on the block. We have a room ready and waiting for our future child as well.

Liz’s Family: Although we both work full-time, Liz’s parents purchased a condo to be close and help out by picking Samuel up from school and help in caring for him. They are excited for us to welcome a new baby into the family and will continue to be part of a new grandchild’s life.

Liz lost her grandmother a few years ago, but her kindness and love still is a pillar and example that we live by. Liz’s sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew live in Colorado. Thank goodness for FaceTime for allowing us to stay in contact. Liz has a large extended family, some of which live nearby as well. The ones that live further away we make sure to visit during trips.

Gregg’s Family: Gregg’s parents live in Cayucos, which is beach town outside of San Luis Obispo, a close drive from LA. When we can’t make it up to them, they travel down to see us. Samuel even considers their dogs as his own, always plays with them.

Gregg’s brother lives in Boston and we take trips to see him and he always loves bonding with Samuel when they get together. Several of Gregg’s extended family live in Los Angeles and Orange County. We always make sure to visit together over Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

Family Friendships: Liz and Gregg remain close with several of her childhood friends who have started families with children of their own, some who have recently welcomed babies. We see them several times a year and even go on some vacations together. We love our chosen family.

We promise to love your child unconditionally and with all our hearts. We promise to fill their life with laughter and snuggles. We will raise them to be strong, determined, and independent. We will honor your story which will become their story and OUR story. We will be open and honest with your child about the adoption journey. We will always have open communication with you.

We thank you for considering us and taking the time to learn a little about us. We know that this decision you are making is a difficult one. We are grateful for your strength in making this decision. We look forward to learning about you and can’t wait to hear from you.