Dear Expectant Mother,
We're Julie, Karen, and Gracie from San Jose, California. We hope our words can provide insight into our lives, convey our commitment to providing a loving and secure family environment, and share our great excitement about the opportunity to extend our family through adoption. Our daughter, Gracie, also wants you to know that she will be a devoted big sister. We understand this decision cannot be easy for you. Please know that we admire your courage and are grateful that you have taken the time to read our letter.
About us...
We met through mutual friends twelve years ago and have happily shared our dreams ever since. Our commitment and respect for each other remains strong and we are blessed with a community of family and friends who share in our journey every day. In 2003, one of our greatest wishes came true when Julie gave birth to Gracie. Shortly thereafter, Karen adopted her. Our hope for more children was challenged by unsuccessful attempts at pregnancy but our desire has never, ever waned. We believe families are created from love and we look forward expanding our family through the adoption process.
We are very fortunate to be financially secure which enables us both to be stay-at-home moms. Julie left her position teaching young children motor skills development to be home with Gracie. A few years later, Karen retired from a successful Internet company to enjoy each day with them both. Some of our favorite activities include bedtime stories, being volunteer t-ball coaches, trips to Tahoe, camping, and attending San Francisco Giants games. Quality time has always been an important family value, but we also respect each other's individual interests. Among other things, Julie plays tennis, Karen prefers basketball, and Gracie loves soccer.
Julie describes Karen...
Karen was born and raised in North Dakota. Her mom, two sisters, one brother, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins still live there. She was a motivated student, graduating both high school and college with honors while excelling on the track and basketball court. After graduating with a teaching degree, Karen moved to the Bay Area about eighteen years ago and I'm thankful she did. After five years of teaching activity-based classes to young children, Karen changed careers and established herself in the corporate world as a hard-working webmaster and dedicated team manager. Karen's hobbies include photography, reading, golf, and basketball.
There are so many words to describe her but if I had to pick one it would be "genuine." Karen is always the first to lend a helping hand. She is warm, caring, and makes me feel safe. She has the gentlest heart and everyone that knows her has asked at some point, "Is she always this calm?" She is very organized and handy. She doesn't turn away from what might seem a daunting task, such as a 120 -piece desk assembly or painting flowers on Gracie's wall. She is a wonderful partner...always very supportive and positive. In the past five years, I have had the pleasure of watching Karen raise our daughter. She is very patient and her silly side comes out so naturally. Karen has such a strong presence and I know Gracie feels that same safety when she is in her mama's arms. Whether it be with family, friends, or just an acquaintance, her giving is so natural that she doesn't realize how many lives she's touched.
Karen describes Julie...
Julie is a homegrown California native and loves the sun, beach, and water. She also loves most outdoor activities, including tennis, mountain biking, water skiing, snow skiing, and snowboarding. Most recently, Julie has become very excited about yoga. She is an avid reader and loves to cook, especially for her family. In fact, one of the first things I admired about Julie, and still do today, is her devotion to family. Growing up in the Bay Area, Julie has a lot of extended family here including her mother, sister, two nieces, and 97-year-old grandmother, Nonnie. When her nieces were younger, Julie would not hesitate to pack them up for camping and skiing trips. Whether it's getting everyone together for holidays with Julie's large Italian family, Sunday visits to Nonnie's, or simply inviting her mother over for dinner, Julie truly values and appreciates the family closeness. Words cannot describe everyone's overwhelming joy when Julie found out she was pregnant and the amazing encouragement we've received regarding our desire to adopt.
Simply put, Julie is my best friend and the love of my life. She is kind, spontaneous, passionate, communicative, active, and funny. It may sound cliché, but she makes me a better person. When I tend to be too serious, Julie balances me with playfulness. When I tend to procrastinate, she pushes me forward. She makes me laugh, she makes me think, and she makes me happy. I love to watch her around kids as she has an amazing ability to relate to children on their level. She is that mom on the playground being chased by the kids in a game of tag as well as the one that gets a dozen preschoolers quietly absorbed into the storybook being read. Her laughter is infectious and her motherly devotion is tireless.
About Gracie...
Gracie is Julie's biological daughter and was adopted by Karen soon after birth. She is an amazing five-year-old...sweet, determined, active, loving, smart, and helpful. Currently enrolled in junior kindergarten at private school, Gracie enjoys learning and being around her classmates.
Her sense of family is already strong, as she loves visiting her Nonnie on Sundays, playing with her cousins, and hanging out with her moms. She enjoys riding her bike, going to school, playing soccer and t-ball, and swimming. Rollerblading was recently added to her long list of activities. Gracie also loves our annual trips to Disneyland.
Our home...
We live in San Jose, which is about an hour drive south of San Francisco. Our five-bedroom home has been described by friends as warm, open, and inviting. Our neighborhood is safe and filled with children of various ages and ethnicities. Just down the street, there is a park with plenty of open space, two playgrounds, and a walking path. We share our home with Lahti and Ellie, our two chocolate labs. They are very gentle and love being around our family and friends. In addition, we also enjoy spending time at our second home on Lake Tahoe.
We believe...
We believe that a parent's love is unconditional and that confidence is best built through positive encouragement. We believe it is equally important to learn by doing as well as by observing and that it is important not to back down from life's challenges, but to embrace them. We believe that respecting others starts with respecting oneself. We believe in every child's potential and we believe are all connected. We believe we are a loving, capable couple ready to expand our family.
In closing...
Thank you for letting us share a little about ourselves. We respect that you have a big decision to make and we hope you have learned a little about us and our lives. We look forward to talking to you and hope to meet you. Please feel free to contact us at julieandkaren@gmail.com or call us toll free at 1-888-801-8272. You can also contact our friendly adoption attorney, Susan Romer, at 1-800 U.ADOPT.US or by emailing adamsromer@aol.com.
With great respect and gratitude,
Karen & Julie
