What does "Family Life" mean to you?
Time together, talking, laughing and caring for each other.
Describe your childhood:
Adoptive Mom:
Rachel is the only child. Her mum was only 22 yrs old when she had her and now when she looks back it feels as if they all grew up together. Both her parents liked to take vacation time both overseas and in the UK and exposed her to the passion of travel at a very young age. Rachel describes herself as having always been a “why” child. Her parents and her primary school always had time to explain things to her whenever she asked “why?”. She spent a lot of time with her father on the farm, they would be inseparable when it came to tending the live stock and plants. She learned a lot about the cycle of life as their animals went to slaughter. As she got older, she spent more time with her mother and would often travel around England with her when she was driving on a haulage job. Both parents being self employed meant that one of them was always at home and they would share responsibilities of jobs both in business and around the home. She considers herself to be a lucky child. Adoptive
Dad:
Jonathan feels very lucky in that during his youth, they all went overseas as a family along with his grandparents on vacation, and no doubt this developed his interest in travel, and exploring new things. This perpetuated into how he chose his career path.
Jonathan was a keen schoolboy, who enjoyed learning, and the participating in school teams, and passed his first round of exams with average marks. He has a good relationship with his brother, probably better now than at other times when growing up, due to his brother’s need to always win, as Jonathan reports. Jonathan’s parents split up during the time when he was doing his final high school exams, however this had no impact on his results despite failing, he simply wasn’t ready for them. So some early set-backs, but he knew that Electronic Engineering was what he wanted to do, and found an alternate way through the local Technical College to achieve passage to a higher qualification. Jonathan’s mother has always been there for him, no matter what, and they have enjoyed some good times, and she has always supported the paths he has chosen. She too has retained her love for travel and to try new things.
Tell us about your home?
Our home is a four bedroom villa, of large size. There is a large kitchen, which opens to the dining area. Next to the dining area is the living room, adjoining that is the hallway. There is a family/children’s play area with its own bathroom. There is a utility room and a maidsroom with a bathroom on the ground floor, in a separate building. On the first floor there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms., which includes a master bedroom with a bathroom. The villa has a large surrounding private garden . The villa is in an area that is green and has a swimming pool and play area.
When you have a 3-day weekend, what do you like to do?
Many different things, but always to maximize the luxury of a 3 day weekend. We like to be outdoors, and visiting new places, and generally enjoy the extra time together.
Do you have pets? If so tell us about them?
We don’t have any pets.
What is your favorite food?
Such a difficult question, but let’s start with chocolate, it is a food isn’t it? We enjoy barbequing when we are eating at home, particularly Tuna Steaks served alongside eggplant and zucchini. Our favorite food when we eat our are Italian, and we crave Indian food. Both styles of cooking are well represented here
What do you hope to teach your children?
So many things but responsibility, right from wrong, how to make good choices, how to enjoy life, and as Jonathan learnt from his father, a passion for sports and participation.
Do you play any musical instruments?
We have both dallied with musical instruments as we grew up. Rachel specialized in the clarinet, and Jonathan played guitar alongside his more accomplished brother in a couple of rock bands. Sadly both Rachel and Jonathan did not pursue this interest further. The musical side of the family is definitely with Jonathan’s brother, his wife and their son.
Describe your neighborhood?
We live in a quiet, and established expatriate community and are aware and respectful of the cross-cultural aspects of life. Our current home is located only five minutes walk through a quiet neighborhood to a beautiful un-spoilt beach complete with fine sand, and crystal blue waters. Within 10 minutes walk we have access to huge well-kept park complete with playground, running track, and masses of open lawn play areas.
Most of the buildings are single or two storey, usually enhanced by well-kept and colorful bushes and trees. We have a growing circle of friends in the expatriate community and we are also in close contact with other couples who have adopted children from abroad. Our community has all of the general resources available that we are used to having in the USA. This includes access to medical facilities, nurseries, and schools, public parks, and libraries, social, cultural and recreational facilities.
Once we complete our temporary assignment overseas, we shall return to our three bedroom home in Texas. Again located in quiet neighborhood, we are surrounded by trees in a master-planned community. Beyond our backyard we look out across a natural wetland, which has a thriving natural eco-system. The neighborhood provides nearby hike and bike paths, parks, swimming pools as well as modern shopping centers and restaurants. Within 30 minutes we are out into the country and nearby state parks.
Share something about your spouse that only you know:
About Husband: I know he has a wicked sense of humor, and has been known to cry with laughter at our silly jokes, or situations that we find ourselves in.
About Wife: Rachel finds the positive side in almost all things, and has un-erring ability to help other people, and put them first.
Describe the last romantic thing you did together?
Two things come to mind; having the romance of the beach close by, sharing impromptu pizza and coke as the sunset appeared. As we are approaching our 15th Wedding Anniversary, we have planned a short vacation to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, where when we wake in the morning all we shall see are breaking waves on our own private beach.
What will you tell your child about their birthmother?
With age-appropriate response, anything they want to know, that we have answers to.
It's Daddy's day - what activity do you want to share with your child?
Definitely build something together. I have built lego oil rigs with my nephew; and model farms with our friends children, but anything you can tell a story about. Then maybe a bike ride in the afternoon down to the beach.
Do you plan on sharing with your child what their birth parents were like?
If they would like to know and we have the answers then yes.
What kind of education are you hoping to provide for your child - Private or Public?
Rachel has experienced Private schooling and Jonathan Public. Believing that education is a key to a child’s growth into an adult we shall evaluate the best education options available, and choose accordingly.
How did you come to the decision of adoption?
We explored several different ways to become parents, and adoption is the way that we feel will fulfill our need.
What faith will you raise your child?
Using our life experiences, this will be a matter of choice on the child’s part as they gain an understanding of the paths they can follow.
How will you help your child accomplish their dreams?
Plenty of support, encouragement, and the right options to choose from.
What kind of a relationship do you hope to build with your birthmom through her pregnancy?
Unsure at this time, and will certainly depend upon the birthmother expectations and needs to define this relationship.
How did you meet?
It was the playful distraction of a pair of Batman socks that brought us together over 18 years ago, whilst working for the same company in the UK. Jonathan’s company had been taken over by the company that Rachel was working for, and he needed to walk past her desk each day and up an open stairway to his office. At that time, the fashion was to wear conversational socks, which had motifs, logos or slogans on them. Rachel’s eye was caught by Jonathan’s Batman logo’ed socks one day, and that broke the ice.
What was your relationship with your parents like?
Rachel:
Loving and encouraging. Spent a lot of time with each of them, lot of laughter, always a sense of belonging.
Both parents being self employed meant that one of them was always at home and they would share responsibilities of jobs both in business and around the home. She considers herself to be a lucky child.
Jonathan:
Both Mother and Father were very supportive, and gave both my self and my brother much love. My Father was very much there for me in terms of sport, which he really understood the importance of as to a person’s development and confidence. He encouraged me to participate whether as a member of a soccer, cricket or rugby team; it gave me a sense of belonging. He taught me sports, and understood how practice can make you better, which also applies to general life. I learnt from him that winning isn’t everything, and that there are winners and losers.
My mother always supported my choices, but also questioned them to ensure I understood the path I was choosing, whether this was educational choices, social choices or as a younger child the choice of a toy. My mum has always being there for me, and I am sometimes embarrassed by the pride she displays.
What attracted you to each other?
Rachel’s attraction is undoubtedly her humor, her caring attitude and bright outlook on life.
Jonathan’s attraction is according to Rachel he has a nice butt! Otherwise, his smile and laughter and passion for life rank very highly.
Please describe your personalities:
Husband: Practical, realistic, matter-of-fact; like to organize and run activities.
Wife: Practical, orderly, matter-of-fact, logical, realistic and dependable.
What are your hobbies (please share those you enjoy as individuals and those you enjoy as a couple):
Husband: Cycling, running, cooking, traveling, golf, music, shopping, eating out.
Wife: Photography, shopping, eating out, swimming, reading, traveling
Both: Shopping, eating out, traveling
When you close your eyes and see yourself holding your precious baby in your arms what are your thoughts regarding the birthmother?
Gratitude and admiration of their courage.
How will a child enrich your life?
Enrich is a more appropriate verb to use than complete when considering a child’s impact on our life. We’re going to be seeing the world through different eyes, which will be exciting, amusing and questioning. As you build a loving relationship with a child, we as adults, and now as parents will need to develop further, having a new person within our family. A child will also enrich our lives with our family and friends in new ways. There will be many new facets of life to enjoy.
Why did you each choose the career path you decided on?
Husband: After eventually deciding that a degree in Electronic Engineering would be my graduate degree, the attributes that drove my career choice were a need to travel; a non 9-to-5 job and a non-design engineering role.
Wife: Rachel has never taken one path, and done different jobs which have always involved her excellent people skills.
What makes a birthmom special?
The ability to consider the child first and make a difficult but caring decision.
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