Doug and Derek
We are Doug, Derek, Kepler & Anton – “The Guys,” according to Kep’s birthmother – and we are excited to continue building a family full of the love and support we have always found in our own close knit families and in our 12 years together. After two open adoptions, we are so excited at the prospect of adding a little girl and you to the mix. We know she will thrive in a home of caring, thoughtful guys as much as we will benefit from her perspective and energy.
A self starter, Doug (far right), 42, runs a successful marketing company he began in 1992. The creative visionary in the family, he also founded a non-profit theater and designed our houseboat. He is thoughtful and sincere, direct and always ready to laugh at himself. The ever changing stack of library books and magazines on his nightstand gives a clue to his favorite pastime, one which he loves to share by reading to our kids. Even more, he loves fostering their imaginations by creating bedtime “listening” stories with them about the Adventures of Kepton and Antler.
At 38, Derek (second from left) has his share of entrepreneurial and creative juices, too. He helped found a technology company and then decided to change gears and pursue his dream of writing. Derek enjoys teaching the boys about remaining active through being active himself. He cycles and plays in a weekly softball league, where his teammates look forward to having their pint-size cheering section each season. Derek, a patient teacher by nature, loves to play catch with Kepler and Anton, just as he and his dad did, and coached Kep’s tee-ball team last summer.
Kepler (top right) is a happy soul, quick to smile when given the slightest provocation. Naturally curious, he has earned the nickname “Why” from Derek’s parents. Anton (far left) has staked out his own place in the family as the best cuddler and a champion puzzle maker. He somehow straddles the line between shyness and fearlessness. He looks up to his big brother, but is equally happy to blaze his own trail. Watching these two interact is a joy – an opportunity that Derek gets frequently, both as the stay-at-home dad and as a volunteer in their preschool. They love preschool and enjoy frequent visits to Uncle Dave’s farm, the Children’s Theater, exploring the beach, and cooking meals with Papa. They both ride bikes without training wheels and already jump in the deep end of the pool at swim class, good examples of their trusting and adventurous natures.
Our sons’ birthfamilies represent a new dimension to our family life. We love celebrating birthdays and other milestones (such as Kepler’s birthmom’s graduation and Anton’s birthfather’s deployment) with them. Many may define family differently, but we wouldn’t have ours any other way. Our home is fun and boisterous, always filled with laughter, debate, and home-cooked meals. Doug’s twin sister, her infant daughter, and Derek’s older brother, all of whom live nearby, are often here, chatting away with our friends, many of whom just drop by as there is always room for a few more at our table.
Having many strong women in our lives to serve as inspiration, we are committed to raising a daughter who has the confidence to know that she can succeed at anything she commits to, and that her family will always be there to support her. With two brothers and two dads, she will certainly know how to hold her own among the guys. And with her cousin Samantha and Aunt Margie living nearby, she will have plenty of girls-only time.
We firmly believe that knowledge generates resourcefulness, which generates opportunity. Education has helped to open many doors in our lives, and for that our parents deserve many thanks. They prioritized our educations when money was tight, and taught us to believe that no goal is too modest or too grand. They encouraged us to work hard and measure our success in happiness and close friends. They taught us that our choices should always reflect and support the belief that we are good people. Our goal as parents is to teach these lessons in turn.
We wish you luck in this process and welcome a close and ongoing relationship with you.
For this family's complete adoptive parent profile, please contact Open Adoption and Family Services.