Joann and John
Dear Birth Parent(s):
As we write this letter we can only imagine the struggles and difficulties you are facing as you make decisions for your child’s future. We are John, Joann and John, and we are looking forward to welcoming another child to our family. John (the little one) joined our family through open adoption in early 2005. We invite you to get to know us through our words here, and we pray that we will all know if your child is supposed to be our bond with you.
We were both raised in larger families and value the relationships we have with our brothers and sisters. We always planned on having a bigger family so that our children could have that experience as well.
We currently live on a quiet cul-de-sac in a small city. The area looks rural, because the neighbors have sheep and horses, but we are also close to a college, hospital, shopping mall, and our church. Currently we are working to build a local cohousing community, we hope to move into once it is finished. Our home will be smaller, but the community will have a large building where neighbors can share meals and activities with each other. We are hoping to live a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle, enriched by others who have similar values.
We are a thoughtful, playful family. We enjoy picnics, big bowls of popcorn, singing and dancing, and reading books out loud to each other. Our son John is very intrested in music, and is often organizing his parents to join him in a family band. At bed time we usually read some children’s books, and then read a grownup book until John goes to sleep. Recent selections for the the adults have included Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter.
Before we were married Joann worked in Catholic Churches coordinating children’s programs. She now uses her skills as a volunteer with children’s religious education programs at our local church, and in training other adults to work with children. She has a deep respect for children that greatly forms the way she approaches being a mom. She enjoys figuring out ways to include John in everyday activities. For example, while grocery shopping she will invite John to scoop the bulk foods. She also enjoys many creative endeavors like spinning yarn, knitting, and sewing. John has a lot of hand made clothes because of this.
John worked for 6 years as a computer programmer during the dot-com bubble. Since then he returned to school to study history and education. Currently he uses his skills to help local non-profits (like a local catholic high school) develop web sites and promotional videos. He has a dry sense of humor and loves to laugh and make his family laugh. He is interested in politics and social justice issues. It was his idea that we spend Christmas Eve helping at the homeless shelter our church runs. We prepared bedding, helped with a meal, and slept at the shelter with the homeless men. We hope to turn this into a family tradition, as a way to celebrate giving to others.
Our son John is a source of great joy in our lives. He is very interested in music and the things he sees at church. He is very creative and can turn a trashcan into a drum or a turkey-baster into a bagpipe. He is helpful, and we think that he will make a wonderful big brother. John’s birth family have been a blessing to our lives as well, and we enjoy spending time with them whether it is a picnic in the park or a trip to the children’s museum.
We are enjoying the adventure of parenthood and are looking forward to including a new child, as well as their birth families, in our family. As parents we strive to make our home a place where children feel valued and respected for who they are and their unique skills are fostered. Most of all we hope our children will know that they are loved not only by us, but also by their birth families. We can’t imagine our child not knowing you and want you to be a natural part the child’s life.
John, Joann & John
For this family's complete adoptive parent profile, please contact Open Adoption and Family Services.