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TOM & BRENDA are hopeful adoptive parents from Washington waiting to adopt a baby.

If you are pregnant and considering placing your child for adoption, please read the following Dear Birthmother Letter.

Hi! We are so glad you CLICKED! Grab yourself some Lemonade, Iced Tea, or an *Iced Mocha Frappuccino *if you want to imagine you are a Seattleite like us!...and make yourself comfortable!
WE HOPE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH OUR WORLD!

COME AND LEARN OUR ABC'S!

THIS IS WHAT MAKES US A FAMILY!

A is for AFFECTIONATE
Our story began in gym class! 7th grade to be specific. Brenda thought Tom was a notorious pest! You do remember being 13? Oh my! Well, we became friends, very good friends, best friends, and eventually became inseparable! We started dating once we graduated high school. As our friends and family share...it was about time! We planned our future together-college, marriage, career, home and family. Life fell into place. (Well...we did turn to the high-tech world of medicine for the family part) We realized it was children we really wanted, not pregnancy. Adoption was written in the stars! We became a family 6 years ago! and love our tag-team role of parenting! We’ve laughed, cried, talked hours into the night, and walked many miles holding hands and dreaming. Our love for each other is the “Real Deal”. We are committed to spending the rest of our lives together-HAPPILY IN LOVE!

B is for BABY READY!
Our nursery is ready for quadruplets! And our home is baby/toddler proofed! The toilet lock still panicks our brother-in-law! (If you have time, we have an incredible story about a little HOTWHEEL down the toilet!...Oh! the joys of potty-training!) Strained peas in our hair? Stinky diapers? Silly giggles? Midnight feedings? This sounds like BLISS! Our arms are ready to hold and our hearts are ready to love! AGAIN! We always dreamed of having two children. We can't wait to complete our family!

C is for CHILD CENTERED
D is for DEVOTED TO FAMILY
As a family we enjoy traveling-admittedly, we prefer sand, surf, sun! and the luxuries of resort vacations! Whooooo hoooooo to water slides, mock tails poolside, and leisurely spa days! We also enjoy walks in our nearby rain forests, riding a ferryboat or beach combing (beach is 10 minutes from home) and backyard gardening. We take pleasure in creative cooking with “Amateur Chef” status and anything that is kid friendly! -pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, discovering new parks and playgrounds, play dates with school buddies, neighborhood get-togethers and just good old hanging out with friends and family. On weekends we might visit one of the nearby museums, the pool at our athletic club, or have friends and their kids over for dinner. (We use our grill a lot!) When we are ready for a snuggle- a comfy couch and blanket for cozying up is available…. And BOOKS! We have many! Brenda's childrens' collection is amazing! Movie Nights with popcorn round out rainy evenings all snuggled up in front of the fireplace!

E is for ENTHUSIASTIC
In September we hand out back to school goodies and supplies to the neighborhood kids (*Brenda loves back to school time! And the smell of new pencils and crayons!), pumpkin carving in October, and lots of holiday gatherings. We love spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with extended family and friends. The majority of our family celebrates their birthdays in November and December. Last count was 12…and all local! This is a very festive and fun time! We travel downtown to visit Santa, ride the carousel and view the gingerbread houses and make one of our own!. Tom goes a little over board with holiday decorating... "LIGHTS, MORE LIGHTS, ONE MORE STRAND!" (think Chevy Chase style! blown fuses too!) We are reigning winners in the neighborhood holiday decoration contest! Each Easter we attend the local Easter Egg Hunt, attend the 4th of July Parade and go berry picking (berry eating really!) too! Summer BBQ’s and crab feeds are also enjoyed-and with Brenda and Noah's herb garden…. very flavorful! *With family 5 minutes away...impromptu visits are routine! We find excuses to have fun!

Professions
Tom is Vice President of Sales in the finance/banking industry. He is "The Man" West of the Mississippi, but his commute to work is a flight of stairs! (Home Office) He is able to dine with Noah and enjoy a PBJ and chocolate milk when he likes! Tom's company recognizes that education is very important to us, and encourages him to go on all of Noah's field-trips! How cool is this?! Brenda was a very involved and creative elementary teacher (her classroom has been spotlighted in video productions, national teaching magazines, books, and teaching training materials) She loved her students and they loved her. However, her favorite role in life ...HANDS DOWN ...is “MOMMY”! Brenda promises to be a room parent and volunteer on field trips! Education and the love of learning is very important to us! Your child will have opportunities to explore his/her world and reach their full potential! We believe education isn't about the simple memorization of facts, but rather learning how to learn and think, and complimenting these skills with imagination and curiosity!

Interests
Tom is an avid sports fan! He is a two-time national tennis champ, golf (has hit a hole in one!), season ticket holder to the Seahawks, UW Huskies (fall is busy!), and he makes a mean batch of brownies topped with ice cream and hot fudge! Brenda loves a great book (usually 2 or 3 at time), gardening...known for ripping out and designing flowerbeds DIY style! *She and Noah proudly planted a Chocolate Garden for Tom's birthday last year! She is the organizer, Tom is the pack rat, he is the cookies and sweets dude and Brenda is the chips and salsa gal! We love a good date night…. and it may be as simple as omelets for dinner (while Noah has a pajama party with Granny and Grandpa), fish & chips and a walk on ferry ride, or a night at the theater in downtown Seattle! We truly enjoy our time together as a couple and make time for our own indulgences! A girl needs a pedicure every once in awhile! And boys will be boys!

F is for FINANCIALLY SECURE
G is for GROUNDED
H is for HAPPY
I is for INVOLVED!
We live in the beautiful EVERGREEN state of Washington in a community wedged between the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound. Our cul-de-sac neighborhood is very safe and friendly, with many young families and children. A walk around the block guarantees a visit with neighbors, kids on bikes, a pick-up basketball game, dog walkers etc… FUN! We have a lovely 4 bedroom home (+playroom!) with a fenced back yard and gigantic Rainbow Castle (jungle gym) to play on. Our backyard connects to a protected nature preserve with Douglas fir trees, old maples, blue jays and chipmunks! Walking trails, parks, quaint little restaurants and antique shops are nearby. Hot air balloons fly overhead in the summer months…we LOVE our neighborhood and our location. Our community offers a safe haven in which to raise children, and at the same time offers easy access to the culture and diversity of a world-class city! SEATTLE!

J is for JOYFUL
K is for KIND
L is for LOVING
Noah!
Noah is our silly 6-year-old! He loves to be outside exploring and finding bugs and slugs! LEGOS, Hot Wheels, dare-devil bike races, climbing his jungle gym, and snacking on goldfish crackers and yogurt covered raisins makes his day! He is lovable, happy, charming and goofy! He enjoys soccer, swimming, gymnastics and has started to play golf. He loves to read, and has shared that he can read "Bedtime stories" to the new baby! How cute is this? He can't wait to be a big brother!

M is for MOTIVATED
N is for NURTURING
O is for OUT-GOING!
Tom's thoughts of Brenda
The first time I saw Brenda hold Noah, I melted. She is wonderful with children and has truly found her calling as a mother. Her experience as an elementary teacher has helped her to do an insightful job raising our son to be happy and caring for others. Being “Mommy” is a very important part of her life and it shows in the way she cares for and loves our son. She is happiest when she is snuggled up with Noah reading a book, or covered with finger-paints, or just plain “sticky”! She plans incredible adventures and activities for Noah…and I love to hear the stories and giggles about their day. She has a great sense of humor and loves to laugh, especially with Noah and myself! She enjoys the simple things in life-like an ice cream cone on a hot sunny day, a walk in the woods, or making home made chicken noodle soup. I really appreciate this. Brenda is also an organizer and can throw a party like no one else! If she isn't playing with Noah, experimenting in the kitchen, reading a book...I can usually find her out if the garden. She wants nothing more than for Noah to have a sibling to play with and to have another child for us to love. I could not imagine a more wonderful wife and mother. She is the love of my life! Holding her hand still makes me smile.

P is for PUG LOVERS
Q is for QUIRKY!
Little Miss Minnie Pearl
Meet our girl with a curl! (curly tail to be specific) Pugs are silly clowns and TERRIFIC with children! We dress her up, take her out, and the wiggles and giggles are priceless!

R is for RESPECTFUL
S is for SPIRITUAL
T is for THOUGHTFUL
U is for UNDERSTANDING
V is for VERY EAGER TO ADOPT AGAIN!
As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.”...Well, we have a great tribe! As we look back, our own childhoods seem truly blessed – safe, serene and filled with wonder. We both grew up in loving homes, with parents and grandparents who wanted the best for us and worked hard to provide us with the resources we needed to realize our dreams. We want the same for our children! We respect our parents wisdom, and appreciate their love and support. We firmly believe adoption is God’s plan for us, and we anxiously await our next bundle of joy with much enthusiasm and delight! Our family supports us completely. Grandparents and great-grandparents eagerly wait to spoil their next grandbaby! They welcomed Noah with adoring affection, and we know they will do the same with our second child. Adoption has touched all of our hearts, in so many wonderful ways!

X is for eXUBERANT
Y is for YOUNG-HEARTED
Z is for ZANY!
Brenda's thoughts of Tom
Tom is high energy! He has a terrific sense of humor, a laugh that engulfs a room, and he is truly a kid at heart. He cleverly manages to sneak Cocoa Puffs or Captain Crunch cereal into the grocery cart! And mysteriously spits out peas when Noah isn’t watching! Cars, trucks, and trains have invaded our home…. He claims they are for Noah, but I know he is reliving his childhood! He has always been loving, understanding and goofy! (Remember, we’ve known each other since junior high!) He is a fabulous father! He is involved in all aspects of family life. Tidal wave bath splashes, swinging on the play-set with his suit and tie, reading Goodnight Gorilla for the millionth time, changing poopy diapers…He is truly a hands on dad! He volunteers in Noah's classroom and is very proud of doing so! All the moms love him…although it could be the chocolate! Tom is also a traditionalist and is very sentimental. He sends me flowers on the first day of school (even though I'm an at -home mommy!), he hand delivers a cup of warm tea in the evening- just because and he loves to surprise me! Tom is a dedicated father and a wonderful husband. With Tom in my life, our home is filled with LOVE, GIGGLES, and the UNEXPECTED! His enthusiasm for life captivated me years ago, and continues to this day. I love him with all my heart!

Now you've learned our A to Z's ... Next time ... won't you think of us three?!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Adoption, as we have learned and experienced is an incredible way to build a family! With love in our hearts to grow, we hope and pray that a new baby will join our family! We thank you for taking the time to look at our profile. We hope this glimpse into our life shows the loving, caring nature of our family and helps you decide whether you would like to contact us. We wish you peace and strength as you make your plans.

Contact Information
Attorney: Albert G. Lirhus
Member: American Academy of Adoption Attorneys

1.206.728.5858 (Seattle)
Please ask for Joan & reference file #6857

You may also reach us by email! Send us a message



Thank you for dreaming with your heart...and for taking this leap of FAITH. May your life shine bright.

Our deepest respect for thinking of your baby's future,

BRENDA & TOM