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Eric & Christina are hopeful adoptive parents from Ohio waiting to adopt a baby.

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

Dear Birth Parents As we write this letter we realize that this is probably a trying time for you. There are tough choices to make which require soul searching and inspiration from God. We realize that as you are facing the choice of placing your child for adoption that you will also face the heart ache that comes with it. We feel that placing your baby for adoption is a very selfless act. Our hearts ache for you as well, because we know that as you lose a child, we gain one. We want to assure you though that if you were to place your child with us that we would be open to letters, pictures, exchanging gifts or whatever will be comfortable to help you through the transition. We want your child to grow up knowing of the love and sacrifice you made for him.

It may seem a little unusual for a family of our size to want to adopt, so we want to explain why. We had worked for a few years to have a successful adoption, and were so thrilled to have Eliza Maria come home with us from Guatemala. The other children had looked forward for a long time to having their little sister come and she finally did. Within a couple of months of having her home I (Chris) had a strong feeling as I looked at her one day that she needed a Latino brother. I didn’t know if it would ever happen as there seemed to be too many obstacles in the way. Finally, about 10months after we brought her home Eric decided that now was the time and we needed to find a way. The other children were very excited when he told them. We have an empty spot in our hearts that we hope will be filled very soon.

Our Backround Eric

I was the second of nine children in my family. When I was very young my dad got a teaching job on two different island in the South Pacific where we lived near the beach and I was able to experience a life style that was completely foreign to us. I learned things like how to climb a palm tree with bare hands and feet and fishing in the ocean. We learned to live like the natives and enjoyed the freedom of living that simple life. I, of course didn’t learn to appreciate all this until I was much older, but now I look back on this part of my life with fond memories. After a few years of island life, we came back to the States to live for good. After graduation from high school, I served a mission for our church in Puerto Rico. This is where I gained a love of the Latino people and their language. Since then I look for opportunities to use the language. Faith and family are very important to me, but I also have a drive to achieve my many goals in life. Among them are getting my pilot’s license and sailing around the world. Dreams and goals what help me to continue to move forward and striving to do better.


Chris

I am the third of eight children in my family. I grew up in a small town in Ohio where I was able to get anywhere I needed by walking or riding my bike. My sisters were often my best friends and we would roam around the town going to the dime store or to the town pool. My sisters and I could often be found in the fall and winter raking leaves or shoveling snow to make money. I also had a paper route for many years. I learned the value of hard work and using money wisely. My family had a travel trailer much of the time growing up, and so we enjoyed traveling to many different parts of the country. I enjoyed softball, track and playing in the band at school. I was blessed with a wonderful stay at home mom who taught me many things about being a homemaker and mother. I think this is where I gained the desire to have a big family. For my senior year of high school we moved to a “big”city to live where I gained a whole new perspective of life. I learned that we had lived a sort of sheltered life and that moving to the city gave me a new growing experience My greatest desire in life is to; serve my Heavenly Father by taking care and guiding this wonderful family He has blessed me with, and to live a life of no regrets.

Our Family Eric and Chris met eighteen years ago when Eric came from Alaska to Ohio to visit his parents. Eric says it didn't take long to decide Chris was the "one", but it took Chris about a month. We married in Washington DC, and have lived in Ohio ever since. The first few years of marriage Eric had to get through college, and then it was on to having a family. We had the first three children, and then felt that we needed to adopt. We worked on this adoption without success as “number four” came. We have been grateful for each of our children, but still felt that there was another to come to our family. We successfully adopted Eliza Maria from Guatemala in December 2005. She has been such a wonderful addition to our family. We can hardly wait for our new little one to complete our family.

We have five children who we love and adore. They are very close and get along pretty well. We have chosen to home school them, which means we spend a lot of time together. We spend a good portion of our day having school as well as the other educational experiences that are apart of our lives daily. The children are involved in sports, church activities, scouts and other activities at a local recreation center. They love to go out and see things first hand and learn about them. Doing service for others has also been apart of our educational program.

Clarissa is fourteen. She has been playing the piano for about 5 years, loves softball and enjoys hanging out with her friends. She is a great big sister. She had hoped and wished for a little sister for a long time and has been very happy since Eliza finally came to be a part of our family. They enjoy being with one another.

Karlton is twelve He has been playing the piano for about 3 years. He likes roller coasters, swimming and working with his dad. He is a Boy Scout working towards his Eagle. He adores his little sister and has tried to help care for her and comfort her when needed.

Peter is ten. He is learning to play the piano. He loves pottery, swimming, science projects and insects. He will ask his grandfather year round when they can go fishing, which is probably one of his most favorite things to do. Peter is very creative. He always has ideas of things he could do or make. He has been asking for a little brother for a few years. Peter can’t wait until he comes.

Joseph is eight. He is learning to play the piano. He loves warm weather so he can be outside. He also loves swimming, Cub Scouts, painting and insects. Joseph thinks that Eliza is just the cutest little girl. His favorite food is almond boneless chicken and rice.

Eliza is two. She enjoys coloring, drawing, writing and music. We’re sure she’ll be a great artist or writer someday. She’s everyone little shadow, determined to do like and be just like everyone in the family. She is so sensitive and soft with everything she does.

More about us Our kids really are best of friends. They spend a lot of time together in our big fenced in back yard with a tree house, trampoline and a swing set. It’s the envy of all the neighbor kids. Swimming is one of our favorite summer time activities, as well as fishing, and camping. We also enjoy bike rides and taking walks. Last spring we took a little canoe trip that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Spring is also the time for baseball and Softball which the kids are involved in. We also take trips throughout the year which the kids especially enjoy, to see the U.S. as well as family Our last trip was to southern California where we went to Disneyland. We also stopped in Phoenix AZ and Dallas TX to stay with friends and family. We have driven through or visited most of the continental United States. We love to visit historic sites and learn about history. We enjoy the beauty we see everywhere.

We have a terrific extended family! Both sets of grandparents live close by as well as the aunts, uncles and cousins. They have been very supportive of adoption and have thoroughly accepted Eliza into their hearts. She is the star at many family gatherings, even our church family adores her. We are so grateful for each of our children and our extended family. We hope to help you fulfill the dream of having your child raised in a large loving family where each member is treated with respect and encouraged to fulfill their dreams. We recognize this is a difficult decision to make and pray for the best for you and your baby.


Sincerely,
Eric and Chris