8 Years
Washington
Nondenominational
2
We’re Andrea and Nelson! We’ve been together for twelve years and married for eight (this March), and about five years ago we were blessed to adopt our amazing son, Oliver. Andrea is fascinated by a lot of things, ranging from shark biology to crazy celebrity beef. Nelson enjoys working with his hands and BBQing on our smoker. As a family, we love going on adventures together, spending quality time, and exploring whatever is making us curious at that moment (like animals at the zoo, the jellyfish at low tide, or what we can build with Legos or cardboard boxes). Our family believes in open communication, unconditional love, and asking questions. No topic will ever be off limits in our home. Oliver is very excited about welcoming a sibling home and has been praying for it to happen “tomorrow.” We, too, are excited for another little one to join our family. Thank you for considering us!
One of the greatest things we can share as parents is access to our friends and family. We are unconditionally loved and supported by so many people whether they be biological or adopted relatives, or dear friends. We have strong relationships with some special people – some who have been in our lives for 30+ years. Several of our friends live minutes from us, and a few have recently started their own families so are itching for play dates. Both sets of our parents are still married and are wonderful grandparents. Andrea has an older brother and sister-in-law, and Nelson has 2 sisters, 3 brothers and 2 sets of in-laws. We are aunt and uncle to 13 nieces and nephews and combined, we have 10 aunts, 10 uncles and over 60 cousins. Simply put, we have a lot of family and friends! And everyone is beyond excited to welcome home a new member!
Along with our extended human family, we have two fuzzy members of our family - our adopted animals Indy and Obi. We rescued Indy as a 3 month old puppy. And 2 year old Obi chose Oliver. Really! He came right up and head nuzzled him. It's been love every since! These two pets are characters who love us, but most especially they love kids.
5 yr
Oliver was adopted at birth, birth mama having chosen us from a pile of profile books like you are doing now. From the very beginning, Oliver had the best laugh and biggest smile. As he's grown into his personality, he has shown himself to be a kind, loving little man always ready and willing to help out or give a hug to someone feeling down. Interesting facts about Oliver:
Oliver loves a good adventure and can't wait to have a sibling so he can "hold her hand" and "take her to the zoo." He wants to teach his brother or sister all about trucks and cars, and how to play soccer!
Dear Birth Mom,
We can’t imagine how overwhelmed you might be feeling looking through profiles as you consider the best path for you and your child. Add to that the stress that comes with pregnancy! Know we are praying for peace and calmness to wash over you.
We compiled our profile to help you get to know us so you can feel confident in your choice should you choose us. We want you to know this from the start: Should you choose us, you will be an ever-present force in this child’s life, whether you remain in contact with us or if it’s through the stories we will tell them about you. You are an important and necessary person in this child’s world.
We are dedicated to our marriage and to the hard but rewarding work it takes to nurture a successful relationship. We understand that it’s our marriage—the stability we can provide through the example of a healthy relationship—that will be the cornerstone for our family. We commit to you, and to ourselves, that we will never give up on our marriage or our family.
Thank you for considering us. May the peace that surpasses all understanding cover you, and may you rest easy in the knowledge that should you choose us, your child will be well provided for and deeply loved.
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But we are saved - not by works but by grace - through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His son. Jesus is my rock and my foundation. He is my shelter. I know that may sound like a line or a cliche, but it is the truth of how I think of Him most often. I have gone through some very dark times, and were it not for the light of Christ, I do not believe I would be here today. I'm having a hard time not quoting Psalms right now, as I feel it speaks perfectly to my relationship with Christ. He guides me, He corrects me, and due to my own stubborn sinfulness it's not always a gentle process. My gratitude for His saving grace is immense, as I know how much I need it.
We are reconciled with God, the old law - and along with it, sin and death - has been conquered. We are covered by the blood of Christ and our sins have been atoned through Him. If we confess and believe, we are saved by HIS grace, alone. Whenever I am asked about my personal testimony, or my relationship with God, I answer simply: I am because HE is. I am nothing apart from Christ.
I am one of six siblings, having an older brother, an older sister, two younger brothers, and an adopted younger sister. Growing up we spent our free time exploring the nearby woods and marveling at cool creatures in the creek or hanging out at the local pool with friends. My dad worked as an engineer to provide for us, while my mom spent her days managing a house of six kids. I can’t express how grateful I am for the childhood they gave me. It’s my goal to provide the same kind of experiences to my children that nurtures their curiosity, sense of wonder, and joy of life. I am a dedicated father, committed to being a stable presence for my family. I promise you that I will always try to love my children better every day, showing my support through words of affirmation and being there not only at important life events, but also in everyday life.
Nelson hiking Mt. Rainier
Nelson surfing off the Oregon coast
Nelson and Andrea at Thanksgiving
Nelson and Oliver making a box car
Nelson making homemade pasta
"Nelson and Andrea are the kind of people you want to have children! They have a loving and committed marriage, are responsible, compassionate, fun and inquisitive. They are trustworthy and place a high value on family. Raising children is challenging and they have proven they have what it takes to give them a secure, nurturing and joyful home. We are beyond excited to have a new little one join our family!" – Peggy and Paul, Nelson's Mother and Father
“As an adopted younger sister of Nelson’s, I was extremely excited to hear that Nelson and Andrea have made the decision to adopt into their family. I can’t stress enough how much of a blessing it was to be adopted myself and knowing that Nelson and Andrea have so much love to give, I know that this will be the right decision for them. I do not doubt for a second that they will be great parents who will love their child unconditionally, provide all the support he/she will need, and raise him/her in a positive environment. I personally know that Nelson will be a great father, as I recall how attentive he was towards me when I was younger and would make sure I was taken care of. I could always tell how much he wanted to be a dad because of how playful and interactive he is with his nieces, nephews and his friends’ kids! I can’t wait to meet my future niece or nephew and I hope to provide any guidance or support that this child might need, especially when questions about adoption come up.” – Tia, Nelson’s Sister
Some of Nelson's family
Oliver and Indy - best friends!
I am a full-stack developer, scrum master and overall tech guy. I've been working with the same company for over 12 years, and provide coding, data adminstration and infrastructure as well as manage an overseas team in Vietnam. I graduated college with my Bachelor of Arts and continue learning different coding languages as there are new ones coming out all the time.
I love to work with my hands! Anything from carpentry to BBQ and yardwork. Being from Tennesee originally, I also love SEC Football (Go Vols!) and on the weekends I try to wake up early to watch F1 racing. Can't wait untill Oliver is old enough to take to bumper cars!!
I grew up in a loving home with my mom, dad and older brother. I remember walking to 7-11 for slurpies, pretending I could swing nunchucks like Bruce Lee, and trying to teach my cat how to read. Both my parents were teachers, which made education a big part of my life. No topic was ever off-limits, and I was allowed to ask about things like God, sex, and drugs. I was never punished for asking, instead my parents would discuss all my questions. That's the kind of parent I am. I'm pretty chill. I don't get angered or ruffled easily and am rarely offended. I commonly break out into songs from Disney movies. But most importantly, I am passionate about adoption. Thankfully, I married Nelson who is also passionate about adoption (I went through a bunch of jerks before him). So with every breath in my body - thank you for allowing us this opportunity to complete a family, of which I hope you know you are a special part. You are my sister and you are in my heart.
Andrea at her favorite ride in Disneyland
Andrea deep in thought during date night
Andrea and Oliver having a mommy - son date night at their favorite ramen place
Our wedding day
Andrea and Oliver at his Christmas program
SURPRISE! Kiss from Nelson doing a date night selfie
“Nelson and Andrea are very dear to our family, being a much beloved sister and brother-in-law, as well as an aunt and uncle to our two sons (ages 5 and 9). They are warm and loving, practical, yet fun-loving and hilarious. They will provide a stable and caring environment for their adopted child, and will be surrounded and supported by a wide network of friends and family. We are so excited to welcome a new little life to our extended family, and the boys can’t wait to meet their cousin!” – Chad and Ingrid, Andrea’s Brother and Sister-In-Law
“Dear birthmother, we are Andrea’s mother, Gail, and father, Les, who are thrilled to be Grandma and Grandpa to this little one. Andrea has been a passionate supporter of adoption all her life. One thing that attracted her to Nelson is that he shares this dream. They are a couple who are dedicated Christians, love one another, and are committed to their marriage, dependable and hard-working, and loyal to their family and friends. We are blessed to have them live close by; and we have family dinner most Sunday’s as well as take at least one annual summer trip together. Know this child will be surrounded by love. Please choose them to be the adoptive parents! Choose all of us, the family!” – Gail and Les, Andrea’s Mother and Father
Some of Andrea's family
Obi and Indy
I've worked as a director in nonprofits for my whole life. I've worked with education nonprofits, medical research nonprofits and currently work at a grassroots nonprofit focused on raising black leaders from the community. I have my masters degree and started to get my PhD, but dropped out so I could start a family! Education is important in my life, coming from a family of teachers.
I love a LOT of different things. Playing piano, reading mysteries, watching competition reality TV, rescuing animals (foster parent for abandoned kittens) and so much more. It's important to always be curious, to learn and to be interested in things I'm unfamiliar with. That's the only way you grow, and see ALL the beauty this world has to offer!
Oliver was adopted at birth, birth mama having chosen us from a pile of profile books like you are doing now. From the very beginning, Oliver had the best laugh and biggest smile. As he's grown into his personality, he has shown himself to be a kind, loving little man always ready and willing to help out or give a hug to someone feeling down. Interesting facts about Oliver:
Oliver loves a good adventure and can't wait to have a sibling so he can "hold her hand" and "take her to the zoo." He wants to teach his brother or sister all about trucks and cars, and how to play soccer!
Oliver playing soccer
Hiking with the family
Silly Santa photo!
Samurai Oliver
Oliver with our dog Indy, and cat Obi
Oliver in the cockpit of a plane
Our house is a 4 room, two bath situated in a quiet neighborhood suburb. We’ve got a rather big back yard to run around in, and are a short walking distance to our local parks, our local library, our church, and our community center (that has a pool). Neighborhood kids ride their bikes along our dead-end street, waving at us and our cat who perches in the window. We're friends with our neighbors, and everyone watches out for each other (we text or call if we see anything suspicious which rarely happens). We've never felt unsafe in our home.??
Our kitchen
Our downstairs bathroom
Our backyard
Our living room
The city we live in is close enough to urban centers, and far enough away for an easy trip to the countryside or mountains. Every summer, our street throws block parties and our larger neighborhood hosts carnivals, car shows and other awesome experiences. Within minutes of us, we have access to urban hiking trails and over 260 acres of playground areas. Not to mention we can walk to our favorite restaurants!
Summer block party
Local lake hiking trail
One of many parks within walking distance
One of the wooded hiking trails in our area