ABOUT US
Together, Hari and I are family, but our family reaches beyond just us. It includes our extended family, close friends, and our church family. With this abundance of love, we feel called to pursue adoption to grow our family, and share life's journey with a child.
Our Marriage
Faith, Family, Friends, and Support
As a team, our strengths are...
Faith, Communication, Love, Honesty, Laughter, Friendship, Helping Others, Kindness
Family Life
A child is a natural fit with who we are today. While we love going on outings or weekend trips to museums or train rides, we also love game nights at home! We mainly prefer casual places. We enjoy day-to-day life, but also visiting Hari's parents in Florida and stopping at Disney World or a local family attraction while we're there. Our dream is a cross-country road or train trip, stopping along the way to visit state and national parks, family, friends, and see a few unusual places.
Communication Is Key
We are deeply in love, and the best of friends. Getting married later in life was a huge asset for us; we know our strengths as individuals and play to them in our marriage. Thankfully, we're both direct communicators; a healthy marriage takes work. We've never yelled at each other; we prefer to talk things out, get to the root of the problem, forgive, and move forward, because nobody's perfect.
Our Circle Of Support
We have an unusually broad circle of love and support! We are blessed with Hari's family, my family, friends, our church family, and the friends we've made through outreach and activities.
Our Faith: We Are Orthodox Christians
Hari and I are Orthodox Christians and belong to a lovely, family-oriented parish. Over the years, we've been involved in the life of our parish and we look forward to introducing a child to this wonderful and loving group of people that we call our second family.
Adventures Around The World
In my single days, I traveled the world in my spare time. I’ve seen the northern lights in Iceland, swam with whales in Tonga and Dominican Republic, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, and have even taken a railroad trip across Australia. A few favorite places were France and the countryside of Spain.
What Hari says about himself...
Getting Things Done
When something needs doing, I get it done and check it off my list. I’m happy to help clean the house or wash the cars. Being motivated has helped in life. I have a PhD in Social Psychology, but when jobs were too limited, I went back to school to become a Technical Writer. It’s a great fit for me; I love writing and the pay allows Jill to stay home. These days I have a remote position, so my office is also in the home.
Storytelling
I discovered a love for storytelling as a result of wanting to overcome struggles with public speaking in college. I have even won awards over the years. I’m no longer in any organizations, but still use my skills and do online book readings for children.
The Children in my Life
I’ve done a lot of community work that involves helping with children. Jill and I have the sweetest Goddaughter; she’s so joyful and smart. We both have young nephews and we visit them as well.
Putting Others First
In my early days, when I was more focused on psychology, I was involved in helping the blind re-learn daily living tasks. I also spent several years counseling people through a crisis hotline. I’ve helped coach children in the Special Olympics. As a speaker, I have also emceed at a few church fundraisers and have taught a storytelling class to grade schoolers.
Hari's Gallery
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The Heart of Life!
While I love big productions, such as Wicked, Annie, and Walking with Dinosaurs, nothing beats personal events! I have joined family, friends, church, and youth group for every type of recital imaginable, a myriad of sports games, a slew of school/teacher/talent shows, and countless gatherings from picnics, to reunions, to graduations, to baptisms. The personal things are the heart of life and what brings me joy.
What Jill says about herself...
Creative and Fun!
I love being creative and have a wealth of craft supplies! I draw, knit, embroider, sew, write short stories, and color with my friend’s children. I’ve made garden benches, painted old furniture, and fixed the front door. My current venture is selling my jewelry and sun catchers at a local boutique. This spring I’ll sell my creations at a local craft fair.
Sing!
I sang in the church choir for years, did choral performances, and sang in elderly homes at Christmas. I have sang babies to sleep. I sang with teens on long youth trips, with friends at California missions, and even over the Grand Canyon!
The Children in my Life
The love, sweetness, and honesty of a child is so pure. Between my family, friends, and the church, children are a constant and ongoing part of my life. Several years ago, I was blessed to become a godmother! I’ve joined in on family, vacations, birthdays, movie nights, family, dinners, and just spending countless evenings playing board games. I’ve spent evenings and entire weekends babysitting. And when my nephews and niece were young, I used to have them over, sometimes for up to a week. We would go sightseeing or just hang out.
Putting Others First
I’ve learned a deeper level of love and kindness through volunteer work. I’ve helped build houses in Mexico, ran senior citizen dinners, and served meals to the homeless. But I am most thankful for my 20+ years as a volunteer youth leader with our church: thousands of hours planning and preparing, giving up Friday nights, unpaid time off work. It’s a lot to ask, and it wasn’t always easy, but I loved the kids and developed lifelong friendships. I look forward to my next journey of putting others first… motherhood.
