Adoptive Families: Bob, Yvonne & Alicia

Hello, our names are Bob, Yvonne and Alicia, our family. We will be married 8 years in April. After 4 years of marriage, we went from a couple to a family when Alicia was born. This is the best feeling, being a family. Both of us come from large families, 4 and 5 children each. Our dream has been for our children to have that childhood bond with their brother or sister as we did. After several miscarriages and fertility treatments, we chose to build our family through adoption which has been the best decision for us.

In 1998, we met playing co-ed softball through our church league. We became tennis partners and then lifelong partners in 2003. Our house is bouncing with activity between an almost 4 year old, 2 dogs, 5 birds, a fish pond and Alicia's aquarium. Bob knew he married a "Zoo keeper" but did not know Alicia would be following in Mommy's footsteps!

Bob is 41 and grew up in Indiana, where his mother and most of his family lives. Yvonne is 47 and a native Houstonian. Her family lives in Houston, Conroe, California and Michigan. Between us, we lost 3 parents within 3 years and feel we have 3 special angels watching over us. Our parents had strong marriages and were great role models for us to follow.

Bob's mother, or "Gaga" as Alicia calls her, comes to visit us twice a year and we have been going to Indiana twice a year. Gaga is a wonderful grandmother who is excited for us to grow our family. Alicia has 19 cousins, ranging in age from 3 to 29. Peyton, age 9, is her closest cousin who we see on the weekends at our family lake house. Peyton loves Alicia like a sister and can’t wait for a new baby cousin! We stay close to our long distant families with phone calls, Skype calls on the computer and visits. We have a huge family vacation every summer in New Braunfels, TX. Yvonne’s family has been doing this for over 39 years.

Both of us have been dedicated to our careers but also realize one must value and live life. Bob has a civil engineering degree and is vice president for a marine construction company. Yvonne has a degree in fashion illustration and has been a retired fashion designer since 2004. Now she enjoys being a stay-at-home mom. Her creative talent is satisfied working with Alicia on her Pre-K3 school and craft projects! Education is important to us; we plan for our children to attend college. We will provide for them to follow their dreams as long as they work to achieve their goals.

We are light-hearted and try to laugh often. Bob likes to joke and is a big kid at heart. During the week, we have family dinners, family walks and visit the neighbors. The street we live on has several young families and children for Alicia to play with. On the weekends, we pack up the family (dogs and all) and go to our lake house. This is our fun place to play, relax and enjoy family and friends. This is where we visit with Yvonne's sister, Rose and her family. Our weekend neighborhood is a small lakeside community with a neighborhood park where Alicia enjoys her weekend friends. Between the neighborhood children and grandchildren, Alicia always has friends in the park.

Traveling, sports, camping, hiking, boating, games, do-it-yourself home improvements and anything outdoors are some of the things we like to do. Alicia is now beginning to enjoy some of these activities. Bob also enjoys biking, water activities and golf. Yvonne loves the beach, likes to garden, sew and create with anything (paint, plants, food and the list goes on!).

PCHAS has been wonderful in keeping us and Alicia's birth family connected through letters, pictures and visits. Alicia will always know she is loved by many. Her laugh, tender ways and "I love you, too, Mommy or Daddy" makes us melt. Family is very important to us. We were brought up in the Catholic faith, attended Catholic schools and plan to raise our children in a Christian environment. Faith, friends and family are our foundation for love and life.

Our family and friends have been very supportive of our adoption of Alicia and are just as excited for a second child. Our open adoption with Alicia's birth family has been a positive experience and we wish the same for our new child.

We want you to know that our hearts go out to you during this difficult time in your life and thank you for choosing adoption. Your child will always know how dear this gift was and will love you for your sacrifice. May you find peace with your decisions.

If you would like to know more about us or meet us, please contact Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services Adoption Services at 1-800-543-2229 or 713-522-2800.

God bless you,

Bob, Yvonne and Alicia