About Us
We met thirteen years ago, sweating side by side on a building project in a tiny village in rural Hungary. The qualities we saw in one another there drew us together across a 4,000-mile romance, and continue to be a strong foundation and source of joy in our marriage today.

We share so many common values – integrity, trustworthiness, simplicity, and generosity. We’re encouraged as we see these qualities in one another, and cheer each other on in them! Our differences have been a strength for us too – Scott’s great at organization and planning; Jane is more spontaneous. Together we’re better than we were apart, and we’re committed to encouraging each other and growing even stronger as a couple.

Some of our growth has been easy. So many of our interests are the same, and we love spending time together! We relish new experiences, exploring new places and learning new things. We like to bike, camp, hike, or do almost anything outdoors. Living in northern California, we can do most things year-round. We love that we can get to the beach or the redwoods in under an hour!

Some of our growth has been more difficult. Both of us had always wanted children, and as our love for one another grew, we naturally longed to share our blessings with children we would have. After our first few years, however, we realized we couldn’t have biological children. We still wanted to become parents and discovered that adoption was a wonderful way to build our family. We were blessed with the chance to adopt Abby, and she’s enriched our lives beyond what we had dreamed!

Since becoming parents, our love has deepened and matured in ways we couldn’t have expected. We’ve discovered new strengths in each other, and that we work well as a team in this new adventure! We’ve had fun sharing our loves with Abby, and are thrilled that she loves the out-of-doors, animals, camping, biking, and all manner of new adventures too. She’s re-acquainting us with childhood loves like beetles, snails, and climbing trees.

As much as we enjoy getting out, we appreciate our home life too. We live on a quiet, tree-lined street with wonderful neighbors. There are lots of other young families, and we look forward to our yearly pumpkin carving event, progressive Christmas party, and Labor Day block party. Our town also shares a wonderful community spirit, and we picnic each week throughout the summer to concerts on the lawn.

Our Christian faith provides a strong anchor for our life. We’re part of a great church community where Scott often plays the keyboards and Jane helps coordinate people into smaller groups for personal and spiritual growth. We’re thankful for the warm friendships and encouragement, and also for the chance to serve our local community with others there.

Jane about Scott
There are so many things I love in Scott. He’s a man of depth and intelligence, strength and integrity, and I trust him completely. His character attracted me initially, and then his amazing heart for people won me over. My respect and love for him just continue to grow as we go through life together. It’s an amazing privilege to be married to my best friend!

Scott has many interests and is continually reading and learning. As an engineer, he can fix just about anything. His love of travel and adventure translate to creating adventures for our family. He plays trumpet and the keyboards, and has the voice to go with it. He’s definitely the musician of the family, and I love to see him sharing his love of music with Abby… from Billy Joel to Bach!

Scott works managing software engineers at a small company in our hometown. His attention to detail and business smarts make him great at what he does – but his favorite job is being Daddy to Abby. On the days that I work, Scott has complete charge of Abby. Their days together usually include a park outing complete with picnic – and Scott’s been known to lay out the picnic blanket in the back of the car when a cloudburst interrupts their plans!

He’s a wonderful and patient dad. I love watching him draw pictures and paint watercolors with Abby. They go from working on “fix-it” projects around the house to doing the “funky dance” together. Although I knew Scott’s capacity to love when I married him, I fall deeper in love watching him express it to Abby in ways that so resonate with her 4-year-old heart!

Scott is generous too – with his time, his energy, and with finances. He’s got such a solid perspective on what’s really important in life, and I feel I’m becoming a more giving person as I see and experience his heart for others. I love the way he sees the world, and how he loves Abby and me. He’s a strong, yet tender, man and I’m proud to be his wife!

Scott about Jane
I love being married to Jane. She has a thankful spirit and optimistic outlook that never fails to lift my spirits. She has a quick, beautiful smile and a love of people, which she’s continually finding ways to show to them. We have people over often, and Jane’s hospitality ensures that our guests will feel welcome and loved for who they are.

Jane has a way of celebrating the simple (but wonderful) gifts of each day. She writes a love note on my lunch napkin each day, and pulls out our special family plate for any celebration: a birthday, the first day of pre-school, or even when a big project wraps up at work. “Fun” is a huge value for her, so anything that can be done with fun, absolutely is!

Jane’s love for people extends well beyond our family. She and Abby regularly help our disabled neighbor, take meals to friends who have just had babies, or care for the neighbor’s pets. She’s taken the needy outside our local grocery store in to buy food. We so long for Abby to have a compassionate heart, and I see Jane living this with her in our daily life.

Jane has played competitive sports in the past, including tennis – which she has just begun to share with Abby. Abby is already taking on her love of cooking and baking as well. The two of them regularly go on nature walks in the neighborhood to gather “treasures” of pinecones, red leaves, seed pods, flower petals – even snail shells. It’s great to see the fun they have together working on craft projects, and our playroom walls are quite a gallery of pre-school art! I love watching the way Jane enters Abby’s world, telling story after made-up story about imaginary friends, and playing on her level.

Since Abby was born, Jane works only two Saturdays a month as a physical therapist, when I’m home to care for Abby. She still enjoys her time with patients, but she’ll happily tell you that the best job in her life is that of a full-time, stay-at-home mommy. As much as I knew I loved Jane when I married her, seeing her as a mom has deepened that love. It’s my hope that Abby can grow up to be a woman just like her mommy.

About Abby
The light of our lives! As much as we wanted to be parents, we couldn’t have imagined the joy a child would bring us. Abby is an active, curious and adventurous pre-schooler. She loves reading and drawing, and seems interested already in music. Her imagination and sense of humor delight us. We love discovering her interests, and are committed to helping her (and our next child) develop to their full potential.

Abby knows she is adopted, and we anticipate her understanding to increase when we adopt our next child. She’s gentle with children smaller than herself, and can’t wait to welcome a younger sibling into our family!

Family and Friends
We have a wonderfully supportive family, both here in California and in the Midwest. We enjoy going to see them as often as we can, and love their visits as well. Both sides of our family have adopted members, so they understand what a blessing adoption is, and are eager to welcome in their next cousin/grandchild.

We also have many good friends where we live – on our street, and in our church and greater community. We have a number of friends who have adopted as well, and we’re thankful our children will know others with similar stories.

Our Thoughts on Parenting
We feel that parenting is our most important, demanding, and fulfilling role – and we love it! We recognize our need for the support and examples of many who have gone before us, and we meet regularly with other families to share, support, and help one another. Even greater, we pray daily for the wisdom, grace, patience, and love to parent in the way that most helps Abby become who she is meant to be. We will of course do the same for the next child who enters our family!

We’re committed to encouraging and supporting our children’s interests, be they in music, sports, the outdoors, or ?? Our travels and experiences have given us an appreciation for the lives and cultures of others, and we’re eager for our children to grow up with these “broad horizons.”

We both were raised in Christian families where we were loved unconditionally, encouraged consistently, and disciplined fairly with patience and grace. We are striving to be those parents to our children as well. Our faith provides direction, meaning and joy in our lives, and we will ensure that our children receive that foundation.

Thoughts on Adoption
Having experienced an open adoption with Abby, we realize how important this can be to a Birthmother. Our relationship with Abby’s Birthmother has been fulfilling and rewarding! We speak on the phone regularly, and send pictures and letters as well. However, we are flexible to your wishes and comfort level regarding contact before and after the adoption. In any case, our child will always know that you love them and that your decision to place them with us flowed out of that love.

We know that choosing the right family for your baby has to be a tremendously difficult and emotional decision. Thank you for taking the time to read our letter. If you would like to learn more about us, please contact Cindy Simonson at A Loving Alternative, 1-800-556-5635. We would welcome the opportunity to get to know you better.

Thank you again for considering us. We wish you the best in your decision and your future.

Warmly, Scott, Jane, and Abby Sumner