Carlos and Jan - La Mirada, California

Hello! We are Jan and Carlos

We are grateful you are taking the time to read our letter. We are a blessed couple, with a little boy we adopted with the aid of Bethany Christian Services. Our little guy is named Jason, and he is the light of our life, and we know that having another child will add to that light.

We realize from first-hand experience what a noble act it is for a birth-mom to find a couple and relinquish the child she has been carrying. All her hopes and fears are combined into a tie that she links with the adoptive parents, and she prays that her decision will result in a good life for the little one she carries. Our faith in the Lord helps us to understand her situation, and to provide her the best assurance that we dream of shaping the life of a child and bestow a home for a child that seeks love and caring.

Four years ago, we were blessed to receive a call from a birth-mom that changed our life forever. We have honored her since, over and over, by caring for the little boy she carried, in nurturing him into a fine little being. Our Jason is sweet, loving, and articulate. Since the day he was born, Jan spoke to him as she would to an adult, and Jason grew into a boy who can communicate easily with his friends and adults. He is open and sociable, and every time we are in public, Jason greets people, chats with them, and exits with kind words of “good-bye”.

Physically, there appears to be a curious connection between the three of us, but the instant Jason opens his mouth and declares, “Mama, what is…?”, the world knows who his parents are, and who he is in relation to us. He puts his little hand in ours, and speaks with such a delightful cadence, that everyone sees a child genuinely cared for and nurtured.

Prior to Jason’s entering our life, the bond between our family was such that we took vacations together, drove/flew long distances to gather for holidays, met often for dinner, and called each other multiple times a week. To this day, Jason is showered with love and attention by all his family, particularly by his Uncle Bob and Auntie Carolyn. The two of them give him presents of books, toys, and goodies. Uncle Bob has given Jason his tricycle, his mini car, and rocking horse. He built by hand a swing set for Jason. They are waiting for another child to adore.

Our life is filled with walks to the nearby park, strolls to the beach, and visits to the zoo. We get helium balloons for him about once a week. We have balloons all over the house. They are Jason’s favorite items.

Jason is loved completely and wholly, but he is not spoiled. He is a polite little boy with a charming nature that draws in anyone who meets him. Mama reads books to him every evening, and Dada plays with him every day after dinner. He is of the age now, where we feel he would be able to appreciate a little sister or brother. He has friends who have siblings, and he has observed how important it is to be gentle with the younger ones. He often speaks about the days “when he was just a baby”, and he realizes how helpless the little ones are. Because he is a “big boy” now, he knows it is vital to be caring for ones who cannot do things for themselves (such as walk, sit on a chair, etc.).

We live in a quiet neighborhood close to the park and beach, and take advantage of nice days by spending time there. We have nice neighbors and friends who stop by, and our house is constantly filled with laughter and life. We are godparents to a little boy and girl that we see often at church or on outings together. The little boy is about Jason’s age, and Jason always hugs his little buddy, and the two of them run hand-in-hand in parks.

Our Christian life is important to us, so weekly Mass is where we often see our friends. We attend the numerous events at church and sponsor various activities every year. The church grounds provide a nice, safe place for children and families, and we love the dinners, fairs, and services they host. It is also where Jan and Jason were baptized, and where Carlos was confirmed.

We are both receptive to an open adoption, having done the same with Jason. With Jason’s birth-mom, we have maintained contact via e-mail, and we have kept a post office box and a toll-free number for her, in case she should want to contact us that way. She has been content with the regular e-mails Jan sends her, with photo attachments of Jason.

Having another child in our life will only enrich our already rich life. We are rich in love, in tradition, in family ties, and in community with each other. We have many longtime friends who share with us our life. Despite the years of Jason’s care, which included fevers, colds, cuts & scrapes, learning how to eat solid food, potty training, giving him baths (and now showers), and chasing after him in parks, we have loved every single minute of it. We wish that it would never end, but each day brings new life, new experiences, and new wonder. Imagine that with another child! We are anxious!

All our best,
Jan and Carlos

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