Hi. We would like to introduce ourselves and tell you a little about our life together. We are Robert & Linda Humphrey. Before we get into our story, we would like to thank you for choosing life for the precious little one that you are carrying and for considering us as part of a possible adoption plan. We know you have traveled a difficult road It must have been a difficult process for you to reach this point. We too have been down a rough path in trying to have a baby. Our different circumstances have brought us together for a common goal: to do what is needed for an innocent life to grow surrounded by concern and love. So again, thank you for choosing life.

Now we'd like to share our "beginning" with you. We met on a warm June evening, introduced by Robert's friend at a restaurant in Pittsburgh, near where we both lived at the time., Pa. area. We both lived near Pittsburgh. We took to each other quickly and began opening up about dreams. As our relationship grew, we discussed hopes for a family., including how each would feel about adopting. We both agreed that adoption was a wonderful way to share the blessings of our life. Three years later we married on another warm June day. Bob had been transferred to the Chicago area, and we looked around carefully for a cozy home. We decided on a 3 bedroom ranch style house in Crown Point, Innorthwest Indiana. It has a nice yard for playingexercising and entertaining. We fenced in the back yard in anticipation of the arrival of a child into our hearts and homefor safety. We planted a vegetable and flower garden. Our community has a soccer field and kiddie park two blocks away. There are sidewalks for safe strolls. We both worked hard to make ourthe new house a comfortable home. All the while, we were hoping and praying for our little miracle to come to us.

After lots of fertility tests and treatments for both of us, we were unsuccessful. We realized that having a child to love and nurture was far more important to us than giving birth to a child. We are thankful that adoption offers us that chance. Bob and I are over 40 years old. We knew that the longer we waited the lower our chances of becoming pregnant. We decided that the time was right to let the word out that we are ready, willing and able to help a woman and baby in need.

I, Bob, would like to tell you about my wife.

Linda is a speech therapist at a clinic in Schererville, In. She loves her job helping children with special needs. She plans to work part time after ourthe baby comes home so that she can devote herself to ourtime to her child's care.

Ever since I've known Linda, she has been a virtual magnet when it comes to children. I guess you could say it's partly due to the fact that she's worked with children for so long. I think it's something else. I think it's a God given quality that endears her to children.

We were on a rather lengthy plane trip a couple years ago and were seated in the 5 across seats. Next to Linda was a boy around 4 years old. It wasn't long until they were talking. This led into a multitude of games (of which Linda knew them all). Eventually, she put her head back and closed her eyes to get some rest. The young boy wasn't ready for rest. He tried to make conversation with her, but she was exhausted and dozed off to sleepand she was somewhat accommodating but tired. Finally,Eventually the young boyman gave up but made frequent visual checks to make sure she was still asleep. In aAn hour or so later, Linda awoke, and you can guess what happened.........back to the games......!

Linda is a kind and loving woman. I'll give you just one example. I was transferred to the Chicago area on Jan. 3rd of 2000, six months before our wedding. Since we weren't married, she remained in Pittsburgh. Not only was the cold, Chicago winter a little depressing, but the fact that I didn't know anyone in the area got me down once in a while. One particularly dreary evening, I was sitting in my apartment when Linda called. I was feeling a little down and really wasn't in the mood for conversation. We spoke for a little while, but Linda could tell that something was wrong. I mentioned to her that I missed her, my family and friends back in Pittsburgh. Within fifteen minutes after our call the phone started to ring. It rang off the hook. I started getting calls from friends and family that warmed up that cold winter night. Any time I was feeling a little down, I would think of what she did for me that night and a smile would come across my face.

Now, I, Linda, would like to tell you a little about my husband.

Bob is a sales manager for a multi-national corporation at CSX Transportation, an international railroad system. He has worked his way through the ranks of the company railroad since he was 19 years old. Bob is planning early retirement soon and will be an active caregiver for our of the baby. He comments often about of being "Mr. Mom" when I'm not with our baby. Bob has always shown concern for the health and well being of his family. He recognizes my needs for good nutrition and rest. We enjoy eating home- cooked meals together. My work prevents me from cooking dinner 4 nights a week. Even though he had very little experience cooking when we married, he took on the responsibility of making dinner on the nights that I got home late. At first, he called me at work for coaching through meal prep. But then, he quickly set out on his own to find creative, delicious recipes. Bob's willingness to help a new area of self development has meant so much to me. Our dinner time is when we pray together, talk about our day and share our feelings. It's our time to nourish each other in body and soul. Since I am prone to meet the needs of everyone around me first and put mine on the back burner, you can imagine how grateful I am for a man who encourages me to "Eat....Eat.." and keep up my strength. He does this service for me consistently with love and joy.

We both have amazing parents. All of the grandparents- to- be are thrilled at the prospect of a new baby to cuddle. Linda's parents have no grand-kids yet and can't wait. are looking forward to all the tradition passing. Linda's Mom is a typical Italian-American nurturer. She was a nanny for over 25 years, caring for many children in the neighborhood. These children have grown up and stayed in touch at holidays, Mother's and Father's Day. Loved ones are gathered around the dining table for pasta meals or after -mass brunches with all the trimmings. She has sewn the table cloth, grown the vegetables, made the pasta, brewed the tea & even cut the flowers from her own garden for the centerpiece. All these things she does to demonstrate how much she wants to share her talents with the ones she loves. Linda's Dad has always, always, always worked hard on his home to create comfort and safety for all who enter. One vacation, he built a gorgeous roofed patio with his own blood, sweat and tears. It is a favorite fair weather gathering place for visitors to sip iced tea and nibble on biscotti.

Bob's mother, Mrs. Humphrey, at 85 years old, is everybody's favorite party girl. She loves to have folks over for ice cream socials. She takes advantage of dollar sales at the local outlets like Things Remembered. Bob has a little silver train bank that she found for us....so fitting for a "Railroad Lifer." We hope to fill it with silver for baby's future. Although she is a widow living on a limited budget, she never forgets a special occasion with phone calls, cards and sweet little pick me up gifts. She has shown her support of our marriage by giving us a devotion book to help us grow together with the Lord. She invited us to church services in her home parish. She warmly introduced Linda to the priest as her new "daughter". Recently, she was overheard speaking to a total stranger in a restaurant. She proudly described her family, including the much anticipated addition of a new baby through adoption!

We hope you can see how excited the "grands" are to welcome our new addition.....and it isn't limited to them.

Linda's brother, Michael, has asked since the return from the honeymoon......"When is the baby coming?" He loves sports and music. He is looking forward to playing with his niece or nephew. Bob's adult daughter, Sara, has asked if we've started shopping for baby clothes yet. She noted that a baby needs onesies, socks, blankets, soft toys and rattles. She wants to make sure her new sibling has the basics in the latest styles! It's a great help to know that these folks want the very best in all things great and small for the baby. We've even started talking about the baby to our puppy. Advice in an article suggested showing the baby's toys to the puppy, playing children's songs and acquainting the puppy with children visitors. We have been doing these things so that our dog, Mocha, will be a best friend to the baby.

Bob & I have lots of fun together. We make time to be active. We enjoy exercising outdoors by jogging, biking, walking the dog and even playing badmitton in the back yard. We take family and friends to gardens, museums, parks and downtown Chicago for shopping. Both of us are "into" our home garden. Linda has a vegetable, container and flower garden. Bob cares for the water garden. Linda sews and does needlepoint. She also enjoys baking sweet treats for special visitors and holidays. Sewing & baking are family traditions for the females in Linda's family. Bob is an avid golfer. Both enjoy watching pro golf, football and baseball. Our baby will join us in all of our fun. We want to do everything together.

Of course, along with all the fun, love, hugs and kisses, we plan to provide a great educational and spiritual life. Linda has a bachelor's degree in education, has worked in several schools and deals with teaching concepts as a speech therapist. She plans to home school our child from pre-school to 6th grade. Linda's best friend, Lisa, home schools her children so she has a wonderful support person for ideas. We are saving for our baby's higher education after high school. We believe that a strong educational foundation is very important. Our parish , St. Joan of Arc, is very friendly. There are many opportunities for children to worship and learn about God. All of the sacraments are celebrated in our church. Baptism occurs when the baby is a few weeks old. The baby is formally blessed and introduced to the church community. Everyone is encouraged to meet and look out for the new member. The church offers religion classes, children's Christmas choir and family picnics. Our pastor , Father Andrew, asks about the progress of our anticipated family often.

From birth through adulthood, we plan to provide for our darling child in every possible way. We hope to help our child develop interests in an atmosphere of financial and emotional support. Our goal is to bring up a child who will love God and others. Someone with whom we can share our life.... with whom we can celebrate, comfort and be comforted, learn, work and grow as a family.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and our hopes for a baby. We know that the adoption decision is one of great sacrifice. We pray for your well being always. If you choose us as parents of your child, we will be happy to send you letters and photos letting you know how your baby is getting along, if you wish.

If you are interested in knowing moremore details about us, would like to talk with us by telephone, or meet us in person, please notify our attorneys, Steve & Joel Kirsh, at 800-333-5736. If you call after regular business hours, their answering service will page them. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. They will explain the next steps. We and the Kirshes want to provide you with all the information you need to make your decision. You will not be pressured. You do not have to proceed with an adoption by calling. The final decision is yours.

God Bless You,

Robert & Linda Humphrey