Our Family

Jim and I met at the University of Dayton where we were both elementary education majors. Those that know Jim know it is hard NOT to know he is around and especially in a class of mostly females. We knew each other through the 4 years at UD, including sharing a school for one of our classroom experiences. We took turns driving to our placement UNTIL I got tired of him criticizing my driving. After that I refused to drive with him. I think he learned a lesson one cold, snowy day when he drove all the way to Vandalia to find out school was cancelled because of a snow day. Meanwhile I was snug in my bed! We officially started “dating” the last month of college. After graduating we both began our teaching careers, me in Dayton and Jim in Columbus. A year later I moved to Columbus when I accepted a new position. We were married on July 1, 2000 and settled into married life, which included travel, teaching and graduate school for both of us, and for me, twice. When we began our adoption journey it was Jim that took the lead on the paperwork. He quickly became the paperchase king and in just a little over 2 months, we turned in our dossier to our agency in December of 2006. Adam James Alibek entered our life on October 20, 2008. It was love at first sight when the little boy in pink was brought in the room in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. Adam arrived home in December of 2008 and it has been nonstop (literally) since. He is a bundle of energy. He is one happy, happy kid. He loves to run and play but is also very fond of his quiet book time with me, a ritual I have held on to very tightly! Jim has done a good job of brainwashing Adam in to loving first the Steelers then Penguins, Pirates and finally has allowed him to like the Buckeyes! Adam is very smart, sometimes too smart, and is quick on his feet for a 4 year old. Adam found a picture of EmmeClaire the day before we told him about his little sister. When he saw it he said, “Mommy, that’s me!” The next morning we showed him the picture again and explained that she was his little sister….he promptly jumped up and ran to get markers to “make signs for her when she comes home!” Adam has agreed to share his “baby toys” with his sister but is quick to explain NOT his big kid toys. He was very concerned about EmmeClaire having a bed when she came home and suggested that Daddy make her a bed. For the safety of all involved that was vetoed. We think Adam is going to be a great big brother, as he has already shown care and concern for his little sister that he has not yet met. Not too long ago I walked in the room to find him in front of her picture, staring at her. Don’t worry Adam, Mommy does the same thing quite frequently. We are very fortunate to have traveled this long road with a strong network of supportive family and friends. It still amazes me how much support we have gotten over the years. When I think back to how different our lives were almost 6 years ago, the people we have added to our circle of friends and family, as well as some that we have had to unfortunately say good bye to, it has been quite a journey. The Bai Jia Bei, 100 Good Wishes Quilt, lovingly stitched together by Nana P, is a true testament to just how fortunate we are. I look forward to the day when we can look at each fabric sent to us over the last 5 ½ years and explain the significance of the many people that participated in the quilt. Some of these individuals EmmeClaire will never meet but I hope the stories we share with her, the lessons we were taught by these individuals as well as the love that many of these people felt for her, even before she was born, will provide for her a sense of love and support as it has for us. We are so grateful for the willingness of so many individuals to venture into a fabric store (in some cases, a new adventure) to participate in EmmeClaire’s quilt. It truly has been one project that has given me hope and support when the journey seemed endless….Sew on Nana! "Being part of a family means you are part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. No matter what." ~Unknown

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