Kati

The best thing that ever happened to me was the adoption of my daughter, Lela. The one hard thing about her adoption was the knowledge that her birth parents had to make a very difficult decision to allow me that opportunity.

I adopted Lela five years ago. We haven't met her birth parents yet, but send letters and pictures several times a year. We hope to meet them one day so Lela can get to know them, and I can thank them personally for choosing me to raise her.

I would love the opportunity to adopt another child. Let me tell you more about myself:

Our family includes my daughter, myself, and our two cats George and Lucy. I have one sister and two brothers, two nieces and two nephews. My niece, Ana, is also adopted.

I also have what I call my "extended family," which is made up of several friends and their families. I consider them family because it feels like they are more than just friends.

Lela and I spend a lot of time with our family and friends. We get together for holidays, birthdays, and just for fun. We go shopping, out to eat, to see movies, or we just hang out at someone's house. When we get together at someone's house, we play cards and games or we all do our own thing and relax. Whatever we do, we always have fun and we laugh A LOT.

My parents brought us up feeling loved, safe and secure in a fun home. They taught us to be happy, confident and considerate adults. I want to bring my children up the same way.

My belief system is strong. My beliefs include being respectful, kind, loyal and trustworthy. I will explore religions with my children, to help them develop their own beliefs and decide how religion will fit into their lives.

Our interests include reading, watching movies, gardening, going to the park, swimming at the beach, shopping at garage sales, seeing live music or theatre, ice skating, fishing, camping and taking pictures of all the things we do. We also like to vacation.

Our biggest trip so far was to Disneyland to see the princesses. Lela wants to go to Disney World to see the princesses again, to China because her Aunt Terri went there, and to Hawaii because her Aunt Mary did. I would like to go to the ocean.

Lela likes to sing, dance, and perform doing both. She also likes swimming, soccer and gymnastics. Lela would like to take lessons to learn how to play the piano.

Our home is in Southeast Minneapolis. I describe our house as "a little white cottage" with a big, fenced-in yard. My neighborhood is diverse, with longtime residents and new families of many different ethnicities. My neighbors look out for each other, and get together for events or just to chat. There are parks with playgrounds and pools, beaches, libraries, and schools nearby.

I heard a birth mother tell her story when I went through the process of adopting my daughter Lela. I was amazed and impressed with her and the birth father's courage and selflessness to allow someone else to raise their child because they did not feel ready to become parents yet. Thank you for considering me for such a great gift.

This is our story. I would love to hear yours.

You can reach me by phone at 612-702-4121 or by email at .

Kati