h ello from
B RO O GET AHOLD OF ME!
KE
CONTACTBROOKE35@GMAIL.COM • HOPEFULLYPARENTS.COM/BROOKE • 602-730-0038 (CALL OR TEXT)
a f ew of my
SNACK
favorite
Peanut butter & carrots
CHILDHOOD MEMORY
GUILTY PLEASURE
CARTOON CHARACTER
Camping with my grandparents each summer on the lake
Watching reality TV!
th ings
Mickey Mouse
y name is Brooke, and from the time I was a little girl carrying around a baby doll, sometimes one in each arm, I have known I wanted to be a mom.
M
HOLIDAY Christmas
my
h e a r t f e lt
message to you
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me and the life I have planned for my family. You are making a very brave and selfless decision, putting what is best for your child first and setting the course for your child’s future. I honor that and thank you. I can’t wait to meet you, show you what’s in my heart, and hopefully open my life to your child. I hope you see the love in my eyes, the fun in my smile, and the sincerity in my words. I would welcome your child into my life with the biggest embrace and a future full of laughter, stability, and unconditional love.
best,
Brooke FUN TIMES IN LONDON!
JUST FOR FUN am happy both traveling some place wonderful with friends or kicking back at home. I spend my free time with my great group of friends. Together, we like to try out new restaurants and explore new places. I enjoy
I
being outside, whether hiking or going to outdoor festivals. There’s nothing better than the bright sunshine where I live. MY BROTHER AND MOST OF MY FRIENDS HAVE CHILDREN, SO MANY TIMES WE END UP AT THE ZOO, MUSEUM,
PARK, OR EVEN MY BACKYARD. I volunteer with two nonprofit boards. The first, an arts program for abused kids, and the second, a center for kids and adults with Down syndrome. I will teach my child that giving back to the community is important.
Getting to
know me
BIKING SAN FRAN
CISCO
WITH MY
HAVING A
BLAST WIT
MOM!
H MY NIE
CE & NEP
HEW!
was that girl who over the years collected 50 dolls, each with a special name chosen just for them. I began babysitting at age 11 for $1 an hour (though I probably would have done it for free). As a teenager, I studied every mom I knew, thinking about the kind of mom I wanted to be some day. And now, my greatest joy is being an Aunt or Adopted Aunt to my friends’ kids. Some of my happiest moments are hanging out with my nieces and nephews playing on the floor, taking them to a movie, or jumping around in a bounce house. I was meant to be a mom, it’s my calling.
I
When I think about my life, I am blessed to have so much. I have a wonderful group of friends who have stood by me for years and a family that is just plain fun, always living in the moment. My days aren’t complete without laughter, spontaneity, or grabbing the opportunity in front of me. MY LIFE IS FULL BUT I CAN’T WAIT TO BUILD A FAMILY OF MY OWN!
a note from my
11–year–old nephew, Gabe
WITH MY
AMAZING
NEPHEW,
GET AHOLD OF ME!
GABE
• CONTACTBROOKE35@GMAIL.COM • HOPEFULLYPARENTS.COM/BROOKE • 602-730-0038 (CALL OR TEXT)
Aunt Brooke is one of my favorite people in the whole world. She takes me to Arizona Diamondback games, swimming, to arcades, and more. She is very cool, and we get along like peanut butter and jelly. Aunt Brooke would be a great mom because HER CHILD WOULD BE THE CENTER OF HER WORLD, and she will love her child with every ounce she has to give. Aunt Brooke is awesome, sweet, and one of the best people I know.
– Gab e
HOLIDAY FUN WITH MY NEPHEW, GRIFFIN
THIS IS
MY VILLAGE IS TWO-FOLD.
MY VILLAGE
A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK
A VERY CLOSE FAMILY, AND OF FRIENDS.
As a family we celebrate holidays and even vacation together. Two years running, we spent a week at Disneyworld. My favorite part was waiting in lines for rides and hearing my nieces and nephews yelling “I want to ride with Aunt Brooke.” It is squabbling to their parents but music to my ears. My big brother, Matt, and his wife, Megan, are happy parents to six kids – their pride and joys and mine too. OF THEIR SIX CHILDREN, THREE ARE ADOPTED FROM CHINA – two girls and one boy.
MY BROTHER, MATT, & HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!
ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS WITH MOM!
ADOPTION HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY FAMILY, SO THE CHILD I ADOPT WILL GROW UP KNOWING THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF FAMILIES. My brother’s three biological children are all boys, and Carsten, the middle child, also has Down syndrome. In our family, what some would consider a disability, we call a blessing. Our hearts have been opened to the potential of every single person. My life is richer because of each of their children. I may be a vice president at work, but the title I love most is “Aunt Brooke”. Now I can’t wait for “Mommy.” My little brother (he’ll always be that despite being taller than me) is engaged to be married to Jen this summer. He’s planning on a family too. My mom is the best Grandma. She loves the kids in a way only a Grandma can which means she spoils them. Recently she moved closer just so she can be part of their everyday life. My Dad still lives in my hometown on a real farm where I grew up. Our family is beyond excited with the hope I’ll soon welcome a child of my own into our circle of love – especially Gabe my oldest nephew. When I was little, my grandparents would take all of the cousins on annual vacations. Gramps taught me to ride a bike, drive a car, and what was right in the world. Grandma had the best belly laugh, and she taught me to love unconditionally and not to take life too seriously. They are lessons I will pass on to my child.
LUNCH WITH MY BROTHERS & GRANDPARENTS
say hello to
y friends are like family, an important part of my life. They keep me sane and grounded. I am in close contact with three of my best college friends: Steve, Melody, and Sean, we were inseparable back then and still are now. My other closest friends have been in my life for more than a dozen years. I love when my friends from all different parts of my life come all together. Last summer, we all celebrated my birthday in San Diego. They make my heart sing. We talk on the phone, visit each another, and travel together. Laughter, acceptance, and love have made us all better people. MOST OF MY FRIENDS ARE PARENTS AND THEY ALL CAN’T WAIT FOR ME TO BECOME A MOM.
M
MY FRIENDS
I LOVE MY
WORK!
MY 9 -5
WORK LIFE have an amazing job. I lead a marketing departm ent with a creative team of artists, strategists, wr iters, and number cruncher s. I’ve been with the same co mpany for 17 years and worked with many of the same peop le for the last decade. THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS JOB IS THE FLEXIBILITY. I SET MY OWN HOURS, an d with today’s technology, I can work from almost anyw here. So whether my child has a piano recital in the middle of the day, sports pr actice in the afternoon, or jus t the sniffles and needs a cuddle with mommy day, I will always be there.
I
MY NEPHEW IS SUCH A FUN-LOVING KIDDO!
CHRISTMAS TIME FUN WITH THE FAMILY!
FROM MY
BEST FRIEND, LEARA Since I have known Brooke, she has always loved babies and children. She stops and connects with kids naturally. She is always warm and playful, yet understands that children feel most secure when they know what to expect and their feelings matter. Often when one becomes a parent, friends who are not parents struggle to connect. I became a mom five years ago and can honestly say that our friendship remains just as strong. Brooke is a friend that actually takes the time to get to know kids and enjoys her time with them. I find it innate in her to be able to discuss all things kid-related as if she were already a parent.
5 THINGS that make ME HAPPY SUNSHINE v MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS LAUGHTER v FRIENDS v MEMORIES
MY BEST
EARA
MEETING JIMMY FALLON!
MY ADORABLE NIECE!
I HAVE ALSO SEEN HER ALREADY HUGE HEART GROW EVEN MORE BY BEING A VERY ACTIVE AND INVOLVED AUNT TO HER BROTHER’S SIX CHILDREN. These children have such a special place in her heart and in her life, and she makes them a priority. A child would be so lucky to have Brookie (as my children call her) as a mom: to be loved, cherished, taught, played with, have fun with, and learn from one of the most sincere and caring people I know.
Sincerely,
Leara
GIRL’S DA Y OUT!
FRIEND, L
BECKHAM & CHARLIE ARE GREAT
my
WITH KIDS!
Beckham is a miniature pincher/ terrier mix named after the soccer player of course! He’s almost ten now and blind due to diabetes. But he loves to play catch – (I have no idea how he knows how to find his ball.) - and cuddle up on my lap while watching TV. Charlie is a Corgi/ Chihuahua mix who hasn’t met a person he doesn’t love. My friend’s four-year-old names every stuffed animal puppy he gets after Charlie!
PUPpy LOVEs
A NOTE FROM MY SISTER-IN-LAW, MEG
MY SISTE
R-IN-LAW , MEG
CATCHIN
G THE TR
OLLY WIT
H MOM IN
SAN FRAN
Brooke is a terrific aunt to our six children. All of our kids love and adore Aunt Brooke. Matt and I are so thankful to have such a wonderful sister and role model for our children. Just this year Matt and I needed to travel overseas for a week. We knew right away who to call. Brooke hopped on a plane, and came to the rescue. She loved, spoiled, cuddled, and took fabulous care of our tribe while we were gone. Matt and I didn’t have to worry for a second because we knew they were in great hands. BROOKE IS ALSO THE GODMOTHER TO TWO OF OUR CHILDREN. All of us think so highly of our precious Aunt Brooke. Brooke will be a wonderful mother, and I know our children can’t wait to spoil their new cousin. We can’t wait too!
Sincerely,
M eg
MY HOME ood in live in a historic neighborh like the Phoenix which sometimes feels morning little town I grew up in. On my ir dogs or walks, neighbors out with the stop to on their daily run say hello and into my chat. I remodeled when I moved g a warm home eight years ago, creatin e place is and cozy atmosphere. My favorit seems to the big kitchen, where everyone perfect for gather. There is a grassy yard l with a a swing set and a swimming poo h a fishing fence. There’s a huge park wit the street. pond and a carousel just across CHILD TO IT’S A PERFECT PLACE FOR A GROW UP.
I
I CAN’T WAIT TO TEACH MY CHILD TO SWIM!
WALKING FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME || SMILES WITH MY FRIEND MEL’S KIDDOS
I PROMISE THAT MY CHILD WILL v KNOW LAUGHTER IS WHAT MAKES A HEART HAPPY v BE ENCOURAGED TO FIND A DREAM AND CHASE IT v FEEL SECURE AND LOVED IN MY ARMS v BE ENCOURAGED TO BE TRUE TO WHO THEY ARE v BE SURROUNDED WITH A VILLAGE v KNOW THE GIFT YOU GAVE ME AND THE LOVE YOU GAVE HIM OR HER v MAKE MY HEART COMPLETE
GET AHOLD OF ME!
• CONTACTBROOKE35@GMAIL.COM • HOPEFULLYPARENTS.COM/BROOKE • 602-730-0038 (CALL OR TEXT)
A
SPECIAL MESSAGE
TO YOU.
We haven’t met yet, but I want you to know I am embracing you and wishing you only the best in this difficult decision. I’d love to meet you and hear your hopes and dreams for your child. I have wanted to be a mom my whole life and dreamt of it as I loved, nurtured and
v FULFILL MY DREAM OF BEING CALLED MOMMY
rocked every one of my dolls and then my nieces, nephews and my friends’ children.
my hopes for my future child are simple yet everything: laughter, stability and unconditional love. Your child is a gift; thank you.
Best,
Brooke