Carla and Silvestre

AN’T WAIT TO COMPLETE OUR C E W FAMILY THROUGH ADOPTION

C A R L A & S I LV E S T R E THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO LEARN OUR STORY

DE AR BIRTHMOTHER Hello and welcome, we are Carla and Silvestre. More than anything in this world we want to be parents and have a family!

M We cannot wait to shar e our passion for life with a little one!

ALL OF OUR YE O UGH A RS THR OF EXPERIENCE AS

AUN T I E & UNCLE WE HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT RAISING CHILDREN, PATIENCE, CONSISTENT DISCIPLINE AND TEACHING CHILDREN THE GOLDEN RULES OF LIFE:

aking the decision to give your baby to an adoptive couple like us may not be an easy one for you. It does take courage and faith to put your trust in us as parents. Thank you for taking this step in reading about who we are. We believe that things do happen for a reason, and that you reading about us as potential adoptive parents for your baby is meant to be. We look forward to meeting you!

Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is one of the most amazing things to us! We both were taught to work hard in life and not take anything for granted. We value education, as Sly is an after school teacher and Carla is a college professor. It was with our own belief in ourselves, the dedication and love of our parents that we achieved so much in life, and we can’t wait to teach our child how to be successful and happy!

Treat others the way you wish to be treated Respect your elders Be grateful for everything that you have and everyone who shows you kindness

We love to travel!

A MATCH MADE IN...

HAMLET! We met each other through our mutual friend, Tasha. She played matchmaker for us and the rest is history! Below, Tasha tells how our love story began:

“W ENJOYING VIEWS AT YOSEMITE PARK

SIGHTSEEING IN WASHINGTON D.C.

TOGETHER A S A COUPLE We have been together for almost three years and recently got engaged and are in the process of planning our wedding. We will be married this summer. Maybe we are a little non-traditional, but we are very much in love!

OUR LOVE WILL LAST A LIFE TIME. We have already been through so many ups and downs as a couple, and every moment has made us STRONGER, MORE UNITED and MORE IN LOVE. We laugh together and cry together. We are each other’s best friend.

hile chatting with Carla our conversation turned to her hopes of finding the right partner, someone to explore life, travel, and enjoy cultural events with. Most importantly, someone with whom she could imagine starting a family. He would have to be thoughtful, gentle, enjoy the arts, and fun.

I knew that my friend Silvestre would be perfect! He loved to travel abroad, played piano, appreciated classical music, had taken tango, Italian, and cooking classes and had an amazing knack for making people laugh. He was dedicated to kids from his line of work in education.

I set up a night for friends to join me for a play in the park. As it turned out, Silvestre, Carla, and I were the only ones to make it. The only play I could find was Shakespeare’s Hamlet, very dark and disturbing – and very long. Thankfully, Silvestre and Carla were their charming selves and were talking easily. It was obvious he thought she was beautiful and interesting from the way he gazed at her and was so attentive to her as they swapped stories of travels, family, and life experiences.

The very next morning, Silvestre texted me asking me if Carla was single. As both of their friends, I couldn’t have been happier!

My match making had been successful and my work was done!”

“Meeting Carla was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. As we began to fall in love with each other she became my best friend.�

- Silvestre

M Y PA R TNER , C A RL A W RIT TEN BY SILV E S TRE

I

was initially impressed by Carla's generous and giving spirit. From volunteering for important causes, to mentoring young people and even hosting community gatherings in her home, Carla's life revolved around altruism and philanthropy.

She surrounds herself with diversity, both in her personal and professional life. I am attracted to her strong curiosity and interest in other cultures; a passion I also share.

Carla and I both love to travel, and I have been fortunate to travel to many "firsts" with her, including a life-changing experience in Yosemite as well as an epic road trip along the beautiful California coast.

Whether it's tolerating my unfolded laundry for We LOVE exploring together!

(sometimes) days at a time, or always indulging me when I ask her to engage in silly poses in public places for me to photograph her in, Carla's sense of humor is one of the traits I cherish the most.

I love seeing Carla's face light up when she comes upon children. Whether it's friends' kids or her young nieces and nephews, Carla loves children.

Rather than spoiling them, Carla exposes them to cultural events, or teaches them responsibility by having them garden with her.

The truth is, every day, every hour, every moment with Carla is an adventure I look forward to living for the rest of my life.

I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WOMAN, PARTNER AND MOTHER TO MY FUTURE SON OR DAUGHTER. Carla has changed my life in so many ways, and I can't wait to see her change our child's.

Carla & her lovable niece Tatiana

FUN FACTS ABOUT CARLA i Has traveled to SIX out of the SEVEN continents i Loves BLUEBERRIES and STRAWBERRIES i Knows how to dance HULA i Loves AUDREY HEPBURN i Carla VOLUNTEERS as the president of a non-profit that raises money to send students to work & learn social work abroad i Makes the absolute best CHOCOLATE CHIP skillet cookie i Has visited LAGUNA BEACH every summer since childhood

VISITING ANCIENT RUINS WHILE ON VACATION WITH AMARI AT THE BEACH

i Carla loves to SWIM and SNORKEL

Posing for a picture!

Being silly with our nephew, Connor

CARLA’S CAREER As a professional, Carla works extremely hard preparing for her classes. Whether it be grading papers, preparing for a lesson, or making comments on student journals, she holds high standards for herself.

Carla doesn’t take the easy way out as an educator.

I’m ready to be a mom!

“Silvestre has a huge warm and loving heart. I am so grateful that I have a fun, smart and thoughtful man to share my life with.”

- Carla

M Y PA R TNER , SILV E S TRE W RIT TEN BY C A RL A Silvestre, or Sly as people affectionately call him, is one in a million. I love him because he is gentle and kind to everyone who comes into his life. First and foremost, I am so grateful that he treats me like I am the most important person in the entire universe.

He loves me more than I could ever describe. We joke around asking “how much do you love me?” and he will come up with the most creative answers, such as hotter than the hottest lava, deeper than the deepest ocean...etc.

All smiles at our friend’s wedding reception!

Sly loves to take care of me and gives me so much affection, I feel like the luckiest woman on earth.

Sly is my best friend and my biggest supporter in everything I do.

He truly is a superstar with kids and young adults. He keeps in touch with his students and is invited to college graduations all over the country. He always tries to be there for them.

Some young people have said he is the father they never had. This is why I know he will be the most amazing father you can imagine.

Sly also loves to have fun. HE JOKES AROUND CONSTANTLY AND MAKES LIFE HAPPY. He originally went to film school, going to the movies is his favorite thing to do (besides going to music events, and playing in the outdoors.)

Silvestre & our niece Tatiana

FUN FACTS ABOUT SILVESTRE i Almost got KISSED by a llama in Peru i Has tried EXOTIC FOODS including grasshoppers, ants, ostrich and worms i Favorite desert is FROZEN YOGURT but he also loves OREO COOKIES i Makes HOME-MADE BIRTHDAY CARDS for friends and loved ones i Has traveled to 17 out of the 50 STATES in the United States i Can PLAY THE PIANO by ear i Is the OLDEST and the only male in his family of 5 i Grew up in MEXICO, where he lived for about 10 years

ENJOYING THE DAY WITH OUR NEPHEW

I ALWAYS HAVE MY CAMERA READY!

i Loves BATMAN! i Is allergic to CATS

On top of the world!

Playing with our nephew

SLY’S CAREER Sly loves his job. He brings energy, compassion, knowledge and sincere passion everyday to helping middle school and high school students achieve everything they want to in life, and he helps them get into college. He believes in them when no one else does.

We can’t wait to show our little one the world!

WE

COULDN’T ASK FOR A

MORE LOVING & SUPPORTIVE

FA M I LY BOTH OF OUR FAMILIES ARE EXCITED TO ADD A NEW MEMBER TO OUR FAMILY TREE THROUGH ADOPTION!

C A RL A’S FA MILY

I

am so grateful for my beautiful, loving and fun family! We love each other unconditionally and support each other through the good times and the challenging times. As an only child, my parents made sure I had the opportunity to share everything with

my cousins. Today my many female cousins are like my sisters. My mom passed away about 4 years ago, which has brought me even closer to my extended family. My father is doing very well at age 89. I have the best nieces and nephews an auntie could ask for! Some of my favorite

FUN AT LEGO LAND WITH OUR NEPHEWS SILVESTRE’S SISTER, HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW, AND NEPHEWS

SILVESTRE AND HIS MOM AT HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY CARLA’S NIECE’S WEDDING

SILVESTRE & HIS SISTERS AT MT. VERNON

moments are sharing laughter and learning with them.

My maternal grandmother was born and raised in the Philippines. She passed down recipes, traditions and cultural pride to my mother, and my mother passed them down to me. My paternal grandmother was Polish, she passed down a deep cultural pride and

tradition which honors our Polish heritage. I can’t wait to pass these traditions down to our child. I look forward to supporting and raising our child to have a secure sense of identity and belonging to their culture.

SILVESTRE’S FAMILY

S

ly is loyal and consistently there for his family. His mother is nurturing and kind.

She is ready to be a grandma again. He has 4 sisters, who each love him dearly in their own ways.

His family wants to stay with us and help us take care of the baby. They have welcomed me into their family and have already welcomed the baby before even knowing who she or he is.

WITH CARLA’S FAMILY AT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK CARLA AND HER 3 NIECES

SILVESTRE’S FAMILY AT HIS SISTER’S WEDDING

“Auntie Carla is the best. She plays games. She takes care of me. She is nice, good, fun and cool. We play all day. We love Auntie Carla. We love you. and good with kids too, and she does art. Love you.”

- Maliah, age 6

CARLA AND HER FATHER

“My uncle is nice, fun, funny, cool, and imaginative. I love my uncle.”

- Jonathan, age 7

ROMISES TO YOU O UR P AND YOUR BABY

WE PROMISE...

WE PROMISE WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS GIFT YOU HAVE GIVEN US. RAISING CHILDREN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN THE WORLD, AND YOUR BABY WILL COME FIRST IN OUR LIVES.

We promise to love your baby unconditionally.

We promise to be patient, loving and kind.

We promise to provide them with the best education and support them in all activities.

“OUR HOME IS A PLACE WHERE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES ARE MADE.”

THE PLACE WE CALL HOME We are creating our family and will be raising our child in the home that I (Carla) grew up in. We live in a big beautiful home that overlooks the Silver Lake reservoir. Our community is very vibrant and healthy, families walk around the reservoir for exercise and there is a park and recreational center within walking distance with many fun activities for children and adults.

Our extended family gathers at our house for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays. We often combine cultural dishes including handmade Polish perogies, Filipino lumpia and grandma’s famous butter cookies.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

favorite

carla

silvestre

hobby

hiking

photography

color

ocean blue

blue

vacation destination

Paris, France Italy

family tradition children’s book actor animal

making Polish peirogies at Easter

breakfast every Sunday at mom’s

The Giving Tree

Treasure Island

Audrey Hepburn

Al Pacino

penguin & bull dogs

T-Rex

SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT US IS... We grew up practicing strict religions but now find peace and compassion in an eastern philosophy, Buddhism. We respect all faiths throughout the world.

At the Cesar Chavez monument dedication together Hiking while on vacation

WE ENJOY...hiking, live music, stand-up comedy,

cultural events, museums, traveling, photography, kayaking, watching movies, cooking together, hanging out with our nieces and nephews, working on house projects, visiting friends, hosting social gatherings, trying new restaurants, walking around the lake near our house.

Silvestre playing with our nephew Connor

IS WE W

H YOU THE BES

DURING THIS TIME

T

T HANK YO U FOR TAKING TIME TO READ OUR PROFILE AND LEARN ABOUT WHO WE ARE

If you would like to speak with us about adopting your child or have any questions for us, please contact an AdoptHelp Caseworker by calling 1-800-637-7999 toll free.