Hello, Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and the life we can offer your child.

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Martin Payne
5 years ago
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1 Our dog, Baby

Hello, Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and the life we can offer your child.

On vacation in Tucson, Arizona Summer 2005 We adopted our son Moises, born May 6, 2003, from Tijuana, Mexico. We are so blessed to be his proud parents.

I really loved the palm and all the birds that nested in it. Timing is right for another child. We want our children to be close enough in age to play together.

Moises takes every opportunity to get close to babies these days, staring adoringly at them. He plays very sweetly with his two baby dolls.

2 Hello, Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and the life we can offer your child. The best way to understand how we would parent another child is through the perspective of what our life has become with our son. On vacation in Tucson, Arizona Summer 2005 We adopted our son Moises, born May 6, 2003, from Tijuana, Mexico. We are so blessed to be his proud parents. Maggie and infant Moises with the Pacific Ocean in the background in Tijuana, Mexico. This was actually our "backyard" when we waited almost ten months for his American visa. I really loved the palm and all the birds that nested in it. Timing is right for another child. We want our children to be close enough in age to play together. In deliberating over whether or not to try again, one decision became very clear. This adoption will complete our family. Moises takes every opportunity to get close to babies these days, staring adoringly at them. He plays very sweetly with his two baby dolls. Our complicated experience with international adoption has encouraged us to work domestically this time. Our first adoption remains as open as possible. We send photos twice a year to the adoption lawyer in Tijuana. Moises' birthmother faithfully retrieves them. Moises looks at the photos we have of her among the many others in his baby photo albums. He is still too young for detailed information, but we tell him she is his birthmother. Of course, we answer all of his questions with love and honesty. We welcome any contact with his birthfamily that he should feel inspired to initiate. 2

Our ranch is situated in the majestic mountains of northern New

3 Our ranch is situated in the majestic mountains of northern New Mexico. Many creatures, both domestic ones, and the animals of the wilderness, surround us as they are drawn to the alpine stream that runs through our property. Winter sledding at home For the past two years a small herd of bighorn sheep seems to have picked a spot just downstream for lambing. Aron and Moises on a goat hike 3

pitching in more enthusiastically every day.

a herd of 11 angora goats, a flock of chickens

cats, and a parrot. Yes, they all have names.

on a barrel ride around the animals on the

4 We ve been married eight years. Aron is a park ranger and Maggie is a stay-at-home mother. We share the ranch chores, with Moises pitching in more enthusiastically every day. We care for two horses, a llama, two alpacas, a herd of 11 angora goats, a flock of chickens and ducks, a dog, a house cat, a few barn cats, and a parrot. Yes, they all have names. Aron taking Moises and Maggie s niece, Bella, on a barrel ride around the animals on the ranch. Papa (Aron) and Moises leading one of our horses, Guera, to the river for a drink. Moises and our kitten Kiki 4

acceptance given to our son. There are always friendly faces remarking how much he's grown.

5 Aron's parents and his nieces celebrating Moises second birthday Aron was raised Catholic and is a native New Mexican. Living here and attending festivals, weddings, funerals, birthday parties, or just picking up the mail is the only way to understand the immense love and acceptance given to our son. There are always friendly faces remarking how much he's grown. Aron's parents, both in their eighties, live nearby and shower love and attention on little Moises. Of his two sisters, one lives in the village with her husband and four teenage children. His other sister lives in Albuquerque with her 12-year-old daughter. 5

Maggie s brother lives with his wife and threeyear-old son in Denver.

6 Maggie s Uncle Grand-Daddy (Maggie s dad) and Moises at a wedding last spring Maggie s parents live together in Houston. Her sister lives there as well, with her boyfriend and four-year-old daughter. Maggie s brother lives with his wife and threeyear-old son in Denver. We visit family who live distantly from us two or three times a year. Maggie was raised Episcopalian and attended Quaker worship meetings as well as Catholic Mass with her family. 6

Aron has a Master's degree from the University of New Mexico and

Moises has been attending a weekly playgroup for a year and a half.

toddlers at one family's home for three hours.

7 We hosted this playgroup by the river. We believe a good education is most important. Aron has a Master's degree from the University of New Mexico and Maggie has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado. Moises has been attending a weekly playgroup for a year and a half. A group of mothers (and occasionally fathers) meet with their toddlers at one family's home for three hours. It is nice to have a group of peers for both the parents and the kids to learn, explore, and experiment. Kids at summer camp swimming in the river 7

Since September, Moises has attended two full days of Montessori

8 Moises enjoys spending time with his classmates and teacher Mary. They are celebrating Mexico day. Since September, Moises has attended two full days of Montessori school, as well. He really loves the teachers, other students, and fun, self-guided work he does there. 8

Still, they were remarkably close and I think this photo shows their bond. We read books to Moises every day.

9 Moises and Papa sing Aron came to Tijuana Mexico to visit as often as he could during the wait. You can imagine, with the ranch and of course his job, someone had to be primarily at home. Still, they were remarkably close and I think this photo shows their bond. We read books to Moises every day. Recently, he began singing songs. Papa plays guitar, Moises and Maggie sings, while Moises strums along on his toy guitar. We speak both English and Spanish with Moises. Maggie is also fluent in French and Swedish. 9

10 Maggie teaching Moises to swim last summer Although Maggie makes time for regular yoga classes and community volunteer work, most of her life revolves around our child, teaching him to swim, ski and other fun activities. 10

Aron takes great care teaching Moises as well.

Aron and Moises enjoying a walk in the snow on

11 Aron takes great care teaching Moises as well. They go fishing and he loves to sit in the passenger seat when his papa takes the jeep to plow the new snow. Aron and Moises enjoying a walk in the snow on the ranch Aron taking Moises and Maggie s niece, Bella, on a barrel ride on the ranch 11

12 Maggie's brother Tom and his son Stephen with Moises at the Denver Zoo Baby Moises and Maggie's best friend and her daughter try to get the parrot, Pollo Verde, to play the flute. 12

13 Aron and Moises on beach in Oaxaca, Mexico January 2006 As a family we like to go on picnics and hikes with the goats. Moises travels well, so we've been able to take a couple of vacations even to far off beach destinations. 13

We have great respect and gratitude for your decision.

14 Moises and some campers in the barnyard holding our chickens last summer In the summer we host a nature camp for local kids, a program we together founded fifteen years ago. We have great respect and gratitude for your decision. Whether you choose us or not, your choice took a tremendous amount of courage and a great big heart. Sincerely, Maggie and Aron New Mexico 14

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