Bobby and Pam

Hi, we're Pam, Bobby and Marley!

We knew from the beginning of our relationship that we wanted kids and have always dreamed of having a large family! We are a fun-loving couple who want to build a family together through adoption. We found out very quickly that we are unable to conceive a child, but believe that everything happens for a reason and we knew immediately that adoption was the only choice for us! We have a large extended family that is extremely supportive of our decision to adopt and we all cannot wait to welcome another child into our family.

We have a five year-old daughter, Marley, through adoption. Marley's birth and adoption was such a wonderful time in our lives and we are so honored to have the chance to experience this again. Since we have been involved in adoption before, we understand that this is an emotional time for everyone involved. We know that this is not an easy decision and are willing to work out any plan that makes you feel more comfortable. We feel extremely grateful for the opportunity to raise a child and will honor that decision throughout the child's life, as we do with Marley. We are open and honest with Marley about her adoption and she knows exactly how she was brought to our family and the love that we all experienced during her birth.

Bobby and I met in South Carolina about 15 years ago and soon after moved to Pittsburgh, where Bobby grew up. Shortly after we moved to Pittsburgh, we got married and we just celebrated our 12th anniversary. We live in a Cape Cod home about five miles from downtown, with our dog, Lambert...yes, after Jack Lambert! So, I guess this is as good a time as any to describe how sports fit into our lives or I guess how our lives fit into sports. Bobby was born and raised in Pittsburgh with his mom, dad and three sisters. His dad was a teacher and coach at a private high school his entire life. His family lived on the school's campus, so he pretty much grew up on a field with a ball in his hand. Now I, on the other hand, was born in Cleveland (don't tell anybody that) and moved to California when I was two years old, so the beach and sun was what I was into on most days. When I was nine years old, I moved to South Carolina with my mom and step-dad, where I spent the majority of my childhood. Bobby and I definitely have totally different upbringings, but our childhoods have made us who we are today.

Bobby's parents live about five minutes away from us and are a huge part of our lives. We still go over there every Sunday for dinner and the game...I know, big, huge surprise, we watch football together. Bobby's sisters live close by, too, and apparently one of his sisters wanted to carry the sports tradition by having a baseball team...she is on her 8th child and who knows maybe she is going for a football team now! Family is a huge tradition in his parents' household and we all enjoy going over there every week (as chaotic as it is)!!

Bobby went to college in South Carolina, where he played baseball and afterwards ended up following in his father's footsteps, even though he swore he never would and found his love for coaching and working with teenagers. After we moved back to Pittsburgh, he got a job at the same school where his dad worked for 30 years. He started out as a coach (football and baseball) and Assistant Athletic Director, but is now the Director of Admission and Head Baseball Coach. Marley is in kindergarten there now and we're grateful for the opportunity we have for our kids to attend the school.

Ok, so remember how I said we have totally different upbringings...well, here goes! Not really sure if there is enough time or paper to describe my childhood!! As I mentioned, I moved around a lot as a child, but now I appreciate that because it has made me an adaptable adult. I can handle change very easily and when there's not change going on in my life, I just rearrange my living room to feel like I've moved again. We've been in our house for 8 years and I think it might be the longest I've ever lived in one house...seriously! I grew up as an only child, although I have two half-sisters on my dad's side...I'll get to them later. I spent the majority of my life in South Carolina with my mom, just us, no dogs named Lambert and certainly no sports on TV!! Other than my mom, my family is my best friend, Angie. We had similar upbringings and met when we were 13 years old and ended up being a huge part of each other's lives. Marley and I go down to South Carolina three times a year to visit Angie, her husband and their three kids. I can't imagine going through my life without her or not having her kids be such a big part of my child's life. She became a mom before I did and has given me the inspiration to be the mother that I am today.

So, as for me, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life when I was younger, so after high school, I waited to go to college for a few years. I ended up going to school to help at-risk kids and after college, I got a great job that I loved, working with kids in group homes. Once Marley was born, working didn't really fit into my life anymore though. I had never really planned on being a stay-at-home mom, but I quickly realized that working full-time didn't allow me to do the things that I wanted to do with her, so I quit working. I do have a part-time job now as an accounting manager for a privately owned restaurant and it really works for us. I work one day a week and some hours from home, but there is no stress or pressure and it gives me the freedom to take Marley to school and pick her up and do anything during the day that I need to do for her, which is exactly what I want at this point in our lives!! The other big part of my life is my mom. She moved back to Cleveland after I moved out of the house and stayed there until we moved to Pittsburgh. When we started the adoption process with Marley, she couldn't imagine not being close to us and her first grandchild, so she picked up her life and moved to Pittsburgh. First it was about 10 minutes away from us, but she recently moved about four blocks away. I secretly think she's waiting for something on our street to open up, but for now four blocks away is just fine! She doesn't work and basically lives to spend time with Marley. My mom watches her the day that I work and any other chance she can!! They have a great bond and I think she's the best grandma ever!! Ok, so back to my half-sisters...so, it just so happens that they both live in Pittsburgh, which is nice because we never lived in the same state growing up, so we all get together with our families on holidays and birthdays. My dad stayed in California when I moved to South Carolina and he just recently moved to New York, so he comes to Pittsburgh often to visit all of us.

Again, Bobby and my upbringings made us who we are today and even though they were very different, it works for us! Bobby is very level-headed, easy-going, and competitive...I know that's a big shocker! I am very passionate, optimistic, lighthearted and loyal. During the summers, we usually go to the beach and we also spend a lot of time at the pool. We're a very active family and are always doing something together, whether it's working out, going to Marley's soccer games or taking road trips, but sometimes we end up just hanging out as a family on the weekends lying on the couch watching movies.

We've been looking forward to this for a long time and can't wait to have another baby! Marley is really looking forward to having a brother or sister and I can't wait either...not because I'm sick of playing barbies with her, but because we really feel that they will share something special through adoption. They will forever have that bond between them, which we will always cherish.

Life isn't perfect, we've definitely had our ups and downs, but in the end, we have everything we want! We are surrounded by people that love us and that's all that matters. It is important that we provide a fun, stable, and nurturing home with unconditional love. Adoption will always be a positive part of our lives and as our children grow, they will always know the love that has brought them to our family!

We are working with The Children's Home of Pittsburgh, which is a licensed adoption agency and they can be reached at 1-800-961-7704 or 412-441-4884. A counselor is available 24-hours a day to provide more information.

To reach us directly: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

To view more pictures: http://pamandbobbyadoption.blogspot.com/.