Both of us come from big Midwestern families: Cathy is one of five children from suburban Chicago, Illinois, and Tim is one of four boys from Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Two of Tim’s brothers live nearby in Southern California, so James gets to spend time on a regular basis with at

We live in Long Beach, California, in a pleasant residential neighborhood near parks, shops, and restaurants.  The best thing about our neighborhood is the neighbors.  On our block with have three sets of surrogate grandparents, who love James like their own and who are excited about the prospect of our adopting another child.  There are also lots of families, so we can step out our

Community

least some of his 14 cousins (2 of whom are adopted).  Both sets of grandparents visit us.  About once a year, we do a big trip with extended family: this year was over 35 friends and relatives in cottages on a lake in Michigan!

front door to find a friend for a “play date,” BBQ, or conversation.  Long Beach has the best-rated parks and recreation system in the country.  We take advantage of playgrounds, concerts in the park, beaches, swimming pools, walks in the nature center, and an occasional toddler class.