Michele & Peter

We can be reached at Friends in Adoption: 1-800-844-3630

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Hello! We would like to sincerely thank you for learning more about us, as you consider making one of the most difficult and selfless decisions of your lifetime. We hope it comforts you to know that Michele is adopted. She and her sister were raised by the two most loving parents that children could ever ask for. But there came a day that they wished to find their birth families. Each of them was graciously welcomed into the lives of their birth families, where they were able to meet and establish relationships with half brothers and sisters that they never knew existed. This has only added to the great loving family experience that they had known growing up. Because of that, we understand the importance of compassionate open adoption, and how it can create a secure, positive and supportive future for the baby, birth mother and adoptive parents.

With our pug, Lily

About us

We had the opportunity a short while ago to become the foster parents to two beautiful young children who lived with us for almost a year. Although we have been very involved in the lives of our nieces, nephews and our friends’ children, this was our chance to parent for real. It was a very rewarding experience, but we are now focusing on a permanent family plan. From this experience, we can promise you that your baby will always know how much he or she is loved. Right now, our only “baby” is our pug, Lily. She is an adorable little doggie and is loved by children and adults alike!

Attending a friend's wedding

A birthday party

Thankfully, our jobs allow us to be close to home, so we are able to enjoy our pastimes together. We bought our home in 2006 in a neighborhood we knew would be a safe and friendly place to raise children. Our home is situated on a quiet street that ends in a cul-de-sac, so there is almost no traffic.

Our yard has lots of room to play. During the summer months, neighborhood children can often be heard playing outside. Our neighbors like to have one big picnic together every year. It’s not unheard of to see a flock of wild turkey or a few deer pass through our property to see what they can find to nibble on.

On the flip side, we are only five minutes away from every convenience we need. We live in a small school district in Upstate New York, which prides itself in being one of the best in the area.

Bike riding every chance we get

Visiting the island of St. Maarten

While we do enjoy taking time out for our own interests, our lives are focused around each other and our families.

Our nephews always ask when they can come for a sleepover, because they can’t get enough of their Uncle Peter. That is always followed by a sleepover with our nieces, who love being treated like little princesses by their Aunt Shelley. And every now and again, they all come over and our house is filled with fun and laughter. And a night off for their parents! We especially enjoy having family and friends over to our house for parties and holiday celebrations. We have also had the pleasure of spending time with and babysitting our friends’ children, as you can see by the photos.

Overlooking Lake George

A Hawaiian Luau picnic with neighbors

Spending time with our friend's son

Nephew Brian loves his
Uncle Pete and Aunt Shelley

Easter dinner at Aunt Shelley's

Horsing around!

Taking Kaela & Chase on a cave tour

A sleepover at Aunt Shelley's

Easter with our nieces and nephews

The rugged coast of Oregon

Pete — by Michele

From the day I met Pete, I had an idea that I might eventually be married to him.

He is the most kind, thoughtful, generous man I have ever met. I learned that he shares my love of travel, so we have had the chance to visit some fun and exotic places together. I was impressed at his diverse interests that include horseback and bike riding, as well as a great interest in current events. I was happy to learn that he had taken ballroom dance lessons, so he even knows how to twirl me around the dance floor! It warms my heart to know that my husband and I are able to dance together as well as my parents were always known to do.

Pete is very much appreciated at his job. I was so impressed when his boss described Pete as possibly the most intelligent person he has ever met. I know that several of their clients specifically request Pete when they need the right man for the job. As a consultant, he needs to blend in with the environment at several client sites, as he manages their software projects. He fits in very well with his clients and he is also a respected resource by the staff that works under his supervision.

I am so proud at the job he did with the foster children who lived with us for almost a year. He was so loving and patient with them. It gives me a glimpse of the kind of father he will be. Not to mention what a great uncle he is to all of our nieces and nephews. He is my very best friend.

A special trip to the Kennedy Space Center

A trip to Las Vegas

Pete enjoys horseback riding

Pete with brother Gerald

When I met Pete’s family, which includes two young nephews, I realized just how much he is valued by them. His nephews think that Uncle Peter is the coolest guy, because he’ll help them build their Lego castles and space ships! When I introduced him to my family and my four nieces and nephews, they immediately fell in love with him. It really made my heart melt. I was especially impressed at how he helped me cope with the loss of my mother. Little did I know, but he had kept her in the loop about his plans to ask me to marry him. While he did not have the chance to meet my adoptive dad or to know my adoptive mother for long, he is much loved and respected by my birth parents.

Now this is how you play lacrosse

Playing air hockey with nephew

Shainna & Lexi love their Uncle Peter

The County Fair

Legos! A family pastime

More Legos!

Pete's family

The first day of school

Michele planting her fall flowers

Michele — by Pete

Without a doubt, Michele is the most open and honest person I know.

She has a love and zest for life that drew me to her. Michele is always trying to help others, whether they are her travel clients or the kids in her classroom.She is the one her friends call when they need advice or just to talk about what is going on in their lives.

For as long as she can remember, she has dreamed of being a mom and providing a child with the love and care that she received during her childhood. It was clear almost immediately to me that family was very important to her. Michele enjoys travel, singing, skiing, bike riding, scrapbooking, and entertaining.Whether it is our friends and family for the holidays or our nieces and nephews for sleepovers, our guests always feel a specialwarmth and welcoming from her.Her interest in the world and in different cultures is intense. Through her love of travel and time spent abroad she speaks French, German, and Spanish.

Michele now works as a home-based Travel Agent and part-time substitute teacher. She has so enjoyed her experience as a substitute-teacher, she decided to combine her interests and is working toward her Master’s Degree in Education with the plan to be a Spanish teacher.

Visiting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Cutting my hair for Locks of Love
in memory of my mom

"One Night Only" at the Grand Old Opry

You only have to see “Aunt Shelly” with her nieces and nephews to know what a wonderful parent she would be.The love that she shows for her family is mirrored by the love that they return to her. A visit to her sister’s house is always accompanied by happy cries of “Aunt Shelly! Aunt Shelly!” and children running to mob her with hugs and kisses.

Our puppies meet for the first time

A fun day out with the kids

Family means everything!

Michele's family

Taking mom on a cruise to the Bahamas

With mom and aunt and uncle

Michele's mom and sister

Lily is our only baby for now

Michele with her birth parents

Michele with birth mom and family

Michele meets half-brothers for the first time

Michele with birth father and brother

Thank you for taking the time to read about us.

We look forward to having the opportunity to learn about your hopes and desires for your child. We strongly feel that this experience will not be a “good-bye,” but rather will be a “hello” with a compassionate plan for a happy future.

Michele and Peter

We can be reached at Friends in Adoption toll-free at 1-800-844-3630