We are a multicultural couple and have a strong positive identity to our cultures, we love celebrating them together! Carmen identifies as Middle Eastern and Hispanic and Phil is Black and Japanese. Both of our families embrace our cultures, we get to celebrate lots of holidays and traditions that include very yummy food!

We grew up in very different ways, in different cities, yet both surrounded by family members that value their cultures deeply. We both know how difficult it is growing up going to school with classmates that don't look like you, eat the same foods as you, or celebrate the same family traditions as you.

We have learned how to develop not only positive cultural identities but to fully embrace them and find confidence within them. We are proud to be multicultural and know the journey it has taken us to get to a place to feel confident and proud. We look forward to celebrating your child's culture and are looking forward to adding new celebrations and traditions to our family and home.

Phil About Carmen: I deeply admire Carmen for her loyalty and empathy. I know I can always count on her no matter the circumstance. Over the 11 years we have been together, Carmen has stood by my side and has provided commitment and support though all of life's ups and downs. Her loyalty provides our relationship a strong foundation, and knowing that she is always there brings me comfort and confidence. Her empathy is admirable, and is a gift that impacts everyone around her. She has a terrific ability to listen and understand others, while offering compassion and support when needed. She continuously puts others before herself, whether it's family, friends, or patients and their families she works with as a Social Worker. Carmen is a terrific dog mom, and Aunt to our nieces and nephews, and her relationship with her family demonstrates her warmth, and nurturing nature. Carmen is the rock in our family, I know she will be the best mother!

Carmen About Phil: Phil is very much known as the gentle giant, which I think perfectly describes him. Phil cares deeply about others, his friends, family, and cares greatly for his patients as an Emergency Department nurse. Phil's calmness and easygoing vibe is contagious, you instantly feel at ease when around him. He is the best dog dad to Bubba, they go on lots of adventures together and have deep snuggle sessions that include lots of kisses. Our nieces and nephews refer to Phil as the "Funcle" which stands for fun uncle, that is exactly what he is. Whether it is wrestling, playing outside, having a dance party, or going for an ice cream date, he is who the kids want to be around! Phil is non-judgmental, he is open and accepting to all and wants everyone to feel safe, and secure around him. He is patient, present, and loyal, he is going to make an incredible dad, I feel grateful to be on this journey with him!

Meet Bubba, we like to call him Bubba Bean! He is a six-year-old English Bulldog that is a major chunk of love. Bubba is the biggest foodie of all time, you'll find him in the kitchen trying to get his favorite treats which include pumpkin, watermelon, and of course bacon! He is a very loyal guy, knows who his family members are and gets so excited when he gets to see our extended family. Bubba loves being in the car and is most happy if he can stop by Starbucks or Sonic for a Puppicino. Bubba enjoys leisure walks to the park and taking breaks on the park bench to watch the neighborhood kids play soccer. Bubba is always up for a snuggle session on the couch, a good Netflix and chill night, with of course lots of snacks! Bubba has lots of cousins and gets so excited when he gets to see and play with them, he cannot wait for a sibling to become close buddies with! We have a feeling they are going to become quite the dynamic duo. Bubba is our best bud and means the whole world to us!

We live in a safe, diverse, suburban neighborhood in Oregon and absolutely love it! We recently built our home that is 2 stories, has 4 bedrooms, and brand new amenities that include lots of extra space to extend our family. Our neighborhood features include walking trails, multiple playgrounds, a soccer field, and basketball courts. Our neighborhood is filled with lots of families that have young children of all ages and lots of dogs!

Our community is wonderfully diverse, offering lots of opportunities for your child to learn and grow in an environment that values inclusivity and respect for all. One of our favorite things about living in our neighborhood is how big and all out everyone goes for the holidays. On Halloween the streets close, the neighborhood kids have the best time going door to door and families camp out in the front yard passing out candy and cheering the kids on, it's such a fun day!

We are also a short drive away from the Oregon Coast Beaches, and have a beautiful zoo, libraries, parks, the mountain and community amenities all close by. Lots of opportunities to have fun-filled days!

We are very close with both of our families and see them weekly! We love spending time with Carmen's family, one of our favorite activities together is going to the family athletic club. We swim, have lunch, splish splash around in the water with our baby niece and laugh a ton! The day always includes Carmen packing a full cooler with drinks and snacks for the family then it's a must to end the day with an ice cream bar! We are super close with Carmen's parents, siblings and niece, they are all thrilled to welcome a new family member!

One of our favorite traditions with Phil's family is going to our niece's holiday dance recital. We cheer on their performances then celebrate after with Chick-fil-A and usually another round of dancing in the living room! We have a lot of fun with all our nieces and nephews and greatly enjoy supporting and celebrating them. It is a priority to us that we have a special relationship with each of them.

Our families mean everything to us and are a huge part of our lives. They are all so excited to welcome a new family member and have been so supportive with our adoption journey! Your child will have lots of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents that will provide your child with a whole lot of love and support.

We are Carmen and Phil and appreciate you taking the time to learn more about us! We want to express our deepest gratitude for the incredibly brave decision you are considering. We cannot begin to understand the depth of your journey, but we want you to know that we are here for you.

We are married and have been in a relationship for 11 years. We met in college through a mutual friend who was eager to introduce us and have been together ever since! Our family and friends always describe us as being deeply loyal to each other, no matter the adversity we are faced with we always know we can and will get through it together. We are in a stable, supportive, and loving relationship. We are a chill, fun, multicultural couple and have always shared a love for children and desire to have a family.

Pregnancy and childbirth would be high risk for Carmen, together we made the decision that adoption would be the best and safest option for us to grow our family. We have always discussed becoming parents and having children since we first started dating. Both of us love being around children in both our professional and personal lives. We spend a lot of time supporting our nieces and nephews at school performances, having them over for sleepovers, and taking them to do fun things like shopping and swimming.

We are looking forward to creating a relationship with you and having as much contact as you are comfortable with. We will send letters, pictures and are open to additional contact such as phone calls, video calls, and emails. We want to provide your child with the opportunity to know you and to feel the love that surrounds them from all sides of their family. We believe in the importance of open and honest communication with the child about their adoption, and we are committed to sharing with them the beautiful and courageous part of their history that includes you. We want your child to feel secure in their identity and proud of their background.

Our child will grow up in an inclusive, loving, and supportive home. We are dedicated to providing them with everything they need to thrive from education and healthcare to emotional and moral support to guiding them to find their passions in life. Our priority is to nurture your child into a happy, healthy, and confident individual who knows they are greatly loved.

Your child will be surrounded by extended family that will be loving, supportive, and fiercely loyal to them. Our family gatherings are filled with a lot of laughter, love, and the warmth that comes from a close-knit family and your child will be the center of it!

Thank you for considering this path with us. We look forward to the possibility of building a positive and nurturing relationship with you, and ensuring that your child feels the abundant love from all their family members.

With lots of love,

Phil & Carmen