Hello everyone!  We are trying to bring home a special needs child from the Ukraine.  His name is Simon and he almost 16.

We love the idea of bringing an older child home.  We are, in fact, slightly older than most first time parents.  Also,  as far as we know, our boy has lived his whole life in an orphanage, never knowing what it is like to have an immediate family.  We have been so blessed to meet people who have brought his story to us, who have met him personally, who have encouraged us and supported us from the very beginning.  It was such a hard decision to begin, especially because this isn't quite the typical adoption.  When we told people we were adopting, most (if not all) immediately thought we were pursuing a baby.   We are thrilled to be working toward adopting this sweet, amazing boy that we have come to know as Simon.  We want to give Simon a home, the unconditional love that only parents know, and life experiences and educational opportunities that he has not yet known.   

No doubt, unknown challenges await us.  We expect the road to be bumpy.  The actual adoption process is not going to be easy.  Bringing home a child with special needs (he is bound to a wheelchair due to what we think is a spinal condition) and who does not speak our language is not going to be easy.  This boy has only known institutional life. The amount of patience and enduring love that will be required is more than likely off the charts.  I have faith that along with challenges, he will also bring IMMENSE joy to this home.  We also hope he will be the first adoption of many...we would love for him to be a big brother.  

People tell us that Simon is going to be a wonderful son.  That he is incredibly charming and such a special boy.  He draws and loves anything technical.  He loves to take things apart and put them back together.  We have seen many pictures and viewed some videos of him and just fall more in love with him every time we see him.   We know he has a sense of humor.  A video of him shows him moving along to music, smiling and making goofy faces.  Wes hopes he'll like to go fishing!

Please watch our video to learn more about our story (to be added soon).  We greatly appreciate any financial support.  As you know, adoption is expensive!  We would ask that you pray for us to bring Simon home to North Carolina safely.  We think the home of a paramedic and a teacher is a perfect fit for Simon!