What We Know…
February 28, 2015
complex heart defect, double outlet right ventricle, February 2015 Feature, February 2015 Feature - Heart, pulmonary atresia, pulmonary stenosis, single atrium heart disease, single ventricle heart disease, Tetralogy of Fallot, TGV
We know that adoption is beautiful, don’t we? We know that it is a wonderful way to build a family. We also know that it can be painful, and scary, and even though it can most definitely be a dream come true, it can also hold many frightening unknowns… We have three dreams come true, …Read More
find my family: larry
February 28, 2015
Family Found
Larry was born in September 2012 and diagnosed with congenital heart disease. Sweet Larry was found in a hotel dustbin as a newborn and taken to the hospital. At that time he had a hematoma on his scalp and began treatment for jaundice after entering an orphanage. His hematoma resolved on its own but it …Read More
out of the darkness
February 27, 2015
Attachment, birth family, Carrie
I don’t think I will ever be the mom who believes God’s original and best plan for my daughter was for her to be in my home. I realize that’s a controversial statement, and perhaps many of the people reading this will feel something bristle inside of them as they think about their own precious …Read More
Medical Needs and Marriage: Ten Tips
February 26, 2015
February 2015 Feature, February 2015 Feature - Marriage, marriage, Rebecca
You adopted a child with medical needs and the game changed. The Coach altered the playbook. The new little life in your family has your whole team scrambling to reorient themselves. You survived the stretching adoption process with its paperwork, lack of control, waiting and financial stress. You made it home, and you’d like to …Read More
I don’t get it.
February 25, 2015
Chinese Culture, Kelly, one-child policy
I get it. There was a big crisis. In 1979, facing a huge and growing population, Chinese government officials created the “family planning policy” as the solution. Things were turned upside down as families who years before had been encouraged to build China by adding to their family were now told they could have one …Read More
“Normal” Ain’t Got Nothin On This
February 23, 2015
double outlet right ventricle, February 2015 Feature, February 2015 Feature - Heart, pulmonary atresia, Sonia, Tetralogy of Fallot
As we continue through February, the month of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness, we continue to share posts from moms parenting children with heart defects. Our goal is to inform and equip those considering or home with children with this special need by sharing the real-life experiences of those already parenting a child (or children) with …Read More
find my family: Henry from Bethel
February 22, 2015
Family Found
Bethel’s adorable Henry is quiet at first but loves nothing more than to be on an adult’s lap for a cuddle. He likes to sing songs about animals and cars. He loves playing with balls and loves running and listening to music. Happy Henry has the most amazing smile. When he smiles, his entire face …Read More
Chinese New Year’s Resolution
February 21, 2015
Chinese Culture, Desiree
I don’t know that I understood the full ramifications the day I marked the CHINA box on our adoption paperwork. I understood that I would be bringing a piece of China home with me (he was so soft and cute!), but I didn’t realize that I would also be sending a piece of myself there. …Read More
5 Ways To Build Into Your Marriage While Growing Your Family
February 20, 2015
Andrea Y., February 2015 Feature, February 2015 Feature - Marriage, marriage
It was almost exactly one year after arriving home with our fifth child, and I felt like our family had finally found our new normal. It took us much longer after bringing home our fourth to get in our groove as his medical needs were more complex, and we had to quickly learn how to …Read More
find my family: Eddie
February 20, 2015
Family Found
Eddie turns six years old this March. Eddie’s listed special need is “mild development delay,” however his facial features may be indicative of Down Syndrome. Eddie’s adoption file was prepared when he was just two years old, he is now almost five and still waits for a family of his very own. At the time …Read More
Adoption: Hard to Start. Harder to Stop.
February 19, 2015
a father's perspective, adoption realities, large families, Mike
“When you go back…” In the weeks before we left for China for our first adoption, Anne and I met with some family friends who had adopted three Chinese daughters. The goal of our time with Kevin and Vicki was to better understand what to expect on the trip and in the months to follow. …Read More
Cleo: adopting a child with burns
February 18, 2015
body scars, burns, contracture deformity, Family Stories, Skin Conditions
In looking back I can see now that the seed was carefully planted long before we knew of her. The unknown preparation came in the forms of books, a family story from a friend, career decisions and a few other situations that seemed of random nature at the time. It wasn’t in our initial scope …Read More
Cardiac Transplant: part two
February 16, 2015
advanced heart failure, complex heart defect, end stage cardiac disease, Family Stories, February 2015 Feature, February 2015 Feature - Heart, heart defect, heart transplant, single ventricle heart disease
This is the second half of a two-part post written by two mamas who have walked a similar – and yet very different – path. Both of their daughters, adopted from China with complex heart defects, required what most parents would consider a worst case scenario: a cardiac transplant. Each shares their experience below. Andrea, …Read More
Adopting Later In Life: part two
February 15, 2015
adopting later in life, Jean, large families
This is the second part in a two-part series. Read part one here. I hear words like “insane”, “crazy”, “midlife crisis”, “out of your mind”, and “out of control”. Most of these comments are said kindly and with humor! If you are talking to or hearing it from the older adoptive parent and they are …Read More
find my family: Tucker
February 14, 2015
Family Found
Tiny TUCKER is who we have to show off today! Aren’t you glad it is heart month around here? Terrific little Tucker is a sweet one year old toddler. Full of personality, he is described as boy who is outgoing and rambunctious, who loves to giggle and be hugged. But what ever you do don’t …Read More
I’m Ready to Adopt, Now What? The Homestudy
February 13, 2015
dossier, homestudy, I'm Ready to Adopt
Alternately titled: Four Things to Know Before You Begin Your Home Study. This is the second post in a series on the “how to” of adoption, step by step. Post one can be found here. Starting the adoption process can be intimidating. You hear horror stories of the paperwork that is involved and it is …Read More
wanmei
February 13, 2015
Chinese Culture, Hannah, orphanage realities
We were advocating domestic adoption around the table. Somehow I had been seated to the Director’s left – the most important seat, and one much too auspicious for comfort, and our chopsticks clinked upon the same plate of celery and mushrooms. He turned to me and looked me square in the face. Of course I …Read More
adopting a child with congenital nevus
February 12, 2015
Congenital melanocytic nevus, Congenital nevus, Family Stories
My husband was adopted domestically as an infant. As high school sweethearts, I heard him share his personal testimony several times. His testimony centered around his physical and spiritual adoption. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us …Read More
My Warrior
February 11, 2015
Amy, heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, tracheoesophagel fistula
“She is a fighter. It’s what kept her alive. We love it when our heart babies are fighters. Her body has adapted wonderfully for as long as she has lived without this surgery.” ~ Pediatric Cardiologist I knew Grace was a warrior before we even laid eyes on each other in person. I knew enough …Read More
Cardiac Transplant: Two Little Girls, Two New Lives
February 9, 2015
advanced heart failure, complex heart defect, end stage cardiac disease, Family Stories, February 2015 Feature, February 2015 Feature - Heart, heart defect, heart transplant, single ventricle heart disease
February is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month, so this month we will be featuring several posts from moms parenting children with heart defects. Our goal is to inform and equip those considering or home with children with this special need by sharing the real-life experiences of those already parenting a child with a CHD. This …Read More
Eyes Wide Open
February 9, 2015
Amy A., cl/cp, referral
For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed setting goals, creating organized plans, and executing those plans until my goal is achieved. I carry out most tasks as efficiently as possible and tend to think my ways are the best ways. If we have 3 errands to run, I find the most organized …Read More
find my family: gigi
February 8, 2015
Family Found
This sweet little girl was born April of 2012. Precious GiGi has an impressive list of needs and she will need a family to help her heal and receive the care she needs. When she was abandoned, it was discovered that she had an eye that appeared smaller than the other. This has been diagnosed …Read More
Little Girl Red
February 6, 2015
complex heart defect, Family Stories, February 2015 Feature, February 2015 Feature - Heart, heart defect, PDA, VSD
Sometimes I put my head to her chest and listen. Lub, dub. Lub, dub. Oh the beauty of that sound. It sounds like life and hope, sadness and struggle. I think about her heart in the first months of her life. Her first breath in the world, a whoosh of air into her (most likely …Read More
find my family: Jacob
February 6, 2015
Family Found
Jacob is 12 years old and listed with Cerebral Palsy. Although this precious child is in a wheelchair, he is said to be able to walk short distances with a walker, go up and down stairs with the use of the hand rail and is able to take care of himself, such as bathing, dressing …Read More
A Letter to My Daughter
February 5, 2015
adoption community, adoption realities, Attachment, Carrie
Darling Girl, I walked into your room the other night, well after you had gone to sleep. I could hear your quiet breathing and the whole room smelled like you. There’s something about the way my babies smell that makes me feel peaceful and comforted and deeply at home, and when it dawned on me …Read More
Jen’s Cliff Notes Review: TBRI DVD series part 3
February 4, 2015
Attachment, Jennifer, TBRI DVD Series, Trust Based Parenting
Chapter 4: Connecting Principles To recap, I am reviewing a lengthy DVD series on your behalf and giving you the “Cliff Notes” version (part 1 here, part 2 here). Because when you are parenting a child from tough places and in tough places, ain’t nobody got time to do a literature review and hunt down …Read More
find my family: emerson
February 4, 2015
Family Found
5 year old Emerson was just listed with Madison Adoption Associates via an orphanage partnership. Emerson is diagnosed with osteochondrodysplasia (dwarfism). And if you think his file photos are precious, just wait until you see his videos (1, 2, 3, 4, Password: Adoptmaa)! At 5 years old, after a period of acupuncture and moxibustion, Emerson …Read More
marriage: 4 simple things
February 3, 2015
February 2015 Feature, February 2015 Feature - Marriage, Linny, marriage
Each month in 2015, we will spotlight a special need as well as an important adoption topic. Last month, we shared posts from moms in the trenches of post-adoption depression, as well as moms of children who are HIV+ and HepB+. In February, we will share about heart defects as well as another heart issue, …Read More
Trusting God in the Middle
February 1, 2015
Andrea Y.
It’s been almost two years since we brought home our youngest child, and I feel my heart longing to grow again. The thought of six children would make some readers wide-eyed — yet I know in my heart we are called to grow again. I’m learning to be still in this “in between” place and …Read More