When {Older} Siblings Aren’t Supportive
February 29, 2016
adopting again, adopting later in life, Chris, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, sibling perspective, siblings
Wait. What? You’re not excited that we’re adopting again? But how could this be? Why? What’s the problem here? You were super excited when we adopted before… what’s so different this time? These were the questions we asked when we told our older children almost two years ago that we were growing our family through …Read More
find my family: Brady
February 28, 2016
Family Found
Brady is quite the kid! He fun and athletic and has an amazing smile! Brady is an athletic, relational boy who truly wants a family of his own. He has tested positive for HIV, which is well controlled with medication. He is healthy and active and enjoys riding bikes, playing cards and swimming in addition …Read More
A Second Chance to be a Big Brother
February 27, 2016
February 2016 Feature - Siblings, sibling perspective, siblings
Not many people get two chances to be a big brother. Let me explain. I’m the oldest of three siblings that turned into four, then five, then six. Nearly 20 years are present in the gap between kids three and four. This gap has rendered and blessed me with such an unique and amazing opportunity. …Read More
A Voice for Jade
February 27, 2016
February 2016 Feature - Heart, major aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries, pulmonary atresia, Tetralogy of Fallot
A year ago we were still in the hospital with Jadey Cate and she was fighting hard. She had just endured a marathon heart repair on January 14, 2015 to repair her very broken heart. Jadey Cate was born with a form of TOF with pulmonary atresia and MAPCAs (Major Aorto-Pulmonary Collateral Arteries). She had …Read More
China Trip: When Brother and Sister Travel, Too
February 26, 2016
Andrea Y., China trip, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, siblings
It was the best decision we made concerning travel for our last adoption. It would double our travel cost — but as we prayed about it, we felt certain we should extend the offer if they were ready. We sat our seven year old daughter and eight year old son down and simply asked if …Read More
Urgent Medical Waiting Child: Oscar
February 26, 2016
Family Found
Oscar is an energetic, smart, and sweet 10 year old boy who is waiting for a family. He has been waiting since he was almost 5 years old, and has bounced around from agency to agency in the past several years. An adoption coordinator who has met hundreds and hundreds of kids over the years …Read More
What God Has Taught Me Through My Sisters With Special Needs
February 25, 2016
February 2016 Feature - Siblings, sibling perspective, siblings
“How has adopting your sisters really affected your life?” I think the phrase, “If I had a dime for every time someone asked me that question,” is one I can relate to. Well-meaning strangers, social workers, family members, friends, church members, discussion panels, you name it and they’ve asked. It’s not a question I take …Read More
A Tribute to Primrose
February 25, 2016
adoption realities, first weeks home, glaucoma, Newly Home, Sensory System, vision issues, vision loss
Eryn is married to Chris and they have two bio kids – Madelyn and River – in addition to their new daughter, Primrose, who just came home from China. This was Eryn’s tribute to adoption on Primrose’s 2nd birthday. ………. These are mama eyes that only shut for 4 hours last night. And hands that …Read More
What Will This Do To Your Kids
February 24, 2016
a father's perspective, Dads, Developmental System, Down syndrome, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, Randall, sibling perspective
SHUT YOUR MOUTH We had a striking revelation the other day. When we began talking about our adoption roadmap, we had decided we would start the process when we turned thirty-five years old because women who get pregnant after thirty-five statistically have a 1 in 400 chance of having a child with Down syndrome. And …Read More
Faith Waits
February 24, 2016
Family Found
*update: Faith has been matched with her forever family!* Faith is a playful, clever, active and lovely girl with normal intelligence and mental development. She is well-liked and loves playing with others. She is ten years old. Faith was in the US for two weeks where she stayed with a host family. Her Bridge of …Read More
Parenting Birth Children in a Transracial Family
February 23, 2016
February 2016 Feature - Siblings, Rebecca, sibling perspective, siblings
“It’s kind of weird being the only kid born in the USA.” She stopped me in my tracks. I was a trained adoptive parent. I read the books, took our agency’s assigned courses on transracial families, and attended conferences. I’d also read about preparing my biological daughter for the adoption of siblings. We purchased Asian …Read More
Adoption Fundraising: 11 Successful Fundraiser Ideas
February 22, 2016
fundraisers, fundraising for adoption, Kelley B.
My first post in this series dealt with the spiritual aspect of fundraising. In this post I am just going to lay out what I learned from our fundraising adventures: which fundraisers worked for us, which didn’t, and some tips and tricks to get the most out of all your hard work. I want to …Read More
find my family: Jaxon
February 22, 2016
Children Who Wait
Jaxon was born in March 2014 and found abandoned in a Baby Safety Island for his institute. His birth family left a note with him saying he had Brittle Bone Disease. After admission it was noted that he had moderate malnutrition and Congenital Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI). When Jaxon was 8 months old he was treated …Read More
Looking Past the Needs to See the Child
February 21, 2016
cognitive delay, Family Stories, large families, LInear Nevus Sebaceous Syndrome, older child adoption
More than a few times, my husband and I have looked around us and wondered out loud how this all happened. How on earth did we end up with 12 children? Have we really spent a cumulative three months in China and Vietnam adopting some of our children? Who plans this? Certainly not us. When …Read More
Urgent Medical Need: Joel
February 20, 2016
Family Found
Joel, born March 2010, was introverted when he first came to the orphanage at three years old, but he soon adapted and became more talkative. As of May 2015 he had made big strides and was able to express his feelings and thoughts appropriately. Orphanage staff say he is a polite and smart little boy …Read More
Beauty from Ashes
February 19, 2016
adoption realities, Attachment, attachment activities, Katie, parent-to-child attachment, siblings
“I was so angry for so long. I felt real hate, Mom!” A child in my home recently confessed in the privacy of our conversation. They were speaking about the time when adoption trauma made its way into our home. When siblings were physically injured by a new addition, when lying became a part of …Read More
Victories from the Valley: An Unexpected Journey in Adopting a Child with NF1
February 18, 2016
adoption realities, cocooning, Family Stories, first weeks home, glaucoma, neurofibromatosis, NF1, older child adoption, parent-to-child attachment
We had been home from China with our first daughter almost five months when we saw her picture: a sweet face with a deep downcast shown in her eyes. She was six years old. Her file had been passed over by a few families already because of the uncertainties of her medical condition. One eye …Read More
Thoughts from a Big Sister: Life is a Gift to be Shared
February 17, 2016
Down syndrome, Family Stories, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, sibling perspective, siblings
Almost three years ago, a little stranger came into my life. And then six months ago, another one joined her: Pearl and Molly, our spicy Hunan girls. It’s so hard to think that they once were strangers to us, to our love, to our family. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like without …Read More
Grace In Progress
February 16, 2016
ADHD, cl/cp, cognitive delay, developmental delays, Family Stories, microcephaly, speech delay
Our adoption journey has been so complicated medically that it is hard to know where to start and what to include, but here is a snippet. I hope it will help you as you make a decision for adoption. My husband Chris and I had been married 16 years and had three beautiful biological boys …Read More
Find My Family: Gavin
February 16, 2016
Family Found
Gavin is a one year old little guy listed with Small World Adoptions. His special need is listed as Limb Deformity. Gavin is described as quiet and handsome. His hands are weak, but he can hold things with both of them together. He can walk for a few steps and stands alone steadily. He walks …Read More
It’s Twins!… Or Not.
February 15, 2016
adopting out of birth order, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, older child adoption, virtual twins
When we entered the world of adoption in 2013, my eyes were opened to older child adoption. To the reality of spending your entire life in an institution. To the tragedy of aging out children. We were in process to bring home our then five year old, and I remember thanking the Lord for people …Read More
Losing Sight of the Why
February 15, 2016
adopting later in life, adopting two at once, Jean, large families
In 2006 my husband and I heard the call to adopt. Our plan was to bring home two daughters from China. That sounded reasonable, right? But God had another plan for us and He was loud and clear. Over and over again I could hear Him say, “Bring home the children.” And so we did. …Read More
Neil Waits for a Family
February 14, 2016
Family Found
Meet gorgeous 21 month old, Neil! Neil is newly listed with Madison Adoption Associates via an orphanage partnership. MAA staff were able to meet him in November. Neil is described as docile and adorable. He will immediately raise his head or turn around when being called and he likes to smile and wave his hands …Read More
On Siblings and Adoption: From the Oldest of 14
February 13, 2016
Family Stories, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, large families, sibling perspective, siblings
Upon learning that I am the oldest of fourteen children, six of whom are adopted from China, a typical response goes something along the lines of, “Bless your heart, that sounds crazy.” My answer is yes, it is crazy! Crazy in the most wonderful, beautiful, joyfully-chaotic way. Others might say, “Weren’t your parents busy enough? …Read More
Love for Leeya
February 12, 2016
cerebral palsy, complex heart defect, Family Stories, February 2016 Feature - Heart, Tetralogy of Fallot
February is Heart Month and we continue to share stories from parents as they navigate life with their heart babies. Each story, each post, each child is special. And for today’s post, this is especially true. Andrea was in the process of writing this post when her daughter Leeya suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Andrea …Read More
Find My Family: Mallory
February 12, 2016
Children Who Wait
Mallory is an adorable 11 year old girl who is newly listed with Madison Adoption Associates via an orphanage partnership. Mallory came into care as a baby and was showing delays at 8 months of age. Because of the delays, the orphanage had her get a CT scan. The CT scan showed low density shadows …Read More
My 2¢ on Adoption Fundraising: Applying for Grants
February 11, 2016
fundraising for adoption, Guest Series, My .02 on Adoption Fundraising
Today we continue with the second of five posts in a guest series by Laure Kline, who will be sharing everything she knows about adoption fundraising with us! We know that many potential adoptive parents say that lack of funding is the biggest roadblock to adoption and it is our hope that this series will …Read More
Her History Matters
February 11, 2016
Amy, protecting their story, telling their life story
We have been highlighting ideas for ways to honor Chinese heritage while celebrating Chinese New Year (and Chinese holidays). I have some goals as the mother of a four year old Chinese daughter. I hope to have a dumpling making day with our family and extended family and feast on homemade dumplings, and oranges, and …Read More
Find My Family: Cam
February 10, 2016
Children Who Wait
Courageous Cam is 7 years old and is deaf and mute. Cam was found at 2 years old and upon admission was given a name that indicates loud and clear. Although he cannot talk the staff hoped he would learn to communicate. The staff observed that Cam could understand sign language and meaning through watching …Read More
Preparing Siblings for Adoption: Five Simple Guidelines
February 9, 2016
adopting again, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, guest post, referral, siblings, waiting to travel
If you are reading this, I am guessing you are close to saying YES to adoption or have already done so. There is a great chance you are somewhere in the middle of the paperwork race or nearing the finish line. You have countless hours under your belt thinking about how you will love, parent …Read More
15 Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year
February 8, 2016
Chinese Culture, Chinese Holidays, Chinese New Year, January 2016 Feature - Celebrating China, Nicole
Lunar New Year is here! Our celebrations have morphed over the years, especially depending on the season of life and ages of children. Some years are more festive, while others simply get a “Happy New Year” and a nice meal for recognition. Although we’re trying to establish a few traditions for the children, we don’t …Read More
Sherry Waits for Her Family
February 6, 2016
Family Found
This gentle, beautiful little girl is Sherry! She was born in May of 2013 and her legs are paralyzed. Sherry was found when she was about 2 years old and had an EEG, head CT, and lower limb testing (results in file). She was very timid, depressed and scared of strangers but the nannies spent …Read More
Kaleidoscope: One Year Home
February 5, 2016
first weeks home, first year home, Newly Home, Whitney
Today our family celebrates our One Year Home anniversary! I’ve often imagined what it would be like if I could travel back in time to those early days; what would I say to myself? What words of encouragement would One-Year-Home-Me have to say to Me-From-A-Year-Ago? This is how I imagine it would go… //// Hi …Read More
find my family: Layla
February 4, 2016
Family Found
Layla was born July of 2014. She is described as an extroverted little girl who likes playing with mirrors, and being held by her nanny. Though her development is behind compared to other children, she can babble and say “mama,” and will clap her hands in greeting! As of December she was crawling and standing …Read More
The Perfect Fit for Our Family
February 3, 2016
Family Stories, hip dysplasia, misdiagnosed SN, mobility issues, Orthopedic, port wine stain, Sturge Weber Syndrome, Vascular System
My husband and I were only married a year when the Lord called us to adopt. Separately, we both felt the Lord speak to us about adopting a little girl from China – we told each other a few days later. It was encouraging to hear that call, and we were both excited for the …Read More
Celebrating China: Children’s Books
February 2, 2016
books, Chinese Culture, Chinese Holidays, Chinese New Year, January 2016 Feature - Celebrating China, Kelly
In years past, I’ve scoured websites and bookshelves for every Chinese New Year/Spring Festival themed kids’ book around to read to our clan in anticipation of the holiday. We found some good ones and some not so good ones. Overthinker that I am, I hope my musings help you decide which ones are worthwhile for …Read More
Heart Month: Little Hearts Medical
February 1, 2016
February 2016 Feature - Heart, Heart System, Little Hearts Medical, other ways to care for the orphan, referral, waiting for referral
It’s February 1. Happy American Heart Month! To start off heart month here at NHBO, I asked Andrea to share. Andrea has shared here before, as mom to four children with complex (some with very complex) heart needs. But today Andrea is sharing as the Executive Director of Little Hearts Medical. One of her roles …Read More