Mine In China: Your Comprehensive Guide to Adopting from China

March 31, 2016 books, China trip, pre-adoption, prepping for China, referral, waiting for referral, waiting to travel 3 Comments

Talking today with Kelly, who authored our 10-part series I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency as she shares about her new book Mine in China: Your comprehensive guide to adopting from China, which is available now for pre-order and will be released April 4th. Q: Tell us a little about your family. A: My …Read More

Siblings and Adoption: 30 Ways to Ease the Transistion

March 30, 2016 adopting again, attachment activities, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, older child adoption, siblings 0 Comments

We have seven kids, four bio and three adopted. Our three children whom we have adopted are older kiddos with special needs. We’ve been home for only three months with our newest child….. so we are pretty much hands on at the moment. I have compiled a list of different things we did to help …Read More

Creating a Book to Help Children through Transitions

March 30, 2016 adopting again, Attachment, attachment activities, China trip, February 2016 Feature - Siblings, pre-adoption, prepping for China, waiting to travel 3 Comments

Children love books. The exciting pictures! The imaginative stories! The interactive tabs and hidden illustrations! The textures of a touch and feel! Typically, books allow a child to peek into an alternate reality filled with adventure but books can also be used as a tool to help guide a child through their own adventure. My …Read More

Little Man, Big Kidney

March 28, 2016 Family Stories, hydronephrosis 0 Comments

We received our referral after waiting two years. The wait was grueling. In my online groups, people continuously posted that the wait for minor needs boys was so short. Not for us. We chose minor needs for many reasons, but mostly because we have lived through two of our children being very ill in the …Read More

Find My Family: Bryan

March 28, 2016 Family Found 0 Comments

Bryan has hemophilia and he is waiting for his forever family to find him! He is almost 9, and is extroverted, sociable, smart and able. His Chinese name means “loving heart with a soul as clear as a creek.” He deserves a family to call his own and access to the world’s best medical care, …Read More

Treasure in Darkness

March 27, 2016 Attachment, cocooning, Developmental System, Down syndrome, Family Stories 2 Comments

“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” – Isaiah 45:3 It has been said that most, and I would say all, adoption journeys begin out of loss. Perhaps that is …Read More

Rupture and Repair

March 27, 2016 Attachment, parent-to-child attachment, Whitney 0 Comments

Rupture and repair is how, in the adoption world, we describe relationships when they experience a breaking and need to be mended. In some cases, it’s the child who is trying to understand the boundaries that are set, and whether or not we as the parents will still use the words, “I love you” if those …Read More

Thriving with Thalassemia

March 26, 2016 beta thalassemia major, Blood Conditions, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, older child adoption, thalassemia 2 Comments

My daughter’s medical information is scary. It has words like chronic and terminal. Add that to the fact that her orphanage has never had a child with her diagnosis live past the age of 14, and you start to really get a grim picture of her life. Now, wipe all of that away, because it’s …Read More

Adopting Out Of Birth Order… Times Three

March 26, 2016 adopting out of birth order, adopting two at once, age assignment, large families, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, older child adoption, virtual twins 0 Comments

Sometimes I look around at my kids and think how did this happen? How did I deserve to have 10 amazingly perfect children? We struggled in our marriage, we worked it out, and promised God that where He led, we would follow. And He has not disappointed. He continues to bless us with his amazing …Read More

And 2 Makes 9

March 25, 2016 adopting a boy, adopting out of birth order, adopting two at once, aging out expedite, Family Stories, large families, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, older child adoption, should we adopt? 2 Comments

Where do I even start? Our family began our first adoption in 2004, a few years after the birth of our third son. We thought it would be our first and last adoption. We always had the heart for adoption, but surprised ourselves as we actually went through with our heart’s desire. My husband, Russ, …Read More

The Right Words to the Hard Questions

March 25, 2016 Kelly 0 Comments

Her legs were swinging far from the floor where crumbs gave evidence to which was her favorite place to sit. She crunched away, surely making more to add to the lot. Mark and I chatted about our next trip to China, engaging her in the conversation when we could. There was no real agenda, no …Read More

The Beginning of Surrender

March 24, 2016 adopting later in life, adopting two at once, Down syndrome, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, medical waiver, older child adoption, waiver request 4 Comments

“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us …Read More

More Beautiful For Having Been Broken

March 23, 2016 Rebecca, surgery 3 Comments

Dear Daughter, As I stood watching you, little one, tears rolled down my cheeks. You stood before my mirror all dolled up in your pink plastic dress-up shoes, hot pink, sparkly tutu, mismatched head bands, some bracelets, as many necklaces as you could gather, and your big sister’s glittery lip gloss. With your hip popped …Read More

We Said Yes, Anyway

March 22, 2016 beta thalassemia major, Blood Conditions, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, older child adoption, thalassemia 2 Comments

“It’s so easy to live with! It barely impacts our day to day life.” “It’s a very complicated disease. It looks like it’s going to be another couple of weeks in the hospital this time…” You might think I’m referring to different disorders in the descriptions above. The truth is these were all things I …Read More

Meet the Fenn Family

March 21, 2016 2016 Featured Fundraising Families, fundraisers, Kelley B. 0 Comments

We’d like to introduce our featured fundraising family for March – the Fenn family! Mom, Libby Fenn, shares a little bit about their journey to bring daughter Maisie Shuyuan home from China. ………………….. We have been interested in international adoption for a long time, we even talked about it when we were dating. We had …Read More

Find My Family: Miles

March 20, 2016 Family Found 0 Comments

Meet Miles who just turned eight and wants to find security and love in a family of his own. He was abandoned when he was two years old and has been raised in an orphanage ever since. Miles has been diagnosed with hemophilia, and because of his diagnosis, his caregivers limit his activity. Nevertheless, he …Read More

Qualified?

March 19, 2016 adopting again, asset waiver, income waiver, large families, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, waiver request 0 Comments

Our adoption journey started while my husband and I were still dating, though we did not know it. At one point, we had discussed family size – three children sounded about right. Then my husband-to-be said, “What if we can’t have kids?” My quick answer: “Then we’ll adopt.” That subject did not come up again …Read More

A Tale of Two Stubborn Wills

March 18, 2016 Attachment, Down syndrome, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, Trust Based Parenting 1 Comments

This is a tale of two stubborn wills – one refusing to accept new and unfamiliar love, and the other refusing to stop giving it. In May of 2013 my lifelong dream of adopting a child with Down syndrome finally came true. I was 110% sure that this was the right thing to do. My …Read More

Find My Family: Chuck

March 18, 2016 Family Found 0 Comments

This sweet smiling boy is Chuck who was born in April of 2011 and will celebrate his 5th birthday next month. This precocious, little boy has hemophilia and a heart condition. He has lived with his foster grandmother, “aunt” and “uncle” since May of 2015. This precious little guy loves to play with toys, help …Read More

Brave Prayers for Waiting Children

March 17, 2016 Andrea Y., Beyond Adoption, other ways to care for the orphan 1 Comments

My little boy walked around the chair and peaked over my shoulder. He saw a little boy who was his brother’s age – waiting in an orphanage in China. Momma. Is that my brother? No baby. It’s not. It’s a little boy in China we can pray for. He doesn’t have a family – and …Read More

Adoption and Easter

March 15, 2016 Jennifer 2 Comments

I was researching online in this Easter season – looking for some new traditions and tips in celebrating the holiday through the lens of adoption. I read an article that spoke passionately about the adoption process in matching families and the often-missed sensitivity that can exist. The subtleties of the temperament that can be overwhelmed …Read More

Not One Waiver, But Two.

March 14, 2016 asset waiver, income waiver, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, waiver request 0 Comments

We were once a family of six. Comfortable and content. Completely sure we were done having kids. Ready to start our next stage of life. We always knew we wanted to adopt, but that was in the distant future. When our four small kids were older… or so we thought. Just like God does, He …Read More

One Small Step, One Giant Leap

March 14, 2016 beta thalassemia, beta thalassemia major, Blood Conditions, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, should we adopt?, thalassemia 0 Comments

Our adoption story began years before we actually had the courage to take the leap and start the process to adopt internationally. On and off, literally for years, my sweet husband and I would each feel lead to adopt. Those feelings and promptings were most often followed by a conversation about the lack of finances …Read More

This is Real Life

March 13, 2016 adoption realities, Amy A., Attachment, attachment activities, first weeks home, first year home 2 Comments

When my husband and I stepped across the chasm – our old life on one side and our new life on the other – we had no idea what awaited us. Three and a half years later, we have a better understanding of the world we entered after saying Yes to adoption. So, in honor …Read More

Learning Curve: Adopting a Child with Hemophilia

March 12, 2016 adopting as first time parents, Blood Conditions, Faith, Family Stories, hemophilia, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, referral, waiting to travel, working mom 6 Comments

After a twenty-minute speech about what our daily routine would entail, followed by a list of possible complications, the Hematologist looked at me pointedly… “You know, it will be a steep learning curve for you all, but you will settle into a routine, and more quickly than you think. You’ll see. He’s just a boy.” …Read More

More Than Blood: Adopting a Child with Thalassemia

March 11, 2016 adopting again, beta thalassemia major, Blood Conditions, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, older child adoption, thalassemia 1 Comments

How do most kids get in a pool? They jump… full force, no holding back. They don’t know what the water temperature is, and they don’t care. They are so excited to be at the pool, they anticipate all the fun they are about to have, and it doesn’t bother them if the water is …Read More

The Story of MengYan

March 9, 2016 Blood Conditions, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, thalassemia 1 Comments

MengYan’s story began in China, in Hunan Province. We do not know much about her birth or her birth family. She was found abandoned in a box at the front door of the local police station. She was a newborn at that time and was taken to an orphanage because her family could not be …Read More

All for One, One for All

March 9, 2016 Amy, pre-adoption, should we adopt?, sibling perspective, waiting for referral 2 Comments

I remember several times over about 5 years talking to Jesus about adoption. I remember telling Him that I would if I could, but… my husband wasn’t on board. it was too expensive. it wasn’t the right time. the kids are too old. the kids are too young. our house doesn’t have any more room …Read More

Robbie Waits for a Family

March 8, 2016 Family Found 0 Comments

Robbie is a delightful boy who is almost 6 years old! He is newly designated list at Hawaii International Child. Robbie was found in a small garden near a railway station when he was a tiny baby. He has a visual impairment, and some deformities of his fingers and toes. Robbie’s doctor says cataract surgery …Read More

#whatisthalassemia

March 8, 2016 beta thalassemia, beta thalassemia major, Blood Conditions, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, should we adopt?, thalassemia 1 Comments

Our Journey with Thalassemia First let me say this is not our story this is His story. If it was ours we would never know what thalassemia was nor would we ever have our precious kids. My husband and I have always wanted a large family and to grow our family through adoption, but never …Read More

My 2¢ on Adoption Fundraising: Sales and Events

March 7, 2016 fundraisers, fundraising for adoption, Guest Series, My .02 on Adoption Fundraising 0 Comments

Today we continue with the third of five posts in a guest series by Laure Kline, who has been sharing everything she knows about adoption fundraising with us. We know that lack of funding can be the biggest roadblock to adoption and it is our hope that this series will encourage, enlighten, and maybe even …Read More

This Traveled Road

March 6, 2016 Family Stories, should we adopt? 0 Comments

Our journey to adoption has been a road of many fears being met by a faithful God. We talked about the possibility of adoption while we were still dating. Two and a half years into our marriage I gave birth to a baby boy. About two years later, my husband mentioned that he felt that …Read More

First Year Home: Websites

March 6, 2016 First Year Home, websites 0 Comments

Special Needs Resources Facebook group Parenting with Connection Facebook group Post Adoption Depression Syndrome Support (PADS) Facebook group Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) Facebook group Empowered to Connect Attachment and Trauma Network Creating a Family A4EverFamily.Org TCU Institute of Child Development Theraplay Institute Pacer Center: A Resource for Parents of Children with Disabilities

First Year Home: Articles and Blog Posts

March 6, 2016 articles and blog posts, First Year Home 0 Comments

Blog Posts: Top Ten Tips for the First Year of Placement Deborah Gray Creating Trauma Informed Classrooms National Council for Adoption The Healing Power of “Giving Voice” Karyn Purvis and David Cross Videos: 10 Question Adoptive Parents Ask Empowered to Connect Giving the Gift of Voice Empowered to Connect Simplify Your Life Empowered to Connect …Read More

First Year Home: Books

March 6, 2016 books, First Year Home 0 Comments

Adopting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck and Regina Kupecky Adoption Parenting edited by Jean MacLeod and Sheena Macrae Attaching in Adoption by Deborah Gray Attaching Through Love, Hugs, and Play by Deborah Gray Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control (Volumes 1 and 2 – website) by Heather Forbes and B. Bryan Post Child of Mine: …Read More

Find My Family: Redford

March 6, 2016 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Redford is a handsome boy, who is 11 years old, and on the agency list at Hawaii International Child! He came to the orphanage when he was around 2 years old. Redford was diagnosed with Thalassemia, and currently receives transfusions every 3 to 4 weeks. His development has been on target, and he is an …Read More

Ripples on the Water

March 5, 2016 beta thalassemia, Blood Conditions, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, thalassemia 1 Comments

Eight years ago I saw my daughter for the first time… a sad face standing behind metal bars. She looked scared and confused, with an expression that seemed more like an old woman than a young child. I searched her eyes and saw… nothing. No life, no twinkle, no joy. Expecting a referral for months, …Read More

Before Travel: Websites

March 5, 2016 Before Travel, websites 0 Comments

Special Needs Resources Facebook Group China Adoption Questions Facebook Group Dossier to China Facebook Group Adoption Airfare Travel Agency A4EverFamily.Org Adoption Assistance by State Adoption Medicine Screening Protocols Child Vaccine Catch-up Schedule Creating a Family Empowered to Connect Special Needs Resource Project TCU Institute of Child Development

Before Travel: Articles and Blog Posts

March 5, 2016 articles and blog posts, Before Travel 0 Comments

Blog Posts: Going To China Blog Series No Hands But Ours Dear Parents-To-Be, Advice from the Front Lines No Hands But Ours Top Ten Tips for the First Year of Placement Deborah Gray Top 5 Ways to Prepare for Bringing Home an Adoptive Child with Special Needs Children’s Home Society Realistic Expectation Series Love Without Boundaries …Read More

Before Travel: Books

March 5, 2016 Before Travel, books 0 Comments

The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis, et. al.   Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child by Patty Cogen Adopting Older Children: A Practical Guide to Adopting and Parenting Children Over Age Four by Stephanie Bosco-Ruggiero Handbook on Thriving as an Adoptive Family by David Sanford Successful Adoption: A Guide for Christian Families by Natalie Gillespie Attaching …Read More

Just Getting Started: Articles and Blog Posts

March 5, 2016 articles and blog posts, Just Getting Started 0 Comments

Blog Posts: General: Beginner’s Guide to Special Needs Adooption – an 8-post series No Hands But Ours I’m Ready to Adopt, Now What? No Hands But Ours Agency Listing No Hands But Ours Acronyms Steps and Timelines Waiting Child Info Choosing an Agency: I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing An Agency A 10-Part Series on No …Read More

Just Getting Started: Websites

March 5, 2016 Just Getting Started, websites 0 Comments

General Information: Special Needs No Hands But Ours Special Needs Resources Facebook Group China Adoption Questions Facebook Group Creating a Family Adoptive Families Adopt Special Needs Love Without Boundaries Child Welfare Information Gateway US Department of Health Special Needs Adoption Children’s Disabilities Information Choosing an Agency: Rate Your China Adoption Agency Facebook Group Children Who …Read More

Just Getting Started: Books

March 5, 2016 books, Just Getting Started 0 Comments

Adopted for Life by Russell More Adoption: Choosing It, Living It, Loving It by Dr. Ray Guarendi Carried in Our Hearts by Dr. Jane Aronson The Complete Book of International Adoption: A Step by Step Guide to Finding Your Child by Dawn Davenport Fields of the Fatherless by Tom Davis In On It: What Adoptive …Read More

A Control Freak and Her Bucket List

March 5, 2016 Whitney 0 Comments

I learned during the adoption process to let go of many of my control freak tendencies. There was, after all, very little I could actually control! During our first year home, the concept of control became somewhat comical – survival was the name of the game, and the messy mom-bun became the look my hair …Read More

Sorrow Turned to Joy

March 4, 2016 brain damage syndrome, cognitive delay, developmental delays, Developmental System, Family Stories, microcephaly, small head circumference 0 Comments

I hesitate to write about my daughter’s adoption story for fear I might scare others away. However, her story is one of sorrow that has turned into joy. I want to share her joy. My daughter has a brain injury and microcephaly. She also loves to eat jelly beans, tease her siblings, and prefers to …Read More

A Baby Sister But Six Months Older: Adopting Out of Birth Order

March 3, 2016 adopting out of birth order, adoption realities, Attachment, Family Stories, first year home, March 2016 Feature - Special Circumstances, parent-to-child attachment, virtual twins 6 Comments

Adoption has always been on my heart. Always. China? Not quite as long, but still in 2014 we found ourselves traveling around the world to meet and bring home our daughter from China. But before we talk about homecomings, siblings, bonding and all, let me back up a bit. When we found that getting pregnant …Read More

How Adopting A Child With Hemophilia Has Changed Our World

March 2, 2016 Blood Conditions, hemophilia, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions 1 Comments

Hemophilia became part of our world on April 28, 2014 when I opened our agency’s waiting child page and saw our son’s profile. I had heard of this rare bleeding disorder before, but I really had no idea what it meant for day to day life. Actually, I did not know any medical conditions would …Read More

Amazing Jake Waits

March 2, 2016 Family Found 0 Comments

Jake is 8 years old and his original special needs were listed as malnutrition, vision illegible, correction, heart murmurs, and anal atresia. Jake attends a bilingual international school, so knows some English, and has a fun personality. Both volunteers, and foster siblings of his that have been adopted, have had good things to say about …Read More

Known By Heart: Bringing Home Magnolia

March 1, 2016 fundraisers, fundraising for adoption, Stefanie 0 Comments

We believe in adoption fundraising here at No Hands But Ours, not only for our readers (who we feature regularly), but for those who are part of the NHBO family. We recently asked Stefanie, the founder of No Hands But Ours, a few questions as she and her family approach the final days in their …Read More

And Babies Make Four: Adopting Two Sons with PKU

March 1, 2016 adopting as first time parents, adopting two at once, Blood Conditions, Family Stories, March 2016 Feature - Blood Conditions, PKU, virtual twins 4 Comments

At birth, I was diagnosed with PKU (Phenylketonuria). Most people do not know about this metabolic disorder, but all newborns in the US are tested at birth and if diagnosed, a special low-protein diet begins and should be maintained throughout life. With proper treatment, the child will escape the threat of untreated PKU which includes: …Read More

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