#ohChina
July 27, 2015
China trip, Chinese Culture, July/August 2015 Feature - Going to China!, Kelly
China. Whether you’ve been there and back again 10 times or are anxiously awaiting that call telling you it’s time to call your travel agent, you can feel very much a foreigner in a foreign land. As we’ve been those foreigners, there are a few things I’ve learned along the way that may be helpful …Read More
Going to China: Hao Chi
July 25, 2015
China trip, Chinese Culture, Hannah, July/August 2015 Feature - Going to China!
Hao chi (好吃) is how someone in China is going to affirm, “This is yummy!” It’s pronounced “how chur” and all you have to do is add a “ma?” to the end to make it a sentence. Chinese food. Either you love it or you hate it, right? And then maybe you love the food, …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
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
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
The Art of Celebration (And a Chinese Christmas Ornament Giveaway!)
December 1, 2014
Carrie, Chinese Culture, giveaways
*You won’t want to miss the giveaway details at the end of this post* We just celebrated our daughter’s first birthday in our family… and now we are headed into our first Christmas, first Chinese New Year, and first all-around hectic holiday season with our wide-eyed and curious 2 year old. It’s been 8 months …Read More
It turns out that chicken fried rice does not count as culture
November 19, 2014
a father's perspective, adoption realities, Chinese Culture, large families, Mike, transracial adoption
I am the textbook definition of a white guy. Beyond simply a scarcity of melanin, I have almost every other stereotypical characteristic that one might associate with my race – a general lack of rhythm, limited vertical leap, a “John Cougar Mellencamp” playlist on my iPod, an unhealthy relationship with ketchup, and a generalized ignorance …Read More
The adoption process isn't really the hard part
June 25, 2014
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
Picture it—a roomful of adoptive and preadoptive mothers. It’s a little quiet, and you’re in charge of getting some conversation going. Likely, the easiest way to start a buzz is to open up the floor to (1) odd things people have said to you about adoption or (2) the red-tape, long wait, and high costs …Read More
You’re not in Kansas anymore
May 17, 2014
adopting SN: the process, adoption realities, birthmark, Chinese Culture, hemangioma, Kayla
I’ve told the editors of this blog that I am running out of things to write about regarding the special need that Jubilee (that’s my daughter) has. It simply doesn’t matter to us any more that she has a skin deformity on her torso. It will matter to her one day, no doubt, but we …Read More
Yes, No, Maybe*
March 25, 2014
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
Neatly laid out in Times New Roman in alphabetical order are a list of labels, special needs, what China calls diseases. Albinism…Anal atresia…Cerebral palsy…Cleft lip/cleft palate…Club foot…Congenital heart disease…Delayed development…Down syndrome…Hemofacial macrosomia…Hemangioma…Microtia…Syndactyly… Some of them you’ve heard of. Others you struggle to pronounce, and you wonder if they’re even in English. Little “x”s in columns …Read More
Children’s Adoption Books
February 25, 2014
adoption realities, books, Chinese Culture, Kelly
I may hesitate a little when I part with teeny tiny onesies and sneakers that have run one too many miles. But, our children’s books? They aren’t going anywhere. In fact, we converted one of our bedrooms into a “library” to house them all. They are overflowing and really need a good purging. But, I …Read More
An Advocate
January 25, 2014
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
It had been a rough few days. I had advocated for a little boy once. A family stepped forward for him, traveled to China for him, and came home without him. Then, there I was, advocating for him again in a post on a Friday afternoon, after which I spent the following several days dealing …Read More
The need for adoption talk never expires
October 25, 2013
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
A family for only a few months, I took my toddler daughter with me to visit a friend, an older women, a faithful woman I loved and respected. While Lydia was mesmerized with the dust in the air visible in the sun light, my friend shielded her mouth and whispered: Are you going to tell …Read More
Why you may hear me singing daily
September 25, 2013
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
I love shiny. Shiny is pretty. I love shiny…. She’s the finder of pennies. Everywhere she goes, she manages to find a penny. Today’s found treasure led to a song. Your turn to sing a song, Mommy. You make up a song. Not feeling particularly like a Maria this morning, Oh, I don’t know what …Read More
Disclosure Within Reason {Adoption and Back to School}
August 25, 2013
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
There are backpacks lined up in my dining room today. When backpacks are hanging on chair backs with zippers bulging with supplies and tissue boxes, even they look excited about a new year. Lydia doesn’t start kindergarten until next year. But, she’s joining me two mornings a week at a women’s Bible study. And, based …Read More
A letter to my four-year-old on her birthday
June 25, 2013
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
My sweet, You are such a big girl now. 4 years old. Wow. You remind me all the time of what a big girl you are. And, I know I always agree with you. But, now that you’re 4 years old? You are really big. When I put you to bed last night, I talked …Read More
Another parenting epiphany at the fair
May 25, 2013
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
He had to take her to the emergency room. We had been waiting in line at the fair for our tickets. I had told her to stay still too many times. Up and down, jump, up and down, jump. And, every time, the rickety metal steps leading up to the ticket trailer would rattle and …Read More
"What's fair {for the brother or sister of a child with special needs}"
April 25, 2013
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
“Tell your mom I need to talk to her before you leave.” Please tell me I’m not the only mom who receives that message from her child and sinks a little. Come on. I figure either (a) someone wants me to do something (which I likely won’t want to do) or (b) my kid did …Read More
Dear Teachers {what I wanted to say and what I actually said}
March 25, 2013
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
I was tracking with her. Lydia runs away. She can’t stay still. She’s not listening. I nodded my head, identifying with her sympathetically, “Yeah, I know what you are seeing because we see that at home too.” “Well, it’s not okay here.” (Apparently, time outs are though.) Okay, no longer tracking. It was dismissal, moms …Read More
the counted
February 25, 2013
adoption realities, Chinese Culture, Kelly
Forever changed by the experience of being adopted and adopting, Kelly Raudenbush is a stay-at-home mom to 4 children and a professional juggler, juggling her calling as wife and mother with her secondary callings (editing professionally and serving adoptive families through The Sparrow Fund). You can learn more about their adoption story, how they’ve been …Read More
Dragons and Snakes
February 17, 2013
Chinese Culture, Chinese Holidays, Chinese New Year, foster family, Kelley, older child adoption, Post-Adoption contact
Xin nian kuai le! Happy Chinese New Year! A week ago today, we rang in the Year of the Snake with our kiddos. I hung up our paper lanterns, decorated the table with Lunar New Year plates and cups, pulled out our fanciest chopsticks purchased in Guangzhou, and gobbled up delicious authentic fair from a …Read More
Restored Hope
October 25, 2010
Chinese Culture, guest post, Katherine, orphanage realities
Guest contributor Katherine is back this month. She is currently working as a teacher in China, and also has the unique opportunity to spend time volunteering at a local orphanage. Katherine blogs over at Life of a Pilgrim and, though not an adoptive mother, she has invaluable (and profound) insights into life in China. I’m going …Read More
Moon Festival Links
September 17, 2010
Chinese Culture, TongguMomma
The Mid-Autumn Festival will occur this coming Wednesday, September 22. Check out these links for some ideas as to how to incorporate this Chinese holiday into your family’s traditions. Autumn Moon Festival is coming! … Malinda also compiled a list of links; I don’t want to repeat too many, so be sure to check out …Read More
Contradictions
July 6, 2010
Chinese Culture, guest post, Katherine
Our newest guest contributor is Katherine, who is currently living and teaching in China. She also has the unique opportunity to spend time volunteering at a local orphanage. Katherine blogs over at Life of a Pilgrimand although she is not an adoptive mother, she has a unique perspective and invaluable insights into life in China. I’m …Read More
loving China
June 28, 2010
Chinese Culture, Stefanie
We have five children from China, ranging in age from 2 to 6. While none of them have come to us with a desire to explore their heritage, we have taken it upon ourselves to at least crack open the door to their roots. In a small way, embracing not only our children, but where …Read More
stepping out
June 15, 2010
Chinese Culture, guest post, Katherine
Our newest guest contributor is Katherine, who is currently living and teaching in China. She also has the unique opportunity to spend time volunteering at a local orphanage. Katherine blogs over at Life of a Pilgrim and although she is not an adoptive mother, she has a unique perspective and invaluable insights into life in …Read More