What If It Ruins Everything?
June 30, 2017
a father's perspective, adopting a boy, adopting again, Dads, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, Mike, should we adopt?
Finishing up our June Feature, Thoughts from the Dad, with a post by Mike, a former (and greatly missed) regular contributor. The last time Mike shared was during our dad series two years ago… we are so grateful he was up for sharing once again. You can read all Mike’s previous posts on NHBO here. …Read More
Your Hand Fits Perfectly in Mine
June 30, 2017
ectrodactyly, June 2017 Feature - Orthopedic, limb difference, medical needs checklist, missing fingers/toes, Orthopedic
I can remember wanting to adopt for a long time — specifically wanting to adopt a daughter from China. My amazing stepdad adopted me when I was 12 so, since I was young, adoption has been close to my heart. When my husband and I married in 2004, adoption was something we knew we wanted …Read More
Crosby Waits for a Family
June 30, 2017
Children Who Wait
Meet precious Crosby! This handsome and active little guy is 3 years old. Crosby is new to the agency list at Hawaii International Child. He came into care when he was about 3 months old. Crosby has had no delays in motor skills, and is toilet trained. HIC has asked for an update so we …Read More
What I Wasn’t Prepared For
June 29, 2017
a father's perspective, adoption realities, Dads, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, rages, trauma
In honor of Father’s Day, the month of June is dedicated to Dads. During our Thoughts from the Dad series, we’ll feature stories written by fathers sharing their unique perspective on the journey of adoption. ……… The email came in the middle of the night. Only halfway awake, I did one of those early morning …Read More
“I Can Do Anything You Can Do”
June 28, 2017
Family Stories, June 2017 Feature - Orthopedic, Orthopedic, Poland syndrome
It’s funny how you remember the exact moment certain things happen in your life; a phone call about your first job, winning a special award, the first time you fell in love. Moments like these seem to be forever captured in a certain part of your brain, a place that can be retrieved and played …Read More
How Adoption Changed Our Definition of Perfect
June 27, 2017
adopting a boy, adopting again, adopting out of birth order, arthrogryposis, Family Stories, June 2017 Feature - Orthopedic, mobility issues, older child adoption, Orthopedic, should we adopt?, wheelchair user
My husband and I met in middle school. We didn’t date until right after high school, but were close friends from early in our relationship. We dated through college and got married right after my graduation. We met a family who had children through adoption, and that was when the seed was planted. We knew …Read More
A Life Donated: Part 3
June 27, 2017
A Life Donated, Andrea O., complex heart defect, end stage cardiac disease, heart transplant, single ventricle heart disease, terminal diagnosis
Rini, our youngest of six children, was adopted in August of 2013 at end stage heart failure stemming from complex, single ventricle congenital heart disease. She was admitted to the hospital immediately upon arrival home and within two weeks it was determined that she was inoperable, her only hope would come through cardiac transplant. She …Read More
Waiting to be Chosen: Ifan
June 26, 2017
Children Who Wait
Ifan, born January 2007, is a sensible and polite child. He puts his shoes away as soon as he gets home, and always greets people he knows. Whenever a guest leaves he says “come back soon!” Ifan is diagnosed with club feet, which he had surgery for; caregivers report that he can walk and run, …Read More
Our Favorite Feet
June 26, 2017
clubfoot, Family Stories, June 2017 Feature - Orthopedic, Nancy, Orthopedic
Jude is amazing. He’s taken everything in stride, and I think he even has a bit of pride about his scars, that sense of I did this and not only am I okay, but I’m better and I love who I am! And, of course, I can’t disagree with him. He is awesome and a …Read More
Waiting to be Chosen: Diana
June 25, 2017
Children Who Wait
Diana was born in March 2006 and found abandoned as a newborn. She was initially diagnosed with spina bifida and spinal meningocele, and later with chronic kidney disease and moderate anemia. Diana is described as mature, strong, polite and well-liked. Despite her complicated medical history, she continues to work hard in school, treat others with …Read More
What is Attachment?
June 25, 2017
Attachment, attachment activities, attachment challenges, Attachment Disorder, Kelly, RAD, TBRI-based therapy, Trust Based Parenting
Attachment. It’s a buzz word. Outside the adoption world, people probably have heard it paired with the word parenting to refer to a lifestyle of co-sleeping with toddlers and discouraging mothers and fathers from the cry-it-out method to get their infants to sleep through the night. But, attachment at its core is way more than …Read More
How to Leave a Legacy for Your Children
June 24, 2017
a father's perspective, Dads, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, Perspectives, Randall
I’ll never forget it as long as live. When I was little, my family would travel from Alabama to North Georgia at the end of every summer to visit my great grandparents. My great grandfather, Wiley was his name, lived on a hillside off US Highway 27. He was the original DIYer. There was nothing …Read More
1,000 Ways to Lose a Father
June 23, 2017
birth family, Carrie, Dads, telling their life story
In the days after Father’s Day, I’ve been thinking… there are a thousand ways to lose a father. My youngest girl will probably never know the man who gave her the curve of her smile; the crinkle in her nose; her ability to cross her eyes to seemingly impossible degrees when she’s being silly. Truthfully, …Read More
Find My Family: Dalton
June 22, 2017
Children Who Wait
Just turned 7-year-old Dalton is one of those kids that just breaks you. His file was prepared six years ago, when he was a baby, and he is not only still waiting, but is a healthy little boy who is doing so well! It is likely no one took a chance or that leap of …Read More
An Orphan’s Courtroom
June 21, 2017
adopting a boy, adopting again, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, should we adopt?
In honor of Father’s Day, the month of June is dedicated to Dads. During our Thoughts from the Dad series, we’ll feature stories written by fathers sharing their unique perspective on the journey of adoption. ……… It was the spring of 2013. Our three older kids were out of the house and on their own, …Read More
Nothing to Fear: Seeing Beyond the Check Box
June 20, 2017
adopting again, arthrogryposis, Family Stories, June 2017 Feature - Orthopedic, medical needs checklist, older child adoption, Orthopedic
She loves bubbles and baby dolls. Her favorite color is yellow. She is a quick learner and a compassionate friend. She has the most joyful laugh, and an infectious smile. And we wouldn’t have known any of these aspects of our daughter had we been scared off by one single word… Arthrogryposis. Her story began …Read More
Meet the Contributors: Andrea
June 19, 2017
Andrea O., Contributor Q and A, Meet the Contributors
Continuing today with our series in which we share a short Q and A with one of our contributors to give y’all, our faithful readers, a little more behind-the-scenes insight into the amazing group of writers assembled here. And it will also give each of our contributors a chance to share their heart in …Read More
Jeremiah Waits for a Family
June 18, 2017
Children Who Wait
Get ready to be mesmerized by Jeremiah’s adorable chunky little cheeks! Jeremiah is a Special Focus child listed on Agape Adoptions’ individual list. Jeremiah is 1.5 years old and lives with a foster family. He is a cheerful, active, and restless little boy who loves to smile and laugh. Jeremiah is curious about toys that …Read More
More Than Meets the Eye
June 18, 2017
a father's perspective, adopting a boy, Dads, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, Perspectives, should we adopt?
In honor of Father’s Day, the month of June is dedicated to Dads. During our Thoughts from the Dad series, we’ll feature stories written by fathers sharing their unique perspective on the journey of adoption. ……… “God is spirit and exists at the level of reality where the human heart, or spirit, also exists, serving …Read More
A Plan and a Purpose
June 17, 2017
adopting a boy, clubfoot, Orthopedic, physical therapy, surgery
The first time I saw him, he was ten months old, and we had gone to volunteer in the sweltering month of August. He was wearing not only a million-dollar smile, but double leg casts that stretched from his little hips to his tiny toes from a recent surgery. He was sweet, laid back, adorable. …Read More
Thoughts from The Dad: Worth It
June 16, 2017
a father's perspective, Dads, Family Stories, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, Perspectives, should we adopt?
Welcome June! And, in honor of Father’s Day later this month, June is all about Dads. During our Thoughts from the Dad series, we’ll feature stories written by fathers sharing their unique perspective on the journey of adoption. ……… What is my perspective, as a dad, on adoption? Since perspective is defined as an attitude …Read More
Daisy Waits
June 16, 2017
Children Who Wait
Daisy is 6 years old and waits for a family of her very own. She is listed with Small World Adoptions. This little cutie looks to have such a sweet disposition. She is said the get along well with others. Her video shows her intently and gently dressing her baby doll. She is “quick minded” …Read More
Adoption Is…
June 15, 2017
adoption realities, Attachment, attachment challenges, Megan, orphanage behaviors, rages, rejects mom, self-harming, trauma
I would like to begin this post by saying that I understand my experience with my son and his adoption is by no means universal. Every child and family is different. While some issues may resonate with certain people, with others they may not. This post is not meant to be an exclusive or all …Read More
Waiting to be Chosen: Reese
June 14, 2017
Children Who Wait
Meet Reese! Let Reese’s cheerful little smile melt your heart! Almost three year old Reese is a Special Focus child listed on Agape Adoptions’ individual list. Reese eats and sleeps well throughout the night; some of her favorite foods are egg custard, fruits, dumplings, and vegetables! Reese loves listening to music, playing with toy bells, …Read More
Find my Family: Donna
June 13, 2017
Children Who Wait
Five-year-old Donna is as cute as can be! Donna is a sweet little girl who likes singing and dancing (as you can see in her must-watch video). She greets her teachers when she sees them and her nannies say that all of her classmates and teachers like her. Donna is diagnosed with hydrocephalus and has …Read More
Adoption: A Dad’s Honest Viewpoint
June 13, 2017
a father's perspective, adoption realities, Courtney, Dads, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, parent-to-child attachment, Perspectives
As a part of our Thoughts from the Dad series, I sat down with my best friend and husband of 15 years and asked him a few questions about our adoption of our daughter, Callie. I hope his answers will be helpful to you whether you are just beginning the adoption journey or are already …Read More
Gretchen Waits
June 12, 2017
Children Who Wait
Meet Gretchen!! Active and cheerful little Gretchen is waiting for her forever family! Gretchen is four and a half years old and is a Special Focus child listed on Agape Adoptions’ individual list. Gretchen gets along very well with others, and is close to the other children at the orphanage. Her favorite thing to do …Read More
“I Remember!”
June 12, 2017
adoptee perspective, Jean, telling their life story
When we leave China with our newly adopted children, we leave part of their history behind. Oftentimes, it’s a black hole and we will never know the details about their lives before we met them. Any tidbit of information from another adopting family, a picture, a single moment they may remember, is a treasured gift. …Read More
The Scoop on Poop: All About Bowel Management
June 11, 2017
anorectal malformation, bowel management, cerebral palsy, cloaca, imperforate anus, incontinence, Jennifer B., lipomyelomeningocele, myelomeningocele, neurogenic bowel and bladder, recto vaginal fistula, spina bifida, Urogenital System, VACTERL
This post is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Poop is a daily topic of conversation in our home. After three years of being in the trenches, I can tell you more than you’d probably ever want to know about it, but it hasn’t …Read More
It was Part of the Plan
June 10, 2017
arthrogryposis, clubfoot, June 2017 Feature - Orthopedic, mobility issues, Orthopedic, undiagnosed SN, walker user
If I ran out of the room right now I wonder if anyone would notice? We were standing in the civil affairs office in Guiyang, Guizhou, China and the reality of what was about to happen came crashing down as she was carried through the doors. We were seeing her in person for the first …Read More
The Most Important Job: The Making of a Father
June 9, 2017
a father's perspective, adopting a boy, adopting again, adopting as first time parents, Dads, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, Perspectives, should we adopt?
Welcome June! And, in honor of Father’s Day later this month, June is all about Dads. During our Thoughts from the Dad series, we’ll feature stories written by fathers sharing their unique perspective on the journey of adoption. ……… “They’re so lucky,” I often hear, once someone learns of my two adopted boys. “You’ve given …Read More
A Life Donated: Part 2
June 8, 2017
A Life Donated, Andrea O., complex heart defect, end stage cardiac disease, heart transplant, single ventricle heart disease, terminal diagnosis
Rini, our youngest of six children, was adopted in August of 2013 at end stage heart failure stemming from complex, single ventricle congenital heart disease. She was admitted to the hospital immediately upon arrival home and within two weeks it was determined that she was inoperable, her only hope would come through cardiac transplant. She …Read More
A Leap of Faith: Adopting a Child with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
June 7, 2017
adopting again, aqua therapy, Family Stories, June 2017 Feature - Orthopedic, Orthopedic, osteogenesis imperfecta, physical therapy
My husband and I knew – 2016 was going to be the year we embarked upon another adoption journey. We’d given birth to our first child, a daughter, in 2010. In February 2013 we adopted a precious little girl from China, and we knew then that we’d adopt again. First, though, we felt like God …Read More
Beyond “Surviving” Summer
June 7, 2017
Attachment, attachment activities, TBRI-based therapy, therapy, Whitney
Because sometimes (often times) kids who have come from hard places require more structure than the typical kid, I thought I’d share the schedule our family is using to help bring in structure where structure might not previously exist. I cannot take full credit for this; to be honest, I’d probably be floundering, knowing we …Read More
Waiting Child Highlight: Louisa
June 6, 2017
Children Who Wait
Are you looking for a princess to join your family? If so, look no further! Louisa is an adorable six-year-old girl who would love to play dress-up and make believe with a sister! As you can see from one of her older videos, her language development is good and she can speak in 5-10 word …Read More
Hearing Loss: An Almost-Missed Diagnosis
June 5, 2017
adopting a boy, adopting again, Brandie, hearing aids, hearing loss, undiagnosed SN, waiting for referral
In late August 2014, I loaded up my three children and drove an hour to hand deliver our completed dossier to my adoption agency. After the months of meetings, paper chasing, notarizing, and certifying documents, I would only let those precious papers leave the firm grip of my fingers if they were placed directly in …Read More
For Life: Unexptected Treasures
June 4, 2017
Central Nervous System, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, Developmental System, Lifelong needs, low muscle tone, May 2017 Feature - For Life, seizures, undiagnosed SN
Adopting a child with special needs can be scary. And even scarier when that child has needs that just might require a lifetime of parental care. In our For Life series, we are hearing from those whose parenting journey has diverged from what most would think typical. They’re parenting children who require more than what …Read More
Not-A-Baby-Anymore, But Still My Baby
June 3, 2017
adopting a boy, adopting again, adopting as first time parents, Attachment, attachment activities, co-sleeping, cocooning, Faith, parent-to-child attachment, Trust Based Parenting
We still co-sleep. That’s right. My 3.5 year old, not-a-baby-anymore, rapidly growing in every way, sweetest little boy still sleeps smack dab in the middle of our California King sized bed. (My husband is 6’5”, so that pretty much predetermined the bed size for us, but, yes I do recommend a big bed if you …Read More
What Every Adoptive Dad is Really Telling the World
June 2, 2017
a father's perspective, Dads, June 2017 Feature - Thoughts From The Dad, Perspectives
Welcome June! And, in honor of Father’s Day later this month, June is all about Dads. During our Thoughts from the Dad series, we’ll feature stories written by fathers sharing their unique perspective on the journey of adoption. ……… Think about this… What’s a real father? Sometimes us men may not feel like a “real” …Read More
It’s Children’s Day!
June 1, 2017
Chinese Culture, Chinese Holidays, Nicole
Értóng Jié Kuàilè! Happy Children’s Day! On June 1, the Chinese celebrate Children’s Day. Internationally, it is celebrated on several different days. It’s a day to remember and celebrate children, the future custodians of the country. The holiday’s origins date back to a 1925 international conference, with the intention to bring about child welfare awareness. …Read More
June Special Needs Focus (and Favorite Family Stories): Orthopedic
June 1, 2017
amniotic band syndrome, arthrogryposis, clubfoot, Favorite Family Stories, June 2017 Feature - Orthopedic, limb difference, Orthopedic, radial club hand, skeletal dysplasia
The term special needs can sound scary. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Our goal at NHBO is to equip and inform parents – replacing fear with knowledge – as they navigate the beginning stages of special needs adoption. And then encourage and support those home with their special needs kiddos. We do …Read More