May 31, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Josh is on the shared list, but our staff met him in 2016 at an advocacy camp and loved him! I put a couple pictures of him from when he was younger and in the care of Bethel and a couple from the AOH camp he participated in. Josh is a handsome twelve-year-old boy. He …Read More

May 28, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Ollie is a cute little boy, born in July of 2009 with complex CHD including, but not limited to, VSD with pulmonary atresia and collaterals, mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. Ollie is living in a foster family. He wakes up at 7:00, takes a nap from 12:30-1:30, and goes to bed at 8:30. He goes …Read More

May 27, 2018 adoptee perspective, adult adoptee, telling their life story, tracheoesophagel fistula, VACTERL 1 Comments

I can say with certainty that becoming a mother has been the most unique experience that I’ve had in my life thus far. That sentence sounds strange to me as I write it because people becoming parents is maybe the oldest and most common experience known to the human race. We still exist after all. …Read More

May 26, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Davis, born in December of 2016, has a loud laugh that is contagious and a face you just want to reach through the screen and kiss! He has been living with a foster family where he is said to be deeply loved. Davis has a very close relationship with each member of the foster family. …Read More

May 24, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Caleb is a handsome and happy little boy, born in April of 2014 with Down syndrome and an endocrine disorder. In October of 2015, a lab test showed that his blood thyroid hormone (T4) was low. He has since been taking medication and is regularly examined. Caleb likes to listen to music and play games. …Read More

May 23, 2018 adoption community, local adoption support, other ways to care for the orphan, Rebecca 0 Comments

1. Prayer. It is our most powerful weapon, so let’s use it. Regularly ask, “How can I pray for you today?” Snap a photo of the family’s name on your prayer list. Remember to let them know, “Our family prayed for you last night.” Have kids make cards promising to pray. Best, invite the family …Read More

May 22, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Mae is a shy and reserved girl, born in May of 2010, who also has a bit of spunk! When she meets strangers, she is very observant and quiet, watching what is going on around her. When interacting with her foster family, she is active, animated, and strong-willed. Mae has good gross motor skills and …Read More

May 19, 2018 Attachment, attachment challenges, discipline, Family Stories, older child adoption 2 Comments

It was just about a year ago when our family needed to seek out respite. Our teenage son had been home a year, and emotions were at an all time high – for everyone. On many occasions, we’d reached out to those who could help us or him, but it was time to really take …Read More

May 17, 2018 adoption realities, attachment challenges, complex heart defect, food issues, hoarding, hypervigilance, Megan V., older child adoption, orphanage behaviors, trauma 1 Comments

There is a constant editing process that goes on when your adoption isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. It is a dance between saying enough and not saying too much. Between protecting his privacy and helping others by sharing our experiences. We’ve just celebrated Abe’s three year Family Day this week and it’s triggered stuff in …Read More

May 15, 2018 Children Who Wait 2 Comments

Easton is a handsome little boy, born in October of 2011. Easton is deaf and was also born with a congenital heart defect. He had surgery for his heart defect in October of 2015 and at his follow-up appointment, it was noted that he was recovering well. Easton’s gross and fine motor skills are on …Read More

May 14, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Oakley, born in October of 2013, is the cutest little boy. Reported to be very happy and smart, Oakley is in the wonderful care of China Little Flower. He has no intellectual or physical disabilities. Oakley likes cartoons, musical toys, singing, dancing, and being cuddled. He likes eating chicken and noodles, but doesn’t like sweets. …Read More

May 12, 2018 CCCWA denial, large families, May 2018 Feature - Now What? Life After China Program Changes 1 Comments

July 6, 2017 will be forever imprinted on my heart. But let me take you back to August 2003… I was minding my own business, listening to a radio broadcast, which had been my habit since becoming a Christian just two years earlier. Little did I know that day would mark a change in the …Read More

May 12, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Darling baby Addie just turned one year old! We hope that it is her only birthday that she spends alone and that next year she will be celebrating her birthday surrounded by a family of her own! Addie is listed with Agape Adoptions. Addie has been diagnosed with Down’s syndrome and nystagmus. Sweet Addie was …Read More

May 10, 2018 Family Stories, fundraisers, May 2018 Feature - Now What? Life After China Program Changes, other ways to care for the orphan, Stefanie, terminal diagnosis 5 Comments

I recently reached out to my friend Emily to ask if she’d be willing share her story here on NHBO. Hers is a story that we – as the adoption community – need to hear… especially during this time of such significant and devastating changes in the China program. We need to cling to hope, …Read More

May 10, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Fred, male, born in March of 2008, was admitted to the social welfare institute in March of 2008. His special need is post-operative congenital cleft lip and palate and post-operative congenital heart disease (ASD). Fred is listed with BAAS. Fred was placed into a foster family when he was first admitted into the social welfare …Read More

May 9, 2018 Adopting Scenarios, adoption community, Brandie, CCCWA denial, May 2018 Feature - Now What? Life After China Program Changes, no longer eligible 0 Comments

We started the process for our first China adoption in May of 2013. It’s crazy to me to think that five years have passed since we made our initial application to an agency for their China adoption program. We did hit some speed bumps and detours throughout our process: a move to another state, an …Read More

May 8, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

This precious little girl is Mia and she is listed with BAAS! Mia was born in July 2014 and has Down Syndrome and congenital heart disease. Mia was found when she was a few weeks old and was in good health, she seldom gets sick, and she has a good appetite. She is deeply attached …Read More

May 7, 2018 adoption community, Attachment, attachment activities, attachment challenges, cocooning, discipline, rages, Sharon 0 Comments

Bonding is some of the most important work we will ever do with our children. Healthy bonds build the ability to create other relationships, learn to express emotions, and face difficult challenges. Sometimes when a child is pitching a fit for no apparent reason, the temptation is to focus on the fit instead of the …Read More

May 5, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Lainey is a beautiful and special little girl, born in August of 2012. She is thoughtful, talkative, and adored by her caretakers at Alenah’s Home. Lainey likes to listen to music, paint, and spend time with her friends. She has a beautiful smile that just warms your heart and a light about her that makes …Read More

May 4, 2018 Children Who Wait 3 Comments

We’d like to introduce you to one of the most precious faces you will ever see! Sweet Zain is a 3-year-old boy who is waiting for his family to see him and shout, “There he is, there is our son!” As you can see, he needs to come home quickly… Who will race to him …Read More

May 3, 2018 attachment activities, China trip, congenital blindness, Family Stories, Gotcha Day, micropthalmia, older child adoption, Sensory System, sign language, vision issues, vision loss 5 Comments

In July of 2017, my husband and I adopted a 7 year old girl with micropthalmia. She was born blind. In Part 1 of this series, I talked about what it was like to meet Lydia as well as some of the activities we discovered to help with early bonding. Here is more of our …Read More