Magic Mirror Gate: My First Half Year as a Dad

June 30, 2018 a father's perspective, adopting as first time parents, albinism, Dads, first year home, June 2018 Feature - Celebrating Dads, Newly Home, Perspectives, toddler adoption 1 Comments

Since I was super smart about being a parent before I was one, I would often compare it to bowling with bumpers. You put up boundaries, and those boundaries keep your kids in line. BAM – parenting. Done. Where’s my book deal? But so far, six months in, it feels more like I’m attempting olympic …Read More

Waiting Child: Jonathan

June 26, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Meet Jonathan! Jonathan is a quiet but playful two year old boy. He is a Special Focus (SF) child that Agape Adoptions is advocating for. He has been diagnosed with Digeorge Syndrome, postoperative Tetralogy of Fallot and left indirect inguinal hernia. Jonathan was found abandoned when he was four months old and now lives in …Read More

Find My Family: Nadia

June 24, 2018 Children Who Wait 1 Comments

Nadia’s file makes it hard to understand what her needs really are, and her photos simply don’t accurately reflect her absolute adorableness. But her video? It shows the world exactly who she is! Nadia is a sweet young girl, born in August of 2013, who is described as introverted, timid, and quiet. She likes to …Read More

The Story of Alexis

June 23, 2018 amputation, Central Nervous System, cerebral palsy, Family Stories, hip dysplasia, June 2018 Feature - Orthopedic, lipomyelomeningocele, missing arm/leg, Orthopedic, prosthetics 0 Comments

When we were matched with our sweet Alexis we were told that she had hip dysplasia. Once we were back in the U.S. and we were able to take her to see a specialist, we found out that she has a form of spina bifida called lipomyelomeningocele, which means a fatty mass had attached to …Read More

Craig Waits

June 22, 2018 Children Who Wait 1 Comments

Meet sweet Craig! Little Craig was abandoned when he was just 10 days old. He is now four years old and is listed as a Special Focus child with Agape Adoptions. He has been diagnosed with difference of his upper limbs. Craig is physically and developmentally on track with his peers and his special need …Read More

Joke’s on Me: Fibular Hemimelia

June 21, 2018 AFO, Family Stories, fibular hemimelia, June 2018 Feature - Orthopedic, leg length discrepancy, limb difference, medical trauma, Orthopedic, referral, should we adopt?, surgery, trauma, waiting for referral 12 Comments

If you have adopted, you know the overwhelming process of filling out the medical needs checklist (MCC). For those that haven’t, this is a piece of paper with a wide range list of medical needs, each having little boxes beside them, and your job is to check the ones you are open to within adoption. …Read More

Our Boy Forever

June 19, 2018 adoption realities, Attachment, attachment challenges, Megan V., older child adoption, rages, trauma 1 Comments

The end of the school year can do crazy things to us. Make us do and say things we cringe about later, our brains and hearts a haze of goodbyes and remembering to bring sprinkles to the Kindergarten Memory Day. And then there are the days afterward, in which no one is getting enough sleep …Read More

Meet Knox and Kate!

June 18, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Knox, born in January 2016, is an adorable little boy with Down syndrome. He was placed in a foster family at just six months old and gets along well with all members of the family, especially his foster mom. Knox feeds himself and sits independently. He can follow simple instructions and sit, crawl, and stand …Read More

A Dad’s Heart on Adoption

June 17, 2018 a father's perspective, Dads, Developmental System, Down syndrome, Family Stories, June 2018 Feature - Celebrating Dads, large families, reluctant husband, should we adopt? 0 Comments

Almost 15 months ago we brought home one of the biggest blessings of my life. Our daughter, Willow, has changed me forever and has made me a better man, father, husband and drawn me closer to our Heavenly Father. Her unconditional grace, love and pure joy for life are a daily reminder of how true …Read More

Putting Your Best Foot (and Hip, Leg, and Toes) Forward

June 16, 2018 AFO, cerebral palsy, Family Stories, hemiplegia, hip dysplasia, June 2018 Feature - Orthopedic, Orthopedic 0 Comments

As a parent, you never want to “choose” to go through painful procedures and surgeries. However, when parenting a child with special needs, one has to weigh pros and cons of various therapies, tests, procedures, surgeries, medications… the list goes on and on. And when your child is functioning well overall, the decisions can be …Read More

Urgent Aging Out Child: Meet Ben!

June 14, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Ben is a bright, extraordinary 13-year-old boy in China waiting for his forever family. He will turn 14 on August 27 and needs to be adopted before his 14th birthday. After August 27th, 2018 Ben will no longer be able to be adopted as he will age out of China’s adoption system. We ask that …Read More

When There is No Word

June 13, 2018 adopting again, CCCWA denial, Family Stories, large families, May 2018 Feature - Now What? Life After China Program Changes, no longer eligible 4 Comments

There is a beauty in language when precisely the right word is found to convey your thoughts. When you can convey a complex feeling or idea in a perfect word or phrase, people nod with understanding and experiences can be shared, relationships can be built. Yet, I cannot find the appropriate words to describe The-Boy-I-Thought-Would-Be-My-Son. …Read More

Kennedy: Full of Sweet Surprises

June 12, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Kennedy is a beautiful and joyful little girl, born in September of 2012, who loves to wear dresses and skirts! One day after her foster mother bought her a new skirt, she stood in front of the mirror admiring herself and beamed happily when her foster mother said, “Kennedy is just like a fairy in …Read More

One Day At A Time

June 11, 2018 a father's perspective, Dads, June 2018 Feature - Celebrating Dads, large families, Lifelong needs 1 Comments

Throughout my years in elementary school and high school, I always knew what I wanted to be… a professional actor. I don’t know why my hand went up, but in second grade, I volunteered to play Jesus in a skit, and then went on to land the lead roles in two high school plays. Later, …Read More

Unstoppable: Our Club Foot Warrior

June 9, 2018 adopting as first time parents, clubfoot, Family Stories, June 2018 Feature - Orthopedic, medical needs checklist, Orthopedic, waiting for referral 0 Comments

Preslie’s story began in November of 2013. She was born to parents in China who I’m sure loved her so much but chose to give her up so that so that she could get the medical help that she so desperately needed. My husband and I also started the adoption process in November of 2013. …Read More

Find My Family: Charlie

June 8, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Charlie, born in October of 2015, is a cheerful and active little boy who loves to smile and laugh. Charlie is curious about toys that make sound. He loves to listen to music and play the toy drum. His favorite toys are the toy drum, toy car, and bouncy balls. Charlie lives with a foster …Read More

Suntans, Shells, and Stories: 10 Tips for a Happier Vacation

June 7, 2018 adopting again, adopting later in life, holidays, homeschool, large families, Sharon, vacation 3 Comments

Are you going on vacation this summer? I’m sitting on the beach gazing out over the ocean relaxing in the sun as I write this. Well… actually I’m constantly counting 7 kids or helping someone find a shovel or looking at the 1000th shell they’ve found. And… I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the …Read More

Waiting for You: Jayden

June 6, 2018 Children Who Wait 1 Comments

Four year old Jayden is eagerly awaiting a family of his own. His file is Special Focus and he is listed with Agape Adoptions. Jayden has been diagnosed with atresia of left ear canal and deformity of right auricle. Jayden’s special needs do not affect his hearing; he can hear well and he speaks in …Read More

Urgent Aging Out Child: Shane

June 4, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

How about this ONE? Is there anyone for this one!?! Sweet Shane ages out next April! Very little time left, especially for a boy in a wheelchair as there are so very few families willing to open their hearts to older boys and/or kids in wheelchairs. Shane’s future in China is likely very bleak. Is …Read More

Limb Different – But Beautiful

June 3, 2018 adopting a boy, Family Stories, June 2018 Feature - Orthopedic, medical needs checklist, missing fingers/toes, Orthopedic, should we adopt?, symbrachydactyly, visible special need 2 Comments

It was early 2015 when our journey toward our son Noah began. Unlike so many families that adopt, it was not a lifelong dream of mine that was finally going to become a reality. No, it was a rather quick process that began one night as I laid in bed watching the evening news. Images …Read More

Waiting to be Chosen: Minnie

June 2, 2018 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Minnie is an adorable little girl, born in October of 2011, who is full of joy and determination! Minnie has been diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy, which has caused high muscular tension of her lower limbs. She also has an astigmatism. Minnie can walk on her tip toes with the support of a walker. She …Read More

Put Me In, Coach! What One Girl In An Extra-Small Pink Jersey Taught Me About Being Fearless

June 1, 2018 a father's perspective, Dads, growth hormone deficiency, HIV, June 2018 Feature - Celebrating Dads, Mike, Perspectives 1 Comments

  So excited to kick off our June Feature, Celebrating Dads, with a post by Mike, a previous (and greatly missed) regular contributor. Mike has written some of our most well-loved posts… if it’s a post that has you both laughing and crying, there’s a good chance Mike wrote it. You can read all Mike’s …Read More

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