Chosen, Not Forsaken
October 31, 2018
a father's perspective, adoptee perspective, adopting out of birth order, adult adoptee
Adoption wasn’t anything new to me when my wife and I set out to adopt our daughter. In fact, my entire life has been about adoption in some form or fashion. From being adopted myself, to being a foster family to several children as a child growing up, adoption has been one of the consistent …Read More
Six Guiding Principles for Celebrating this Season
October 30, 2018
Attachment, attachment challenges, holidays, October 2018 Feature - Trauma and the Holidays, Trust Based Parenting, vacation
Holidays can be beautiful times of family togetherness, traditions, and celebrations – but they can also be times of disrupted routines, sensory overload, and expectations that don’t quite line up with reality. As parents, we need to prepare ourselves to walk our children through these times – and the first step in doing so is …Read More
Life Isn’t Fair: Parenting Children with Multiple Special Needs
October 29, 2018
adopting later in life, adopting two at once, autism, cochlear implants, developmental delays, Developmental System, epilepsy, hearing loss, large families, October 2018 Feature - Developmental, Sensory Processing Issues, Sensory System, undiagnosed SN, virtual twins
I don’t remember the exact moment when adoption was put on my heart and in my mind. But, I do remember it was all consuming. I tried to get away from it. But, I couldn’t. It was there and it wouldn’t go away. It was 2015. By early 2016 I finally worked the nerve up …Read More
Trauma and the Holidays: The Opposite of Indiscriminate Affection
October 27, 2018
Attachment, attachment activities, attachment challenges, cocooning, October 2018 Feature - Trauma and the Holidays
We met our daughter in a hotel room in July 2017. She was 20 months old. She clung to the orphanage ayi as she said hello to her new Mama and Baba in the meekest voice we’d ever heard. She waved and smiled and appeared happy to see us but, when her ayi tried to …Read More
Find My Family: Ridge
October 26, 2018
Children Who Wait
Ridge is an extroverted, active, and smiley little boy, born in June of 2016 with Down syndrome. Ridge lives with a foster family and is attached to his foster mom. He can stretch his hands out to ask his foster mom for a cuddle and can make sounds of da-da. Ridge can crawl, walk with …Read More
Please Just Be My Sunshine Today: Down Syndrome Adoption and the Attachment Dance
October 25, 2018
Attachment, attachment challenges, congenital blindness, developmental delays, Developmental System, disruption, Down syndrome, Family Stories, October 2018 Feature - Developmental, parent-to-child attachment, profound deafness, rejects mom, TBRI-based therapy, therapy, Trust Based Parenting, undiagnosed SN
The first photo I ever saw of Winnie was so ridiculously cute. She is dressed from head to toe in a hot pink puffy coat with matching pants and black boots. Her edibly adorable face was framed by such a tragically terrible haircut that made me laugh and cry at the same time. She and …Read More
Waiting Child Spotlight: Isabella
October 24, 2018
Children Who Wait
Isabella is an adorable little girl, born in April of 2014, with a contagious smile and laugh. Isabella loves to be cuddled and teased by her caretakers. She is an easy child who likes to play with toys. She especially likes musical toys, playing games, and playing with balls. Her fine motor skills are normal …Read More
When Fear Turns To Joy
October 23, 2018
22qdeletion syndrome, adopting a boy, adopting again, cognitive delay, developmental delays, Developmental System, Family Stories, hearing aids, hearing loss, IEP, older child adoption, speech delay, Tetralogy of Fallot
I remember sitting there staring. Staring at the notes that I had just scribbled down. My mind was racing and yet it was paralyzed. I had just gotten off the phone with the cardiologist who reviewed the file of a girl that my husband, Dan, and I had requested him to review. I was expecting …Read More
Waiting For You: Pacey
October 22, 2018
Children Who Wait
Pacey is a precious baby boy, born in May of 2017 with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect – ASD. Pacey is kind-hearted boy who gets along well with the other children and who is good at sharing his toys. Pacey likes being silly with his caretaker and is happy when his caretaker teases …Read More
Waiting To Be Chosen: Topher
October 20, 2018
Children Who Wait
Topher is an incredibly cute little boy, born in September of 2016 and diagnosed with HIE and backflow of PV. Topher likes baths and will dance for joy when he is put into the bathtub. When he is sleeping, he likes to suck a soother or his own hand. He would often fall asleep in …Read More
Busy, Busy, Boy: Adopting a Child with SPD
October 19, 2018
developmental delays, Developmental System, Education, occupational therapy, October 2018 Feature - Developmental, physical therapy, pre-school, Sensory Processing Issues, speech therapy
Imagine looking at your beautiful, happy, healthy child. Then imagine the first time that you held him he was two and you were strangers from different continents. This is adoption. It is a serious leap of faith into the unknown. It is loving and fiercely protecting someone you have never even met. It is praying …Read More
Finding A Place For Her: Parenting A Child With Delays
October 18, 2018
adoption realities, Attachment, attachment activities, cocooning, cognitive delay, developmental delays, Developmental System, Education, Family Stories, homeschool, IEP, non-verbal, October 2018 Feature - Developmental, oral-motor delays, public school, SPED class, speech delay, speech therapy, trauma
When we brought our daughter home in the fall of of 2013 we knew she likely had significant, lifelong developmental delays. A mystery girl is how she was described to us. And still, almost five years later, she is a mystery. No real clear cut diagnoses except developmental delays and an MRI thats shows a …Read More
Meet Rylynn!
October 16, 2018
Children Who Wait
Rylynn is a joyful little girl, born in June of 2014. She has been diagnosed with glaucoma and cataracts (both eyes), nubecula of both eyes, no anterior chambers in both eyes and has been in the care of Show Hope. Due to her vision impairment, she was attending school during the day at Bethel from …Read More
Trauma and the Holidays: Tips for Navigating the Holidays Well
October 15, 2018
adoption realities, Attachment, attachment activities, attachment challenges, cocooning, first year home, holidays, Newly Home, October 2018 Feature - Trauma and the Holidays, parent-to-child attachment, Realities, trauma
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, right? But with a child who has experienced trauma, the holidays can be everything except wonderful. This month we are focusing on the impact of trauma and how it can be exacerbated by the chaos and busyness of the holiday season. It is our hope …Read More
Fully Known, Completely Loved
October 13, 2018
Attachment, cocooning, cognitive delay, developmental delays, Developmental System, Family Stories, feeding/swallowing therapy, October 2018 Feature - Developmental, oral aversion, refusing food, speech delay
“I’m fully known and loved by You You won’t let go no matter what I do And it’s not one or the other It’s hard truth and ridiculous grace To be known fully known and loved by You I’m fully known and loved by You” Known by Tauern Wells /// There’s a popular song that’s …Read More
Waiting For You: Jamison
October 12, 2018
Children Who Wait
Jamison is a happy little boy with a warm smile, born April of 2011 with a cleft lip and palate. In August of 2015, Jamison underwent surgery to repair his cleft lip and is said to have recovered well. Jamison is an active and talkative little guy who enjoys toys, games, and reading picture books. …Read More
Saying Yes to God
October 11, 2018
Developmental System, Down syndrome, Family Stories, October 2018 Feature - Developmental, orphanage realities
As he walked into our post delivery recovery room, he closed the door behind him. He walked over to my bedside to give us an update on the birth of our preemie twin girls. They had been born 6 weeks early and delivery was tough for Isabelle, twin two. The evening before was spent holding …Read More
Find My Forever: Alice
October 10, 2018
Children Who Wait
Alice is an adorable little girl, born in January of 2015. This sweet girl has been through a lot in her short life, having lost both of her eyes to retinoblastoma. She has been in remission since her operation and now has prosthetic eyes. Alice has such a bubbly personality and is very attached to …Read More
A Violet Covering
October 9, 2018
adoption community, adoption realities, Developmental System, Down syndrome, October 2018 Feature - Developmental, trauma
Everyone wears a hat in life. No matter your age, race, socioeconomic status, or place you live. Some people wear their hat with pride, some wish their hat was invisible, and some of us wear hat that seems more like a sombrero and everyone can see it. There are times we have the opportunity to …Read More
Waiting To Be Chosen: Samson
October 8, 2018
Children Who Wait
Samson is a handsome and clever boy, born deaf in August of 2009. In September of 2013, Samson had cochlear implant surgery. He is currently studying at a cochlear language training school and is performing well. His teachers praise his fast progress. Though it took him a while to adjust to the school and being …Read More
The Beauty of Owning Their Own Story
October 7, 2018
adoption realities, Attachment, attachment activities, discipline, embracing their story, homeschool, large families, questions from strangers, Sharon, siblings, telling their life story, vacation
Our family just enjoyed another week at the beach, and it was glorious. The gift of time since coming home for each of our children truly has made a difference in so many ways. We are able to help them feel safe in a vacation home and enjoy new experiences together. This particular trip gave …Read More
Find My Family: Maggie
October 6, 2018
Children Who Wait
Beautiful Maggie is a precious little girl, born in July of 2012. She was received into orphanage care at the age of three. In July of 2017, she was moved to New Day Foster Home. It didn’t take Maggie long to fit right in with her new friends at New Day. Her laugh has filled …Read More
Nonsense That Makes Sense
October 5, 2018
epidermolysis bullosa, September 2018 Feature - Skin Conditions, Skin Conditions, Whitney
Epidermolysis bullosa. It’s a bit of a mouthful, and that’s just the start. Beyond the general diagnosis lie various types and subtypes that add multi-syllabic words to an already difficult to pronounce condition. Epidermolysis bullosa is the condition our daughter was born with. It causes her skin to be extremely fragile – shearing off and …Read More
Trauma and the Holidays: Have No Expectations
October 3, 2018
adoption realities, Attachment, first year home, holidays, Newly Home, October 2018 Feature - Trauma and the Holidays, Realities, trauma
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, right? But with a child who has experienced trauma, the holidays can be everything except wonderful. This month we are focusing on the impact of trauma and how it can be exacerbated by the chaos and busyness of the holiday season. It is our hope …Read More
Meet Jasper!
October 2, 2018
Children Who Wait
Jasper, born in July of 2015, is an adorable little boy who sure loves to drum! He is sweet, active, and funny and is said to love to play. His favorite toys are brightly colored balls and toys that make musical sounds. Jasper was born with Down syndrome, undescended testicles, and congenital heart disease – …Read More
Our Best Yes
October 1, 2018
Developmental System, Down syndrome, October 2018 Feature - Developmental
It’s funny how someone will come along in your life, and change everything for you. Every idea of what is important, how you live, what you celebrate in life is just taken and completely transformed. That’s what happened in February 2011 when our family welcomed our third child into the world. Ollie Faith was born …Read More