Irresistable

This is such an adorable video, I just have to share! This is a performance that Quentin and Kerry did together. It's a song called "How Happy Our Lives Are." This was performed during closing ceremonies. These two are such good boys! They're both good with younger children and have sweet dispositions. I'm also including a picture of the two of them dancing together during an impromptu dance session we had during the camp. They have such joy to share...could you be the right family for either of them?

The Journey

I was reading a parenting book last night and the author quoted a Taoist saying (how appropriate!): "The journey is the reward."  I don't think there is a better way to sum up parenting. It's so true! Every day, every new milestone, every challenge, every joy is all part of the reward. Parents do millions of things we don't want to do, but we lovingly do them because they are in the best interest of our child/ren. "The journey is the reward." That just sums it up, doesn't it? There are days when it's not easy and there are days that are completely joyous and the sum of it all is what makes us parents. Through thick and thin we are parents. There are days that really test our patience and it doesn't matter how your child joined your family, that's just the reality of parenthood. But parenthood is also having your heart fill up when you see a certain expression on your child's face or you hear that charming laugh bubbling out of your child or they decide to give you a kiss or hug out of the blue and it just melts your heart.

So today, when I'm not sure what else to say about these precious children, I just remind you that the journey is the reward. Each of these children has joy in them and they just need a parent to share it with. Enjoy it, live it, push through the challenges and you will all come out stronger. There are no guarantees in life, so be flexible and enjoy your journey.

Fabulous Fabian

I was just talking with someone who recently visited with Fabian. It turns out his English name at school is Peter and he likes to be called that. He's pretty shy in big groups, but is personable one on one. He seems to have a sadness about him. He admits that he really wants a family. He told this to both our agency and the other person that was visiting with him. He wants a mother and father to love him. He seems to long for unconditional love and I have to believe that there is a family out there who can provide this for him. Fabian is a smart boy, but I get the impression that he doesn't try very hard because he has accepted his lot in life where he is, which doesn't offer him much opportunity. He was able to solve some very difficult math problems immediately, so clearly he is bright. Perhaps with some parental encouragement and motivation Fabian could reach his full potential. He loves to play soccer and is good at it! That's definitely a strength that should be encouraged. Fabian is a mature boy, perhaps wiser than his years. Surely there is a family that would relish in bringing love and success into this child's life? Is there a soccer coach out there that wants a boy to teach his skill to? A stay at home mom who would like to home school a bright child? He is an incredible flower waiting to blossom! In fact, that's what Fabian drew for us, a flower still blossoming.

Lovely Lisa

I wanted to advocate for 7 year old Lisa today because I was notified that a The therapist thought she had great potential to live a normal life like any other girl with a bit of speech, occupational and/or physical therapy. The therapist admired Lisa's control and determination and said she is a bright and determined little girl with a mild case of ataxic cerebral palsy. This is a condition that does not get worse over time. A family who has the resources to get Lisa the therapy she needs to thrive would be a lucky family! I've seen kids with cerebral palsy do amazing things (like acrobatics on horseback!)! Lisa's case seems to be mild, so this is a condition that is very manageable for the right family. Surely there is a family out there that would relish in her happiness and seeing her improvement as she grows to become the person she is meant to be? She's a happy and smart little girl who wants to please. Lisa kept right up with all of the other kids without a problem at the camp. She's a precious and beautiful child. Would you like to consider her? Please contact me for more details: marcisk@asiadopt.org

Happy News!!!!

I've been holding off on posting because I really wanted to make this announcement: Chrissy and Anna have families pursuing them!!!!! Yay for these two children and their families! I'm so happy for them and thrilled that these kids will have loving families:-) Spreading the word around really does make a difference, so thank you to all of the advocates out there working so hard to help these children. I need an icon for jumping for joy to insert here__________!

Someone asked me to mention the kids that are still in need of families. I don't want to taint the good news, but there are still many children still needing families, so here they are:
Harley
Jimmy
Michael
Heather
Lilah
Shawn
Peter
Bo
Thomas
Henry
Mark
Gene
Cherry
CJ
Harold
Edward
Warner
Lisa
Parker
Gavin
Quentin
Kerry
Fabian
Wade

Check out our password protected website listed in our sidebar for more information on each of those kiddos!

My name is Mark

I can sing and dance and draw. See my picture? I wrote some characters on it, too.

Hello, my name is Mark. I am six years old and I'm in the Eagle Class of the Sunshine Academy. I can speak some basic English and write Chinese characters. I like playing with toys and puzzles and helping out by folding sheets. I love to play with other kids and when I grow up I want to be a policeman. I have seen my friends get adopted into families and I want a family of my very own to hug and love me forever. I have a special need, but really, I'm just a little boy who needs a family to love him. My special need hasn't effected me and my teachers tell me I'm smart, well behaved, obedient and sweet. I"m a good student and learn quickly. I get along with other children well and I like to help out others, too. I have lots of friends and the nannies and teachers like me. I'm a good boy....when is my family coming for me?

Talented Thomas

Thomas was chosen as the only child to do a performance in front of the CCAA officials when they came to our Hope Journey Camp. Does that tell you how special he is? He's a cutie! He has a little impish smile that just steals your heart! Thomas was also part of the Lion Dance during closing ceremonies. This boy has some talent! He's got personality, charisma, rhythm and flexibility. Thomas is 8 years old. If you're interested in more information about him, please email me: marcisk@asiadopt.org

Why Family?

Some families adopting older children start to have doubts when the process gets difficult about removing an older child from everything they know. They ask me, "Why do you work so hard to find these children families?" Why? Because I know if these children are left without families, they will never know the love and security that a family provides. They will never be held in the arms of someone who loves them unconditionally and forever. They will never be fully accepted for who they are in society. They may not get medical care that they desperately need. If they are lucky enough to get the medical care they need, they may have to go through that painful experience alone. They will face a life of difficulty as an orphan in a society that looks upon orphans as unlucky. They will be left with few opportunities, even though they may have so much potential. Few orphans get the chance to pursue their dreams. Instead, they have to take whatever job they are able to get, if they can get one.

When holidays roll around and everyone else goes home to their family, they are likely left to themselves, or if they are lucky, they may be allowed to go back to their orphanage. Is there anyone left there that they know? I don't want anyone to have to feel that sadness.

Why do I feel so strongly about family? For all of the reasons above and because I have known the love of family and I have met and seen the orphans. I have seen the look in their eyes that tells me how much they truly need a family. I have been through things in life that I'm not sure I would have been able to get through without the love and security of family. I also have felt loss. My mom works with homeless people who only months or years ago were executives with successful businesses and now, without family are left to the streets. This can happen to anyone who doesn't have the security of loving family. Imagine being an orphan...how scary would life's challenges be? For all of those reasons and more I know that these children truly need families. Are you one of these families?

We Are the Voices of the Children

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child had a mother or father to kiss them goodnight? A sibling to play with on the playground? A grandparent to read them books on the couch? This is our wish for all the waiting children in our adoption programs. If finding families for these waiting children also holds a place in your heart, we could use your help.

We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to be adoption advocates in their local community to increase the awareness of our efforts to place these terrific kids in permanent, loving homes. This could be done by hosting an informational meeting about intercountry adoption at a local library, manning a table about adoption awareness at a community event or setting up a display on a church bulletin board (or other ideas you may have). We will be happy to provide you with a packet of promotional materials and some ideas on how to get started…you just need to bring your passion and dedication to helping these kids.

There’s a great quote by Edgar Allen, the founder of Easter Seals, which says “Your life and mine should not be valued by what we take…but by what we give.” Your efforts can make a real difference in the lives of these children. If you are interested in giving of yourself to help create families for children that have none, please contact Marci Siegel-Kittrell at marcisk@asiadopt.org or Joy Drechsler at joyd@asiadopt.org or (503) 224-1860.

Fabian

Fabian is the oldest boy in our Hope Journey program. He did seem the most mature of the bunch. He likes to play with other kids his age and there weren't many of those in our program. He seemed shy in the larger group, but was more outgoing and personable in the interview.

During the interview he was quite responsive and spoke about his desire to have a family and even siblings. When we asked if he could have any thing in the world, what would it be? He said that he wanted "to have a family to love, parents to play with me and help me with school." He understands adoption and very much wants a forever family. He feels comfortable going to the U.S. for adoption. Fabian likes to draw, read and tell stories. He especially likes comic books. He is in 4th grade and his favorite subject is Chinese.

Fabian played the same curcurbit flute that Harold did at the event. Although he didn't actively play with the younger kids, you can see him here enjoying the limbo:

Mark, Cherry and Jimmy

I'm feeling at a loss for words today, so I'm going to let this video be the voice of the children. This dance is so cute!

Chrissy and Mark

Chrissy and Mark both have families pursuing them as of November 2010!!!!

My last post about Chrissy brought a whole host of interest in her, so hopefully one of those families is meant to be hers! I must say, I'm shocked that my posts about Mark and Cherry haven't brought more interest. There was a family that wanted to pursue Mark, but they were then unable to. This family saw how smart, talented, sweet and sensitive Mark is--if you want a cuddly, sweet boy, this is your boy! I've been contacted by several people who have adopted children with hydrocephalus and their children are happy and thriving. It's not as scary as it sounds. On that note, I think Mark and Chrissy would probably do well together. They're both complete sweethearts and seem to have complementary personalities.

You may have noticed that ASIA has been assigned several special focus children to our individual waiting child list. We've now got young girls for people to consider. In my heart, I'm hoping that some of those people wanting young girls will consider some of our boys as well. We have so many great kids that aren't getting much interest. Cherry, Mark, Anna, Jimmy, Henry and Peter were all part of the Lion dance and one other dance and they each showed tremendous talent and potential. I've been contacted by people that adopted children from Bao an and their kids were friends with Cherry and Peter! These kids have seen their friends get adopted, yet they still wait. It breaks my heart! We are the voices of the children and these children need families. There is an entry on the Love Without Boundaries blog that states eloquently why these older children need families:

http://www.lwbcommunity.org/adoption-of-older-children

So what would you like to hear about these kids? What would make the difference in helping them find their families?

(Chrissy now has a family pursuing her...9/21/10)

Girls and Chrissy

Joy's wonderful posts made me realize that even if you want a girl, you may not end up with that girlie girl. As I read through her posts, I sat there thinking, my daughter loves trains, planes and cars and wrestling! She points to every plane overhead with a big smile and exclamation..."plane!" She also loves to pull mom to thr ground and wrestle. Of course, she also loves clothes, shoes and her doll, Nancy. So I guess whether you end up with a boy or a girl, they can have very similar qualities!

I have thought for a long time that we had a family for Chrissy, but it was not meant to be. This girl is adorable, personable and sweet! There must be a family out there for her! She was one of the first children I interacted with at the camp and she was so sweet! She was definitely curious about me, but didn't hesitate to dance and play with me. She is a girlie girl! She loves dresses and pretty things and her English teacher describes her as very relational. She has close friendships with other girls in her class. Chrissy is one of the children who was chosen to participate in many of the performances along with Mark, Cherry and Jimmy. When I first posted pictures from the camp, I had a lot of people contacting me asking who that adorable girl is in the blue and white dress. Without even having to look at the pictures, I knew it was Chrissy, because she, too, jumped right out at me at the event because she was so dolled up and adorable. I've also had people contact me who have adopted children with the same special need and feel that it is very manageable. They are raising happy, healthy children with the same need. Chrissy is a sweetheart and her file is available! If you would like to consider her, please contact me right away: marcisk@asiadopt.org