Yopp!

Yesterday a very surprising thing happened to me at the grocery store. The woman in line in front of me decided she would buy my groceries for me (I bet that's not what you expected to hear!). It wasn't a lot of groceries, but it was the act of kindness that meant so much and made my day. It reminded me of what a difference a person can make in someone else's life, just through a small act. How many times has a smile, a kind word, a hug or a laugh changed your entire outlook? She told me that a while back someone had bought her gas for her. So every once in a while she just does something like that to make a positive difference in someone's life since there are so many negatives in this world. What an incredible philosophy--she's paying it forward! If you have ever seen the movie Pay It Forward, then you understand what a difference one small person can make in the world. Dr. Seuss had the same philosophy, as described in Horton Hears a Who when the smallest of all puts them over the top with one word...Yopp! (Yes, I'm fully emersed in the world of Seuss).

 I've seen miraculous changes, where those of you reading this and my wonderful volunteers and all those on advocacy groups work together to help a child find a home just in the nick of time. The word gets passed along until it happens to come across the ears of the family who is meant to parent that child. I've heard that this is what happened for Jessica!  I've also seen it happen when we raise money to help with a child's adoption. We often get lots of small donations, which total up to make a difference, enabling the child to have a family! I think it's important to be reminded every so often that even small acts of kindness truly do make the world a better place. We all need to do our part to make this world a positive place to live. I'm still thinking about what would be the most effective way for me to pay it forward. But in the meantime, I ask that everyone reading this pass this blog along to a few people you know who just might consider adoption. If 100 of you actually pass it along, we can quadruple our readership, and perhaps find another child a home! If anyone ever helped change your life or brighten your spirit, than you know how important it is to pay it forward.  Pay it forward for all of the older boys who wait, desperately wanting a family. Get the word out there--Yopp!  http://www.asiahope.blogspot.com/

A Baotou Adoption Story

As the time neared for Beth and John to meet their new son, Max, in Hohhot (near Baotou), China, they wondered how they would be received. Their six-year-old, daughter Juliette, also adopted from China, was ready for a sibling. After two years of waiting, they found Max, a 21-month-old minor special needs orphan with a repaired cleft lip and unrepaired cleft palate in Baotou.

Now there he stood, meeting them for the first time, wearing three-layers of clothing, looking up at them with his big brown eyes. “He looked like a little Buddha -- a Buddha eating a lollipop” Beth says on her blog. “We introduced ourselves as ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’, handed him a tootsie roll lollipop and he was in heaven!” Then they were off -- taking him to his new home in Salem, Oregon, to meet the rest of his family, including his sister.

Soon after arrival in the U.S., Max’s cleft palate was repaired (his cleft lip had already been fixed in China). Tubes were also inserted in his ears to help his hearing which had been affected by the cleft palate. Speech therapy is also helping him recover from the residual effects of the cleft palate. He is talking a lot, saying his first words in English.

Today, Max is thriving chatterbox and is inseparable from his sister, Juliette, who, Beth says, “is handling her new status as ‘big sister’ nicely. We love our little Max. I hope anyone who wants to learn more about our experience will call me. We are happy to share our experience if it means getting more children adopted.”

Thank you to Beth and John for sharing their family's story! If anyone else has an adoption story to share, please contact us!

Please Meet Darien

Look at that focus! That sweet smile! Darien is a smart and talented young boy who excels in sports and is loved by all who meet him. His teachers praise him and he is well liked by his peers. He would make a great sibling! Darien is a happy boy who desperately wants a family. He sees his peers get adopted and wants a mother and father to love him as well. He is an active boy with a positive outlook who would make a wonderful addition to a loving family. Darien hopes for a family who is close to dossier ready as he ages out in January. There is a $5000 grant available to help with the adoption costs for Darien. If you or someone you know could be interested in considering Darien, please contact me right away--his file is available! No one has asked about him yet! Even if you don't quite meet the requirements, please contact me anyway: marcisk@asiadopt.org Let's not keep Darien waiting and wondering!

Baotou

Baotou Social Welfare Institute did a special performance recently and everyone got dressed up. It looks like they chose some special children for the performance. The oldest boy in the picture wanted to come home with the Doctor that traveled with us when we were there. He wanted a family so badly--he sang for us, did dances, gymnastics and everthing he could to prove that he was lovable. We've asked for his file. Hopefully we will get it later this summer. Some of the other kids pictured are those that we already have families for:

New Girls to Introduce - Part 4

Our final introduction is for sweet little Greta!

Greta is clever and cute and likes to listen to music. She is a bit shy, but has rich facial expressions and is interested in toys around her. She likes to be cuddled and can go out to play. She plays with toys with other children and laughs, but is shy in new environments. She has not had an operation for her feet yet, but is able to crawl and stand with help. She hadn’t started speaking yet as of October 2010, but is communicating with her caregiver.

If you think you have a place in your heart for Greta, please contact Marci at marcisk@asiadopt.org or Vicki at vickib@asiadopt.org today!

New Girls to Introduce - Part 3

Today we are pleased to introduce everyone to the lovely Marianne!

Marianne was found at four years old and has lived with a foster family for several years. She has lots of energy and needs a bit of supervision to do her school work. She was in grade 3 in 2009 and could do addition and subtraction and finish reciting tasks. She has neat handwriting and cares about the others around her. She helps other children with special needs to put on their coats and shoes and she helps to do chores. She is active and outgoing and likes to play house. She can take care of her own basic needs.

Marianne could be the perfect addition to your family! If you would like to learn more, please contact Marci at marcisk@asiadopt.org or Vicki at vickib@asiadopt.org.

New Girls to Introduce - Part 2

Next we would like you to meet...Janelle!

Janelle is an active, smart and outgoing young lady. She initially entered an orphanage at 5 years old. It took her a few days to adjust but became a happy little bird, laughing all of the time and asking other children to play with her. She started school and was very motivated. She learned children’s songs, counting, singing and dancing very quickly. She loves to play outside and is a bit of a chatterbox, speaking or singing constantly. She went to a foster family several years ago and now attends school. She is smart and her handicrafts are the best in the class. She is very enthusiastic about school and tells her foster family what she has learned each day. She is always chosen for the Children’s Day performances. She gets to school early to help her teachers with chores and helps the younger children. She is now in 4th grade and has received the honor of being a “Pioneer.” She receives praises from her teacher. She knows that she is not with a forever family and wants a family to call her own.

If you think Janelle might be the perfect daughter for you, contact Marci at marcisk@asiadopt or Vicki at vickib@asiadopt.org to learn more.

New Girls to Introduce - Part 1

This week we have a few new girls to introduce. Today we would like you to meet the twins...Leah and Lianna! (Leah is in the red stroller, Lianna is holding the panda)

Leah likes to listen to children’s songs, watch cartoons, and play on the swing, seesaw and slide with other children. When she sees people she knows she gets excited and calls “yi-yi!” She is active and lovely and loved by everyone.

Lianna is developmentally delayed and has low muscle tone, but has made steady progress. She is now able to call out to her nanny and older sister and understands simple directions provided by her nanny. She is able to stand when held by her nanny and grab her nanny’s shoulders to prevent herself from falling. She is able to feed herself now. Please note that the twins must be adopted together.

If you are interested in learning more about these charming sisters, please contact Marci at marcisk@asiadopt.org or Vicki at vickib@asiadopt.org.

New Grant Available for Skippy

We are pleased to announce that a $1,500 grant is available from ASIA's Gift of Family Fund to help with the adoption of Skippy. If you haven't met Skippy yet, below are my impressions of him from my visit in April:

This is a typical picture of Skippy, as he is a happy-go-lucky boy who laughs a lot! In this picture, he was looking at picture of himself on the digital camera and thought that was really funny:-) He is such a sweet boy who sincerely enjoys life to its fullest. He wants a family of his own and would make a very sweet, loving son and bring a lot of fun and laughter into a family. Skippy stole all of our hearts and every time we saw him he would give us a big smile and wave hi! In fact, he was one of the very first children who came out to see us when we arrived. His special need is pretty mild and Skippy is fully functional in his daily life. I have no doubts that he would thrive in a family.

Could you be the family for Skippy? Please contact me if you would like to consider him: marcisk@asiadopt.org

Watch This:

http://youtu.be/5ijggNs2Ask

Waivers, Just Starting, Etc...

If one of these kids touches your heart, but you don't think you qualify, please contact me anyway. Waivers may be available for these children aging out! Also, if you're just starting the process, but you're willing to work at lightening speed and push members of the government here in the U.S. contact me right now if you want to consider one of these children. If you start now, you just may be able to adopt them before they turn 14! If you wait much longer, then these kids will need dossiered families instead. These kids all have very sweet stories, please read them!

On a positive note, Jeremy, Wally and Jonathan have families pursuing them! Congratulations to those families! Charlie, Zeke, Jake, Skippy and Lillian still need their families to find them. Take a look at their files and see if they might be yours!

New Kids Aging Out With Grants

It is with a heavy heart that I have to say it is likely too late for the kids aging out in July to find their families. Therefore, we are hoping that the following kids, who don't age out until next year will find families before it's too late. These are great kids and they each have a $5000 grant to help with their adoptions! Please meet:

Corey ages out in February: Corey lived with a foster family from the day he was found until 2009 when they were not able to care for him any longer. Corey is in the 6th grade and likes Math and English classes. He likes to play badminton and ping pong for fun. Corey is popular among his classmates and is always willing to help others. He is also popular amongst the younger children at the orphanage, and often leads them in playing games. They call him older brother and like him a lot. He is praised by his teachers as a good and sensible child. He is an intelligent child and is well loved at the orphanage and they hope he can have a happy home. There is a $5000 grant available for Corey through ASIA.














Lina ages out in March: Lina has a family pursuing her!

Scott ages out in January: Scott is an incredibly determined and brave child. Through his rehabilitation training, he never gave up, even when he was covered in sweat. He takes the role of monitor at school and helps the other children. At the orphanage he also helps the other children with basic daily living tasks, like washing their faces. He is extremely generous and shares his delicious food and favorite toys with others. He is part of the Half the Sky program and cherishes his opportunity, so he studies hard. He has an excellent memory and can remember what he is taught. In his free time, he likes to read poems and sing. He is excellent at math. He didn’t think he could draw very well, but saw a beautiful picture and the teacher encouraged him to try to draw it. He tried after some convincing and drew a beautiful picture. He sees his brothers and sisters get adopted into families and very much wants a family of his own. There is a $5000 grant available through ASIA for him.

Darien ages out in January: Darien is beloved by his teachers and always willing to help. He is well liked by his classmates, too. He is active and happy and loves sports. He participates in sports meets and won the championship, earning a cute nickname. He considers the institute his family currently, but sees other children get adopted and fostered and says that he wants a mother and father of his own. When asked if he wants to be adopted, he happily agrees. Darien needs a family that is close to dossier ready who would like to pursue him. He is on the shared list, but there is a $5000 grant available through ASIA for him.

If you would like to consider any of these children, please contact Marci: marcisk@asiadopt.org

URGENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

URGENT NEED!!! WE JUST FOUND OUT JESSICA DOES INDEED WANT A FAMILY VERY BADLY! SHE ONLY HAS UNTIL NEAR THE END OF JULY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. SHE NEEDS A DOSSIERED FAMILY IMMEDIATELY TO MAKE HER DREAM COME TRUE? DO YOU HAVE A DOSSIER IN CHINA ALREADY? COULD YOU BE HER FAMILY? CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY: MARCISK@ASIADOPT.ORG

THERE IS A $5000 GRANT AVAILABLE FOR JESSICA!
















Jessica is active and extroverted. She has formed close bonds with her caretakers and is a happy girl. She is a smart girl and communicates well with others. She helps the caretakers do housework actively. She has normal physical and mental development.

Update: Jessica goes to boarding school during the week and comes back to the orphanage on weekends. She does her own laundry and helps take care of the younger children. She helps out the caregivers and wishes she can have her own family one day. Do you live near mountains? Maybe Jessica would fit in perfectly with your kids?

Pondering Boys....

We all know that boys are harder to place. If you're an orphan in China and a boy, that's a special need in itself, it seems. It used to be the other way around, but that has changed. Almost everyone currently waiting with ASIA wants a girl; even those who are open to boys prefer girls. Yet if you look at the proportion of boys available for adoption to girls, it is hugely disproportionate--there are vastly more boys available than girls! There are adorable young boys on the shared waiting child list right now! They have special needs that those adopting girls would be happy to accept, but there's one problem--they're boys! Now if you were getting a referral the old fashioned way, you would just get assigned a child. When one gives birth to a child biologically, the selection of boy vs. girl is made for them, but they are generally delighted with the choice! So how is it that so many parents in the adoption process are not open to considering boys? Perhaps your child is waiting for you, but you just don't know it because you haven't opened up to the possibility that your child could be a boy?

My daughter at age 2 is currently going through a phase where she only wants to play with boys! She would love to have a gege! Ok, it could be a massive Oedipal complex going on, but she truly sees the fun and value in boys. She's a girlie girl, but she loves to be active and play superhero games, play with cars, and all of the silly games young boys like to play. It might surprise you! I just spoke with a family yesterday who brought a boy home and an older one at that. They had all girls and he fits right in perfectly! He's happy, bright, cuddly and has many little mannerisms that their family members have. He even likes to play dress up with them! He also likes sports, which makes Dad happy...there's something for everyone! Boys are available....please consider them! This is my plea--just open yourselves to the possibility! It can't hurt...you'll have to wait a while for those girls anyway:-)

Another Request

We've been asked by CCAA to advocate for another child. Please meet Cole:

Cole is turning 11 years old this month. A member of CCAA spent time with him and said he was such a warm and polite young boy. His orphanage reports the same thing. He is always offering to do chores to help adults and always welcomes people and greets them. He is able to take care of his own daily living tasks. He is a sweet child, always ready and willing to help others. He is especially good with younger children. He is generous and understanding. I'm hoping we can find a family for his birthday! Could he be a good fit for your family? contact me: marcisk@asiadopt.org

Are You My Mother?

Am I cute or what? My name is Zeke. Can't you imagine me sitting at a park with you and making one of my beautiful drawings? Or perhaps I could be a performer of some sort? I really want a Mommy and Daddy most of all! Siblings are good, too:-) I''m quite a ham--I'll recite a poem for you...or would you prefer a song? Please sit down...


Girls always oogle at me and say I'm soo cute! I like to learn and play sports with other kids. I can draw and sing pretty well, too. If I had a Mommy and Daddy, I could do anything! Could I fit into your family picture? Cheeeeeese!

I'm Jake; I'm all boy! I like to be rambunctious and active and silly! I'll demonstrate my super hero poses for you if you like? Do you like to wrestle, because I would love to have a daddy to wrestle with and a Mommy to cuddle with and read to me. Do you have some brothers for me? I really want a family!

I'm Lillian; I love playing outdoors in the light and music. I like doing things by myself, but get a little nervous, too. I need a Mommy and Daddy to help guide me and teach me to be self-sufficient.

Please spread the word about these children! Contact me if you're interested in considering any of them: marcisk@asiadopt.org

Their files are currently available.

Do You Have A Heart for These Children?

Do you want to make a difference in the life of a child? Share this blog with everyone you know and help these kids find their families! You never know where that red thread might lead!

Being Wacky

Jake here has some natural wackiness:















Zeke and Skippy are a bit goofy, too...although they try to contain it, sometimes it just bursts forth:-)

Charlie is the cutest sweetest, kindest and most determined little boy. Want a cuddly boy? This is your boy! Fei and Donna got him to be a little wacky:

Kids need to be kids, play and have the chance to be goofy, wacky and just have fun! See, Fei has no problem after years of practice:

As an adult, what better excuse to be wacky, than a child? The kids featured on our blog have not had much of a chance to be wacky. These kids need families to endulge in their wacky sides! If you're interested in any of these adorable boys, contact me: marcisk@asiadopt.org

Struggling

I've been struggling about what to say here on the blog...it has been a sad day here at the office. It is looking like our little heart baby may not have much hope. Along those lines, I look at the shared list and it's full of boys. It is 74% boys, yet everyone wants girls. NONE of the boys about to age out with grants have found families! How can that be? Will it truly be their fate to live without a family? Take one last look and see if any of these boys could be yours.

Our current list of kiddos from Baotou is all boys. On that note, I have two bits of Good News to share:
Wally found his family--hooray! It sounds like Jeremy has a family, too! It's likely that Jonathan will have a family, so those are victories to celebrate! Yet Skippy, Zeke and Charlie have no one looking at their files. Lee, Foster, Heath, Leroy, Perry and Hansen who will age out in a matter of months don't have anyone considering them as far as I know. They are on the shared list, so perhaps they do. Yes, they are older boys, but they are still young and sweet at heart! These boys should have families! If you could be one of their families, please contact me: marcisk@asiadopt.org We're running out of time for the 13 year olds!

A Little Adoption Inspiration

Today my heart was so happy as I talked to one of our moms who got home yesterday with her new son. He was part of our Hope's Journey 2 program last year and even with the jet lag, I could hear the utter happiness and wonder of actually having him home and playing in their backyard!

It is always the children and the families like this that inspire us every day.

If you are looking for some inspiration on why you should consider adoption, below are some thoughts from other ASIA families:

...."Where do I start? I find joy everyday because of my sweet daughter. If anyone is worried about loving an adopted child, don't! I have 4 biological children and the love isn't any different. I pray that we can add another little one to our family some day."

...."Adoption comes from the heart. When we decided to adopt it felt so right...like we were meant to go on this journey all our lives. Our daughter completes us."

...."My sons were born in my heart long before they ever came home. The One who formed the universe hand picked me to be their mom. Our lives have been changed in ways that we never could have imagined when we first decided to adopt."

Why Older Child Adoption?

One of our wonderful families has given us permission to share her gorgeous and eloquent blog post about their journey to adopt an older child and who she has blossomed into...it is quite beautiful and I would encourage all to read it:

http://www.michellerphotoblog.com/2011/04/inspiration-52-week-14.html

Perhaps this will inspire others to take the leap of faith and adopt an older child as well? There are so many out there who need Mom's and Dad's to love them! I've posted about several of those kiddos, yet still no one has asked to consider the files of Skippy, Zeke or Charlie....they're waiting for you!

Meet Zeke

Zeke is a charming, polite and bright young man who invited us into his room and pulled out chairs for each of us, asking us to "please sit down." He is a wonderful host, a happy boy and desperately wants to be adopted. There is an adorable picture of Zeke and Skippy together that I wish I could post on here, but it's a close up! They're like two peas in a pod, or perhaps more like Larry and Mo:-)

Zeke's group went outside to play one day and I peeked out the window to take some pictures without being seen. That didn't last long--they spotted me and soon were doing superhero poses to get my attention. Zeke is a bit of a ham--always the first to pose in front of a camera, or recite a poem or sing a song to show off. He's smart! This is a boy with a lot of potential in life! Surely there is a family that would be thrilled to find Zeke!

Zeke is not only an older boy, which is essentially a special need in itself, but he does have a minor special need. This type of child is the hardest to place. Can you help Zeke's dream to come true?

Caught in the Act

Jake is all boy! He is active, funny, determined, focused and goofy all rolled up into one. He is outgoing and once he saw us walking down the hallway, proceeded to welcome us with some superhero moves. He is very active and social and follows instructions well. He is able to multitask and I think this boy might be destined to be a lawyer! He is a determined negotiator and doesn't give up easily:-) He doesn't have much opportunity to follow his dreams where he is now, but with a family, there is no doubt he can go far! To consider Jake, contact me: marcisk@asiadopt.org

Susan and I snuck up on Jake, Donna and Fei during their evaluation and I caught Fei demonstrating the wheelbarrow with Donna:-)