Korea Announcement

Yesterday, we sent emails to our current families regarding the new developments in Korea’s implementation of the Special Adoption Law that took effect August 5, 2012.  

We know that many of you have questions and concerns about what these decisions could mean for your adoption. We have questions and concerns of our own. Steve Morrison, the founder of MPAK, Mission to Promote Adoption in Korea, is investigating these new laws for the adoption community. (Please note: Steve is not associated with any agency. He is an independent advocate, adoptive father and an adoptee.) 

Please check out Steve's blog, http://mpakusa.blogspot.com/, for more details on the implements that are taking place.  You are encouraged to leave your comments and concerns on the blog site.We hope that Steve’s influence and adoptive parents’ voices will help sway the Korean government’s recent policy changes.

ESWS, SWS and Holt are planning to meet with the Korean authorities in March; and AAC is working with other US agencies to advocate for our waiting adoptive parents and the children waiting to come home.   Your participation in Steve’s efforts could be very helpful.  Thank you!

My Story Monday: The Barton Family

If we say that our story is that we believe God gives second chances, then one might wrongly assume that our message is about giving kids from hard places their second chance at a “better life.”  And whereas we certainly hope that we are providing a better life for all of our kids, the point of adoption for us is that God showed us that family is not about blood, but about love. 

Indeed, over twenty-six years ago a divorced man and a divorced woman with a seven year old fell in love and became family.  Three more biological children over a span of eight years would seem to be enough by most standards.  But even before our now 18-year old son was eleven, we felt God telling us that our family was not complete and that we had a child waiting for us in China.  For various reasons, but primarily due to expediency, we elected to accept a waiting needs child.  In 2007 little two year old Adriana joined our family and instantly became the darling of four older brothers.  Although we thought we were done, we saw Aidan’s picture in 2008 and his gotcha day (2/23/09) was celebrated this weekend.  

The desire to stay connected to the adoption community and either help or learn from another family by sharing experience introduced us to Ava.  We saw her picture on AAC’s website in late 2011 and felt the tug.  “Really God, another child?” yet the answer was “Yes.”  Love is not like a blob of jelly that, as needed to cover the toast, it gets thinner.  Instead, love is like yeast which leavens bread and makes it grow through its own self-multiplication.  The second that we said “Yes” our love starting growing and the journey started developing.

My wife describes the journey as “alphabet soup” as each milestone is completed.  LOI (the letter of intent showing China that you would like to be considered for this child.)  PA (hopefully, you receive your pre-approval that China thinks you will pass muster IF all the paperwork is in order when submitted.)  DTC (the date your dossier is sent to China and a BIG DEAL for all parents who have gone this route, including us “old timers.”)  LID (the date that China logs in your dossier.  This is the date that you start counting from.  You memorize it and it becomes the date you refer to again and again to see where you are in the wait.)  Then comes your LOA (that precious paper that China sends asking if your will accept this child.  We find this ludicrous, as you have just spent months and countless dollars seeking this amazing child.  But, this paper is like gold so it is signed.)  Finally TA (after this beautiful paper arrives your agency makes your consulate appointment, visas are obtained and travel arrangements are set.  You are ready to get that child that your arms have been aching for.)

That’s right, our arms were aching for number seven.  Our arms were aching during the trip – more of a statement of poor conditioning rather than the emotional high that was to come.  First to Hong Kong Disney and then Beijing (Great Wall) to allow Adriana and Aidan to have some fun before the arduous “in province” part of the trip.  No longer than 30 minutes in our hotel room that a knock on the door told us that our family was growing again.  Last (?) but certainly not least, Ava was in momma’s arms.  Four o’clock in the afternoon in Nanchang is two o’clock in the morning at home, yet two of our older sons were on Skype to join the celebration.  Did they really have to ask why Mom was crying (as she has done at the “birth” of all our children)?  

Our arms ached as we played in the hotel room in Nanchang and as we stayed active in Guangzhou to complete Hague / US requirements.  Our arms ached now largely because our child was younger than what China had indicated.  We got a baby, not a toddler, but indeed it was the child that we had fallen in love with.  Our arms ached until we reached home – one day later than planned due to a missed connection in Hong Kong.  Finally, our arms ached as we hugged our other children who waited until midnight as our flight from Chicago to home was delayed five hours due to a snow storm.

The physical aches will come and go – we’re not getting younger.  The love, like the yeast in bread, continues to grow as Ava shows us her place in our family.  Time has taught us not to question God’s ways, so we can never truly say that our family is complete.  However for now, we are blessed and content, with peace and joy that seems heightened with Ava.

Friday Feature: Arthur

DOB November 2005

This cute, lovable guy is Arthur, he is 7 years old. He is very smart and loves to learn. He enjoys jigsaw and performing. He is described as shy with unfamiliar people but once he gets to know you he opens right up.

Arthur has dwarfism. But he doesn't let that hold him back. He gets along with all the other kids and loves to play.

If you would like more information about this child, please fill out a preliminary application on our AACAdoption.com website. Please mention the child's name in the comments section. The application fee is waived for all Waiting Child inquiries.

Feel free to contact our office by phone 970-532-3576 or email: info@aacadoption.com

Help us find Arthur his FOREVER FAMILY! 

STUCK: The Documentary Film Coming soon to a Theater near you!

About STUCK

STUCK is a new award-winning documentary film, produced by Both Ends Burning that uncovers the personal, real-life stories of children and parents navigating a roller coaster of bureaucracy on their journeys through the international adoption system, each filled with hope, elation – and sometimes heartbreak.
STUCK steps into the complex human experience of adoption, exploring the challenges faced by birth parents, prospective adoptive parents – and children.

The film follows Tihun from Ethiopia, Nate from Vietnam, and Erickson and Therline from Haiti on their individual voyages from orphanages in their native countries to their homes with families in the United States. Filmmaker Thaddaeus Scheel tracks the chapters in the lives of these four children, and the three couples seeking to be their parents, revealing along the way the intense hope and disappointment they experience on the odyssey to unite as families. Some stories are heartwarming, showing incredible examples of kids who blossom after joining their families, while others offer insight into the emotional and physical impact institutional life can have on these kids.

Through the lens of personal, real-life stories the film asks how the global community can take care of these children, safeguarding them from the very real dangers of child trafficking and corruption while also answering their need to move from institutions into loving homes and a normal life.

STUCK is a testament to the power of human love and the inexplicable connection between parent and child – even when separated by thousands of miles and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is a love story of a different kind that celebrates the indefatigable human spirit, the loyalty and the devotion that bonds these parents and kids together as families.

“International adoption is a wonderful way to provide children without parents a loving, permanent family that they otherwise would not have. I am touched by this film’s compelling portrayal of contemporary, real-life international adoption stories, and I was deeply honored to be part of the film,” said Sen. Mary Landrieu. “I hope that it will help invigorate the debate in our country and around the world about the proper place of international adoption.”

The STUCK Tour
Our most powerful tool is the feature length documentary film, STUCK. The purpose of the film is to help the average person understand the issues and create a movement that will ultimately put pressure on U.S. officials to force a more supportive attitude toward International Adoption.

The film will premiere in sequence as we roll across the country on the tour bus, visiting 60 cities in 80 days. While the highlight of each city visit will be the premiere of the film, our goal is to make the visit to each city much more than a film premiere, but an all day event, with media appearances, speeches and discussions in multiple gatherings. The framework for the tour gives us the possibility to make STUCK a phenomenon.

One objective while we are on the road is to gather over 1 million petition signatures asking congress/global leaders/President Obama to take specific actions to change the landscape of adoption. The petition will be hand carried to members of Congress in the Step Forward for Orphans March in Washington, D.C., which will coincide, with the last day of the bus tour, tentatively scheduled for May 17.

Your active involvement as a member of the tour team will support the most impactful and activity the adoption community has ever engaged in. Your efforts to support the tour will have a leveraged influence, driving an increase in adoption and changing the lives of countless kids for many years to come.
We hope you will join our team to create a unique and engaging event in your city that will grow the movement that will provoke real change.

COMING TO HIGHLANDS RANCH 24 THEATER APRIL 11TH IN DENVER COLORADO! 
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!! 
Click the link for where to purchase the tickets and when it will be in the Theater near you.
Both Ends Burning Productions

Adoptive Families Magazine and YOU

AAC FAMILIES!! This is a great opportunity to share your adoption story with more families around the U.S. If you are interested there is an email at the bottom that you can submit your story, please CC erin@aacadoption.com if you choose to participate so that we can also use your story for our My Story Monday Blogs.  SPECIAL DOUBLE ISSUE: Celebrate Adoption The next issue of Adoptive Families is all about you! We're excited to announce a special double issue, "Celebrate Adoption: Our Families, Our Stories," and we want contributions from the AF community. Every family formed through adoption has a story to tell - and we want to hear every last one! Adoptive parents, birth family members, and adoptees of all ages, please share your personal essays and photos that capture defining moments for your family, around themes or stages in the adoption journey like: Deciding to adopt Getting "the call" that you'd been matched, or that the baby was on his way Meeting your child Welcome home - first weeks as family Brother/sister moments Realizing that a strong bond has taken hold Finally feeling like a mom or dad Family traditions, old and new Mother's Day and Father's Day memories We also want to see scans or digital files of your child's adoption announcement, and pages from your family's scrapbooks and lifebooks, and we'll print a selection in this keepsake double issue. If you have personal essays or images you'd like us to consider publishing in the "Celebrate Adoption" issue, e-mail them to submissions@adoptivefamilies.com by April 1. We can't wait to read - and showcase - your family's stories and pictures. -the editors of Adoptive Families

My Story Monday: The Cole Family

We began our journey to Zoe with AAC about 12 months ago.  But our adoption journey started long before that.  While my husband Robert and I were dating 12 years ago we sat down at a restaurant and chatted about our future hopes of what our family would look like someday.  We both expressed the desire to have children biologically and through adoption.  As the years went by in our marriage we were blessed with 2 beautiful boys that are now 10 and 8 years old. 

About three years ago The Lord put adoption strongly on both of our hearts.  Through much prayer and tons of research we both felt lead to adopt from China.  We came to realize there was a lot involved in adopting a child from China and it was going to be very expensive.  We had no clue where the funds were going to come from but we knew The Lord called us to adopt, so we knew that He would provide us all we needed.  After our application to adopt from China was approved by AAC we sent out fundraising letters to family and friends and we were so blessed and blown away by the support we received! We knew we wanted to adopt a girl as Robert and I have both always wanted a daughter and the boys wanted a sister.  The next big decision was to research and decide what special needs we thought we could handle.  On the special needs checklist AAC provided to us, we circled many we were willing to consider. 

On July 17, 2012 at 6pm we got out referral call.  As soon as we saw Zoe's picture I started bawling.  Robert and I both knew she was our daughter.  Zoe was born on Jan. 2, 2011 with a heart defect and had open heart surgery at 7 months old.  We were told she hadn't had any complications since surgery and was doing well. 

We left for our trip to China on January 4, 2013.  Our trip was good but challenging and exhausting at times. My mom accompanied me as my husband Robert stayed behind to work and care for our boys. 

 On January 7, 2012 was gotcha day.  As the nannies arrived at the Galactic Peace hotel, Zoe walked into the lobby dressed in a pink outfit with Garfield snow boots.  Her skin was so dry it was scabbed over and she had a horrible cold.  I was so thankful for the honey elixir cold medicine and lotion I had brought for her!  Her cold and dry skin was due to the fact that there was no heat in the foster home she was in.  As I took her upstairs to our room to bathe her and change her she just stared at me.  I'm sure she was so confused but I think she knew she was safe with me as we started bonding day one.  Although she wouldn't let me feed her a bottle during that first hectic day, by 7 pm that night she took a bottle from me! 

My favorite time with Zoe was in Guangzhou as her personality really started to shine through!  She's such a ham and total Girly girl.  She would dance in the hotel room when we would put music on, sing in Chinese, loved her baths, loved to eat and pack any sort of bag with all her toys.  She would wave bye-bye and say "bye" to all the hotel staff and she loved going up and down the escalators with mommy at the Garden Hotel.  This hotel was my favorite.  We could actually walk to shops and restaurants around the hotel!  Lily was our guide in Guangzhou and she was lovely and so helpful to us.

Today Zoe has been with us for almost a month and she is 25 months old.  We have faced some challenges coming home with Zoe learning to sleep on her own and what the word No means but we are making progress and she is sleeping through the nights most nights now.  She is learning what it means to be part of a family, to wait her turn for things as now there are 5 of us. As I look at her today while she's currently packing her Hello Kitty Backpack that her daddy got her, it's so amazing to me that God gave us the perfect child for our family.  Her brothers adore her as she does them.  She loves to go places and see all sorts of new things.  Adoption has been the biggest blessing in our lives and Zoe has filled our hearts with love and joy.  While the journey of adoption seemed long and tiring before bringing Zoe home, I now look at her and see the miracle she is and all that exhausting stuff fades away.

Children are a precious gift from God as they belong to him first before he places them in our care and I'm so blessed that God picked me to be Zoe's Mommy forever!

Alisa Cole

Friday Feature: Dallas

DALLAS

DOB: December 2002

 

This energetic guy is Dallas, he is 10 years old. He is very outgoing and active. He loves to play with the other children. He enjoys playing games and cakes.

Dallas has dwarfism. He is well liked by everyone he meets and he makes friends fast. He is described as sometimes being obstinate with his “Aunties”.

If you would like more information about this child, please fill out a preliminary application on our AACAdoption.com website. Please mention the child's name in the comments section. The application fee is waived for all Waiting Child inquiries.

Feel free to contact our office by phone 970-532-3576 or email info@aacadoption.com

 

We do have a video of him that another advocate posted for us. Watch the video and just fall in love with him. :)

 

Wednesday Wisdom: Traveling

Today's Wednesday Wisdom comes directly from you the readers. We know we have a lot of new travelers so this is a great time for this question. We asked our online friends:

What is one piece of advise you would give to a family that will be traveling soon?

Here are the answers we received:

Janna:I wish I had taken soup packets or noodles especially when I was sick there. I didn't know there was a water boiling pot in our hotels that would have worked.

 

Gloria: Pack light the one you bring home needs more packing space.

Alicia:My 2 yo son had a very difficult time traveling on the long journey home. I wish I had gotten something from my pediatrician to help him relax.

Shannon:Eat local! Lots! Don't be afraid to try everything. Take an extra bag, or be prepared to buy one in country - you will need the space on the way home!

Angela: make a movie of your town to show your child. It really helps with an older child.

Tiffany:  If it is an older child, buy local items. My son's favorite cartoon was Pleasant Sheep and Big Bad Wolf. I wish I would have purchased some of their books, toys etc. I did buy some small goods, like candy, and waited for special events like Christmas and gave it to him. After a year and a half of being home, he still enjoys the little surprises from China!


Joanna: Depending on the age/weight of child, a carrier (we had a Baby Hawk) is essential...we walked around Seoul with our little guy and the aisles of the plane to get him to sleep on the flight home from Korea. It also made him feel secure during all the airport times.Also! If you can, take a family member, to video and such and if you get sick, another person is really helpful.

Chrisa: The baby carrier was awesome to have. Cooler clothing for Guangzhou - we got really hot there. The strangest thing - my dad's bag broke and he lost his deodorant - none to be found in Korea or China...so just in case...And most important, don't scrimp on the hotel - you'll be spending quite a bit of time in it and you want to be comfortable and happy!

Juleanne: On all 3 of our Gotcha days while in China our girls would not wear any thing but the clothes they were given to us in. Our last daughter we took a layer off a day but she always want some piece of her clothing on her. We let all ours girls give up their clothing at their own pace. So much change for these little ones. My 3 year old told me a few months later, after she learned English, that they were her warm safe clothes.

Vicki: Time goes by so quickly...enjoy all the little moments that come with the joy of a new child! We went with our daughter, and we tried to enjoy every moment we were there! It was awesome! No Tums or Rolaids in Korea or China.

Brian:  Pack lots of ibuprofen.....after using up all of ours we could not find anywhere. And it seemed to be the only thing that brought our daughters fever down. Fortunately another family brought plenty.

Jennifer: Take an extra piece of luggage for the things that foster mom will send home with you. Also, for the flight/flights have your son or daughter drink or eat something at take off and landing. This will help with the ears to pop. Other than that, try the local cuisine and try to sight see while you're there. In Korea, the non-tourist restaurants are better. The Korean women will want to hold and feed your child so just take it with a grain of salt and know that they do that and be thankful for a small break. Have safe travels!

Ali: Take lots of snacks! While on our trip we didn't always have an opportunity to stop for lunch so snacks were very important. Take someone with you that will be a great emotional support. Bring assorted toys and plenty of outfits for your little one for different types of weather.

We hope this helps the future traveler get prepared! If you have more questions or would like more advice you can join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/aac.adoption

Tuesday Word Play Survey: Adoption

Recently we asked our families what word best described Adoption to them. Some couldn't say just one word, it's okay though, we totally understand.

Here are the amazing responses that we got.

Complete

Miracle

Beautiful

Blessed

Love

Life-Changing

Family

Amazing

FOREVER

Cherish

Heart

Joy

Incredible

Journey

Extrordinary

Blessing

Completeness

Faith

Redemption

 ME!

(This commenter had been adopted 25 years ago...what a great testimony that is!)

 

 

 

We posted them on our playroom door so that we are reminded everyday that what we do is life-changing, is a blessing to others, completes families and brings joy to soooo many hearts! Not to mention that we are blessed to walk this journey with you! :)

 



What word best desribes adoption to you?

 



My Story Monday: The Reilly Family

Nearly two years ago, we began the journey to our daughter, Avelyn Grace. Adoption was something we had talked about  many times in our married life. We'd seen the miracle of adoption in our own family and the lives of our friends. As is the case so many times in life though, it's the greatest of tragedies that can inspire us, help us sharpen our focus on what's truly important. In 2009, our seven year old son passed away from cancer. A devastating loss, one we will live with for the rest of our lives. Our son lived with such courage and grace. Always giving love, always laughing despite his incredible struggle. Always choosing hope. It was his and our other children's courage during and after that time that really inspired us to listen to the path and plan that we believe was placed in our hearts by God; to have courage ourselves. So in 2011, what was once wistful thoughts about adoption shared between us, grew.  A seed, a dream, a prayer took root.

Our journey through adoption was not easy. We faced many of the typical and not so typical bumps in the road. Our first glimpse of our daughter came via Rainbow Kids. Pursuing her adoption meant switching agencies, meant taking very little time to review her file before Avelyn's scheduled return to the shared list just days later. But remarkably, even before we were fully able to view her file, we just knew. This was our girl! The one we had read books and blogs for, completed endless paperwork for. But more than any of that, she was the one we had been praying for. Now a beautiful and perfect face to put to the love we already had in our hearts. A little person all her own whose place was already so firmly a part of our family.

 

Many believe that when a family adopts they have somehow done this noble thing. But ask anyone who has adopted and they will tell you it's their child who has brought so much to them. Brought their own gifts, their own story. Brought lessons and blessing in every challenge and triumph, unique to adoption or not. Their child's story is oftentimes, in part, one of loss and grief but it's also one of remarkable perseverance, filled with love, courage and  hope. It's a story that our daughter will tell and define for herself one day far more eloquently and filled with her own truth than I ever could.

 

Now after the many long months of waiting are over, a month after our first meeting in a hotel lobby in China, our precious Avelyn sits playing contentedly with her toys while her Mama writes these words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet natured, quick with smiles, hugs and love, she has filled up our house with her little light. We are so grateful for her. To call her granddaughter, niece,sister, daughter..forever family. She is truly a little but very BIG dream come true~

 

 

For read more about the Reilly family's journey through adoption visit: http://thelifeofreillys.wordpress.com/

Friday DOUBLE Feature: Parker and Asian New Year

Parker
DOB: April 2012

He is described as "cute and lovely". He loves to play, babble and squeal when he is excited. He likes picture books. He is shy around strangers. He is developmentally on target.

When he was a couple months old he had surgery to correct Malrotation of Colon. He healed very well. He does have ASD, reduced mild, and Cardiomegaly, an enlarged heart.

 
Parker's birth mother would like to stay in contact after the adoption through photos and letters.
He is available for adoption in the following states only: Colorado, Wyoming, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Washington.

A $3,000 grant is available for this child's adoption.
If you would like to review this little sweetheart's file, please submit a pre-application online and be sure to mention Parker's name in the comments section.

Thursday Thoughts: Erin's Blog

Thursday thoughts is brought to you today by the letter E... as in our very own China Program Coordinator, Erin. :)

She has a personal blog that she has been writing that voices her thoughts and feelings about life in general. We really loved what she had to say about Adoption and we wanted to share it with you.

Here is a little excerpt...


Working for an adoption agency has taught me a few things.

• There are soooooo many children looking for families.
• There are soooooo many great families looking for children
• I wish I could help every single one of these children find forever families.

Remember that old song you used to sing growing up in church?
"Jesus loves the little children...ALL the little children of the world...Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight...Jesus loves the little children of the world!"

How hard is that for some people to remember... Jesus loves all the children!! It doesn't matter if they were born into poverty, born with a missing limb, born with a brain defect, born into a richman's house. Jesus loves them!!

Matthew 19:14 says "Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

We are told throughout the Bible that we are meant to have children. "Fill your quiver with them"; "Children are a heritage from the Lord"; "Train up a child in the way he should go".

"When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." John 16:21

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 18:3

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:10

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers." Proverbs 17:6

And I believe that this scripture talks about adoption.
"He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!" Psalms 113:9

There are also instances of adoption through out the whole Bible.

Did you know that Mordecai adopted Esther after her parents died? It says in Esther 2:7b that "Mordecai took her as his own daughter". Esther went on to be Queen and save her people from destruction.

Moses was adopted by the Pharaoh's daughter according to Exodus 2:10. "When the child grew older, she [Moses' birthmother] took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses,saying, “I drew him out of the water.” Moses grew up to be a great leader and save his people from slavery and take them on the path to the promise land.

Do you have it in your heart, like Mordecai and the Pharaoh's daughter, to raise up another world changer? One that may not have been born of your flesh but born of your heart?
Do you have enough love for just one more child? Maybe one that has never known the love of a parent?

Adoption may just be for you.

Just remember: EVERY GOOD AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 1 Samuel 1:27

To read more blogs by Erin visit:
http://mzerindiane.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Wisdom: Resources

I know that EVERYONE has time to read.

Ha. Just kidding.

For you new parents out there, who are just struggling to stay awake, take time to shower, or even remember to eat, this is for you.

For you experienced parents, who have wrangled in a throng of children, this is for you.

Today we are just going to give you some resources (articles, books, dvd's) that might help in your transition or just a little bit of entertainment, whatever it might be.

Articles:

Talk about Adoption with your 6 to 8 year old available from AdoptiveFamilies.com
Why didn't they keep me? By Carrie Krueger available from AdoptiveFamilies.com


Books for Parents:

Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child: From Your First Hours Together Through the Teen Years by Patty Cogen

 

30 adoptive Portraits in 30 days - 2012
For the second straight year, in honor of November being National Adoption Month, Portrait of an Adoption is running a special series called 30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days. Designed to give a voice to the many different perspectives of adoption, this series will feature guest posts by adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, waiting adoptive parents, and foster parents-turned-adoptive parents. Painful and beautiful, these stories will bring you a deeper understanding of what adoption looks like, allowing you to appreciate the many brushstrokes that comprise a family portrait


Books for Children:




 Goyangi Means Cat by Christine McDonnell
Newly arrived children will take comfort in this soothing story about easing into a home where nothing is familiar - not the language or the surroundings, not to mention your new family.

Searching for...the you we adore by Valerie Westfall

In this charming picture book, two parents relate how their love traveled around the globe to search for the child of their hearts. The story focuses on the unconditional love they felt, not on the adoption process, so it may be read by families formed through domestic or international adoption.

Wherever you are: My love will find you by Nancy Tillman

Show more

Show less

"...I wanted you more than you'll ever know,

...so I sent love to follow you wherever you go..."

Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It's the one thing they can carry with them each and every day. If love could take shape it might look something like these heartfelt words and images from the inimitable Nancy Tillman. Here is a book to share with your loved ones, no matter how near or far, young or old, they are.

Videos:

Juleanne Ainsworth suggests: Cinderella Moon
" My girls love the DVD Cinderella Moon the ancient story about a Chinese Cinderella."

She also suggest: Somewhere Between

"This is a movie more for parents or older adoptive children. It is about adopted Chinese girls now in their teens it gives a great perspective their views on adoption later on."

 

 

 

 

 

October Baby

This movie is more for the older adoptive children or for parents. It is about a older teen girl who finds out that she is adopted. It is a movie about love, forgiveness, healing and acceptance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now we know that there are so many more resources out there about adoption and the bonding of the new child.  Please share your thoughts and resources with us so that we can pass on this much needed information!