Too cute!!!

A good friend sent me this link. Oh my!!! Too cute!!!

This is CNN world report about children

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

World Report looks at some of the most urgent problems of children around the world - forced marriages, internet pornography, malnutrition and growing without families.

Bibles in China

Most of the Bibles come from Nanjing (Sarah's home town).

Happy birthday Mom!

Do you know a family for this smart girl

Kandi in California wrote a post on a yahoo group about a girl in China who needs a family. Her SN was spina bifida. She is 7 years old. In every way she is normal and healthy except she walks with difficulty. I guess she has an American foster mother. She speaks Chinese, but can understand English. The director of the orphanage has not submitted her papers for adoption because he does not think anyone would be interested in adopting her. If however someone shows an interest in this girl, they would submit her paper work.
Here are some questions asked about Miao Miao and the answers her foster mother gave:
Is she in foster care with you? Yes
Is she on target mentally/developmentally? Yes, but she has not been
to school.
Did her spina bifida affect her ability to use the toilet on her own?
No she can take care of her own toilet needs.
Does she speak any English (since being with you)? She understands
everything and speaks some.
Does she speak Chinese well? Very well, she's my spy and manager,
tells me everything, and probably tells the other nannies all about
me:)
Would you say that she is normal other than her mobility? Definitely.

If you are interested in this girl, contact me by e-mail and I will give you the contact.
You can e-mail us at our Yahoo address.amy_heymann @ yahoo. de (remove the spaces)

Hep B+ explanation

HERE is a very good explanation of Hep B, How you get it, how to prevent it,and how to treat it. Sarah has this virus. She got it at birth. Many children on Special Needs waiting lists also have Hep B. I will be getting Sarah's blood tested next week. Let's hope she has sub converted (this means her body fights the disease, and she is now negative). That would be a real blessing. I don't expect it, but I sure pray it happens! I've read many times it does happen. Either way, we do not find this to be a hard SN to manage. Sarah is a healthy girl...and of course a great blessing! I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't be afraid to adopt a child with this special need.

Click to make the photo big

Here is a blog to watch

LuLu got her family today. I have loved this girl from the first time I saw her. She has the most wonderful parents. I wish them all well!!!

Change is coming

I just read on an adoption web group that agency's will not be getting Special needs lists anymore. That China will have one list of SN kids and families will basically be competing for these kids. Maybe competing is the wrong word, but it might end up feeling like that to some families. I think at the very least, if you want to adopt a SN kid, you are going to need an up to date home study. Then when you see a child you want to adopt, you can ask for that child. I'm not sure how they decide what family gets the child because maybe dozens of other families may also want the same child (if it's a cute some what healthy baby girl you can be sure dozens of families are going to want the child). All I know for sure is you can not say "I want this child" until you are some what paper ready. Also, the whole process is going to move super fast. It's going to be handled electronically. The waits will be much shorter. I've heard that some people who applied for SN kids on the new shared lists are getting their PA's in 3 days, LOA's in 10 days, and TA's with in 6 weeks of applying! I don't know when we will see these changes. Maybe agency's will get one more list...maybe not? I guess my best advice to those who want to adopt a SN child from China is get a home study, and be ready to move fast, meaning have your financing lined up. When you find a child you want to adopt, China is not going to wait a year for you to get your act together. You will need to be ready or they will give the child to a family that is ready. That is actually good news for the kids. They will not need to wait so long!

Oh my! What a cute little girl!!!

There is a new girl listed on FTIA's shared waiting list that has Hep B. She turns 4 years old next month. I can not show you her picture. I wish I could adopt her. She is "perfect" for us!!! Juergen is in no mood to adopt one more (yet). With the shared list, you must have your paper work ready to submit 4 days after you apply for a specific child. We are not paper ready (updated home study etc). If you happen to be looking for the "perfect" daughter look at the shared list on FTIA. You'll need to apply for a password. The girls name is Feng Zhu. She is in foster care and described as "a clever child, who likes to play pranks on others and loves to laugh! She is an inquisitive and pretty child!" She is just about the cutest girl I've ever seen. Big checks and dark big eyes with long hair. Oh Juergen!!! OK, my loss is someones gain. She is part of the "shared" list, which means if you are with another agency, you may perhaps still apply for her. I'm not totally sure how this shared thing works, but some files are sent to many agency's & a child could have a better chance of finding a family.

Thomas reading

We are trying to get Thomas to read 30 minutes per day out loud to help improve his German. Thomas has been home almost 4 years. He was adopted when he was almost 7 years old. Launguage is still an issue. He has been learning English and German at the same time. I think German is a really hard language to learn. I've lived here for 11 years and I still speak really bad German. Really, Thomas does great. He has had so much to overcome! He is a smart boy.

He found a family

The little boy a post back, with Hep C found a family!

waiting girl

There is a beautiful healthy girl waiting on a "shared" waiting list . She was born in July of 1995. That makes her almost 13 years old. That's the cut off point for being adopted in China. I thought I would point this adorable child out, maybe some of you don't want to raise another baby. I was at the funeral of Juergen's mom yesterday. After the funeral, different people stood up and said a few words of thanks for the life of Waltaud. Two of the people that gave thanks were Juergen's foster sisters. One was adopted into the family when she was 18, the other when she was 20. Now, 25+ years later they told what it meant to them just to belong to a family. It is a need we all have. It is perhaps a need some of you reading this can fulfill. Anyway, I thought this girl (I won't use her name because I don't want to get into trouble) was a beautiful girl. I hope she finds her family soon. She is on the list of FTIA, but other lists too. You will need to apply for a password.

a family needed right away

This very cute boy in Vietnam ( not yet 2 years old)needs a family very soon. Vietnam is going to end their adoption agreement with the USA in September. This boy is Hep C+. He had 3 tests. The first test was Hep C +, the second test was negative, then the third test was Hep C+. Hopefully he will be negative, but either way this is his only chance to get a family. If you are interested in adopting this adorable boy contact IAAP.
Note: Hep C is more serious then Hep B. It is important to know this is a serious condition. Hopefully this boy will prove negative, but it could be a condition that needs a life time of treatment. There is no cure yet.

International Assistance and Adoption Project

1210-G Taft Highway

Signal Mountain, TN 37377

423-886-6986

iaap@iaapadoption.com

My new diet food blog

http://amy-dietfoodblog.blogspot.com/

I've been to Israel. Most scholars believe that Jesus was burried in what is now known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre , not the garden tomb. I could not say. I only know that he is no longer there. He is risen.

Super Chicken

Here is a great story

My blog friend Heather posted this story about Easter eggs made just for her blind son. What a cool idea!

more information about Garrison

This is from a women in China that knows this boy. She has seen Garrison many times.

"I've known him since he first came. His head was a tiny as a
baseball, but he was SOOOOOO happy, all the time, every time. He'd
let me hold him and he loves peanuts. I'm not sure when he had that
surgery (large scar on scalp) but it didn't slow him down a bit. He
has the sweetest personality, he can walk run, play and talks." also, "Garrison is.... not allowed to move about freely." The SWI has not the resources to care for him. He needs therapy, and an education he will never receive where he is.The Nanny's do their best, but they just don't have the resources Garrison needs. He really NEEDS a family! He needs special education. He needs physical therapy. He may need a good Nero surgeon. Please pray for this boy. God knows his Chinese name. He has a better plan. Your prayers are a part of that plan!

The last day for Garrison

Garrison is the last child waiting on CHI's SN waiting list. He has been on the list two times (a year). He is a disabled boy. His skull was very small. They performed surgery on him, but it remains small. He will probably never be "normal". He will need a special education and a lot of special care. He can walk,run and play. He is said to be a very loving monkey. He needs a family that has a great deal of compassion and love. I am sure his family will receive a great deal of love in return. He can not go to school in China, he will remain in the SWI his whole life. There are few resources available to him. Do you know a special family that could make some room for Garrison? There is a $8000 grant towards his adoption. I can almost guarantee his entire adoption could be raised by the CHI community if a family could be found. He has until Friday. please say a prayer for Garrison. He has very little chance of making it on another SN waiting list. He needs a miracle. If you want to read his file the web address is
www.fotki.com/CHIWaitingkids , Group 20, password CHIWC.

A Helping hands list of waiting Children

A helping Hand has a list of beautiful waiting kids. Roxie is a 6 year old girl with Hep B. Her discription reads,"Roxie is described as gentle and polite to the other children, never grabbing their toys or food. She is clever, active and energetic. She likes to draw, knows her colors and shapes and can count. She is also very coordinated and limber. Roxie enjoys listening to music, playing games with her friends, singing and dancing. Most of all, Roxie needs a family who will love her and take care of her."

Here is a link to my posts about Hep B.

Aids orphans in China

Many people in China have AIDS because whole villages sold blood at blood banks. The blood banks reused the needles and spread HIV to whole villages. It is so sad. I like this short video because it says "no step of the voleenter was wasted". It is not hard for us to recognize needs in this world. I wonder why we waste so much of our time & money on stuff that really does not matter?

Brittany's Hope

Brittany's Hope is the group that gave Addison a $6,000 grant to help her find a family. As of February 2008 they have awarded 2.8 million dollars to help 515 Special needs kids find homes. You can help them raise adoption grants just by shopping or eating out. Here is how you can do this. I believe many more families would open their hearts and homes to a waiting child if money was not such a big problem. If you can not adopt you can still help a child.

Good News

Addison from CHI's waiting list just got matched with a family. She was also given a $10,000 grant towards her adoption. Who says fairytales don't come true? How wonderful for Addison, and her new family!!!

Q & A on the adoption Tax credit

Here is some information on the adoption tax credit. We do not get this money because we live under the German economy, but some of you probably do get this benefit.

Sarah and Oma

When I told the kids yesterday that Oma had died I could not keep myself from crying. This really scared Sarah. I stopped myself from crying. To be honest, I have not really cried (yet). I'm a single mom right now. Juergen is in North Germany helping his dad make arrangements for the funeral. I am on the one hand relived that Waltraud has died. She has suffered for months. It was very hard seeing her deteriorate in the past months. I know she is much better off now. But the loss is real. I am sure it will hit me. Sarah thought her grandma was dead. She put herself in bed and began to weep. She only met her Oma once. Grandma was with her in China, and we visited her in America. She loves her Grandma. I had to phone my mom and have her talk with Sarah to reassure her. Oma is the German word for Grandma. It was confusing for Sarah. Thank you for your prayers. We will get through this. I'm sure I will cry, it is not healthy to hold it in. I just don't feel like I can do much crying with Sarah around.

It's sad Sarah never knew her Oma, she was a wonderful women.

AAI is one agency that helps aids orphans in Africa. Families are even allowed to adopt HIV+ children. The new drugs, available in the west make it possibe for these kids to have a future. If you are interested in adopting a child that has lost his/her parents to aids, or an HIV+ child then contact AAI. They also have a fund for the education of hard to place kids, and an adoption fund to help offset the cost for waiting kids.

Sad news please pray for us

...I just got a phone call from Juergen. I could hear it in his voice. His wonderful mom just died. It has not hit me yet. Please do not call. Please just pray for comfort. Pray for Juergen's dad Richard. They were married 50 years this summer. Thank you.

The Photo's are from her 70Th Birthday party last summer.

Sarah & Papa play some guitar

Perfect That Way

Perfect That Way
- by Julie Druden

She was born a little less than perfect
at least in that doctor's eyes
he said that she'll be different
much more than you ever realized
that girl grew up not knowing
the sound of her mama's voice
God's gift to her was silence
in a world so full of noise
and she sings with her smile
and talks with her hands
she listens with her heart
so she always understands
she believes there's more to life
than the sounds that it makes
she's perfect that way
shes got a sign for the thunder
one for the wind and the rain
she's the kind that keeps you laughing
and the first to see your pain
and she sings with her smile
and talks with her hands
she listens with her heart
so she always understands
she believes there's more to life
than the sounds that it makes
she's perfect that way
she believes there's more to life
than the sounds that it makes
she's perfect that way
she was born a little less than perfect
at least in that doctor's eyes

This is Addison, a waiting girl who is deaf. She is 9 years old. She has normal intelligence and good academic achievement. She has great adaptability and respects teachers, is friendly to classmates and loves doing labor things. Addison is a bright and cute child with a reserved personality. Due to her deafness and being unable to speak she has less communication with others. She loves art. She might be someone who could benefit from a cochlear implant . Here is a video of a girl from China who received a cochlear implant . She was profoundly deaf and you get to see her hearing for the first time.



If you think you may have a place in your home for this beautiful girl please contact CHI at
stefani @ infowest.com (remove the spaces)
or in the US call 435-867-5255.

Nicole singing a song she wrote about Jesus

I put this on our family blog. But just in case you missed it here is my 14 year old daughter Nicole singing a song she wrote called "He died for us". OK, I'm kind of proud of her, so I had to share it!

Almost a year ago I wrote...

Sunday, March 25, 2007
Dear friends and readers, first I want to thank you for all your prayer and support. I know many of you are checking daily to see how we are doing, and you are very anxious for us to be able to bring Sarah home. Juergen and I have made a somewhat bold and maybe foolish decision. We bought our airline tickets and we are going to China April 4-17. I am returning later (God willing April 21). We are dealing with the requirements of China, and the USA but also Germany. Many of you are aware of the fact we must finish this adoption in China (the Germans will not allow us to readopt Sarah in Germany). Juergen and I must be in China together for the adoption to be final. We haven't really got anyone to take care of our kids (especially Jessica our 15 year old autistic daughter) so our children need to travel with us. If we do not travel now, we would be looking at travel in June (our kid’s next vacation). Germany will not allow our children to miss school to travel. We asked our Agency to give us special permission to travel to Guangzhou during the trade fair because we do not believe it is possible to obtain a CA at this late notice. IAAP told us they would try to get us a CA, but they could not guarantee anything. We understand our whole plan is very risky. We were looking at waiting to travel until June, or waiting for our TA to come this week and then buying airline tickets that were expected to raise to $3000 each ($18,000 for our family of 6). We got our tickets for around $800 each. We decided to take the risk, and trust our TA will come in the next two weeks (we signed the letter of acceptance over 2 weeks ago).

as most of you know, we held our breath and God did grant us our TA just a few days before we traveled.. The time in Guangzhou with the trade show was so stressful. I highly recommend waiting. It probably would have been better for us to wait until June. At the time that just seemed unbearable. We had already suffered 6 months of setbacks. I guess I could have said "what's 2 more months?" I just wanted to go get my girl. If I knew it was going to be so stressful, I would have tried harder to get someone to take care of the kids. We made the choice to buy the tickets on faith. Some times it is good for us to step out of the boat and start to walk on the water. The important thing is to hear the voice of Jesus calling you to step out. You do not want to be on your own.

New Visa commercial featuring Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan will be on CNN 'Talk Asia next week. You can ask him a question by e-mail.

Slilly Sarah

New waiting list

I just read that ASIA an adoption agency in Oregon has a new SN list. You can go to their website and ask for the password to see the kids.

He has a family!

Travis from CHI now has a family! What a great way to end the week!

He has my heart!

This is Travis, a waiting two year old who is needing to find his family. Isn't he the cutest little boy! I wish, I wish, I wish!!! Any way his SN is Alpha Thalassemia. There are different forms of this illness. It's not so clear how badly he has it. The best case is he will live a long normal life, and just be a little anemic. The worst case is he will need regular red blood cell transfusions, and a daily medication to help his body get rid of the extra iron he builds up. Either way, his need is pretty manageable. He has a good chance at a very healthy, "normal" life. He is a very healthy, happy, intelligent boy. He also has a grant for $8000 to help cover his adoption expenses. Now he just needs a family. I am pretty sure if you look in the dictionary under cute, you will see a picture of Travis!

for more information contact CHI at
stefani @ infowest.com (remove the spaces)
or in the US call 435-867-5255.

I love this story

I read about this girl over a year ago. The Dr. actually said she was going to adopt this girl. What a happy end!

Adopt or help others adopt by giving

No amnesty for Guatemala birth moms with fake IDs

This is sort of scary for Guatemala adoption!

Wow...what love can do!

This is Maddie. She was on IAAP's waiting list the same time we found Sarah. She was a child most people were afraid to adopt. She had (still has) trouble with expressive language. They were afraid she my have autism. Look at her now! She has been home about one year. She just turned 6 years old. Isn't she amazing!!! Wow, what love does!


Update: I got e-mail from Maddie's mom. Maddie has only been home 6 months (I stand corrected) and already knows 450 signs. and "The speech pathologist said the rate at which she is acquiring language is almost scary" So there now! She is a smart cookie and as cute as they come!!!

Still waiting for a family

This little guy is Dallas. He will turn two years old in April. He has a repaired cleft lip and unrepaired cleft palate. His file says "He is very gentle, shy, clever, quick responsive and loves to imitate and act like a spoiled baby. He likes bricks and little toy cars and enjoys playing simple games with other children. He can hold the bottle and feed himself. He likes to be taken outdoors best." He is a really healthy little boy who just needs a family to kiss those big cheeks!

for more information contact CHI at
stefani @ infowest.com (remove the spaces)
or in the US call 435-867-5255.

the AWANA hike

China to keep one-child policy

China to keep one-child policy for at least 10 more years.

Taiwan program

I was just looking at the waiting kids on Rainbow Kids ( a very bad habit I have). I saw the cutest little girl with a mild case of CP waiting to find her family. She is living in Taiwan. Taiwan allows singles to adopt special needs kids. I know many singles were very sad when China closed their door to singles adoption. Perhaps Taiwan would be your answer? Here are the requirements posted on one agencies sight. Sounds pretty good to me.

A 2 year old boy that needs a family now

This is the information about a 2 year old boy who needs to find his family right now. His file is going to be returned. He has ToF, this is 4 different heart defects. My oldest daughter Jessica was born with this. He will need surgery or he will probably die before he reaches the age of 10 years. The surgery is done on a very regular basis in the USA. It is generally correctable. His development seems to be fine. He is probably small. Most heart babies are. If you feel "called" to adopt, this boy needs a family. It's not just an emotional, social, and spiritual need. For this boy, it is a matter of life and death. I do not know if he will get the surgery he needs in China. Most orphanages have a limited medical budget that needs to be divided between all the kids. Adoption maybe his only hope. Please pray for this little boy.

She may have a family, but they need your help

Beautiful Brighton from CHI's waiting list looks like she may have a family. They are a great family. The father is a teacher and part time pastor. The mom is a stay at home mom able and willing to take her to all her therapy. They need some help paying for this adoption. Brighton is a very lovely little girl. She has some very big needs. She has been on a list for a very long time. Really it takes a very special family that would be willing to handle all her unknown medical needs. There is a fund (a pay pal account) set up to help bring this girl home. You can help by donating any amount. Thank you for any gift.

Me and the kid!

The costs are going up in China

Some province's in China are raising their orphan donation . Jiangsu province (this is were Sarah came from) is going up to $5000. The rumor is Shaanxi and Hubei have already charged some families more. This is really going to hurt some families that are already wondering where they will find the money for adoption.

She without arm, he without leg - ballet

Waiting 5 year old with a very large grant

WCAP still has a 5 year old boy with a repaired Cleft lip, and cleft pallet that needs a family now. There is a grant for $11,000 and also a loan for $4,500 interest free. In the USA you also get a $10,000 tax credit (to qualified families). This covers (with the tax credit) 100% of his adoption costs. They actually will not let me adopt because I live in Germany (Juergen probably would not let me adopt either). You will not find a better grant, and he is a healthy boy. If cost is the why you can not adopt...here is an awesome chance to change a child's life.

Just for fun

Don't send a lame St. Patrick's Day eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Just a Child

Here is a story written by Amy Eldridge about her son. He was a SN kid. He was born with a limb difference. Amy makes it clear that he is just a child. When you watch him for 5 minutes, you forget his special need. I feel the same way about Thomas, Philip and Sarah. They are all SN kids but really just kids who needed families.

Good News!!!

It looks like a family is going to adopt Monroe Grace! It looks like she has a family!!! Isn't that wonderful!!!

waiting girl

This is Brighton on CHI's list. She turns 3 years old at the end of the month (my mom's birthday). She has a few more weeks to find a family before her file is returned. She had surgically repaired spina meningocele. Her file reads ..."Brighton has a very significant hearing
loss in both ears. This hearing loss is in addition to her special needs of spinal
meningocele, hydrocephalus, and limited movement in her legs. She has
not had surgery yet to implant a shunt for her hydrocephalus. She
also cannot stand independently nor walk at 33 months of age. We are
unsure about her ability to control her bladder or bowels." She is standing. I do believe she will walk with therapy. She may or may not recover some hearing with the treatment of her hydrocephalus. Please pray for this beautiful girl. If you are interested in adopting her contact CHI.

One of the moms made this beautiful show of Brighton. She is very loved. I know if money is a problem many people would step forward to donate towards her adoption. She already has a $5000 grant towards her adoption. I'm sure more could be raised because she really is loved!!! She needs a good doctor and mostly she needs a family.
http://web.mac.com/itneedsmoresalt/Brighton/Movie.html
User name is : brighton
password: stillwaits

for more information contact CHI at
stefani @ infowest.com (remove the spaces)
or in the US call 435-867-5255.

Really sad news

One of the waiting girls in CHI's list has Cancer. China has pulled her file. They will not allow her to be adopted. The agency is going to raise money for her medication. From what I understand the Cancer can not be treated. She has a waiting family. I'm sure they are heart broken. Please pray for the little girl and her waiting family. I'll tell you how you can help pay for her medication when I find out myself. One waiting mom wrote that she could not help the family or the child, but she could help Monroe Grace. She is giving Monroe Grace $1000 more towards her adoption. Monroe Grace now has $7000 towards her adoption. Hopefully her family will come forward. That's one thing I love about the adoption community, they always find a way to pull beauty from ashes.

The Germans adopt 2 girls from China

I found this on you tube. I thought it was very well made, and I love the family name "German's".

Here is a family getting their son today!!!

Here is a blog to keep your eye on. Little Kaeleb gets his family today! What a gift to see family formed!

Disrupted Chinese adoption

There is a 4 year old boy that came home from China 6 months ago. He has ADHD and attachment issues that are serious enough that the family that adopted him feel they can not keep him. He is a smart boy. He already speaks English after only 6 months home. His family is looking for a new family for him. This would be a US domestic adoption. The fees would be very low. Singles could also adopt this boy. I have the e-mail contact if you think you may be interested or even qualified. He needs a family that can handle him. This child has been diagnosed with sensory
issues, ADHD, and Reactive attachment disorder. I think someone who has already dealt with ADHD and or attachment issues would be most qualified. Sorry I have no photos. Send me a mail (my e-mail is on the side bar) and I'll tell you how to contact the family.

Update: The family has gotten so many replies in the past 24 hours. They want to look at what they have, and ask that no one else reply. I sent the contact information to two families. You should e-mail your reply right away if you are interested.

Vote for me

1 month, 1 week, 1 day

I'm taking a short break from my spring cleaning. I just scrubbed the kitchen floor, and the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. The boys had a birthday party to go to. Nicole walked to the store with Sarah, and also played play mobile with her.
As I sit here at my computer (March one), I noticed that there is now one month, one week, and one day until our one year anniversary with Sarah. She clung so tight to me this morning I could hardly move. She has gotten past her fear and rejection. We are into a deep love thing. She loves me so much. I can not sit down with a cup of coffee anymore. Sarah has to crawl up in my lap and have my full attention. Thankfully, she is playing with the boys who just returned from their party. What a gift I have in this pint size Asian princess. She is so extremely wonderful, I want another Chinese girl. She is such a joy!