Happy 2016... 2015... 2014... 2013... & 2012!
It's been a long time since I've posted to our family blog. A lot of living has gone on in our world since my last post. We are a happy, vibrant family... still with loving hearts, but some of our hands are a lot bigger these days!
I look forward to posting to our blog again... and I hope that you will enjoy reading about how two little boys captured our hearts and took over our lives for the better.
People have told me over the years that we saved our sons' lives by adopting them. While I will concede that they were living in harsh conditions with a poor prognosis for their future and I know we've made a positive difference for them, the whole truth is that they gave us a new lease on life. These two little boys that came to us with nothing but their birthday suits gave us a gift that is priceless and immeasurable: Unconditional Love. Somehow we found the children who are meant to be a part of our lives and we are all better for the experience. Love really knows no bounds.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Three more host families are needed
If you are paper-ready, or close to it, please consider hosting siblings this summer. Bridge of Hope is looking for 3 more families to host 3 sets of boy/girl sibling pairs from Birobidjan, Russia. Wish I could include pictures, but due to privacy issues I can just provide these brief descriptions about the children:
Siblings Svetlana, 8 and Andrei, 10- Svetlana is a caring, kind, and sociable girl who helps others around her. Andrei is diligent, caring, and responsible, and he has a quiet, good-tempered and kindhearted personality.
Siblings Irina, 8 and Ilya, 7- Irina is a friendly and polite girl who has lots of friends and is interested in everything. Ilya is friendly and even-tempered, observant and logical.
Siblings Anastasia, 7 and Kirill, 5- Anastasia has a great imagination, loves books, drawing, playing with other children and animals. Kirill is an active and friendly boy who is diligent and attentive in class, easily memorizes poems and songs and is interested in his studies.
If you are interested in summer hosting with the possibility of adopting your host children, please email pgancie@cradlehope.org right away. Application deadline just passed, but if you can move fast on the paperwork and clearances, this may be the summer of your dreams and that of some very worthy children!
As co-coordinator of Bridge of Hope in the Long Island Region, and an adoptive mom to two very wonderful children from Birobidjan Russia, I heartily support adopting after summer hosting. It gives you and your family an opportunity to meet terrific kids in need of respite from their lives in the orphanage system. And who knows, you could even fall in love with your host-child and become a forever family through adoption like we did!
Please contact Patrice Gancie, director of Bridge of Hope at pgancie@cradlehope.org right away if you are interested in becoming a summer host family, and a potential adoptive family.
Siblings Svetlana, 8 and Andrei, 10- Svetlana is a caring, kind, and sociable girl who helps others around her. Andrei is diligent, caring, and responsible, and he has a quiet, good-tempered and kindhearted personality.
Siblings Irina, 8 and Ilya, 7- Irina is a friendly and polite girl who has lots of friends and is interested in everything. Ilya is friendly and even-tempered, observant and logical.
Siblings Anastasia, 7 and Kirill, 5- Anastasia has a great imagination, loves books, drawing, playing with other children and animals. Kirill is an active and friendly boy who is diligent and attentive in class, easily memorizes poems and songs and is interested in his studies.
If you are interested in summer hosting with the possibility of adopting your host children, please email pgancie@cradlehope.org right away. Application deadline just passed, but if you can move fast on the paperwork and clearances, this may be the summer of your dreams and that of some very worthy children!
As co-coordinator of Bridge of Hope in the Long Island Region, and an adoptive mom to two very wonderful children from Birobidjan Russia, I heartily support adopting after summer hosting. It gives you and your family an opportunity to meet terrific kids in need of respite from their lives in the orphanage system. And who knows, you could even fall in love with your host-child and become a forever family through adoption like we did!
Please contact Patrice Gancie, director of Bridge of Hope at pgancie@cradlehope.org right away if you are interested in becoming a summer host family, and a potential adoptive family.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
"The Boy from Baby House 10"
I just finished reading this book. What a page-turner! This is a compilation of events that happened to a little boy who was stuck in the orphanage system in Russia in the mid-90's through 2007. It addresses the lack of care, injustices, and put simply, horrible neglect of children in the system, in particular a boy named Vanya.
As I read his story I cried, was hopeful, and cried again because just when you think Vanya's situation couldn't possibly get worse, it does. Again and again. Over 5 or 6 years pass as he languishes in a silent and unfriendly world without proper food, clothing, an education and barely ever the light of day or human contact.
But then a few little miracles happen that build into Vanya getting rescued and subsequently adopted. The people who helped Vanya noticed him because of his friendly attitude and ability to connect with others, even with those who had no interest in connecting.
Reading this book was hard. Given that we adopted our children from Russia who were also raised in the baby home and children's home since birth (Misha) or 15 months old (Sasha), I couldn't help but think that my sons have encountered dispassionate and most-likely downright mean caretakers in their years in the system. Goodness knows what atrocities they have seen or experienced. That is why I thank heaven every day that we met Sasha and Misha and were able to adopt them when they were just 4 and 5 years old. Two years later they are happy, active, inquisitive and intelligent boys with a zest for life. Ironically, Vanya held onto many of these traits as well, during his ordeal and afterwards. This is a testimony of the human spirit to overcome adversity and succeed despite a bleak beginning in life.
Left with more questions than answers when reading this book, it does end with happiness and hope for Vanya. He is ultimately adopted by an American lady and is now in high school and an active member of Boy Scouts. He maintains a friendship with the couple who helped break the silence of neglect and abuse in the baby house and played a role in finding a family for Vanya.
Vanya was saved, but many still languish in a system that is overcrowded and financially strapped. That is why I volunteered to be a co-coordinator of Bridge of Hope for Russian Children. We found our sons through this summer hosting program. My hope is that many other families will find their adoptive children through Bridge of Hope as well. With over 800,000 orphans institutionalized in Russia, there are a lot of terrific kids available for adoption. We just need to find families for them by spreading the word about adoption.
I recommend reading "The Boy from Baby House 10". It is one boy's story of overcoming despicable conditions to finally find his forever-family through adoption.
As I read his story I cried, was hopeful, and cried again because just when you think Vanya's situation couldn't possibly get worse, it does. Again and again. Over 5 or 6 years pass as he languishes in a silent and unfriendly world without proper food, clothing, an education and barely ever the light of day or human contact.
But then a few little miracles happen that build into Vanya getting rescued and subsequently adopted. The people who helped Vanya noticed him because of his friendly attitude and ability to connect with others, even with those who had no interest in connecting.
Reading this book was hard. Given that we adopted our children from Russia who were also raised in the baby home and children's home since birth (Misha) or 15 months old (Sasha), I couldn't help but think that my sons have encountered dispassionate and most-likely downright mean caretakers in their years in the system. Goodness knows what atrocities they have seen or experienced. That is why I thank heaven every day that we met Sasha and Misha and were able to adopt them when they were just 4 and 5 years old. Two years later they are happy, active, inquisitive and intelligent boys with a zest for life. Ironically, Vanya held onto many of these traits as well, during his ordeal and afterwards. This is a testimony of the human spirit to overcome adversity and succeed despite a bleak beginning in life.
Left with more questions than answers when reading this book, it does end with happiness and hope for Vanya. He is ultimately adopted by an American lady and is now in high school and an active member of Boy Scouts. He maintains a friendship with the couple who helped break the silence of neglect and abuse in the baby house and played a role in finding a family for Vanya.
Vanya was saved, but many still languish in a system that is overcrowded and financially strapped. That is why I volunteered to be a co-coordinator of Bridge of Hope for Russian Children. We found our sons through this summer hosting program. My hope is that many other families will find their adoptive children through Bridge of Hope as well. With over 800,000 orphans institutionalized in Russia, there are a lot of terrific kids available for adoption. We just need to find families for them by spreading the word about adoption.
I recommend reading "The Boy from Baby House 10". It is one boy's story of overcoming despicable conditions to finally find his forever-family through adoption.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Summer Hosting Application date extended to April 30, 2011
We received good news that applications are still being accepted for Bridge of Hope summer hosting 2011!
Summer Hosting Highlights:
Application deadline is 4/30/2011.
Summer Hosting Highlights:
- Boys and girls will be coming from various countries including Russia, Ukraine and China
- Ages range from 6 - 13
- Host-family arranges and pays for camp, clothing, food, shelter, toys and activities
- Mandatory attendance at group picnic in the middle of the hosting period
- Sibling groups available
- Hosting period runs approximately 3.5 weeks beginning in July
- Day camp required Monday through Friday
- Evenings and weekends are spent as a family doing typical American summer activities
- Children must fly back to their country at the end of the hosting period
- Host families can inquire to adopt their host child during summer hosting
- Adoption trips typically occur 4 - 6 months after hosting
- Russian and Chinese adoptions are typically one trip: Ukraine requires two trips
- Single parents may adopt from Russia.
Application deadline is 4/30/2011.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Do Omega-3 Oils make a difference?
I recently started my kids on a regimen of Gummy Fish, which are omega-3 oils disguised as fish-shaped candy, similar to gummy fish, except healthy for kids. I did this because I read that kids who are over-active can benefit from having more omega-3's in their diets. We eat fish already, so I have been eager to see if it works to help calm them down. Time will tell!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Adopting an older child is a leap of faith
Paul and I adopted two at once, so I guess that means it was a double-leap. And if you consider both of us, it's quadruple. That's a lot of leaps of faith!
So, it's with great pride when I report that our faith in our adoption plan and all that goes with it is paying off every day in so many ways. Don't get me wrong, adoption and parenthood bring frustrations along the way. But today I prefer to focus on the positives and why I am so proud of my family.
I am proud of Sasha because...
Sometimes people tell me that Paul and I have done a wonderful thing in adopting our sons who otherwise would be languishing in their orphanage. But the truth is that they are the ones who have done wonderful things for us. Every day they enrich our lives as nobody else could. So I am grateful and thankful everyday that through a leap of faith, with a little magic sprinkled in, we became a family of four through adopting two older children.
So, it's with great pride when I report that our faith in our adoption plan and all that goes with it is paying off every day in so many ways. Don't get me wrong, adoption and parenthood bring frustrations along the way. But today I prefer to focus on the positives and why I am so proud of my family.
I am proud of Sasha because...
- he has matured so much in the past two years. We have seen him grow into a happy boy who embraces life and investigates everything with interest and an innate desire to understand the why's and how's.
- he is funny and quick-witted, wry and delightful to spend time with
- he loves going to school and learning. Just this week his teacher told me that he has moved up 3 reading levels since September and is on target to reach the top reading level for 1st grade by June. This means that he will be well within the norm in reading when he enters 2nd grade in Sept 2011. He consistently gets A's on his math and spelling tests. Considering we are coming up to our 2nd anniversary, he has made fantastic progress as an English Language Learner.
- he takes good care of his younger brother (most of the time.) They are a tight unit and I pray that they always will be. Yes, they argue about sharing certain toys like the Super Mario game for the DS, but fundamentally they advocate for each other, a trait that cannot be taught but is just there or not.
- he knows where everything is in the house. It's uncanny, like he has a road-map in his head and can see where things are. The remote, Misha's DS, my phone, just ask Sasha and he will get it for you.
- he is determined, insightful, opinionated and adorable. I don't understand how so much personality can be packed into one little kid, but wow, what a special kid he is.
- he is caring and empathetic towards others. Just the other day, his OT told me how Misha always helps the other kids at school when he sees that somebody is upset, hurt or crying. He asks what's wrong and then tries to fix it. Even when he is supposed to be on task and could get in trouble in class, he chooses to help someone else anyway.
- he is on grade-level in all subjects. Kindergarten is different than when I was 5 years old, it is so much more academically demanding on top of the social issues that come with going to school. He has come so far in just two years. It excites me to imagine where he'll be in 3, 5 or 10 years from now.
- he holds me and everyone else accountable. I swear that Misha has a photographic memory because he remembers e v e r y t h i n g ! And he will remind us of what we said or promised or did, even if it was discussed just once a year ago.
- his hugs are all-encompassing and you can feel his warmth and love resonate each time he gives you a hug.
- he works hard every day so that we can live comfortably and enjoy special treats like dinners out and family vacations and so the boys can play sports and go scouting.
- he is such a fun and loving dad. Nobody gets a bigger smile out of Misha than Paul- he just lights up when Paul comes home. Sometimes it seems like I have 3 sons instead of 2, especially when he builds tents in the living room with the boys. The kids giggle and laugh and have so much fun together, all three of them, plus the dog.
- he is supportive and a good listener. Navigating the adoption route and subsequently becoming parents to older children is challenging to say the least. I have done a large amount of research about doctor and educational evaluations, schooling techniques for internationally adopted children, camps, sports, and everything else that comes with raising kids. My DH has been terrific in supporting what I have proposed to help enrich our boy's lives and experiences, for which I am very grateful.
- he has a terrific sense of humor and still makes me laugh after 16 years of marriage and 2 years of parenthood.
Sometimes people tell me that Paul and I have done a wonderful thing in adopting our sons who otherwise would be languishing in their orphanage. But the truth is that they are the ones who have done wonderful things for us. Every day they enrich our lives as nobody else could. So I am grateful and thankful everyday that through a leap of faith, with a little magic sprinkled in, we became a family of four through adopting two older children.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Time for this Coordinator to speak at a seminar!
This Sunday is our first information session for Bridge of Hope Summer Hosting 2011. We have several families registered and hope that others will walk in.
If you are thinking of adopting a school-aged child, please consider attending one of our informational sessions to find out more about Bridge of Hope:
February 6 at 1:30: East Northport Library on Larkfield Rd
February 27 at 1:30 pm: East Northport Library on Larkfield Rd
March 4 at 7pm: Dix Hills Library on Vanderbilt Parkway, West of Rt 231
Children will be coming to the US this summer in July/August from China, Russia and Ukraine. They will stay with host families, attend day camp Mon - Fri and spend the rest of their time living in a home, many for the first time! It's a wonderful cultural exchange with over 90% success rate of placing children in their forever families.
These info sessions are free, but please RSVP to reserve a seat. To register or for more information contact me at host2adopt@live.com
Best to you!
Deb
If you are thinking of adopting a school-aged child, please consider attending one of our informational sessions to find out more about Bridge of Hope:
February 6 at 1:30: East Northport Library on Larkfield Rd
February 27 at 1:30 pm: East Northport Library on Larkfield Rd
March 4 at 7pm: Dix Hills Library on Vanderbilt Parkway, West of Rt 231
Children will be coming to the US this summer in July/August from China, Russia and Ukraine. They will stay with host families, attend day camp Mon - Fri and spend the rest of their time living in a home, many for the first time! It's a wonderful cultural exchange with over 90% success rate of placing children in their forever families.
These info sessions are free, but please RSVP to reserve a seat. To register or for more information contact me at host2adopt@live.com
Best to you!
Deb
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