In a previous post, I wrote about meshing the China my mind imagined and the real China I’ve come to know and love. I struggled with the poverty I witnessed in our daughter’s home province, but determined that I would do something to help.

When the time came for us to visit Haiti, I found nothing could have adequately prepared me. As I had done while waiting to travel to China, I read books about Haiti’s history and culture, studied the language, familiarized myself with the art and music, and studied up on the political situation. I went from having only a vague idea of where Haiti was to... more

Adopting internationally has changed me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. When we first decided to adopt from China, I had a very limited understanding of how everything would work and how I would be affected. Understandably, I suppose, I thought only about the child we would be adopting and how blessed our family would be with her presence. What I didn’t think about is how China would get under my skin and become a part of my life in so many ways. During the wait, I began to educate myself about China’s history and government, in particular, and started to dapple with learning Mandarin. Over time, I came to know much more about China’s politics, culture, government and history than the average... more

I love the concept of mentoring.

As we’ve embarked on our homeschool journey this school year and our educational horizons have expanded to include things the kids want to learn, I’ve begun to consider the many things that other people can teach us. We’ve found people to teach us art and Chinese, and have discussed a trade with another homeschooling family that would include my music skills for their chemistry ones. We’ve found a man from Wildlife, Fish and Game department who will do a tour and workshop for our children, and have even pre-arranged a visit to see the inner workings of the local McDonalds. While not all of these experiences will necessarily factor into the... more

Congratulations to member "colgoo" for winning our drawing for an Amazon gift certificate!

And thanks to all of you who chimed in with questions and suggestions for all your wonderful ideas! I will be tackling many of them in the month of June, and would love your input. You're always welcome to suggest topics or ask questions; I'm here to support you! :)

Calling all LDS adoptive parents and hopeful adoptive parents! :)

I want this blog to be a place of support and information for adoptive parents who share my faith. To make sure I’m fulfilling my goal, I’m seeking your input! If you’ve been hoping to see a particular topic covered or have an adoption related question you’d like answered, this is your chance to say so. Just leave a comment below with your topic ideas or questions, and you’ll be eligible to win a $25 e-gift certificate to Amazon.com!

Here are the rules and details:

1. You do not have to be LDS to submit a topic idea or ask a question, but your submission must be relevant to adoption and The Church... more

Looking for something fun and interesting to do with your family this summer? If you have adopted children or are considering adoption, an adoption “culture camp” or “heritage camp” may be just the thing! Here’s a list of some 2007 camp dates and locations. Be aware that many are accepting registrations now, so if you find one that’s of interest, don’t delay!

AFRICA

African/Caribbean Heritage Camp June 28-July 1 Snow Mountain Ranch, Fraser, CO

CAMBODIA

Cambodia Heritage Camp July 19-July... more

The Learning Channel is airing a new series called “Kids by the Dozen,” which showcases families with 12 or more children. Several episode air this month, and show times and synopses of the episodes can be found on TLC’s website.

Not only can you watch the series, but if you happen to have 12 or more children, you can be chosen to appear on the show! It would be fantastic to see some large, adoptive LDS families represented. :)

Here are the specifics:

Seeking Families for TLC’s “Kids by the Dozen”

TLC's television series "Kids by the Dozen" is seeking... more

Adoption.com is having its annual adoption photo contest, and I would love to see a great showing of LDS kiddos included! The deadline for entries is May 31, 2007, with winners being announced on June 6th. With $2000 worth of prizes up for grabs, you’ve got nothing to lose!

Photos can be submitted here (click on “upload photos” in the upper right-hand corner) and winners will be decided by our members. Photos must be original and submitted by the owner (no professional photos, in... more

Do you know someone (or someones) who you consider to be one of the many unsung heros of the adoption world? If so, consider nominating them to be a Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) Angel in Adoption! The CCAI recognizes worthy groups, couples and individuals who are nominated by their congressional representatives because of their heart for adoption. If you know someone you think is deserving of this distinction, read on for complete nomination instructions:

Dear Adoption Community Member:

Each... more