Tender Story of Adoption: RED THREAD SISTERS

A few years ago, I heard of a survey regarding older child adoption that an author by the name of Carol Peacock was doing.  She was looking for information about these topics because she was embarking on a new book project and was doing her research to prepare for writing it.  We began corresponding by e-mail, and later once by phone, as she continued to ask questions regarding my experiences of adopting 2 older children.  I knew that I will probably never write a book on this topic myself, so it was interesting to help to promote adoption in this way, by helping an author.  After Carol finished her manuscript of this book Red Thread Sisters, I had the great honor of being allowed to read and edit her manuscript.

The time has finally come when the book is finished and for sale.  I wanted to write this blog today to tell you all about this book.  This book will be especially interesting to children adopted from China and their parents as it talks about a young girl who was adopted at an older age and her desire to see her friend from her orphanage have the same opportunity before aging out. (The ironic thing was that after I helped Carol with her research adopting an older child, my husband and I ended up adopting again...this time a child who would soon age out!)  Red Thread Sisters is a chapter book for kids, but would still be enjoyed if the child in elementary school doesn't read yet and could listen to it being read out loud.  Please check it out and feel free to let me know what you think of it once you have read the book...please also forward this blog to anyone who you know who might be interested in this!  Carol wrote in the acknowledgements that a portion of the proceeds will be given to Love Without Boundaries.

Below is the information on Carol's website where you can access more information on the book itself and how to obtain it.  It would be the perfect gift for Christmas for people you may know that have an interest in adoption or just for older kids who love to read!  (By the way her book :  Mommy Near, Mommy Far  is also a wonderful book, exploring for a younger child with pictures and story, the concept of having two mommies...one who currently cares for him or her, and one in China. )

Red Thread Sisters (Viking/Penguin)

Additional Information:

Author: Carol Antoinette Peacock

Website: www.carolpeacock.com

Trailer link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6yTeIIhsdc&feature=youtu.be

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/CarolAntoinettePeacock?ref=hl

Reviews:

“…provides a moving and engaging experience for readers.  A fine addition to both the coming-of-age genre and books sensitively dealing with cross-cultural adoption. (Fiction. 9-14)” Kirkus Reviews

“….perfectly paced…heartwarming and joyous.”-School Library Journal

“This…intimate novel focuses on Wen’s difficult emotional journey…Wen’s selflessness and determination are poignant but not overly sentimental and the story’s truths about children in need are sensitively expressed…..” Publishers Weekly

FINALLY IT IS YOUR TURN, HENRY!!!!

FROM STEFANI AT CHI!!! TODAY
It is with profound exultation and yes, outright relief, that we announce that HENRY has a family. His PA was issued last night. This gentle, capable, kind, determined, and hopeful young man touched so many hearts and he finally is officially on his way HOME. He and his buddy Zane will be leaving the SWI about the same time, which will be IN TIME for Henry to be adopted before he turns 14 on June 13, 2013.

Posted by Stefani today about HENRY!!!!

OH HENRY!! You really need to meet ever grinning Henry. The China Waiting Child Advocate for Children's House International recently adopted two daughters from his SWI and would love to share all she can to help him home. HENRY MUST BE ADOPTED BY JUNE 13, 2013 or he ages out of the adoption system.

To help Henry see his dream of becoming part of a permanent family, an extremely generous gift has been committed to cover his SWI donation. This is HUGE! This is over $5,000.

HENRY, male, DOB 6/1999 SN Hepatitis B carrier, some stiffness if his foot, lazy eye. PLEASE VIEW HIS CURRENT VIDEOS WHERE HE IS TRYING SO HARD TO SHOW HE IS AMAZING (he truly, truly, is!)

http://youtu.be/D92a0rmSYFQ
http://youtu.be/6of5pCkQuh0

To view his complete file please email Heidi Hawkins at heidigoestochina@msn.com with HENRY in the subject heading.

The following is a description of him by the director of his orphanage who knows him very well.

"He is a boy who likes to help others. He is a hard-working boy and he helps the nurse to take care of other disabled children, feed them, wash dishes, wash the diapers, and clean up the public places.
Henry also has a great respect for the elder and a good caring for young children. When he sees the elders, he would say hello to them, and come to assist them to lift anything. He also takes care of the younger ones like a big brother and takes them to play a game. Henry has a good heart, who has never bullied anyone.

Henry is quite interested in English. He always finished his English assignment in time. He likes to listen to the English audio tapes over and over and follow the tape to practice speaking.

Henry also calls me Mom. He is like a loyal guard, who always waits for me to come to work every day, and holds my hand, helping me to carry my handbag, and accompanying me to the office. He also helps me to clean, and boil water. After work, he will see me off at the gate and say goodbye to me. Sometimes he can be stubborn. To teach him, sometimes you need to use both tough and soft measures. Henry is a good and kind child. After you know him, you will sure like him.

Q: Does he want to be adopted?
A: Yes, definitely, he wants the opportunity also.

Q: Was he ever in foster care?
A: No

Q: Does he like school?
A: Yes, but he is behind. It is difficult to catch up.

Q: What is his favorite food?
A: McDonald's food!

Q: What is his favorite thing to do?
A: Play with other kids. He is a good kid. He has a little limp on his left leg when he runs, but it is not a big problem.

Q: What are his favorite classes?
A: Art, drawing, singing (out of tune, but he likes singing.)

Q: How does he get along with other children?
A: Very well.

Q: Does he have a temper? How are his emotions? Sometimes a little bit, but not very much. Sometimes he is a little bit stubborn, but he is mostly very kind. He is usually happy."

Do you know Henry's family? Are you his family? Please choose to join us to rally around Henry and his chance to become part of a family. Share his information, talk about him, think about him, send out prayers or positive energy for him. HELP HENRY.

Stefani Ellison
China Waiting Child Advocate
Children's House International

LOOK at LEO!!

Leo  is very mischievous, but he is really smart. He is very curious and likes to find out about new things.  He loves to have noodles. Leo has heart disease.

He is very interested in music, & often dances with the rhythm of music. He also loves to help nannies with house chores. 

 Do you like little boys like Leo who are around 4 or 5 years old?  You should check him out. He lives at the same orphanage as Henry, who I wrote about extensively a couple weeks ago!!


Please view his recent video here!
 

http://youtu.be/ifwK6nl0bRs

Henry's Week 4: Helping Others

Henry, 13-year-old, is in third grade at the elementary school in Lishui, China.  He is a boy who likes to help others. He is a hard-working boy and he helps the nurse to take care of other disabled children, feed them, wash dishes, wash the diapers, and clean up the  public places.

 Henry also has a great respect for the elder and a good caring for young children. When he saw the elders, he would say hello to them, and came to assist them to lift anything. He also takes care of the younger ones like a big brother and takes them to play a game. Henry has a good heart, who has never bullied anyone. 

Henry is quite interested in English. He always finished his English assignment in time.  He likes to listen to the English audio tapes over and over and follow the tape to practice speaking.  Do you know Henry's family?  Are you his family?

Henry's Week 3: Some Questions Answered

A few months ago, some specific questions regarding Henry were asked. I would like to share some of these questions and answers.

Q:  Does he want to be adopted?
A:  Yes, definitely, he wants the opportunity also.

Q:  Was he ever in foster care?
A:  No

Q:  Does he like school?
A:  Yes, but he is behind.  It is difficult to catch up.

Q:  What is his favorite food?
A:  McDonald's food!

Q:  What is his favorite thing to do?
A:  Play with other kids.  He is a good kid.  He has a little limp on his left leg when he runs, but it is not a big problem.

Q:  What are his favorite classes?
A:  Art, drawing, singing (out of tune, but he likes singing.)

Q:  How does he get along with other children?
A:  Very well.

Q:  Does he have a temper?  How are his emotions?  Sometimes a little bit, but not very much.  Sometimes he is a little bit stubborn,  but he is mostly very kind.  He is usually happy.

Henry's Week 2 : A Nice Story

 

 In 2010, when my second daughter from Lishui was brought to us, there was a new Vice Director.  This lovely Chinese lady had actually been at the orphanage for many years before becoming the Vice Director.  She is the one who had asked me to advocate for my daughter and another young man who would be aging out (who we did find a family for as well).  

When I was visiting the orphanage, she also asked me to try to find a family for Henry.  I am still working on this request!!  A few words from her:    Henry also called me Mom. He is like a loyal guard, who always waits for me to come to work every day, and holds my hand, helping me to carry my handbag, and accompanying me to the office.  He also helps me to clean, boil water. After work, he will see me off at the gate and say goodbye to me.   Sometimes he can be stubborn.    To teach him, sometimes you need to use both tough and soft measures. Henry is a good and kind child.   After you know him, you will sure like him.

Today is day two of Henry's week!  Over 250 people have viewed my blog in the last 24 hours.  Please continue posting everywhere.  If you think you may be Henry's family, please come forward!! 

The LiShui Ones Who Wait PART 2

When I visited the LiShui Orphanage in January of 2008, on the trip to adopt my 14 year old daughters, Ya Jia also gave me a file for another boy. It is still sitting on my dresser, his file in Chinese. I have been trying to wanting to find a family for him for 2 years. He is Henry who has been on the LWB blog 3 times. (http://www.lwbcommunity.org/henry-hams-it-up)

Here are the others that I know of that need families.

ZANE, age 11, with a $2000 grant through LWB
http://www.lwbcommunity.org/zanes-good-fortune



SHANE, age 4
http://www.lwbcommunity.org/dancing-shane

LEO, age 4
http://www.lwbcommunity.org/lifes-a-stage-for-leo

BRETT, age 2 (Left)
http://suzeeqsnews.blogspot.com/2012/01/snuggle-for-brett.html

WILLIS, almost 12, below in blue hat
http://suzeeqsnews.blogspot.com/2011/06/willis-worth-challenge.html

GEORGE, Age 11

Please feel free to post this blog post to help me find families for these kids. I know they are there, and want to see as many of them as possible find their families.

Loving Lishui Kiddos Part 1!

Four years ago, my husband and I adopted a young girl who was 9 from LiShui, Zhejiang. We didn't get to visit the orphanage at that time, but later after an orphanage assistance project was done for this orphanage, the vice director YaJia, asked me to try to find families for two children before they aged out at 14 years. The girl had less than a year and the boy had a little over a year before this would happen. When it was 5 months to the day from the girl's birthday, I called my husband, and the process to adopt Bonnie began.

We got her the day before she turned 14.When we went to China for her, I did get to go visit the orphanage and I met the boy, who at that time had a little over 4 months before he would age out, and I still had not found a family for him. After returning from China, I tried again and a family was found. This boy, now named Michael ended up
in a family just 2 1/2 hours from where I live. Bonnie and Michael have met a few times again since their adoptions, but the latest of these was Friday evening. It was great to see Michael and see how happy he is and how well he is doing. I am so grateful for his family for going for him and for the chance they have given him! It was great to see him, as I hadn't seen him for almost a year and now I was able to communicate better with him than before.

When I was there at the orphanage in Jan. 2008, I also met 2 girls, neither of whom can walk. With blogs on them through LWB, we have been able to find a family for them and they are going to be sisters legally in just a few weeks when there mom goes to get them. I just got these 2 pictures of them. The one of the two girls and the woman show YaJia, the woman who first asked me to find families for Bonnie and Michael.

I still have my work cut out for me, though. There are still 6 or 7 kiddos who I know are at Lishui and they don't have families yet. I am still working on it! Part 2 tomorrow will be a list of where you can see their sweet faces and see if you want to join the group of us Lishui parents by adopting one of these precious kiddos.

A Snuggle for Brett?

Most of you know that I have been to China three times, to adopt 3 daughters. This month is the 4th anniversary of our trip to China where we met Gracie in the capitol city of her province. Hangzhou is a beautiful city in the winter, and I imagine it is gorgeous in the spring.

Two years later, we returned to Hangzhou and adopted another daughter who was from the same orphanage as Gracie. On this second trip to this province, we were able to take a trip to the city where they lived their early lives and visit the orphanage.
There are still several children in this orphanage that I have been advocating for and trying to find families for during the last couple of years. And today, I want to share with you a story about another one that has come to my attention. His name is "Brett".

The winter is coming, and it’s good for sleeping. After lunch, all the kids went to bed. Bretts’s face is red from the warmth of the quilt. He likes sleeping, and loves to bury his head into the quilt. He is a sound sleeper.

When it was time to get up, the kids left the bed one after another except for Brett. He was still sleeping soundly. After some time, a small head appeared out of the quilt and Brett looked at the others confusedly. The nanny helped him put on his clothes, and he sat on the stool with a half-awake mind. After a while he didn’t have any facial expressions, since his mind was not fully clear after the nap. Don’t know how long it took, but Brett finally called “Ayi” ("Aunt"). He woke up fully at last!

Brett was born in November 2009, so he is just past 2 years old. He has some issues with his heart, but isn't he the sweetest little boy!! If you would like to know more about him, please contact Xiaoqing Cai, with BAAS adoption agency: xqcai@comcast.net

I am so hoping that his family will see his sweet face and know that he is their son and hurry, hurry, hurry to get him and take him home to help his little heart and to snuggle in his own warm bed.