Children's Hope International E-Newsletter

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

The Tea Party
Inviting the Birth Mother

	2008 Reunion Picnic It's Not Too Early to Register!
	Mother's Day Triad Crosses Fences
	Summer Time Fun Making the Most

DEVELOPMENT AID:

	Drum Roll, Please Introducing Music Ministry
	World Aids Orphans Day Left Without Parents

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PROGRAM UPDATES:

	China Twenty-Seven Families Leave to Become Parents to One Special Child
	Colombia Four Months of Families Receive Approval for Assignments!
	Ethiopia Springtime Blossoming in the Hearts of Children with New Homes
	Kazakhstan A New Region for Families Adopting From Kazakhstan
	Russia Professionals in Paperwork, Russia Documents Bring Together Families
	Vietnam Waiting For Official Comments on Vietnam

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Desiring Women Become Moms, and a Child Finds a Forever Mother

Five Children's Hope blogger mom's share about their first Mother's Day and the rewards and challenges in their first year of being a new mom.

Stacie was Children's Hope International's first mom to emerge from our Ethiopia program. Mother's Day will be a big day for her family, but this month she shared a different big day on her blog.

I'm Mom

Since my last post I have become Mom. I went from Bah, to Bom, to MOM. Real live word - momomomomom. He says it over and over to me - especially when he is getting tired or wants to cuddle. Can I just tell you - I never realized how much it would warm my heart to hear that word. I'm falling in love with my son all over again. He is just so amazing.

I think this is true with all parents (bio and AP) - that the attachment/bonding period is not something that just happens - it is something that continues to grow stronger in your heart as the time passes. This is not to say that I haven't been completely in love for the past 8 months- what I'm trying to say is that I'm amazed how this love continues to grow and envelop you. I think I'm starting to truly understand what is so beautiful about motherhood. Some mamas might 'get it' right away, but for me it is a journey of love and understanding, and I am so happy to be on this journey.

An Interview with Stacie:
Adopted: Son Micah, August 2007

How were you led to international adoption? When we came to our first international adoption info meeting � we just knew. We didn't know which countries we were open to when we arrived, but when Cory said there were 5 million orphans in Ethiopia, Kevin and I both looked at each other and we knew it was right. Seven months later, Stacie was a mom.

Was it scary to be the first family to adopt through Children's Hope Ethiopia program? It might have been, but speaking to Sharon alleviated all of my fears, and Kevin liked the adventure aspect of being the first family.

How has motherhood been? Is Micah a fairy tale? He sort of really is a fairy tale. But the reality of motherhood is getting up at 6:30 a.m. Micah has a mind of his own and will gladly tell you all about it. He might be strong-willed, but he's so hilarious and smart. Sometimes when I am rocking him to sleep, I look at him and think how amazing it is that he is there.

Your greatest reward? Watching him as he is learning and growing. He learned how to clap this week and how to pull off his shirt! I read him "Good Night Moon" so often, I know it by heart and sometimes I will tell him the story to soothe him. When I get to the part where I say "whispering..." I put my finger to my lips, and he puts his to his own ? he understands what I am saying. Being able to smooch and love on him is also a great reward!

This will be your first Mother's Day. Are you planning anything special? I hope to relax and enjoy the day with Micah. I hope it is a nice day out, and we can walk through the park and enjoy the moments of the day with him. ...I think about Micah's birthmother daily. On Micah's birthday we said a prayer to her, hoping she was doing alright and have a good day. I think of her as part of the family. We want her to be included in Micah's Mother's Day. We are thinking of how to incorporate her, as he grows, to honor her. When I look at Micah, she's there. I can not go a day without thinking of her.

Read Stacie's Blog

Adrienne Fleming (Russia)
Celebrating her first Mother's Day this year as mom to Owen

What's your biggest challenge as a new mother? We knew going into an adoption that Owen was going to have attachment issues because he was delayed. He wouldn't make eye contact with us. He is firmly attached to us now, but eye contact is still a problem for those he just meets. If he's trying to learn something, though, he'll look straight in your eye � trying so hard. At 27 months, he's memorizing his books, riding his bulldozer into the restroom, and generally being a ham.

Your greatest reward? I think the first time he looked into our eyes, and we smiled at him and he smiled back ? that moment can not be touched. His whole being is rewarding ? his personality is so great! He says, "I love you" every night before he goes to bed.

This will be your first Mother's Day. Are you planning anything special? We are going to Disney World! My husband is running a triathlon and we will be meeting another CHI family while we are there. It is sort of a birthday, Mother's Day, big holiday trip!

Read Adrienne's blog

Kathleen Carscadden (China)
Celebrating her first year of being a mother to Jess

How is Jess fitting in with her peers/family/community? Jess is doing GREAT. She absolutely adores her big brother and he her. She enjoys her gymnastics classes and spending time with other kids in the neighborhood.

What is your greatest reward as a mother? Greatest reward - every day brings one doesn't it? My son calling just to chat, my daughters sweet little voice saying "I lub you mama", or pulling a giant piece of paper out of my daughters nose - they are all rewards and rewarding. Your biggest challenge? Next year I will have a child just starting college and one just starting kindergarten, a challenge in and of itself. Chasing around a five-year-old has had me feeling every single one of my years, that's a bit of a challenge.

This is your first Mother's Day with Jessie. What do you hope for? My hope this mothers day is simple...I hope my daughter understands that being her mother is my privilege, but I think that may take a few years, and couple more English words then she knows right now. This year I'm hoping for a cake that is not burned or uncooked - but if it is either I will gleefully eat it.

What would you say to inspire prospective parents to open their hearts to an older child that may need a home? There is no shortage of homes for infants from China or any other country for that matter as evidenced by the long waiting times. But older children, those that managed to beat the odds and survive to the ripe old age of 4 or 5 or 6, those children that have seen the babies come and go, those that are old enough to know that other kids have Mamma's and Baba's, that other kids get to sleep in a bed of their very own, those are the kids that are left behind, forgotten and unwanted. How sad is that? You are to old because you are 5? That is where you can make the biggest difference, that is where my heart lies.

Read Kathleen's blog

Sheila Derr (Colombia)
Celebrating her first Mother's Day in Colombia finalizing her adoption of Jonatan

Sheila is becoming a new mom this Mother's Day - she is in Colombia as you read this! While she is traveling in Colombia, finalizing the adoption of her son, Sheila wrote an update for all Children's Hope Colombia families and those considering the country for their own international adoption.

"There are so many details that we would love to share regarding Jonatan," says Sheila, "but will, in brief, say that we couldn't imagine being matched with anyone different! He has such a sweet, gentle, and fun-loving spirit...and, what an amazing sense of adventure and imagination he has! One brief Jonatan story..."

Visit the Colombia Program Update page to view the conclusion of this cliffhanger!

And find the complete account of her travels, on Sheila's blog

Dana Dang (Vietnam)
Received her Vietnam travel approval call to adopt Matthew just days before Mother's Day 2007
(she also gave birth this year!)

Some people think I am crazy � having 2 kids in one year. And maybe I am. But I am in such a good place. Things are good!

As a mother of three, what's your biggest challenge as a mother? Balancing everything. We're not going to get everything done, so, you have to be able to prioritize. Motherhood has never been so hard that I couldn't do it, but it certainly has never been so easy, either!

Your greatest reward? I get to see them everyday, smiling up at me. I have a chance to make a difference in their lives, which is such a hefty thing. It is amazing.

Are you planning anything special for Mother's Day this year? My husband always took me to brunch. I have two more kids this year! With more than 1 kid, I don't think I'll go to a brunch place this year. He's going to have to cook me something instead. :-)

Read Dana's blog