While you're here....

...check out these cuties.  I work with a program called Love without Boundaries.  They have a number of programs that benefit orphans in China including foster care, medical care and education.  All adoptive parents would love for their children to have the opportunity to be in foster care.  Neither of our kids were so fortunate, but programs like this help.  If you would like to sponsor a child in foster care, here are two in the program I work with that need sponsors.   You can also head over the LWB website to see other ways that you can help.  Thanks!

Gail, 19 months old, Repaired Cleft left lip/unrepaired cleft palate (same special need as Lia & Samuel!)

Gail is a beautiful little girl who came to foster care from our Anhui Cleft Healing Home.  Under the care of her foster family, she is standing unassisted and is walking steadily while holding onto her foster grandmother’s hand.  She has also begun to repeat words that she hears.  Sponsors will receive monthly reports of Gail’s progress with her milestones.  Gail is in need of two sponsors. HUA039

Levi, 21 months old (almost the same age as Samuel!),  Prematurity

Levi is an athletic boy who loves to kick balls, to climb, and go for walks outside with his foster family.  He enjoys playing make-believe with his friends and his foster sister.  Levi is thriving in foster care and is in need of two sponsors.  Your sponsorship will make a difference in his life!  HUA032

 

Introducing....

  

Bao Sha Kai, soon to be Samuel Kai Penn.  We are excited to introduce our new son and little brother waiting for us in China!  We started our second adoption way back in February and our travel dates are set for October 15th through the 27th.  People going through the adoption process often refer to it as being paper pregnant.  This is one time that you don't mind going into "labor" early, so we're happy that the process has only taken eight months...it seemed like an eternity to me. 

Here's a little bit about what we know so far...Samuel's birthdate is 12/10/08 and he was just a little guy at just over 4 pounds.  Our last update was at 11 months and we was already 19 pounds.  I'm guessing that he's about the same size as Lia right now (maybe bigger).  I hope she doesn't mind being the "little" big sister.  Samuel is in the Bao'an SWI in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.  Shenzhen is right across the harbor from Hong Kong and is also only an hour away from Dongguan, Lia's birthplace.  I know from other parents that this is an excellent orphanage and the kids there are well cared for (probably the only thing that's kept me semi-sane during the process).  A Bao'an mom who adopted her little girl at 23 months said she was potty trained (!!!!), eating independantly and sleeping in a toddler bed.

Samuel's referral picture

Samuel at 10 months

The caretakers report that Samuel is a deep sleeper, is active and fond of imitating.  He likes to play with toys and listen to music.  Lia's report also had the "restless" box checked on her development report...It's not checked on Samuel's report so maybe, just maybe..... 

Anyway, I (Steph) will be staying home with Lia while Chad and my dad will take the exciting trip to China to bring Samuel home.  I'm counting on them to keep you (and me) informed on the excitement.