November 1, 2004

Caring for and serving families in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama,  Mississippi,
Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana 

Sam is a dream come true.  I feel like God chose us for each other.  I knew the instant the caregivers handed Sam to me at the baby home.  He stared right into my eyes and grabbed my finger.  He did not let go or stop staring at me for five minutes at least.  He has made an amazing adjustment.  He took the travel, time change, whole life change in stride.  He baby proofed the house for us at one AM when we arrived home. Sam napped that first night and was back up at 4. By the 3rd night, he slept through the night and was on Eastern time from then on.  It took Mommy and Daddy a little longer to catch up.  He took his first steps the day before his 1st birthday and has not stopped since.  He is walking or should I say running everywhere.  He has several words now.  Sam Loves Music.  Any kind of music from classical to Disney, country to rock.  He asks for the music to be started first thing every morning.  For a while his favorite song was "Manic Monday" by the Go Go's.  Can you believe it?  Sam has four cousins who he loves to play with.  He is a very empathetic child.  If any other child is crying, he cries too but goes over to them and pats them gently. I could go on and on.  He is pure Joy!!!
  

Here is a new picture of Andrew.  He is six years old now and in first grade (how time flies). 

(Editor’s Note:  Andrew was placed over 5 years ago from Vietnam.  Unfortunately, Vietnam remains closed (except to children with special needs), but we are hopeful that the new year will bring good news from Vietnam, and the country will reopen to international adoption!  If you are interested in waiting children with special needs, please e-mail Caroline@childrenshopeint.org)

Things couldn't be better!  Kate is such a joy in our lives.  After waiting so long for a child, everything fell into place just the way God had intended it to all along. Kate fits in to our family so well.  Everyone says she looks just like us.  She is adjusting so well.  I was a little nervous adopting a 3 year old, worried about attachments issues, etc... (all the things you read about), but none of them have held true for Kate.  She seemed attached the day we left the orphanage.  She seems so happy and well adjusted.  She always says, "Mommy, I lub you", which melts my heart.  She loves our other daughter, Grace.  They are getting along so well.  We've been to our doctor and her health is very good.  She's small for her age, but they think she probably had a petite birthmother.  She may not seem physically like a 3 year old, but mentally, she definitely is!  She's very independent and inquisitive and very bright.  She has already picked up on so much English.  We are amazed at how quickly she understands what we are saying. 

Our entire experience with CHI was incredible!  The entire staff, that we dealt with was so nice and professional - here, in the states and in Russia.  We did not have any problems, whatsoever, in Russia.  The CHI staff there had everything moving so smoothly.  It all went just as we were told it would.  Zhenya, our interpreter, in Novokuznetsk was great.  She was always punctual and helped us with whatever we needed.  Our hotel stays were very nice, in Siberia and in Moscow.  We felt very prepared for our court date and everything seemed to go very smoothly.  We were so glad to have that all over with and be able to go and pick up Kate Valentina.  

We sure appreciated your checking on us a couple of weeks ago.  I actually started this email once, was "joined" on the computer by a fascinated 2 year old, put the typing on hold, had a hurricane blow through the house ( not the 2 year old!) and have just now taken the time to get back to you.   

We are doing great here.  Elisha is fitting in so well you'd think he'd always been in our family.  He is a very happy little boy and is remarkable the way he has made so many adjustments already.  Sometimes I forget that things are all new to him, and then something happens to remind me that this is still a new world for him.  For example, he was outside without his shoes on, in itself a big deal

since he was extremely attached to his shoes in China.  He ventured onto the grass, fell down and was petrified, screaming for us to pick him up as he held his hands above the blades of grass as if they were going to attack him!  I am happy to report that he quickly learned from his big sister that barefoot is ok, splashing in puddles is great, and hiding in the pantry stuffing Oreos in your mouth is the best!   

Elisha has quickly made many friends at church, despite his 4 year old bodyguard, and has endeared himself to many with his impish grins, high-fives and belly laughs.  He has amazed us with how quickly he learns, how particular he is about doing things step by step, how well he sleeps at night ( after jet lag), how affectionate he is becoming and how naturally he seems to fit in.  Having said that, the first week home was kind of wild with a boy who had lots of energy, little knowledge of the new environment and limited communication!  We felt like our house was turned upside down (some of it literally was!) and we wondered if we would ever be able to tame this little tiger.  Life has calmed some now, we're learning to enjoy our little tiger and even though Hosanna says being a big sister is a lot harder than I thought!, she is the proudest and best big sister in town.  Our family has much to be thankful for.   

Thank you for all you and your staff do to bring families together.  What a difference you have made in our lives!  Thank you for your care and encouragement all along the way to bringing our little son home.  You all are great!

 Just wanted to share an updated pictures of Noah!

I have a cold.  Miriam gave it to me.  The last cold she gave me was in Vladivostok, where she officially became Our Little Girl one year ago today.  This cold-sharing could become an annual tradition. 

This first year has flown past.  Miriam is our perfect, hilarious, smart, drama princess of a little girl, and we’re having so much fun.  Thank you, Brenda, Natalia, Pam, Yuri, everyone in Vladivostok, and the whole CHI team!  Miriam is a true blessing.

Cora and I have been home almost two months from Russia. We are having a wonderful time getting to know each other. I'm writing to thank you for everything CHI did to bring Cora and me together. Brenda Barker was always available to answer any question. Natalia in the Nashville office made sure all my paperwork was in proper order. As I wondered when I would be called to make my first visit to Russia, Nichole in St. Louis was always upbeat and honest about the waiting expectations. What a wonderful call, I received in June when Nichole said it was finally time to meet my little one. Special thanks to Svetlana in arranging my travel when I had a short time between my first and second trips.

Traveling to a foreign country can make anyone a little nervous but add the fact that you are going to an unknown country to make one of the biggest decisions in your life - well the nerves and worries can hit high gear. I can't begin to thank your Russian staff for everything they did to truly make this a wonderful time for my parents and me - not only did we fall in love with my new daughter but also we fell in love with Russia. Ludmilla, Natalya, Susha, Vitaly and Michael made sure we were at the proper places at the right time in Moscow and all our papers were in order. The team in Kaliningrad was top notch. CHI coordinator, Natalia was absolutely fantastic. It was evident at every step that Natalia was well respected in the adoption community and by the government officials. She made sure I had all the information about my daughter was prepared for the court hearing and that Cora's paperwork was in pristine order. In addition to getting me to the orphanage each day to visit Cora, Lena (our interpreter) and Sergey (our driver) showed us the sights of Kalinigrad and made sure all our needs were met. My parents and I absolutely treasured our time in Kalinigrad with Natalia, Lena and Sergey. I was able to get to know the region and will be able to share these special memories with Cora.

Cora is the light of my life. She wakes with a smile on her face each day - excited about the new adventures that await her. Cora has learned how to charm all those around her - not too hard when she flashes her beautiful smile and looks at you with those big blue eyes! She loves to dance and squeals of delight can be heard when we arrive at the park near our home. I truly believe God had this little treasure picked out for me and I thank CHI for facilitating His plan. Cora is an absolute blessing and I am honored at the opportunity to be her mom. Thank you for truly making this a journey of love.  

 We're new parents.....again!!!  Hannah Li has finally arrived and she is such a little angel!  She is just as chubby as they told us she would be, but is also rather short.  She hasn't cried yet--we're not sure if that is just the calm before the storm!!  She is very curious about her surroundings and takes everything in.  On the bus ride back to the hotel she kept her chubby hands on the window the whole time just watching intently as everything passed. 

She has done surprisingly well with us already.  She has really let me cuddle with her quite a bit...she loves for me to just hold my cheek against hers.  She seems really taken with Roger..and, of course, Daddy is falling for her quite quickly! (He said right after she grabbed his finger only about 5 minutes after we got her, "The wrapping [around his finger] has begun!!!"). 

She has eaten some Chinese rice cereal and loved the apple juice.  She especially liked the Asian baby doll and drum/tamborine toys.  She seemed nervous a few times and made a little growling noise, but really that's about it.  Then after some more cereal, she just laid back on me and fell asleep.  Life is good!!!  We are incredibly happy and thankful to all our family and friends for your love and support during this whole process!  Hannah Li is where she belongs now, and we have finally found our sweet daughter!

10-08-04

Oh happy day! Isabel is finally in our arms and she couldn't be more perfect! She looks just like her picture only a bit older and instead of a scowl, lots and lots of smiles. Yesterday was so surreal, the miracle of childbirth experienced in a completely different way. Our appointment at the civil affairs office was at 3:00. We had to take turns taking elevators up to the floor of the office and we were in the 2nd elevator. When we stepped off the elevator and turned left, there were huge glass doors and looking in, I saw the older couple from Kansas already had their 3 yr old girl. I immediately began crying. When we walked in, our five babies were in walkers to our left. We immediately spotted Isabel as did several of the other parents. She really stands out with her big eyes.

 
Each parent had to wait until the aunties matched the babies with their family. We were next to last. By the time Isabel was placed into my arms, I was bawling. (Surprisingly, to me anyway, I was the only one.) While many/most of the other babies were crying, she immediately began smiling and laughing. She never cried once. She is very tiny (her feet look like newborns) but well-proportioned. I'm sure I'm a bit biased but, she is absolutely gorgeous!  All of the babies have colds, runny noses and rattly chests but I knew to expect that. Other than that, she is very healthy and was unexpectedly very, very clean. She even had on a new outfit, white and yellow pants/top w/bears on the front.

 
The aunties were all there and mom and dad both saw them crying but I did not. They were all very shy and did not want to get their picture taken. They kept smiling and pushing one another trying to get someone else to stand up for a picture. The 4 aunties and the orphanage director were all quite young, very beautiful and very well-dressed. Not what I expected.

10-10-04
Isabel is doing so well. She is certainly the happiest out of the 5 in our group-she smiles and laughs all of the time. She is also definitely very finicky. She will drink only out of her old bottle from the orphanage and it must be quite hot, too. She will have nothing to do with any of the 5-6 bottles I brought.

I cannot wait for all of you to see her! You will just melt. She is so completely adorable. Mom and I "gussied" her up in one of her pink frilly hats and outfits. She didn't mind a bit and drew lots of "oohs" and "ahs" from the others.
 

Celebrate National Adoption Month by: 

This year’s National Adoption Month is November with the theme of “Answering the call – you don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent.” Children’s Hope International hopes that by sharing positive adoption stories, other parents will answer the call! Together, we can celebrate adoption and bring positive awareness to our community and the children who wait! We have local families who would be happy to share their adoption story as part of your coverage of National Adoption Month. 

Public activities that can make a genuine difference...  If your activity will be a public one (lending itself to a slow news day photo opportunity), be sure to alert TV and print media about a week in advance. Contact your house of worship and arrange to donate altar flowers one Sabbath in November "In Honor of Children Waiting for Forever Families" or "In Celebration of this Congregation's Adoption-Expanded Families" or "In Gratitude to Birthparents who have Chosen Adoption." (Suggest that each member of your support group do this same thing--reaching many congregations of differing faiths during the month.)

Local adoption groups might plant a tree at a park or the zoo with a small plaque acknowledging adoptive families or waiting children or birth families. Adoptive parents groups might invite the birthparents from a local birthparent support group to join them in this project. "Open adoption families" might get together and plant a tree. Show the media and the world at large by simply being together that you love, not fear, one another.  

Buy a favorite adoption-related children's book or CD for a classroom teacher's library, a day care center bookshelf, a school library, or a church library. Individuals can buy single copies from any book source (though buying from an adoption-supportive small business makes sense, too!) APSGs (Adoptive Parent Support Groups) might consider buying multiple copies of the same book (at substantial discounts directly from the publisher) inserting a bookplate with contact info about the APSG and having families distribute them to area schools or public libraries or day care centers.  

Contact your local public library, local school library, a favorite bookstore, about helping them do an adoption book display. Ask for permission to add to it brochures on triad support groups, local resources, upcoming adoption conferences.  

CENSUS BUREAU RELEASES FACT SHEET FOR NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

The US Census Bureau published a “Facts for Features” special edition on Sept. 20, providing adoption statistics and facts for National Adoption Month in November, and National Adoption Day, to be held on Nov. 20. Among the information on the fact sheet is that the median income for households with adopted children under 18 is higher ($56,000) than those with biological children ($48,000) and stepchildren ($51,000). It also reports that there are 1.6 million adopted children under the age of 18 of householders, and 13 percent of adopted children are foreign-born. To obtain a copy of the fact sheet, go to: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/002683.html

On Saturday, October 2^nd Children’s Hope held our annual Walk For Hope.  Although the weather was forecasting rain, and we woke up to rain, there was a wonderful "lull" in the weather while the walk was taking place.  This year we had fewer families, but still had a wonderful day at Granny White Park.  The families walked, were treated to children's games, enjoyed a balloon artist, toured the Brentwood fire trucks, had a great silent auction, and lunch was provided from Chick-fil-A. We raised over $4000 to help children with medical surgeries, and had a great time doing it!  Thanks to all who came out walk and those who donated money to provide help for children in need.  For more pictures, please visit our website at http://www.childrenshope.com/southeast/Foundation/Foundation.htm.

Please join us for free information meetings:

For more information, please go to http://www.childrenshope.com/southeast/index.htm

Adoption Fair, November 6, 2004, Sat. 10:00-3:00pm

Living Hope Baptist Church

1805 Western Ave, Bowling Green, KY 

Adoption Fair, Grapevine Convention Center, Sunday, November 7, 2004

1209 S. Main Street

Grapevine, TX

11:00 – 5:00pm 

Information Meeting, November 9, 2004

Brentwood, TN 6:30-8:30pm 

Information Meeting,  November 11, 2004

Stonebriar Community Church

4801 Legendary Drive, Room 244

Frisco, TX 75034, 6:30-8:30pm 

Information Meeting, Friday, Thursday, November 12, 2004

Bethesda Community Church

4700 N Beach Street, Room 33

Fort Worth, TX 76137, 6:30-8:30pm 

Austin International adoption Fair, Sunday, November 14, 2004

Norris Conference Center, Red Oak Ballroom

2525 W Anderson Lane

Austin, TX, 1:00-5:00pm 

Information Meeting, Monday, November 15, 2004, Monday

South Regional Library, 6:30-8:30 pm

2101 Lake Robbins Drive

The Woodlands, TX 77380, Children’s Story Room 

Information Meeting, November 14, 2004, Sunday

Southeast Christian Church

Louisville, KY 2:00-4:00 PM 

Information Meeting, November 15, 2004, Monday

Tates Creek Library, 3628 Walden Drive

Lexington, KY 6:30-8:30pm 

Information meeting,  Tuesday, November 16, 2004

First United Methodist Church

Main Street and Illinois

Use Bell Tower entrance

The Parlor, Midland, TX

6:30-8:30 pm 

November 19         Parent Education Class                6:30 PM                                 Woodmont HIlls

November 20         Dossier Class                                8:30 AM                                 Woodmont Hills(Office Annex)

                                  Travel Class                                 10:00 - 12:00 Noon                Woodmont Hills(Office Annex) 

November 22         Home Study Group                        6:30-8:30 PM                        Children’s Hope

November 25-26  Office Closed for Thanksgiving
 

This time of year, we tend to think of our blessings and all we have to be thankful for!!  As adoptive parents, we know that we don’t wait until Thanksgiving to give our thanks!!  Our thanks are daily as we watch our children grow, get those sweet sticky kisses, watch our child take that first step, and hear those words, “I lub you!” as the Lemons reminded us this month (See story).  Children are indeed a blessing from the Lord!  And, there is no better time to start on your “journey of love!”  Let us know how we can help you take that first step!

We don't want to burden you with a lot of information, but we do want to help you if you are looking for a way to adopt. If not, please let us know and we will regretfully remove your name from our newsletter.   E-mail me at my address below with any question you have.  I would love to hear from you.   

Brenda

 Southeastern U.S.
 Brenda Barker, Director
 7003 Chadwick Dr. Suite 350
 Brentwood, TN  37027
 615-309-8109   Fax: 615-309-8483

 Brenda@ChildrensHope.com

Also serving the following states: TN, KY, GA, AL, AR, MS, TX and LA