October 1, 2005
 

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HALLOWEEN

Calling all trick or treaters!  Please come by the office on Halloween, Monday, October 31 for some treats!!  We’ll have lots of candy and cider, and can’t wait to see all the cute costumes!!  It’ll be a howling good time!!

THE KNOX FAMILY,  TN (RUSSIA)

We want you to meet our new little guy Nikolai, who just turned 2 last weekend! We all got home to Nashville Tuesday, September 7. Nikolai is doing great. He has been to the doctors and has a clean bill of health and has gained a few pounds already. He appears to be adjusting well. He is not talking yet, but understands Russian very well and is understanding English quite well now. He babbles and sings a lot, so words should follow shortly.  



 

THE MCGHEE FAMILY, GA (China)

We are doing great!  Ellie is amazing!  We absolutely adore her.  I attached a picture of her so you can see what a happy girl she is!  

Thanks for everything.

THE HOOPER FAMILY,  TN (RUSSIA)

Report of the First Trip:  We had a wonderful trip and are so happy to have met our son!!!!!  It's amazing how fast you fall in love!  I hate that we had to leave him - we feel like our hearts are still in Russia but we hope that it won't be long before we go back.  His name is Ian Michael (Ian means God's gracious gift and we believe that is exactly what he is!!)  He is 13 months old and is just so lovable and happy! We can't thank Children's Hope enough for everything.  Everyone has been so great to work with and has been there to help us every step of the way! They have made this incredible experience even more memorable!

And the second trip:  We have been doing great and have all been adjusting to our new family life!  Ian went to the Adoption Clinic today and they said that everything is looking good.  He had his blood drawn (he didn't like that!! :(   He's already gained a pound and has been eating like a champ!!    

We are so happy to have had our dream come true and we can't thank Children's Hope enough for all the help and support in making it happen.  We are SO HAPPY!

THE  BYRD FAMILY, TN (China)

We made it back to Texas with our treasure! Kim and I had the most wonderful experience in China. CHI and our fantastic coordinator Elsie made what is a most daunting task so manageable. It is hard to imagine what must have been going through the minds of these precious children. CHI made it to where we as parents had only to think about comforting our little angel. Every step of the way we knew exactly where to be and what was next. We are home now in Texas and Lottie is adjusting very well. We feel soooo very blessed!

THE CURLEE FAMILY, TX (China)

It's hard to believe it was three years ago today that brought Daniel to my hotel room.  The greatest part of my life so far is having him.

THE ROYAR FAMILY, TX (Russia)

Todd and I thought we would send you a recent picture of Alexei as he was getting ready for his first day of preschool. We can't believe how quickly the time has passed since we brought Alexei home in May 2004. He is now almost 28 months old and is such a blessing in our life. His preschool teachers described him as "happy, quiet, and curious." We agree with the "happy" and "curious" but would love to see him "quiet" because he is always talking up a storm at home.

We would like to thank you guys once again, for helping to bring this beautiful boy into our lives and for helping us with our upcoming second adoption in Russia.

Thank you for all you have done for our little family.  We just returned from China on September 1 with our little girl, and we are so lucky and grateful to have her in our lives.

We have been so impressed with Children's Hope, from the first time we sat down with you to gather information, to the actual trip within China--out hands were held through it all.  We are very appreciative of that.

Thanks again for everything!

THE DAMON FAMILY, TX (Russia)

The anticipation of the seeing 5 year old Anatoly for the first time on our ‘bring him home’ trip was high. I’m sure my wife, Carol, and 9 year old bio daughter, Shannon, had visions of what it would be like just like I did. We’d left Vladivostok 13 weeks earlier after a fantastic week. Tears and happiness flowed equally that day in May. Now we were back and waiting somewhat patiently in the front hall of the orphanage. Surely he would run “Love Story Style” down the hall and jump into our arms.

Well, his way of handling it was all boy. He ran down the hall and started putting his shoes on as if to say: “Let’s blow this pop stand. What took you so long?” While that may have not met our expectations, everything else about him had exceeded them and continue to do so.

Our story is a lot like some and certainly different in a number of ways.  We decided to adopt in early 2003 and selected CHI through research and recommendations from friends. We plowed or perhaps plodded through the paper work into 2004 when finally in March we were waiting on just one last apostille.

A phone call to CHI and Natalia in Tennessee let on that there was a cute little boy who’d just turned five that we might consider. Except that he was outside our age range, everything looked great…what’s the catch?

The catch turned out to be where he was: Vladivostok. My knees almost buckled when I looked at the map. Seven time zones from Moscow---2/3 of the way around the world is all. CHI provided us references who’d been to Vlad and we quickly became comfortable that we weren’t the first to go there. It turns out to be a fantastic city with great CHI reps and a hotel that is extremely adoption friendly. It was a superb experience all around.

Anatoly is now here and acclimating quickly. He’s really intelligent and could not care less that our Russian is about as good as his English. We’re all learning. He’s all boy but well-behaved. Rough and tumble but he’ll stop what he’s doing to pick a wild flower for mama. Incredible.

By the time you read this he will be in Kindergarten and taking ESL classes. Our family is complete and the new dynamics in the house are settling in. We think we hit a home run. Thank you CHI.

If you are interested in contacting this family, you can send an e-mail to kennydee@mindspring.com

THE HOPPER FAMILY, TN (Russia)

CHI Presents 

“Getting to the Heart of the Matter” 

Understanding the Developmental Challenges of the Adopted Child

 November 12, 2005

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Brentwood Hills Church of Christ

5120 Franklin Pike

Brentwood, TN  37220 

Click here for more info and registration form

CHI FOUNDATION

Join us Sunday, October 9, 2005 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm for our annual Walk for Hope!  This event raises money for children in orphanages who are in need of medical treatment they would otherwise be unable to receive.  It will take place at Granny White Park in Brentwood, Tennessee. 

Besides being for a great cause, the Walk for Hope is also a great place to reunite with families you’ve traveled with, been in waiting parents meetings with, and met anywhere along the adoption journey!  It’s also a great time to meet new families!  We will have fun activities for the kids.  The Brentwood police and fire department are also expected to make an appearance!  For the adults we will have a silent auction with a chance to get lots of good items!  We will also provide food and drinks.   

We could use parents who would be willing to help organize children’s games.  Also, if anyone works for a company that would be willing to donate items for the silent auction and/or be a sponsor, we welcome any and all tax-deductible gifts!   

Please make plans to join us!  Pre-registration for the walk is $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years.  Pre-registration also guarantees a Walk for Hope T-shirt.  At the walk, registration is $18 for adult and $7 for children. 

Please contact Rachel Messer at 309-8109 or rachelmesser@childrenshopeint.org.

Help make wishes come true by donating now!

CIS FEE CHANGE

UPCOMING INFORMATION MEETINGS

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

A MESSAGE FROM BRENDA BARKER

I love Fall—the leaves, football, cooler weather, and lots of homework!! It’s also a great time to begin your adoption of the child of your dreams! Please know that we are here to help in any way that we can!

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@childrenshopeint.org
Also serving the following states: TN, KY, GA, AL, AR, MS, VA and LA

Click here to request an information packet regarding international adoption with Children's Hope International: send info, please. . .