Here Is Something You Don't Do Everyday!

Maya Silver is back in China with her sister, Melanie, and her parents, Phil and Lisa.

The Goodridges Visit Santa!!

Here is our pictures from our visit to Santa. Our Santa lets you bring your own digital camera and take some pictures. So we have the picture that we bought and the ones I took.

E was not scared, but got very quiet when Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She said a yo-yo. I figured that Z would cry and he did. This picture captures him just as he is realizing that I'm not there with him. I think in the picture that we bought, he is all out crying.

The Brueckel Children Celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Sarah is the pumpkin, Kathryn is the puppy (by her request!), and James is a Ninja Lord. The adorable turkey was made by big brother James.

Eliza Li Weiniger Wins School Wide Essay Contest!

Eliza Li Weiniger, Age 7, Adopted From Lodi,China
Eliza won a school wide essay contest at Jefferson Elementary School in Westfield NJ. The topic of the essay contest was:
If I could go anywhere on Earth I would go to ________.
There were many entries and one winner per grade. Eliza won the contest for the first graders.

Here is a transcript of the winning essay:
Eliza Li Weiniger
1st Grade-Mrs. Arkin's Class

EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY!
ESSAT CONTEST.
If I could go anywhere on Earth, I would go to China because I was born there. I want to see the sites.
I want to see the houses and the buildings. I may see a school there.
The Olympic games are going to be in China next year, 2008.
I want to learn how they speak their language. My mom and dad went to China to adopt me. They thought it was beautiful.

Favorite Fall Photos from the Gallagher Family

Some favorite fall photos from the Gallagher Family (Kevin, Jeannine, Kevin Jr, Sarah, Philip & Mei):

Hello from Nanchang

We arrived in Nanchang on Sunday afternoon and met Kiana (Shao Tong) about an hour after we arrived at the hotel. The first night was rough for this first time mommy. Everytime we picked her up or touched her she would cry..make that SCREAM! She did not want to sleep in the crib and spent the night in the stroller in front of the TV.

Day 2 we finally got a smile :) Now Day 5 is coming to a close...we have come a long way! Kiana now tolerates being held and sleeps well through the night. She loves going out and taking in the sights. We did the tourist thing and went to Tengwang Pavilion, August First Park, and shopping area.

-Amy & Kiana Lee

Whitney Visits Santa!

While picking out our Christmas tree earlier in the week, we had a visit with Santa! What a wonderful surprise to see Santa at the tree farm. Whitney is whispering her wish list: a toy shopping card and an apron! Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas :0).

Go for Sam - Ted and Mira reporting from China!

It's Tuesday, November 2oth, 2007, Mira and her dad Ted left for China. She is going to write about her trip on her blog. In her first blog post, Mira wrote, "As my dad says, we are "go for Sam." We are on our way to China. I should have blog posts up on Thanksgiving day. Please visit then. I hope you enjoy the holiday. Click here to read their blog post from China.

Waiting Children from China

Gladney posts their waiting children from China at the below link. Check back periodically for updates. If you have interest in any of the children please contact gina.pariani@gladney.org for more information.

http://www.achildtolove.org/gallery4.php?G=22

October Visit to Shanghai Children's Home a Big Success!

Superkids has just returned from a visit to the Shanghai Children's Home. Traveling were Dr. Eileen McAleer, a cardiologist, two pediatric physical therapists, Karen Teters and Pat Marcus, and founder, Janet Fink. The purpose of the trip was to continue training caregivers and volunteers in baby handling and therapeutic activities, deliver needed equipment, and to provide direct treatment to the children.

Superkids was thrilled that the caregivers and the large volunteer community had been following through with their picture directions to exercise infants. These directions were posted in the children's playrooms. They were able to revisit some of the children from their previous trip who were developmentally delayed and we could already see the progress due to the excellent follow through by the caregivers and volunteers.

Dr. MacAleer examined many children with cardiac conditions and many others with serious medical problems. Additionally she was able to help the therapists with medical consultations for the most serious cases. Through donations, they were able to provide a walker for a child with cerebral palsy and teach her how to walk. They were also able to provide a wheelchair for a child who could not sit up without the support of this wheelchair. Additionally, they taught a 7 year old girl with a severe skin disorder to feed herself and provided special coloring equipment so she could play. The therapists also saw many babies with minor medical conditions and developmental delay.

They provided fun therapeutic activities to decrease these delays. The therapists were able to directly treat over 25 children with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. They were able to continue with training of the caregivers, rehabilitation staff and the volunteers in special handling and positioning for children with neurological disorders.

This coming spring, Superkids looks forward to expanding to a regular, non-special needs orphanage in another province. They also plan to return to the Shanghai Children's Home to continue their work.

To learn more about Superkids please visit their website:www.superkidscharity.org

Superkids Wheelchair Project

Pictured are four orphan teens living at the Shanghai Children's Home in Shanghai, China. All have spinal cord injury and desperately need quality pediatric wheelchairs. Superkids has not found any wheelchair companies willing to donate or give discounts. Charities able to donate do not offer the appropriate type of chair. These teens are already starting to develop scoliosis and breathing problems because they are not in good chairs. A good, pediatric wheelchair costs approximately $3,000 (includes extra supports and shipping). If they can raise the money, Superkids founder, Janet Fink and head therapist, Pat Marcus, will go to the Shanghai Children's Home to make sure the chairs are fitted properly to these children. They will also teach the caregivers at the orphanage how to care for and repair the wheelchairs if needed.

Donations are tax deductible. Thank you for taking the time to read about these terrific teens.

Bon jour Gladney Families,

This French Poodle, dubbed Fifi, is Lindy Li-Xiao Osborn from San Antonio, just shy of 2.5 years old at the time. Lindy had tons of fun this Halloween and didn't mind her costume (even though it was quite warm outside) because she knew the end result was CANDY. Maybe next year I'll remember it doesn't get very cold in south Texas!

Au revoir~
Fifi Osborn's mommy, Lisa

Snow White!

I thought you might enjoy seeing a picture of Olivia (ChangDe, Hunan) dressed in her Snow White Halloween costume!

Lauren and Sarah Friday

Trick-or-Treating Fun with Annick!

A picture of our daughter Annick (6, from Quzhou in the front) and Malia (5, local girl, with the white knitted top).

Fairy Princess

Here is a Halloween picture of Lena Stefan. She was dressed as a fairy, because her school teacher who organized this wanted to have non scary outfits.

Jiangxi beauty

she's a jiangxi beauty, adopted 05/04. her name is anabelle stella-rong and she's 4 yrs old.

doting mom,

christine accetta

Minnie Mouse!

Here is little Meghan Stancliff as Ms. Minnie Mouse.

Happy Halloween and Reunion Fun from the Weiniger Family!

Eliza Li and her family just celebrated the sixth anniversary of her arrival in the United States with three other families from their travel group. The view the very happy reunion, check out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOhCvqCoq2Q

Introducing Snow White!

Mia, age 5 1/2 in her adorable Snow White costume!

Introducing Zachary, the Pumpkin!

Here is a picture of Zachary, who is almost 15 months now. He was a pumpkin, but his costume was made out of felt/fleece and it was hot in Texas on Halloween, so he didn't wear it for very long!

Re-Adoption Day for the Reeves' Family

I know you were asking for Halloween pics, but I wanted to send you our picture of re-adoption day from February. We adopted Hannah last year from Shanghai. She’s a wonderful little girl and is as happy as she appears in this picture.

Olivia, the Cutest Flower in the Pacific Northwest!

Here are a couple photos of the cutest flower garden in the Pacific Northwest! Olivia Breen, forever family on January 19, 2003……

Halloween Fun

Dear Gladney Families,

In case the wings do not give it away, Whitney was dressed up as a butterfly. However, she steadfastly refused to wear her butterfly hat :0). Whitney has already decided that she would like to dress up as a mermaid AND a princess next year! Perhaps watching Dora Saves the Mermaid influenced this big decision!

Beth Anne

Bringing Siena JieXian Home

An excerpt from the Riley's blog as they are traveling......

Gotcha Day
I really don't think anything could have gone better. We arrived at Civil Affairs before Siena did. When they walked in, I knew it was her. She looked up at us from another room across the hall, and smiled. I waved and she waved back. A few minutes later they walked over. She seemed a little nervous, but was still smiling. Ms. Zuang told her who we were and gently nudged her over to us. We gave her some presents, which she opened with Ms. Zuuang's help. She seemed to really like the purse and play make-up. Ms. Zuang kept talking to her the whole time, and she kept smiling. When she came over to us, she started pulling something out of her backpack. It was the little photo album I had sent her of us and our home. She pointed to the pictures and us smiling. When Ms. Zuang told her she needed to leave with us, I could tell she was a little nervous, but she took our hands and came along. Erminia

The Goodridge family brought home their baby boy at the end of July. Zachary has settled into his new home and family very well and below is an excerpt from their family blog. Thanks for sharing with Gladney!
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My son is learning how to crawl and walk

Here is Z trying to crawl! He can also pull up with our help and he has a semblance of walking with some encouragement. His motor skills continue to get better-especially when food is involved! We hope walking is only a few weeks away so he can chase his sister around.

Experiencing China, Embracing Beijing: CCAA Summer Camp

There are exciting camp updates! Go to http://www.chinainitiative.org/ for full coverage and many more photos. Gongzhan Wu and other chaperones have been journaling daily and the campers have already been featured in one of China's well renowned newspapers.

Experiencing China Embracing Beijing: Summer CCAA Camp 2007

As some of you may already know, the CCAA has, for the first time ever, invited Chinese adoptees to China for a Camp experience. CCAA is covering all in-country costs and has prepared an amazing itinerary for everyone involved. Campers and Chaperones embarked on their pioneer trip to Beijing on August 13th. All were welcomed warmly as they stepped off the plane into China.

CCAA has designated three English-speaking staff to be tutors, each leading a camp group of 10. They have also arranged 3 tour guides to take care all travel necessities, including rooms, meals, transportations, etc. They've even arranged a pediatrician from New Century International Children's Hospital to stay in the hotel who will be available available 24 hours a day.
We will be posting information regarding the trip as it unfolds so stay tuned. Visit http://www.chinainitiative.org/ for full coverage!

14 of the 30 campers

Adoption Education Program

Recently, Erik Shumar, a Ph.D. student at Columbia University's School of Social Work, was contracted by the Gladney Center for Adoption to offer additional adoption education services at Gladney. Beginning in September, these particular services will be offered at Gladney’s New York office and be available to any Gladney family who has adopted or is in the process of adopting a Chinese child from Gladney and considers themselves geographically close enough to attend program events.

Concurrent with these services, Mr. Shumar is conducting a research project to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and interpret any benefit it may provide towards a child's development of a positive identity. For the purposes of this research, Mr. Shumar is looking for both parents and children who plan to take part in adoption education services AND those who will not participate in the program, but are still willing to take part in the study. Your assistance will help to make this adoption education program the best it can be. Many families have already taken advantage of this opportunity, but there is still room for any other interested families.

EVENTS OFFERED
* Monthly children's playgroups
* Real-time advice site
* Podcasts and Blog Spots
* Culture classes
* Book club
* Adoption movies
* Special guest speakers
* Mentorship program

If you are a Gladney family who has adopted or is in the process of adopting a Chinese child from Gladney and are interested in taking part in the adoption education program or at least filling out a survey to help advance the field of international adoption, please contact Mr. Shumar at AdoptEduc@gladney.org Also visit www.chinainitiative.org for more information and for a weekly educational column.

Back to Zhenjiang ( 4 ) - Sightseeing in Zhenjiang

Zhenjiang (4) – Sightseeing

By Mitchell Senft

We then checked in the lovely but thin-walled International Hotel, made appropriate arrangements, freshened and then was taken to the Golden Temple(?), a temple in a park by the river. It is in a new park along the river, a sort of cornice, with high rises along or going up along its far side -- urban renewal, except the temple was closed. So we headed out to an early dinner at the Mickey D's on the main shopping drag on which the hotel was located. Lily said, and proved, that my beloved DVDs were on the side streets off the main drag (which was essentially all retail). Two FF2s (at least one in English; second one an accident), a boxed set of relatively low-res Bond films (English with Chinese subtitles), Ocean's 13 and Pan's Labyrinth -- for a hopping 100 yuan. (Got the second FF2 by discombobulating the woman in charge making her show us that the advertised disc was actually in the package and that it was in English.) The main drag was certainly adequate, no hick town thing. Zhenjiang has grown up these past ten years. It's a popping little city now. Then home to sleep -- while Shayna stayed up with FF2, which was still awesome, she advised.

Back to Zhenjiang ( 3 ) - The Finding Place

Meeting Ms. Chen, who found Baby Shayna

Shyana Meeting Ms. Cheng in Zhenjiang

Standing at the tree, where Baby Shayna was found.

Mrs. Zhang then led us to a community center to which baby Shayna was taken after being found. (Or it may be not the same one but the one for the area.) While speaking to someone there, Ms. Zhang apparently determined that the then-director, who then (as required by law) took baby Shayna to the police station, still lived nearby; she was called, rushed over, then led the group, except for Shayna and me, to where she was found.

The community center to which the baby (Shayna) was brought after being found.

The auto mechanic "shop" inside the courtyard outside of which was tree where the baby was found. To the extent that there is a food stand (left side of photo), it wasn't there in '96, when the baby was found.

Rewind: One of the records viewed at the orphanage, which we apparently had not previously received, apparently gave the prior history, as it were: found (at a garage or not; more below), taken to the community center, then police, then the orphanage.

Shayna was very creped out by the idea of seeing the spot where she was found so we stayed back with the driver while everyone else walked on, about a three minute walk from the community center. (Shayna felt unready to see the spot and had been worried for a few days about meeting her past. She wanted to wait till the next time she was in Zhenjiang to see the spot.)

The area was I supposed working class, more or less, with, typically, must action and busyness on the street, lined with street -level businesses. We got into the van for the a/c. The driver assumed we wanted to be driven after the women. I corrected him, he parked and we then had a Chinese-style fender bender. A van backed into us in the course of making a K turn (in reverse!) and the driver disregarded our driver's honk. Much scratching around the van's taillight two teeny marks on our minivan -- like two very little scratches. The drivers argued and reached a financial resolution i.e. our driver received a satisfactory payment. My car should have only such little scratches.

Lily later told us that the drill is that the drivers would try and work out a resolution between themselves. If not possible, the police would be called who would then determine who was at fault, determine an appropriate sum and fine the guilty driver as well.

When Donna came back and told us that it was all cool and OK, Shayna changed her mind and we all went back to the scene. Adjacent to the tree is a new i.e. post-finding -- refreshment kiosk. Behind that, though, was a small courtyard, along the left side of which was a... garage, an auto service operation. While unimpressive now, ten years ago it must have been significant. Personally, though, I'm, well, intrigued by the idea of a baby being left at such a location....