Lauren and LiLi Blossom!!!

Mom writes:

Lauren - Adopted 1-30-2002, Anhui province (Gladney)

Lauren is a very outgoing and energetic 8 year old. She plays softball, rides horses, plays the piano, loves camping and is fascinated by anything having to do with nature. She loves gardening with her Papa. She also loves science, especially outer space.

Lauren's younger sister, LiLi, adopted 03-08-2006, Guangxi province is a very sensitive and loving girl that loves anything that is flashy and girlie. She has learned to enjoy the outdoors, but prefers playing dress up when given the choice.

Drew Enjoys Some Spring Fun!

Here are some pictures of Drew.(18 mos). We brought him home in December 2008. He is the light of our life and doing so well. These are just snapshots around the house and at a special kids event. Please use any of them you'd like.

Proud parents Dawn & Jeff

Coney Island Fun with Kiana

Hello. Just wanted to share a couple of pics from our afternoon at Coney Island in Brooklyn this past weekend. It was a beautiful day for the beach. And we were happy to see that the amusement park was open. After a couple of rides, and a stroll on the boardwalk, we hit the beach. Kiana (age 2; adopted Nov 2007) loves the sun, but isn't too crazy about the sand (just like her mommy). Check out her crabby face pic when sand got in her socks :)~

Amy Lee (Mom to Kiana)
http://kianalani.blogspot.com

Happy Spring from Lili-Cai

Lili-Cai has been taking a paper cutting class at the Chinese Cultural Center in New York and loves it very much. She will be 4 years old in June. Happy spring to everyone.
Cornelia & Marcel and Lili-Cai

Gladney Mom Publishes Book!

Hi - Gayle Kamen-Weinstein here. I am a Gladney parent x 2. I along with 6 other parents including Danny Fuller also a Gladney parent have recently published Our Blessings from China. It is our family's story of our adoption journey covering the last 10 years of China adoption. All the stories are heart-warming and very personal.
In Houston I have been hosted by several bookstores and schools for talks on adoption and book signings. One local middle school bought 30 copies and have invited me to be a guest lecturerer for the Chinese classes and their writers workshop. I am also the featured speaker at an upcoming International Festival next month.
Our girls, Jennifer, almost 12, adopted in 1998 and Melanie almost 9, adopted in 2001 are competitive gymnasts and bright, beautiful girls. We are in the process of planning for Jennifer's Bat Mitzvah in 2010.

Little Ben Shoots Some Hoops!

Benjamin's Mommy writes:

Here's a recent photo of little Benjamin, adopted in March 2009 from Chung Yi! He and Daddy were playing some hoops earlier in the week!!!!

Happy Spring!

Here are a few photos of our celebrations from the past week, including a photo op with the big-eared guy! Our babies are growing up--last year Kathryn was terrified of the Easter bunny, this year she stood alone on his other side! Sarah was still a little leery though.:-). We had an egg hunt and a wonderful dinner and enjoyed one of the rare sunny days we've had this spring here in NYC!

Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Happy Spring! May the spring see the referrals of lots and lots of children to their long-waiting parents!

New York Asia Waiting Families Book Club

A couple of emails have been sent out to families living in the NY area about a new Asia Waiting Families Book Club that is being organized by a few of our China Waiting moms. The first meeting will be held in the NY office on Tues., May 12 from 6:30pm-8pm. The book to be discussed in the first meeting is China Ghosts: My Daughter's Journey to America, My Passage to Fatherhood by Jeff Gammage. It is the story of one couple’s journey to their two year old daughter in China.

We will be collecting $7 for a pizza order (includes 2 slices and a soft drink, plus tip) so please indicate in your RSVP if you will be participating in the pizza order. Please email Stephanie at sbrueckel@gmail.com if you are interested in attending!

Photo Contest

Gladney is excited to announce that we are working with the US-China News Media Foundation and the US-China Cultural Exchange Association on the “My School, My Home” Photo Contest. This contest is open to all children who were adopted from China. Please see the attached Press Release and Contest Guidelines for more information. We really hope that many of our Gladney families will participate in this wonderful contest!


Please email Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org for the complete description and rules!