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It is always difficult to track the progress of a country that is not open. This is the case for Vietnam and the United States. Though Vietnam is open in other countries- the adoption partnership between them and the US is still in limbo. This can be very frustrating for those who are waiting to adopt from this country. There is not much that one can do while their program is in a holding pattern other than to wait, research and wait some more. This can get tiresome after waiting for over 2 years for this country to re-open its adoption program. I have no doubt that many of you have read me say those exact words so many times that you… [more]

The best thing that has come out of the terrible destruction in Haiti back in 2010 is the increase in attention the children of this country have gotten. The earthquake had devastating effects on the country of Haiti that was already struggling under the weight of poverty and disease. Yet, the adoption program has taken off. Haiti is currently working to become a Hague Convention partner. This is an amazing step for Haiti's adoption program and the children that will be positively affected. It seems that the good that can come out of terrible times offer a little bit of relief for those affected. Haiti has risen as a strong adoptive partner in the last couple of years and continues to see a… [more]

It is amazing the amount of growth that African adoptions on the whole have seen. This comes at a time when transracial families have become accepted and people are better able to see outside of the box in regard to the adoptive family unit. I love this. There was a time that the only children that were adopted had similarities to their new parents. Now different is not only acceptable- in some circles it is good. When the times shifted in this direction, people who had a heart for the children of impoverished countries had a green light to act on their heartfelt desire- to save the children. Of course, those of you in the adoption world know that it is a lot… [more]

This adoption program has definitely seen its ups and downs in the past couple of years. Yet, today is appears to have fully regained its footing and is on the right track. Having become a popular option for many of the families interested in adoption in the last couple of years, Ethiopia buckled a little under the immense pressure. That did not last long. Ethiopian adoptions are currently rising at a great rate. This is good for this country because the need is so pronounced. There are a staggering number of people in Ethiopia and poverty reigns. As I have said in the past, where there is poverty, the children will suffer. Ethiopia is such a place. There are a large number of… [more]

I have been following the comments of a reader from this blog and find myself very confused this morning. In the past, I have read on both the United States Intercountry Adoption website and the Joint Council websites where Korea has declared its desire to phase out its need for intercountry adoption in 2012. So that is the information that I went with. The US Intercountry adoption sight which is government run, stated, "Korea will phase out its need for intercountry adoption in 2012, using incountry placement to take care of their children." It appears that this has either changed or was a misquote from the start. On October 23, 2012 the Korea Times released an article entitled, Korea, US to Discuss International… [more]

It is amazing how many times that I have 'checked up' on the status of adoption from Kazakhstan and found no change. This is true for this morning as well. Kazakhstan remains in a holding pattern in regard to their adoption program. In August of this year, they closed their program and have not re-opened. This is very discouraging for those involved with adoption from this country because they did not get fully open and accepting of adoption applications in the United States before their close. Kazakhstan is currently working toward being integrated fully in the Hague Convention. They must deal with the any issues that their adoption program has and meet the agreement that was laid out. This is a very time… [more]

One of the coolest things about the month of November is that it is National Adoption Month. I love that there is a whole month dedicated to the children who have been adopted, the parents that have adopted and the children who are waiting to be adopted. Adopted, adopted, adopted. I love to throw that word around. And this November that is exactly what we all should be doing. There is no better way to let people know about the need prevalent in foster care than to tell about your own experience with fostering and adoption. There is a lot of fear around these two actions. It is not unfounded. Adoption from foster care brings many unknowns into a home. Yet, there are… [more]

I am still a little surprised at the fact that I have time to post so early in the month- I like it. It allows us to chat more often. It does seem like I have more time on my hands lately. That little bit of freedom can go a long way! I have always been the type of person who valued their freedom. I do not like to be tied down all of the time. Yet, so much of life ties people to specific places and duties. Is it possible to stop viewing those duties as binding and begin to see them as a gift or service that you are doing? That is not always easy or fun for parents who have… [more]

As I sit here thinking this morning, I cannot help but bring focus on the huge need for foster parents today. There are so many children in need of solid, stable homes and so few prepared to stand in this gap. It takes a lot of dedication, sacrifice and strength to place yourself in a situation that will be trying. If you know that it will be difficult going into it, healthy fear sets in. I use the word healthy before fear because it is accurate. There is not service to be found in walking into a foster care situation without the ability to handle it. An honest look at fostering, from someone who has done it, will show that their are daily… [more]

It is difficult to believe that I am posting this early in the month but here it is. I am so excited to have a relatively slow, lazy morning to 'chat' with you. We have been so very busy for almost a year now. It is hard to imagine that things are going to slow down but I am making a strides in making it so. I have noticed that OSG functions so much better when he has time at home to regroup. All of the running and pushing to get places really seems to affect him negatively. He is also my sleeper, averaging 12 hours a night. When we are so busy, he does not have that kind of time to… [more]