tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79610570004253858202024-03-13T05:56:51.779-05:00GoAdoptionGift of Adoption is a national charitable organization that inspires adoption by providing grants to qualified parents – giving children who need families a permanent home and a chance to thrive.GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-85654367749356212862013-03-06T16:13:00.001-06:002013-03-06T16:13:09.031-06:00Gentile Family Foundation Classic to Benefit Gift of Adoption Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Gift of Adoption Fund is proud to have been chosen as the beneficiary of the 2013 Gentile Family Foundation Charity Golf Tournament, Hosted by Gary Koch. This will make a huge difference for the children and families served by the Florida Chapter.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Learn more by Liking the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGentileFamilyFoundation" target="_blank">Gentile Foundation on Facebook</a>.</span>GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-68318712532823085512013-02-13T10:55:00.001-06:002013-02-13T12:59:23.034-06:00Muhsin Muhammad Dances with the Stars of Charlotte<div style="text-align: center;">
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Please root on Gift of Adoption Carolinas Board member, Muhsin Muhammad, in his <em>Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte</em> performance. <br />
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<em>Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte</em> is a fundraiser for North Carolina Dance Theatre. Each participating Star has chosen a charity to benefit from their participation. Designated charities will receive 50% of all donations made in the form of votes for the Stars (NC Dance also receives 50%). If you are inspired to vote by making a gift - by all means - <a href="http://ncdance.org/GalaTix.asp" target="_blank">please feel free to do so</a> (select star pair, Muhsin & Sarah from the drop down list when casting your vote).
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<a href="http://ncdance.org/images/clip_image002_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ncdance.org/images/clip_image002_0018.jpg" /></a><strong>About Muhsin
Background</strong>: Wife, Christa and 7 children reside in Charlotte, NC
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<strong>Professional/Career</strong>: Managing Director at Axum. 14 -year NFL veteran, Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears
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<strong>Interests/Hobbies/Dance Experience</strong>: Hunting and Fishing
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<strong>Fun Facts</strong>: Holds the NFL's record for the longest touchdown in super bowl history and is one of three players to have scored touchdowns for two different teams in the super bowl
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<strong>Non-profit/Charity Supporting along with NC Dance Theatre</strong>: Gift of Adoption of the Carolinas
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<a href="http://ncdance.org/StarPairMuhsinSarah.asp" target="_blank">Click here to see a video of Muhsin rehearsing</a> with his NC Dance partner, Sarah Hayes Watson.<br />
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All proceeds raised from Muhsin's participation will be used to fulfill adoption assistance grants to help Carolina parents complete the adoptions of vulnerable children in the U.S. and around the world.<br />
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Please use the links to the right to share this story with your friends and spread the word.
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Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01253635957556866139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-27891480177591051602012-10-05T15:38:00.003-05:002012-10-05T15:38:41.608-05:00Support Gift of Adoption with your United Way or CFC giving<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Fall United Way and Combined Federal Campaigns are getting underway around the country. Don't forget Gift of Adoption as you make your designations. These programs are great ways to show your support of GOA year-round and make it possible for more children to become adopted. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You can direct your United Way gift to Gift of Adoption! Just write in Gift of Adoption (FEIN 39-1863217) on your pledge card.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Federal or state employees can make payroll gifts through the CFC. Simply complete a pledge card indicating Gift </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">of Adoption (CFC #95108) as your designee.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/donate/waysToGiveUW.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.giftofadoption.org/donate/waysToGiveUW.html</a><br />
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If your workplace has a UW or CFC campaign, please consider hanging our <a href="https://www.giftofadoption.org/images/pdf/UnitedWayFlyers.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">flyers</a> to help spread he word!GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-75782235058406216642012-05-30T11:37:00.001-05:002012-05-30T11:37:40.884-05:00The Amazing Journey of Samuel and AsherGift of Adoption helped fund the adoption of its first Hollywood movie stars and we're making headlines!<br />
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From an Ethiopian orphanage to a movie set starring as Jennifer Lopez’s son in the movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting," it's been one amazing year for the Howard family. When they turned to Gift of Adoption to help fund the adoption of their twin infant sons from an Ethiopian orphanage, the consensus was they were lucky to be alive. They could have never dreamed that less than 14 months later, their twin boys would be healthy, happy and on a movie set starring with Jennifer Lopez.<br />
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Check out the incredible journey of Samuel and Asher Howard below and see how Gift of Adoption helped give these boys a life they otherwise may not have known.<br />
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Help us spread the word. "Like," Tweet and share these stories with your friends!<br />
<img height="707" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/People0512.png" width="580" /><br />
The Insider follows Samuel and Asher to the "What to Expect" premiere:<br />
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Watch the <a href="http://www.etonline.com/news/121829_The_Adorable_Twin_Stars_of_JLo_s_What_to_Expect/index.html">video</a> of Entertainment Tonight's exclusive ride-along with the Howard's on their way to the boys' first glamorous red carpet premiere and to hear the family's heartwarming "miracle" adoption story:
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<a href="http://www.etonline.com/news/121829_The_Adorable_Twin_Stars_of_JLo_s_What_to_Expect/index.html"><img height="621" longdesc="http://www.etonline.com/news/121829_The_Adorable_Twin_Stars_of_JLo_s_What_to_Expect/index.html" src="../images/subpages/ET0512.png" width="580" /></a>
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People Magazine Online - Read the full article <a href="http://celebritybabies.people.com/2012/05/23/jennifer-lopez-what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-movie-twins/">here</a>.
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<a href="http://celebritybabies.people.com/2012/05/23/jennifer-lopez-what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-movie-twins/"><img height="648" longdesc="http://celebritybabies.people.com/2012/05/23/jennifer-lopez-what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-movie-twins/" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/PeopleOnline0512.png" width="580" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kindred-howard/jennifer-lopez-what-to-expect_b_1469398.html?ref=parents" target="_blank">From An Ethiopian Orphanage Into Jennifer Lopez' Arms</a> (HuffingtonPost)
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<img height="145" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/huffpotn.jpg" width="450" />
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<b>Continue following Samuel and Asher's story on their family's blog: <a href="http://oursammyandasher.com/" target="_blank">http://oursammyandasher.com/</a></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.oursammyandasher.com/" title="The Amazing Journey of Samuel & Asher"><img alt="The Amazing Journey of Samuel & Asher" src="http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q612/mere3224/2weekshome2-Jan2011-4-1.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01253635957556866139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-91132346290832968822012-04-06T11:09:00.001-05:002012-04-06T11:12:46.963-05:00Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities and Transitions Championship Honor Gary Koch with Donation to Gift of Adoption Fund<a href="http://www.transitionschampionship.com/en/Pages/default.aspx">Transitions Championship</a> recognized <a href="http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/001641/gary-koch/media-guide/#uber">Gary Koch </a>for all the work he's done for the Transitions tournament by designating a significant donation to the charity of his choice. Gary, a longtime supporter of the <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org">Gift of Adoption Fund</a>, directed the donation to the <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/chapters/florida.html">Florida Chapter of Gift of Adoption</a>.<br /><br />“We are immensely grateful for the generosity and longstanding commitment Gary has shown Gift of Adoption. Whether taking on the role of Honorary Chair for our signature event, donating golf foursomes and expertise, or making a significant personal gift, these acts of kindness have directly benefited children in need who are now loved by a family who has got them forever,” shared Pam Devereux, Gift of Adoption CEO.Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01253635957556866139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-27017149747907524212012-01-10T14:49:00.002-06:002012-01-10T14:51:23.833-06:00Meet Aubrey and Amber<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Aubrey, an 8-year-old girls living in an
orphanage in southeastern China, was in the process of being adopted and
planned to come home to her new family in later 2011. But along the way, plans
changed. Rob and Shawnee, a couple living in Kentucky who had already adopted
two children, were planning on fundraising in fall of 2011 in order to afford
the adoption of Aubrey, when they were asked to advocate for 14-year-old Amber
who was about to age out of the Chinese orphanage system. Instead of just advocating
for her, the couple decided that they would adopt both Amber and Aubrey, and so
had to rush through the adoption process before Amber aged-out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The quickness of
the adoption meant the girls had to suddenly adjust to new people, new routines
and a new culture. At first, this was especially difficult for Amber, who had
spent such a long time in her orphanage in China. Aubrey had an easier time
with the process and Shawnee shares that Aubrey “is utterly thrilled with her
adoption”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Since arriving in their new home, both
girls have felt more and more at home. Shawnee says, “now that [Amber] is in </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her new home with her family, she seems to be accepting her
lot. She loves to sing and has shown me many photos </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of
her in music groups during her growing up years. She starts middle school next
Thursday and is scheduled to take a choral class, which makes her very happy.”
Aubrey also doing great and “is a ray of sunshine, sweet, affectionate, smart,
and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so hard-working and helpful that we
often have to ask her to stop helping!”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Both girls still face several challenges.
Amber has </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis
and Aubrey </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has ataxic cerebral palsy, pronounced,
visual tracking problems, speech impairment and serious dental problems. But
their new family is already working to get them the medical treatment they need</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <b>A grant from Gift of Adoption funded by donations in
memory of Maggie Bevenour made this trip possible – giving Amber and Aubrey a
permanent family and a chance to thrive. </b>The couple promised, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We will
be their family forever. They will never ‘age out’ of our family.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326693456306176977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-23864059135082399592012-01-09T12:07:00.003-06:002012-01-09T12:16:49.983-06:00A Love Beyond Boundaries"I believe in adoption because of its intentionality; because of how it changes lives; because of the way it puts skin and bones, laughter and tears on the whole idea of hope."<br /><br />The above quote is an excerpt from the The January 7th, 2012 installment of "This I Believe" - a beautifully written piece about adoption by Brian Schoeni.<br /><br />The entire essay can be read or heard <a href="http://thisibelieve.org/essay/7628/">here</a> and reminds us that, "...adoption isn’t a perfect fit for every parent-to-be. But I do believe this: adoption is a perfect fit for every kid in every corner of our world who needs the love of a family.Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01253635957556866139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-69988075655667250662011-12-07T20:22:00.001-06:002011-12-07T20:28:23.770-06:00Meet Shabri!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Shabri is a little girl adopted from India in 2011. At first, she was hesitant to open up to her forever family, but you can see in this video that she is now a happy, bright, and loved child. We're so happy to see that Shabri is doing so well and can't wait to hear what the future brings for her!<br />
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Want to learn about more of the children that Gift of Adoption has helped? Check out our YouTube page <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/giftofadoptionfund">here</a> or go to http://www.youtube.com/user/giftofadoptionfundGift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326693456306176977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-67520484942189372562011-11-16T10:27:00.006-06:002011-11-16T10:42:55.074-06:00The Big GIve Results!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRs14ejlauI/TsPlqjOtIlI/AAAAAAAAAD4/tX4Zbz-EVdM/s1600/GOA.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 106px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRs14ejlauI/TsPlqjOtIlI/AAAAAAAAAD4/tX4Zbz-EVdM/s320/GOA.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675632474591142482" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><tbody><tr><td valign="top" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><table border="0" width="600" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width: 600px; "><tbody></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline !important; "></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><tbody><tr><td valign="top" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><table border="0" width="600" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width: 600px; "></table></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><tbody><tr><td valign="top" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><table border="0" width="600" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width: 600px; "><tbody><tr><td width="100%" rowspan="1" colspan="1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; "><tbody><tr><td rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; "><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Thank you to everyone who participated in the Columbus </p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Foundation's Big Give on Thursday, November 10. </p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Preliminary results are in and Gift of Adoption Fund raised</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">an estimated $13,25.82 and will receive $1,720.44 in </p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">matching dollars and $437.39 in credit card free </p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">reimbursements, totaling $15,412.65 from the Big Give!</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Thank you for your support!</b></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><br /></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></span><div style="text-align: left;border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; "><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline !important; "><tbody style="display: inline !important; "><tr style="display: inline !important; "><td valign="top" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; display: inline !important; "></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><tbody><tr><td valign="top" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline !important; "><tbody style="display: inline !important; "><tr style="display: inline !important; "><td valign="top" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; display: inline !important; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lmKwzvj_Us4/TsPn876mYaI/AAAAAAAAAEc/gvfGNiGC9-0/s400/biggiveblast.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675634989478601122" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px; " /></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326693456306176977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-73216207111472252692011-10-07T19:08:00.003-05:002011-10-07T19:27:09.639-05:00Meet Camon and Caleb<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#232020;"><br /></span></div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Times; color:#232020;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 143px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht6zmXU9iZ8/To-WFt3F1kI/AAAAAAAAADY/95UwnoXRj44/s400/Bennet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660908281582179906" /></p> <p color="#232020" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Times; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(35, 32, 32); "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(35, 32, 32); ">Camon (age 3) and Caleb (age 2), are brothers recently adopted with the help of a Gift of Adoption grant. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(35, 32, 32); font-family:georgia;">Their adoptive parents, Bradley and Amy, first met Camon and Caleb earlier this year after receiving an unexpected call from their adoption agency asking them to provide emergency care for the boys while their birth mother entered a treatment program<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Times; color:#232020;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Times; color:#232020;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">As Amy shares, “their birth mother had been in the foster care system and had had a very traumatic childhood and adolescence. She doesn’t want this to happen to her children. We considered the decision carefully, but knew from the very first minute that the boys walked into our home that they had walked into our hearts.” Soon after Camon and Caleb came to live with Bradley, Amy, and their son Ethan, their birth mother made the decision to create a parenting plan for her sons – asking Bradley and Amy to adopt them and provide them with a safe, stable and loving home.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Times; color:#232020;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 231px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxXX1OmCTcw/To-WW9rTZtI/AAAAAAAAADg/C0P2M2eUQ8o/s400/Bennet2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660908577885480658" /></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 32, 32); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Times; color:#232020;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Through the gift of adoption, Camon and Caleb have been able to experience much joy and love and have positively changed the lives of those around them. Camon loves to help cook, play with playdough and run! He makes up silly songs and is a wonderful big brother. Caleb loves airplanes, is the dramatic child and likes to give raspberry kisses!</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Times; color:#232020;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><p color="#232020" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Times; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Bradley and Amy share that they recently traveled back to the state from which the boys were adopted and shared a visit with the agency folks who placed the boys with them. They were astounded at the transformation of the boys. And we know that it's just the beginning!</span></p></span><p></p>Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326693456306176977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-55490179748162728982011-08-28T11:57:00.012-05:002011-08-28T12:15:43.042-05:00Support Gift of Adoption with Tix4Cause!<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 36px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__Jf_FJtpzI/Tlp0nUtjWKI/AAAAAAAAADI/4oifUT6M9G0/s400/GOA%2Btix3.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645953301785827490" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 65px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3wGpgbo-gvc/Tlp0dKkS7aI/AAAAAAAAADA/aRYCjYCt5mc/s400/GOA%2Btix2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645953127263956386" /><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:22.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:24.0pt;">USE THEM TO SUPPORT</span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><span style="color:red;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 47px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM-QEKV56II/Tlp0P4c8CZI/AAAAAAAAAC4/-xjhoazj9eM/s400/GOA%2Blogo.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645952899062958482" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 116px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw1HuQ6eNaQ/TlpzyrA7HGI/AAAAAAAAACw/aApAe9gFqLI/s400/GOA%2BTix.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645952397239589986" /><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;margin-right: 0in; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; "><b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Have you ever purchased tickets, maybe season tickets, </span></span></b><b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and later realized that you couldn’t use them</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">?</span></i></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><b><span style="color:red;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;margin-right: 0in; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, you have a new, easy and beneficial option for these tickets!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><b><span style="color:red;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;margin-right: 0in; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; "><b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">tix</span></span></b><b><span style="color:#548DD4;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4</span></span></b><b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">cause.com</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is an innovative ticket exchange website that allows you to </span><b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">DONATE</span></span></b><span style="color:#C00000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">your unused tickets for the benefit of your favorite charity! </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In this case, </span><b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">GIFT OF ADOPTION</span></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;margin-right: 0in; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You simply post your tickets on </span><b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">tix</span></span><span style="color:#548DD4;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4</span></span><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">cause.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and, when they sell, </span><b><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">GIFT OF ADOPTION</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> receives 100% of the proceeds and you receive a notice of your fully tax deductible donation.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><b><i><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“Ticket BUYERS also benefit by dealing with the lowest cost tickets!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; tab-stops:24.0pt center 3.55in;background:#D9D9D9;border:none;mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:28.0pt;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:26.0pt;">Visit <span style="color:red;">tix</span><span style="color:#548DD4;">4</span><span style="color:red;">cause.com </span>Today!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; tab-stops:24.0pt center 3.55in;background:#D9D9D9;border:none;mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria;font-size:26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:0in;text-align:center; background:#D9D9D9;border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 31.0pt 4.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;">See GIFT OF ADOPTION listing under “Charities" or click <a href="http://www.tix4cause.com/charities/gift-of-adoption-fund/">HERE</a></span></i></p> </div> <!--EndFragment--> Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326693456306176977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-54431165663179124842011-08-17T12:18:00.005-05:002011-08-17T15:37:12.073-05:00What a Difference a Year Makes!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pw5D1-_APWU/TkwmUuJCqfI/AAAAAAAAACo/c5C31SINRgU/s1600/P4091379.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pw5D1-_APWU/TkwmUuJCqfI/AAAAAAAAACo/c5C31SINRgU/s400/P4091379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641926570613582322" /></a><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">One year ago Quinn Da-Hui, an adorab</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">le baby girl from South </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Korea found her forever family. On August 2, 2010 9-month-old Quinn traveled to America with her new parents, Joanna and Dan. Joanna says that “</span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When we first came home, Quinn only wanted to be held...all the time. She wouldn't explore on the floor or play with toys unless she was right in our laps.” But Quinn has grown very comfortable in her new home, especially with Joanna and Dan’s 3 biological children, Bregan, Wyatt, and Charlotte</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> The family had several concerns about Quinn’s health and language development, but one year later they are happy to report that she is doing great! Joanna says, “W</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">e are happy to say s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">he is quite a chatterbox! We have a list of all the words she can say (in her own way many of them) and she says over 25 words plus her "baby signs". She also said her first two-word sentence today! ‘Mommy, look!’ (she had placed Bregan's baseball hat on her head and couldn't have been more proud of herself!)” Another concern was Quinn’s hearing. A test performed in Korea showed that she may have moderate to severe hearing impairments. “But after having her hearing assessed once she was home, it was determined that her hearing is perfect! We consider this to be a miracle! Such a surprising and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">wonderful blessing!”</span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkUqWNC63mk/Tkv6E7axZ4I/AAAAAAAAACg/t0m-SR-Hmhc/s320/P4291453.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641877920788080514" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So much has changed for Quinn and her new family in the past year! Joanna shares, “It is so amazing the difference a year makes. One year ago, Quinnie didn't even know of her family (both immediate and extended) who had been praying and praying and pr</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">aying and praying for her! And now, she is surrounded by so many who love her. She also love</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">s them! Especially her brothers and sister! She has her own name for each of them too. Bregan is Buh-dee, Wyatt is Why-ee and Charlotte is Nonny. Too cute! The older three spent the night at their grandparent's house last weekend. Quinnie kept saying to us: "mommy...buh dee?" "daddy...nonny?" "mommy...why ee?" as she walked around the house lo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">oking for them. It brought tears to my eyes to see her love for them and to think of how only a short year ago, she didn't even know about them! What a difference a year makes!”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> About Gift of Adoption, Joanna says “</span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">This grant was such a huge blessing to us. We really wanted to travel to South Korea to bring Quinn home instead of having her escorted here. We wanted to be able to witness, firsthand, her culture and to have the opportunity to meet the foster family who had been caring for and loving our daughter. We will have that experience (along with photos) to share with her as she gets older.” </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_DW9jgRlyY/Tkv5U73V7DI/AAAAAAAAACQ/vjvUVOwc9uk/s400/P3301341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641877096274193458" /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Joanna and Dan are so thankful for Quinn, especially in the face of all the changes happening to the adoption system in South Korea. Joanna explains, “the President [of South Korea] has decided to go ahead with the plan to close international adoption in 2012. The bill has already passed the Korean Assembly and only needs to be signed by the President. As a result of this plan, the number of children "referred" for international adoption has been decreasing and the length of time to bring your child home is increasing. Truly a sad and heart wrenching situation.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Joanna says, “We couldn't be more joyful over our COMPLETE family!” At Gift of Adoption we can’t wait to hear more updates about Quinn in the years to come!</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326693456306176977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-40084995032752122011-08-06T10:00:00.000-05:002011-08-06T10:02:36.549-05:00Meet ErinMeet Erin, a 14 year-old girl adopted from China. With the help of Gift of Adoption, Erin has found her forever family. You can see first hand how Erin is doing by checking out the video below!<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k486gIVzk8A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />You can also take a look at our Youtube page to find out more about the amazing kids that have found their forever families with the help of Gift of Adoption! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/giftofadoptionfund">http://www.youtube.com/user/giftofadoptionfund</a>Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326693456306176977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-81669671092786500042011-08-02T21:31:00.015-05:002011-08-02T22:42:16.704-05:00Meet Selah, Andarge, and Eyruselem<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq17UMCEkFE/Tji2XTLVBmI/AAAAAAAAACI/zIOIfmjcdP4/s1600/Twietmeyer_Carolyn_Kiel_G2_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq17UMCEkFE/Tji2XTLVBmI/AAAAAAAAACI/zIOIfmjcdP4/s400/Twietmeyer_Carolyn_Kiel_G2_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636455445055211106" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Il</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">linois residents Kiel and Carolyn were able to adopt the two teenaged siblings of their recently adopted daughter Selah with the help of Gift of Adoption. Selah has stage 4 AIDS and Carolyn and Kiel knew her health would be in danger if she stayed in her Ethiopian orphanage much longer. Kiel, a self-employed painter and decorator, and Carolyn, the Executive Director of Project Hopeful, currently have 11 children, ages 3 to 20. After a visit to an orphanage in Ethiopia, Carolyn met the children and suffered with the two older siblings, Andarge and Eyruselem, a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">s they allowed their little sister to be adopted in hopes of saving her life. Their parents had already died of AIDS.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Andarge, 16, and Eyruselem, 15, have prayed to be reunited with their little sister. The determination of Kiel and Carolyn have allowed their dream to come true. Andarge wrote this email to Carolyn just after he learned the court would allow him to be adopted by Carolyn and Kiel: “</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Thank you mom because you are the one and the main for this whole succesus.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In the FUTURE i blive that we will live together and start a new life .</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Carolyn says about this family’s decision to adopt: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Our reasoning for this particular adoption, being our third adoption (6 children </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">total, 2 sibling groups of three) was that we found it absolutely unacceptable that these siblings be separated. We believe that HIV/AIDS has robbed these </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">children of enough. I was present in '07 when these kids made the d</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">ecision to relinquish their little sister because she had HIV and would not receive medical care otherwise. A 14 year old boy should never have had to make such a decision. He nobly tried to keep his sisters together and "parent" them after the deaths of his parents. I had never witnessed such heartbreak. The orphanages would not accept them, and they thought Selah would have a better chance of being adopted if she was alone. WHO would want 2 teenagers and a 10 year old child with stage 4 AIDS?? THAT WOULD BE US!!”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36TtFUAHRUQ/Tji0jP12xzI/AAAAAAAAABw/AO5C3x_8An4/s320/Twietmeyer_Carolyn_Kiel_G2_10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636453451295016754" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">“As a family, “ explained Carolyn, “we have been drawn to the most difficult to adopt children, older children, sibling groups and children with HIV/AIDS. We have done everything in our power to make these adoptions a reality, successfully.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"This time around we have run out of time, due to circumstances beyond our control. Kiel's job situation and our medical deductibles for our children with HIV, we are unable to shoulder this entire burden at this time.” The grant received from Gift of Adoption will allow these children to have a chance in life, something they would never have gotten in Ethiopia.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Gift of Adoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326693456306176977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-77739528273757167832011-03-07T12:11:00.005-06:002011-03-07T14:10:53.406-06:00Meet Hugo and MariaMaria (13) and Hugo (15) are siblings who were living in an orphanage in Colombia. Because of their ages, their chances of being adopted were slim. Even slimmer were their chances of being adopted into the same home. Hugo and Maria know this because early in 2010, their two youngest sisters were adopted. If not adopted by the age of 16, Hugo would be moved to a group home in another city. Recently, however, they were adopted together by Juleine.<br /><br /><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/enews/2011marg1.jpg" />Juleine shared, "While at a meeting with my foster daughter, I met Maria. She was in the U.S. with a hosting program. I had no intention of adopting (I already had a 20-year-old son and a 19-year-old foster child, both in college) but her situation made me very sad. I learned that the four children had made a pact that if any of them had the chance to be adopted, even if it meant being separated, that they would encourage each other to take the opportunity. I was totally appalled that a family of children would be put in a position to have to make that decision. I figured out the logistics of adopting two teens and made the decision to adopt both children."<br /><br />Juleine traveled to Colombia at the end of November to bring her children home. A grant from Gift of Adoption made this trip possible - giving Maria and Hugo a permanent family and a chance to thrive.<br /><br />Since deciding to move forward with this adoption, Juleine has become close with the couple who adopted Maria and Hugo's younger sisters. They have become an extended family for all four children and recently organized a bi-coastal visit between the two families. Everyone's commitment to helping the kids grow up as the family they are has had a very stabilizing effect on all of the children.<br /><br />Life for the family has been exciting and hectic. Juleine shares, "It has been a crazy 2.5 months since we arrived in the US. Hugo started on the school soccer team his first day of school, and Maria started ballet the first of January. Our life is about what you would expect right now - lots of adjustments, learning and change. The kids are very resilient and I believe stand a very good chance of creating quality lives for themselves here. Their first report cards just arrived; my daughter got a 3.50 and my son a 3.20 gpa. My son's goal is to be a professional soccer player (although he has started asking about careers in math as a backup!), and my daughter wants to be a lawyer. What's down the road for us all is a definite unknown. Whenever I question the sanity of adopting two teenagers though, I remind myself that both of them have told me that they want to adopt children from Colombia some day. I'm taking that as an affirmation that they think it's a pretty good thing!" </div>GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-8054709927572049522011-03-03T11:27:00.005-06:002011-03-07T15:42:40.054-06:00Adoption Emerges as a Charitable Endeavor<em>Sharon Komlofske, of Wilmette, Karen Roddy, of Glencoe, and others<br />welcome Justice Anne Burke at an exclusive <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/aboutus/bod.html#investorBOD">investor</a> breakfast</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/IBKomlofske_Simon_Burke.jpg"></a><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/IBKomlofske_Simon_Burke.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 245px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/IBKomlofske_Simon_Burke.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/">Gift of Adoption</a> welcomed <a href="http://www.state.il.us/court/supremecourt/Justices/Bio_Burke.asp">Justice Anne Burke</a>, Illinois Supreme Court Justice, as she addressed an intimate group of key Gift of Adoption stakeholders at a special breakfast hosted by Rick Waddell, CEO of the Northern Trust in Chicago on Feb. 24th. Gift of Adoption is the nation’s largest provider of adoption grants without regard to an applicant’s age, race, gender, creed, national origin, religion or marital status. They provide children in need of families a permanent, loving home.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/IBBurke.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 159px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/IBBurke.jpg" /></a>Burke is a nationally respected advocate for children and shared her own personal stories of motherhood, adoption and her involvement with the foster care system. Burke, together with her husband, Alderman Edward M. Burke, are both foster and adoptive parents, and have raised five children amid demanding, public careers. Burke was candid and forthcoming about her family’s experience – about the joys of parenthood through adoption of the red head, blonde and dark haired Burkes and the joy of seeing the next generation of Burke children who are not only family blessings, but also making the world better – all because of the gift that is adoption.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/IBSimon.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/IBSimon.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.npr.org/people/3874941/scott-simon">Scott Simon</a>, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition, adoptive father of two, and author of Baby We Were Meant For Each Other, made a special appearance from New York City and offered a warm introduction for Burke, and answered a few panel style questions. Simon remarked that, “Putting children who need love and care into families who crave the love of a child is one of the great unfinished endeavors of the world.”<br /><br />Board Member, Karen Roddy, of Glencoe, shared that there are more than 140 million children worldwide, about 500,000 right here in the United States, who have been orphaned, abandoned, or taken from their parents due to extreme abuse or neglect. Gift of Adoption addresses the needs of these children by providing grants to qualified parents in order to complete the adoption process. Adoption gives these children permanent homes and the chance to thrive. Since 1996, The Gift of Adoption Fund has given away more than $2.26 million to unite more than 750 children with their forever families.<br /><br />Gift of Adoption provides children with a last name, a legacy, and most importantly, a future. <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/donate/waysToGive_investorBoard.html">Learn more about the Gift of Adoption Investor Board</a>.GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-69278469614731651922010-09-10T13:14:00.003-05:002010-09-10T13:19:13.668-05:00Meet Chance, Chase, and Chloe<div align="left"><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/enews/2010sepGS1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/enews/2010sepGS1.jpg" /></a><br />In April, we invited you to help Chloe's adoptive parents bring her two brothers, Chase and Chance, home from China. Once Ron and Vicki learned that their daughter had two siblings, they acted fast to adopt them before they grew too old to be adopted.<br /><br />Generous donors helped to fund a $7,500 grant so that Ron and Vicki would not have to shoulder this burden alone. We are thrilled to let you know that Chase and Chance have officially joined Chloe in their forever family.<br /><br />The three siblings have spent the summer getting to know their parents and other new siblings. They are also working on their English and learning more about what it means to be kids with parents looking out for them.<br /><br />All three siblings are happy to be in school. They are fortunate to have teachers who are dedicated to helping them with their transition.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/enews/2010sepGS2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/enews/2010sepGS2.jpg" /></a><br />Vicki shares one of her favorite memories, the day the three siblings were reunited: "I can still recall getting that first glimpse of the boys! In the hotel lobby they came with the biggest smiles ever. They looked so incredibly happy, they couldn't stop smiling. It was all over their faces how thrilled they were that we had come back for them. Like a dream come true." </div>GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-54228337904902886452010-08-06T11:32:00.002-05:002010-08-06T12:12:09.398-05:00Birth SiblingsOne of the <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/apply/applicationFAQ.html#fundingPriorities">funding priorities</a> of Gift of Adoption is to unite biological siblings in the same home or prevent them from being separated. Last year, 15% of Gift of Adoption grants helped keep or unite biological siblings together in one caring and loving home. Adoptive Families magazine has a great article this month that speaks to the importance of birth siblings growing up together. <a href="http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=2078">Read the article here</a> and then <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/fundagrant.html">read about a recent Gift of Adoption grant </a>that helped united Chloe with her brothers Chance and Chase. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/fundagranty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 405px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/fundagranty.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We look forward to sharing photos and updates about Chloe's reunion with Chance and Chase with you soon.GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-41817362221001577422010-03-17T11:29:00.004-05:002010-03-17T21:57:36.967-05:00Meet Vialancia, Jean & Jeanette<a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/fundagrant3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/fundagrant3.jpg" /></a>A month ago we invited you to be a part of funding the grant that would bring Haitian orphans Vialancia, Jean, & Jeanette home to Thomas and Amy's family after their adoptions were expedited following the devastating earthquake in January.<br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/fundagrant4.jpg" />Thanks to the generous support of many, Gift of Adoption reached its grant goal of $7,000 on February 26. We are excited to share with you that all three children are now safely at home with their family in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska.<br /><br />Amy and Thomas were expecting to fly to Miami in early February to bring all three children home at the same time. Vialancia and Jeanette were successfully boarded on a flight from Haiti to Miami, but Jean has been left behind due to a delay in processing his paperwork.<br /><br />After returning to Nebraska with the girls, Thomas flew back to Miami a week later to bring Jean home.<br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 274px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/fundagrant5.jpg" />The whole family is now adjusting to their new routines. Amy recently shared, "The first time the whole family went to church together it really hit me. We had been going to church as a family of four for three years. It was super emotional to be in the church as a family of seven. I looked down the pew at the rest of my family and saw that Mary Beth (13), Anna (11) and Thomas were all teary eyed. Without words, we all felt the significance of the event."<br /><br />The family extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped to bring Vilancia, Jean & Jeanette home through their generous donations, "Quite honestly, I don't know how we could have made this happen without this grant. We thought we would have three years to save but then the earthquake brought them home in a matter of weeks."<br /><br />The family's story was recently featured in two local newspapers. Click the links below to read more:<br /><a href="http://www.omaha.com/article/20100302/LIVING/703029959">Omaha World-Herald</a><br /><a href="http://www.enterprisepub.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=17031">Washington County Pilt-Tribune & Enterprise</a>GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-21400395262935191982010-01-14T13:53:00.002-06:002010-01-14T13:57:00.768-06:00HaitiThe enormous tragedy in Haiti will have unknown effects on Haiti's international adoption program. As the number of newly orphaned children becomes known and as Americans come together to help in whatever way they can, there may be an increase in the number of families considering adoption from Haiti. If you are considering adopting from Haiti but are concerned the financial obstacle may be too large to overcome, Gift of Adoption may be able to help. <br /><br />Gift of Adoption is a national charitable organization that inspires adoption by providing grants to qualified parents – giving children who need families a permanent home and a chance to thrive. Our focus is on giving children in need of families a chance to thrive. In doing so, we do not consider an applicant’s race, marital status, age, or religion in determining grant awards, only that they are qualified (as evidenced by a home study from a COA accredited agency), demonstrate financial need and have shown a commitment to funding the adoption on their own. Gift of Adoption awards adoption assistance grants monthly and our international grants program prioritizes grants that will help complete the adoptions of biological siblings into the same home, children who are in danger of aging out of an orphanage system, and children who have life-threatening medical conditions. <br /><br />Gift of Adoption accepts grant requests from applicants adopting internationally from non-Hague Convention on Adoption member countries, such as Haiti, provided the adoptions are facilitated by a COA accredited agency. A full listing of COA accredited agencies can be found on the <a href="http://adoption.state.gov/hague/accreditation/agencies.html">U.S. State Department's Intercountry Adoption website</a>. Gift of Adoption funding criteria and priorities are outlined <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/apply/applicationFAQ.html">on our website</a>. <br /><br />For more information about adoptions from Haiti and current State Deprtment alers, please visit the <a href="http://adoption.state.gov/country/haiti.html">U.S. State Department website</a> <br /><br />If you have any questions about the Gift of Adoption grant program, please contact grants@giftofadoption.orgGoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-21156157965904077052009-12-29T13:10:00.003-06:002009-12-29T13:15:52.152-06:00Happy New Year from Gift of Adoption!As 2009 draws to a close, we'd like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts -- and on behalf of the children and families whose lives you've improved through the gift of adoption. <br /> <br />We are making a bigger difference this year than ever before. With your efforts we're striving to put adoption in reach for 100 children this year; kids like Gabi for whom there is no gift as precious as a family that will love her forever. <br /> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ylUQ7DlWpAU/SzpVV2NfPyI/AAAAAAAAABU/D-Ck4q8l0NU/s1600-h/Gabi.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ylUQ7DlWpAU/SzpVV2NfPyI/AAAAAAAAABU/D-Ck4q8l0NU/s320/Gabi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420738935311515426" /></a>I think this story says it all; one night Gabi came to us and said that she had a dream. These were Gabi's words: <br /> <br />'I sad -- Mama, Papa, Hailee and I'm go Bulgaria - I'm stay Bulgaria - Mama, Papa, Hailee go America - I'm sad in Bulgaria , no Mama, Papa, Hailee to love me.'<br /> <br />Needless to say these words broke our hearts - we did our best to explain that she was ours forever and that wouldn't happen. During this conversation we learned that Gabi always had this fear with her foster mom because she knew that she could be sent or taken back to the orphanage at any time. She also knew that her foster mom was 'old, old' (according to Gabi) and that if something happened to her they would send Gabi back to the orphanage. Constant reassurance has helped, along with hugs and holding. But it was a little ornament that she found in her stocking that seemed to get the point across to her. The ornament is a heart and written across the heart it says "Forever Family". She clutched that little ornament in her hand and told us that she was happy now. Knowing that she is a part of our family forever has given her peace - a peace she would have never had without adoption! <br /> <br />Without your generosity our adoption would not have been possible."<br /><br /> <br />May you and your family enjoy peaceful, happy holidays! <br /> <br />Your friends at the Gift of Adoption FundGoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-19389663718383141702009-11-19T14:20:00.001-06:002009-11-19T14:23:11.806-06:00Vote for Gift of AdoptionPlease help Gift of Adoption earn a piece of $5m by following the link below and voting in the Facebook Chase Community Giving Promotion.<br /><br /><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/854124?src=embed"><img src="http://a1.chase.contextoptional.com/images/vote_for_us.jpg?1258646587" /></a>GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-4469793969654738672009-10-23T15:03:00.008-05:002009-10-23T15:33:10.675-05:00Mia - Five Years LaterWe are always excited to hear from past Gift of Adoption grant recipients. To hear how things are going and to hear what the gift of adoption has meant to them and to their children. Today we received this letter from Cody. Cody and his wife, Kristina, adopted Mia alomst five years ago. The picture of Mia and her brother running through the sprinkler this summer says it all.<br /><blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/blog102309b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/blog102309b.JPG" /></a> "To say that everyday is a miracle in our lives is somewhat of an understatement. We are fast approaching the 5-year anniversary of our daughter Mia’s adoption. A long drawn out adoption process that neared two years in length ended in March of 2005. Gift of Adoption was there for us in the final moments and made it possible for us to close our adoption without worry. You are such a big part of our life and we are ever grateful.<br /><br />Mia turned 6 this summer. She is loving life and school in her first grade year. She is excited to be a part of a new Spanish immersion program in our area schools. By 2nd grade she will be speaking Spanish fluently. Since the adoption was finalized, we have returned to Guatemala to serve on mission and service projects with Mia and her younger brother Carter.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/blog102309.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/subpages/blog102309.JPG" /></a>Every day begins with a new found joy as we watch both of our children grow and learn. It is a gift to be a parent. It is our prayer that we never lose the appreciation for what we have been given and the gratitude for those and to those who so generously helped us become a family."<br /><br /></blockquote><br /><p></p><p>Visit <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/">http://www.giftofadoption.org/</a> to learn how you can make adoption possible for more children like Mia. </p>GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7961057000425385820.post-43541025340333943112009-10-02T00:01:00.000-05:002009-10-02T13:59:38.865-05:00Welcome to the Gift of Adoption BlogWelcome to the official blog of the Gift of Adoption Fund. We are excited to begin this blog in conjunction with the launch of our new website at <a href="http://www.giftofadoption.org/">http://www.giftofadoption.org/</a>. We hope you enjoy your visits to both our blog and our new website. Our goals for both are to:<br /><br /><strong>Empower</strong> you to act on behalf of the millions of children in the U.S. and around the world who are living without families of their own,<br /><br /><strong>Invite </strong>you to get involved and make a difference in the lives of these children, and<br /><br /><strong>Connect</strong> you to the results of our collective efforts - sharing the stories of the lives that are forever changed as a result of your generosity and the stories of the people who are choosing to get involved to make those differences.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385521942489723618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ylUQ7DlWpAU/Sr03rEgr8uI/AAAAAAAAAA8/y7E36IUb8To/s320/websitesnapshot.JPG" />We hope you will check in with us often to see what we are up to. In the meantime, feel free to let us know what you think of our new look.</p>GoAdoptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846339276470420450noreply@blogger.com0