Home in 2009
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The Kanz Family
Bethany from Ethiopia
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  The Nemes FamilyAnastasia from Ukraine
Follow the Nemes family adoption journey on their blog at www.puremommyextract.blogspot.com |
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 The Arnold FamilySneha from India
Follow the adoption journey of the Arnold family on their blog at http://www.arnoldfamilynews.blogspot.com/
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  The Bergmann FamilyDylan from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Bergmann family on their blog at http://www.bergsjourney.blogspot.com/
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  The Stolz Family
Milos from Eastern Europe
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 The Maples Family
Nadja from Eastern Europe
Follow the Maples family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.gatheringangels.blogspot.com
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  The Worrall Family
Ruth from Taiwan
Follow the Worrall family's adoption journey on their blog at https://petenlaurie.wordpress.com/
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  The Stumbo Family
Lily from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Stumbo family on their blog at http://www.elliestumbo.blogspot.com/
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   The Harris Family – Max & Rostislav from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Harris family on their blog at http://harrisfamilyjourneys.blogspot.com
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  The Briggs Family
Diana & Donovan from Bulgaria
Follow the Briggs family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.blessedbyachild.blogspot.com/
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   The Watson Family
Mandy & Samson from Ukraine
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The Keno Family (from Canada!) Valentin from Bulgaria
Follow the Keno family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.kenofamilyadoption.blogspot.com/ |
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The Drummond Family Oskar from Estonia
Follow the Drummond family's adoption journey on their blog at www.1familytogether.blogspot.com
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  The Sensiba Family
Elisabeta from Ukraine
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  The Mastroianni Family
Morgan from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Mastroianni family on their blog at: http://walkingbyfaithadoptionjourney.blogspot.com
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 The Kanz Family
Bethany from Africa
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  The Garcia Family
Victoria from Ukraine
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  The Murray Family
Mariana from Colombia
Follow the adoption journey of the Murray family on their blog at: http://www.morethemurrayer.blogspot.com/ |
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The Schlorf Family
Louinard from Haiti
Follow the Schlorf family's adoption journey on their blog at http://schlorfjourney.blogspot.com/ |
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The Patterson Family Barbara from Serbia
Chrissie is doing GREAT! I cannot even explain what a joy she is. I have never met a child who is as vibrant and joyful and funny as Miss Chrissie!!! She is excited about life, and she is just so full of love that it amazes me into speechlessness!!! They were able to get a stent into one of her vessels that is providing blood to her lungs, so her 02 sat increased a little. She’ll have her open heart surgery in January, so until then, she’s good to go, and nothing slows her down. Thank you so much for advocating for her. She is such a blessing to our family. We are ALL so head over heels in love with her!!! She’s got her brothers wrapped around her finger so tightly that they can’t ever tell her no. They’ll stop anything they’re doing to please Miss Chris!!! We are just so very blessed. Thank you!
Follow the Patterson family's adoption journey on their blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/forgottensawranch
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 The Irons Family
Angie from Serbia
Follow the Irons family adoption journey on their blog at http://ironsadoptionjourney.blogspot.com/ |
  The Enberg Family
Annie & Allen from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Enberg family on their blog at http://enbergadventures.blogspot.com |
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The Polen Family Olga from Ukraine
Follow the Polen family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.polenadoption.blogspot.com/
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  The Tysick Family
Nanette from Bulgaria
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  The Tubbs Family
Sergey from Ukraine
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The Baker Family Zhenya from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Baker family on their blog at http://www.godgivenpassions.blogspot.com/ |
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The Jackson Family Alanna from Ukraine
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The Taborn Family Simon from Ukraine
Follow the Taborn family's adoption journey on their blog at http://ourfamilybouquet.blogspot.com/
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 The Kulp Family
Danielle from China
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The Brown Family
Annie, Danylo & Jack
Follow the Brown family's adoption journey on their blog at http://thesousabrownfamily.blogspot.com/
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The Conner Family Graham (Gabriel) from Bulgaria
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  The Ninemire Family
Mitchell from Africa
Follow the Ninemire family's adoption journey on their blog at www.9mire.blogspot.com
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  The Evans Family
Laurel from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Evans family on their blog at www.bringinglaurelhome.blogspot.com
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  The Lisciandro Family
Max from Ukraine
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   The Haire Family
Sonya & Darcy from Ukraine
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  The Wells Family
Mira from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Wells family on their blog at http://www.findingukraine.blogspot.com/
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 The Herrick Family
Anna from Ukraine
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The Gamble Family Charlotte (Grace) from Taiwan
Follow the adoption journey of the Gamble family on their blog at http://www.believingjames127.blogspot.com
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The Brawdy Family Daisy from Ukraine
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The Wachsmann Family Nathaniel from Bulgaria |
 
 The Torres Family
Masha, Milena and Ludmila from Ukraine  Follow the adoption journey of the Torres family on their blog at http://torresfamilyadoption.blogspot.com/
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The Duffy Family Tina from Lithuania |
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The Burckhard Family Brandi (Bella) from Ukraine
Follow the Burckhard family adoption journey on their blog at www.beautifulgiftfromgod.blogspot.com
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The Reed Family Aleksey from Ukraine |
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The Laughrey Family Alla from Ukraine |
  The Hyman Family
Yin Chiao (Lily) from Taiwan
Our daughter, Elizabeth, was the 4th child for Joby and I, with the oldest being 18 when she was born. Everyone thought we were done, that we wouldn't want anymore children, especially since Elizabeth was born with Down syndrome. Everyone except us. We knew we wanted another child, we just weren't sure how that would come about. Then we found Lily's picture in the array of pics on Reeces Rainbow. That's when we knew how we would become parents again. After many months, we brought Lily home the end of July. She is doing very well! She babbles and giggles. She plays with her siblings and with both Joby and I, and will seek us out when upset or sad. It only took her a week to say "daddy"! She is such a blessing to our family and we love her completely. |
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The Booth Family Ginger from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Booth family on their blog at http://www.anotherdaughtertolove.blogspot.com/
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The Fox Family Vincent in Ukraine
Follow the Fox family's adoption journey on their blog at http://ridinthewavewithulord.blogspot.com/
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The Bobinger Family Lena from Ukraine
Follow the Bobinger family's adoption journey on their blog at http://lovinglenablogspot.blogspot.com/
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The McClain Family Roman (Steven) from Ukraine
Follow the McClain family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.considertheadoptionoption.blogspot.com/
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The Marchenko Family Veronica from Ukraine
Follow the adoption journey of the Marchenko family on their blog at http://expectingevangeline.blogspot.com/
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Ruslan & Irina from Ukraine Follow the Boroughs family adoption journey on their blog at: http://www.justamomofseven.blogspot.com/ |
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The Shupp Family Vlad from Ukraine
Follow the Shupp family adoption journey on their blog at: http://shuppsadoptionjourney.blogspot.com
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June 2009
  The Hansen Family
Francesca from China
We traveled to China to bring Francesca (Jadyn) home in June. She has been home about four months now and is doing very well. She has adjusted so well to her new family, new country, new language, etc. She loves kindergarten and is just a social butterfly with all her classmates and teachers.
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The Litchfield Family Emerson from Eastern Europe |
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The Layne Family Melanie from Eastern Europe
Follow the adoption journey of the Layne family on their blog at http://laynejourney.blogspot.com/ |
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The Spencer Family Pavel from Ukraine
To read about their adoption journey you can go to http://www.bringinghomeboys.blogspot.com/, or to follow Pavel Micah's new life as a Spencer, go to http://www.manysidesofamy.blogspot.com/ |
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The Lindsay Family Shan Lin from Taiwan |
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The Desmarais Family (Canada) Denis from Eastern Europe |
May 2009
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The Van Nice Family Paul from Ukraine |
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The Olmsted Family Eve & Dana from Ukraine |
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The Adamson Family Slava from Ukraine |
April 2009
  The Harding Family
Sam from Hong Kong
We brought "Sam" home from Hong Kong on April 23rd, 2009. He has been an absolute joy from the moment we took custody of him overseas, and keeps us hopping every day. He eats like a champ (he averages 3 bananas each morning for breakfast!), understands everything we say to him (even though he doesn't always listen!), and grew 6 inches in his first 4 months home! Sam's "big" sister is only 10 weeks older than him, so it's been fun having 4 year old "twins" in the house. And while his sister doesn't have Down syndrome and isn't Chinese, you'd never know they weren't blood relatives. She ADORES him… and vice versa. It's been wonderful watching them fall in love with one another. We are so grateful to Andrea and Reece's Rainbow for leading us to our son. He is the most precious gift we have ever received, and we are so |
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Elijah from Russia The Lucas Family Elijah came home on April 9, 2009. What a miraculous day that was! This adoption was a huge leap of faith for me. I literally did not see a photo of Elijah or even know his age until 3 days before I was to fly to Russia. I found that not knowing?was a little exciting. How many of us know what our biological child will look like? God decides that??..and all I needed to know was that God had chosen Elijah for our family. When I was sent a photo of Elijah, it was an infant photo even though he was already 2 years ,3 months old. As I sat there looking at his photo, I was overwhelmed with emotion. This was my child and I was going to meet him in a few short days! When I met Elijah for the first time, I had tears in my eyes. Here he was finally, the little boy I had waited so long for! A beautiful little boy with big brown eyes and a smile to melt my heart! Elijah has been home for three months now. He is adjusting well to our family. He is very sweet and loving. When he first came home, he was so quiet. Now he babbles all the time and can also say ?ball?. He attempts to say a few words and he is signing 14 words consistently so far. He also went from just standing to now taking seven steps independently. He loves to be outside and gets very excited when I bring out the bubbles or when I take him and his big brother Caleb for a wagon ride. I am in awe of how God ?s plan has unfolded for Elijah and our family. Elijah went from having no family and no future to having a Mommy and three older brothers who love and adore him. Every time I see him smile, I am reminded of what a miracle adoption is, and how God?s plan is always perfect. I am honored that God would choose us to be Elijah?s family. We have been blessed! Follow the Winkle family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.amyandsons.blogspot.com/ |
 
The Kropidlowski Family Ngan from Vietnam |
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The Hollis Family Ellen from Ukraine |
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The Dickinson Family Timur from Ukraine |
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The Duncan Family Myia and Molly Jane from Latvia |
March 2009
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The Powell Family Larisa from Ukraine Reese was born in Ukraine with Down syndrome, a cleft lip and a cleft palate in December 2007. We were hesitant to begin the adoption process until we saw her picture. It became very clear, very fast that she was our little starfish and was meant to be in our family. She landed on American soil on March 31, 2009 and we are head over heels in love with her. She has bonded very well with her Mommy, Daddy, her big brother and her big sister. Her sister also has Down syndrome and the girls seem to already have a very special relationship. Reese's cleft lip was repaired in May 2009 and her cleft palate was repaired in July 2009. She recovered remarkably well from both surgeries. Reese is thriving in our family. We call her our little "love sponge" because she soaks up every ounce of love she can get. We are very blessed to have this precious child in our family and thankful that God has allowed us the gift of parenting her. Reese's adoption is a testimony of God's provision and grace. We hope she knows someday just how much she is loved, not only by us, but also by her Savior who ransomed His life for her.
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The Loux Family Aidan from Ukraine |
Oleg and Misha from Ukraine
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February 2009
The Spradley Family Josie from Eastern Europe
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The Haag Family Vicky from Ukraine
Follow along with the Haag family's adoption journey on their blog at http://haagadoption2.blogspot.com/
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The Gallagher Family Shreya from India
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The Hill Family Markus from Estonia
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The Newbold Family Dasha from Ukraine
Follow along with the Newbold family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.newboldfamilyadoption.blogspot.com/
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The Kayser Family Andrey (Grady) from Ukraine
Follow the family journey of the Kayser family on their blog at http://www.thekaysers.blogspot.com/ |
January 2009
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The Becks Family Chia-Ling from Taiwan (Williams Syndrome) |
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Sam and Dante and Roman from Ukraine On January 24th we finally arrived home with our three angels! The flight from Ukraine was quite eventful. Ethan (previously known as Dima) broke out in chicken pox a few days before we flew home so he was incredibly uncomfortable. He also had pneumonia. We were quite shocked but thankful that he was cleared by the doctor to fly home. All our family was waiting at the airport for us with screams of joy, hugs, tears and lots of kisses. The past two months have been truly amazing. The boys are doing new thingsevery day and astounding their therapists. Sasha (previously Sam), our 6 year old, had a hard time when he first arrived. He would scratch us, bite us, pull our hair and scream at night. Now Sasha is a completely different child. He is at peace and doesn't act out in a negative way at all. He loves all the love he is receiving and we love giving it to him. Ethan (previously Dima), is 5 and has the body of a 1 year old. He is a completely different child as well. We were told he would not be able to function mentally and physically beyond where he was at the time we met. He was 11 pounds when he left the orphanage and is now 23 pounds. He laughs and interacts with all of us with so much life! He was unable to even stand at the orphanage. Now he is able to stand (leaning on something) for 20 minutes at a time. Our 2 year old, Silas (previously Roman), is a joy bug. He keeps us laughing all the time. He was weak and had a terrible rash and nose infection when we brought him home. Now he's much healthier and stronger. He will have surgery in June to close the hole in his heart and we are thrilled with the good reports from his doctor! We just returned from a weekend vacation celebrating the boys arrival. We all spent 2 days the "Great Wolf Lodge," here in Kansas City, where we all splashed at the indoor water park and celebrated our expanded family! The boys absolutely loved it and their sisters had so much fun swimming with them. The Lord has been so good and faithful to us, providing all we have needed along the way. Thanks for your prayers and support! It is so good to be home! Follow the Loux family's adoption journey at www.thelouxfamily1.blogspot.com |
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The Puderbaugh Family Olena from Ukraine With nineteen children between us, we had thought our family was complete, but Heavenly Father knew differently. Last summer I was drawn to all of the beautiful children on the Reece's Rainbow website and inquired about a few of the older boys. For one reason or another, none of them worked out. Finally one day in August, Andrea emailed me, "How about Olena?" This was a very tiny six-year-old girl in Ukraine with an unrepaired heart condition as well as Down Syndrome and no one knew, with her serious medical condition, just what her prognosis would be. After I consulted with a pediatric cardiologist, I hesitantly presented her profile to my husband. Both of us knew with a certainty that this little girl needed a family and that family was us. We fast-tracked our paperwork, and with a very pro-active social worker and USCIS officer, a few months later our dossier was submitted. We traveled for the first time before Christmas to meet the little girl we would name Mattea and my heart broke to see her even smaller than my 2-year-old son, and only 23 pounds.. Since my husband was over the age limit, I was adopting her as a "married individual" and we worried that this would complicate the case, but our wonderful facilitators got us through court without a hitch. I traveled back in January to bring our new little daughter home. When we first met her she was not walking independently and needed to be fed chopped food from a spoon. She had no idea how to put food in her own mouth. She had spent six years of her life in a playpen. After only three months at home, she is blossoming like a little flower. She is now walking on her own and is able to finger-feed with soft foods. She is social and seeks out affection. She now weighs 31 pounds, and today she had her very first haircut. Her health is much better and we are hoping to be able to have her heart fixed. We are so blessed to have her in our family. We believe the words of Jeremiah— "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) Lou in Edgewood, NM
Follow along with the Puderbaugh family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.puderbaughfamily.blogspot.com/ |
