I write about A all the time. Probably because I spent the most time with her. She needed me the most. The crisis we faced was HER crisis more than anyone else's. But regardless of the reason, I talk about her a lot.
I don't talk about her half-brother a lot. And he was my baby too. In fact, he was almost more my baby... because when I brought him home at 8 weeks old, no one had ever attended to his needs the way I did. I was his first secure attachment. I was the one he wanted when nobody else could calm him down. I never even realized the gravity of it until my mom told me one day, after the umpteenth person had handed him back to me to handle, "You're his favorite person in the whole world. Nobody loves him like you do."
And I cried. I held my baby boy - my first baby boy, and cried. Because I loved him so much.
First picture... blurry picture... of his first night home.
I was the one up with him all those sleepless nights. I was the one who comforted him when he didn't feel well (which was often, as he had a rather stubborn case of GERD among other things). He slept by my side in a cosleeper for six months. I bought his formula, his diapers, his clothes. I saw his precious smiles. I was there for all his firsts.
First bath
First baby food
First time swimming
First trip to the pumpkin patch
First Trick-or-Treat
First birthday
And now, three years after that last picture was taken... my baby boy is four.
And I forgot his birthday until today.
No, it wasn't his first birthday without me. Yes, it's been over a year since I've seen him. Yes, I was up to my ears in something else that day. But when it was his sister's birthday in May, I broke - completely. And I forgot his. And he was my baby.
How horrible is that?
When I realized it tonight - that my baby boy turned FOUR without me ever noticing - I knew it was coming up, I never forgot the date... but I missed it - I started to cry.
Four.
Tonight I want to take a minute to talk about my little boy... who isn't such a baby anymore.
He loved mashed potatoes. And pizza. And pretty much any kind of junk food... but when he was a baby, peas were his favorite.
His first word was "duck". And I put a lot of effort into that! The kid had more ducks than I can count on all my fingers and toes.
My mom used to sing him "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep", and he'd get this serene little smile on his face, like that song just made everything better... even when I teased her after realizing that the lyrics sort of, kind of suggest that it might be about slavery.
His favorite toys were balls, cars, and any markers he could get his hands on. Thus the following picture:
Once, he dumped out an entire bag of potato chips, and then laid in them. Some people would've been mad. I barely managed to stop laughing long enough to take a picture.
He loved his bath... except for the part where I had to wash his hair. He didn't like water to touch his head... at first I thought it was just lying down, but dumping it was worse.
When he was 18 months old he broke his leg while not in my care. He had just barely started walking and then had to drag that heavy thing around half the summer... it sucked. But it didn't keep my little guy down.
This is the last picture I took of him...
My best friend was cutting his sister's hair, and he took it upon himself to find one of her daughter's headbands and put it on - his way. It was too cute not to take a picture!
He was two and a half when I said goodbye to him. I had no idea it would be the last goodbye for so long.
He faced so many struggles in his short little life. I wonder how he's doing now. If his fits have calmed down or gotten worse. If his language has improved, or slacked. If he's still my chunky monkey who was wearing 4T shirts at two. If he's anywhere near potty training. If he's going to Head Start.
Even just where he is.
Because that little boy is another piece of my heart, walking around outside my body. And maybe I didn't have him as long, or as intensely, as I had his sister, but he was my little boy all the same. And I miss him. I love him.
Happy late birthday little man. I know it's no excuse, but if you were here, I wouldn't have forgotten. We'd have had a party. Maybe driven down to Nelsonville to ride the train (if you don't like trains, you would have if you'd stuck around me much longer!) like we did when my brother was that age.
One day we'll be together again. I know it. Love you much, my little goober pea.
Okay, okay, okay, before I say anything else I'll admit to being horrible at commitment blogging. I won't break the committment, but sometimes when something's on my mind, I have to get it out first to unblock the rest of the thoughts.
At Reece's Rainbow, traditionally, children with down syndrome ages 0-5 are put on an 'angel tree'. They are assigned a Christmas warrior (advocates and families sign up for whichever child is on their heart. They can pick a first, second, and third choice.) This year is special - three children from each other category (different ages or special needs) are also being included. Wonderful for my heart for the older kids who haven't been chosen yet.
The job of the Christmas warrior, is to increase exposure of the child, pray for and love the child, and fundraise for the child - the goal for each child being $1,000. All this is done between the first of November and the end of the year. Last year, EVERY SINGLE CHILD met their goal. Some of them have even been chosen for adoption.
Sign-ups for Angel Tree have been posted as starting on September 15 for several weeks now. One of the first questions asked by this wonderful group of advocates was "so can we sign up at midnight?" The answer was yes. Now, I'm normally up late, but tonight I set an alarm on my phone to make sure I didn't get distracted and miss the start of sign-ups. From 11 pm to 11:40 PM, I combed through every single child listed for Angel Tree. If you'll look back and remember, I begged for a long time for people to vote for Brettto be on the Angel Tree. It was pretty logical to put him as my first choice - but I didn't expect it to come to fruition, because he has a lovely and dedicated prayer warrior who is co-hosting an auction for him and other children with me, and I know he's on her heart as much as he is on mine. Laura, were you up at midnight too? Haha. Anyways - my plan was always to raise money for both my AT child and Brett... pay it forward... help another Christmas warrior get their child over that fence.
As I was combing through the list of children... it was kind of funny. I've spent the last seven years helping to raise two little girls. I connect better with girls. I'm drawn to them more. But not this time. This time, something was different. This time, as I combed through all the faces, one little boy popped out at me... another little boy with down syndrome.
I saw his face, his fine hair, the joy on his face, I read Reece's Rainbow's description of how he was playful and loving and delightful, a blessing to everyone around him.
And I thought of another little boy.
If you've been reading... or if you're family... you've met this little boy... in some way. Maybe not in person - I never met him in person, but I know him.
This is my uncle Tony... named for my grandfather (Anthony) and lovingly referred to by his family as 'Little Tony'. He was born with down syndrome. The doctors told my grandparents horrible things. He would die within a year. He wouldn't talk, or walk, or eat. The best thing for him was to be put in an institution for 'children like this'.
But my grandparents, with their hearts of gold and courage of a thousand men and deep love for 'the least of these'... they did something radical for the time, in the early 1960's.
They brought their baby home. Their baby with down syndrome. Their baby that everyone told them to give away.
And guess what? Not only did he live past the first year... he walked, talked, heard, saw, ate, played, loved, and was loved by everyone around him... for ten years. All because of a nearly unprecedented choice his parents made. God only knows what would have happened to him in an institution. I don't even want to think about it. I love him too much. The stories, the pictures, the places, the memories, his favorite things... though I never got to meet him face to face... have shown me his strong, resilient spirit and endless love. Stories, pictures, memories we would never have had if my grandparents, who already had seven other children at home, the youngest being my mother, who was four years old, had given that little boy up to a place "for children like that".
It makes me think. Elden's little blurb on Reece's Rainbow describes him as delightful, playful, happy... and his picture... well, there's no denying how absolutely adorable he is, even with premature hair loss that sometimes occurs in children with down syndrome. Beautifully balding. Would fit right into my family, come to think of it...
It makes me think... if it were my Uncle Tony that was stuck in that institution across the ocean, likely to be transferred to an adult mental institution where conditions are harsher than harsh soon, no mommy, daddy, brothers or sisters to love and remember him... No M&Ms... none of Grandma's delicious cooking... no family to call his own... awaiting even worse conditions... Wouldn't I do anything to save him? Wouldn't I scream and cry and war to bring Little Tony home? You bet I would.
And how is Elden different? He's a child. He's not my family - but he's still a child - a child without a family... who deserves to know all the wonderful things about life. I've never been one to care only for family and put others out of my mind - 'They are someone else's problem'. Elden IS someone's son, even if they don't know it yet... but because of where he was born, maybe other factors... he hasn't had the opportunities a child with down syndrome growing up in a family home would have. He hasn't experienced that kind of love.
Just as easily, the child sitting alone in an orphanage could have been my uncle, my friend, or myself. And I would fight. Just because we don't share a genetic connection doesn't mean I don't owe the same to Elden. For we are ALL God's children. For every child deserves a loving family.
So.... for the next few months, my blog is going to be peppered with posts about both this little boy and Brett (whose Christmas Warrior I very much expect is someone I know), fundraisers to meet that $1,000 goal (and there will be some seriously cool ones, you won't want to miss it... stay tuned!) We are going to get these boys... boys I was inexplicably drawn to... maybe because of how much they remind me of someone I love... the exposure they need to be found by a family, the grant funding that makes it just a little bit easier for families to take that leap of faith to bring them home. And then, when (WHEN, not if) families commit to them, we are going to be behind them 100%.
Donations can be made to the boys' accounts here and here, but they will only be counted toward the angel tree total after November 1. If anyone would like to give before then, I'm willing to open up my personal paypal to keep funds to transfer on November 1 - just ask. For accountability purposes I would forward the Reece's Rainbow 'receipt' notification to anyone who donated.
Or you can wait until November 1. Start a change jar like I did... it's an old vinegar bottle, my 'bottle for Brett'. Before long, another name will be etched onto that bottle. When it's full, or ready, deposit it and send paypal or a check directly to the boys' grant funds.
Or (AND) you can wait to see the awesome fundraisers I am planning, some of which are more of a pre-Angel Tree awareness booster and will not count toward the $1,000 (but they will certainly count to these kids and the families who eventually step up for them) and others that won't be announced until November 1 or later. I have some really exciting ideas up my sleeve for that time. You're all going to call me crazy... but hey, isn't that the name of the blog anyways? Yep. Crazy... for the least of these... and I wouldn't have it any other way.
And I also need to put it out there right away that I am happy, comfortable, and have everything I need. Well, except Ukranian chocolate, but I suppose I'll survive. There are more toys in this room than Brett or Elden have seen in their entire lives. Electronic gadgets that would baffle them.
Because this is a Christmas event - I want to let you know I have one thing on my Christmas list... for both of these boys to meet their goals. I'm past the days of every relative sending gifts, shiny boxes of overpriced random gadgets, even new clothes - I don't grow, so the ones I have are just fine. I want for very little, material-wise. But, in doing one simple thing, you can give a Christmas to at least three people. You see, anyone who puts $35 or more in a child's grant during Angel Tree receives a beautiful ornament with that child's picture to hand on your Christmas tree... maybe remind you that it is the season of giving, of loving, of humbleness... not one of overcrowded superstores and the latest gadgets. So right there - you've already given a gift to an orphan by contributing to his grant fund. You've already given a gift to yourself - the beautiful ornament that will come in the mail to remind you of the gift you gave... and lastly... you'd be giving a gift to me. Because my one and only Christmas wish, is for both these boys to meet their goals... even for families to find them.
Even if you've never considered adopting yourself, look at their little faces again... and make sure you are not scrolling past a picture of your son. Share this post. Share Reece's Rainbow. Sometimes we don't know a child is missing from our families until they come home and you wonder how you ever lived so long without your child. These kids need exposure. They need someone to look at them and say 'that's my son. I have to save him.' So even if you can't donate, please share these children everywhere you can... facebook, twitter, work, school, neighborhood, blog, email, community event... help us get them seen.
50 years ago... who would've ever thought that this little boy, who the doctors dismissed as a hopeless case...
...would be the inspiration that drove his niece to scream for special needs children who were NOT lucky enough to have families... especially these little boys?
Thank you, Uncle Tony, for making me who I am... making me care... even though you never knew you were doing it. I love you. Please hold those special needs babes in your arms for me until I get to Heaven... tell them they are not forgotten.
Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa T. (now reunited with their precious son) for making a courageous choice that changed me forever.
And maybe.... thank you for helping me find families for these sweet children.
P.S. - Okay, so maybe I lied about the 'quickie' part. It seems I can't write short posts. Sorry <3
Last week I kicked off a new campaign to advocate for the children from Reece's Rainbow who were nominated for Angel Tree but did not receive the majority vote/drawing winner's choice. It is a sentiment I've heard echoed over and over among advocates and adoptive families - 'I want to vote for one child, but it makes me so sad for the rest...'
This, my friends, is a sign of a truly loving and Godly community. As much as we love our 'favorite' RR kiddos, we advocate for the least of these, and that means every single one of these kids. So, as loud as I screamed for 'my' Brett (Brett #19) during week 3, now it's time to scream for those left behind.
So here's the deal. For the next 13 weeks, I will be posting twice a week, each post highlighting four of the children who were not chosen for Angel Tree. I will go in order of the voting, starting with boys with down syndrome, ages 6-9. Last week I posted for four of these boys - due to some real-life factors, I got behind on the other three (one of these boys has found a family already - so there are only 7 left!) so I'm playing catch-up. Because I'm 'short' a kid in this category, I will be adding a 'plus one' - another child who is on my heart who desperately needs to come home. There are a good number of those children as well, so unless you folks get committing to kids, this may run 14 weeks or more in all reality!
A friend who is helping me created this video of the boys in this category as well as the boys with DS over 10 years old. It's a wonderful introduction to these little guys and their friends who will be featured in the coming days, and certainly worth watching - check it out right here!
Credits to Beth for the video!
...To sweeten the deal even further, I'm offering a giveaway. I don't have anything fancy to give away, no iPads or even gift cards, only my humble services. It is my hope that this campaign will drum up a few more followers for this blog - because more followers means more people looking at these kids, which equals a greater pool of potential families. So, every two weeks, I will draw names from a pool of people who donated or shared these posts. The winner will get to choose any RR child, and the following week I will do a post all about that specific child. If you have photos or personal stories you want me to include, I'll be happy to do so. Just reply to the post with who you donated to (any of the children featured in that post, or of course my Brett - can't leave him out...) in ANY amount, or where you shared the post (no need to post a link, just facebook/twitter/blog) and you'll be entered into the drawing. If you donate AND share, you can receive two entries. Since any donation amount earns you an entry, the maximum possible number of entries will be 2 per person per post. Since there will be 2 posts per week and 2 weeks per voting period, this means a maximum of 8 entries for any one person in any one drawing. Also apparently an incentive to recall your high school knowledge of exponents... I'll keep everyone apprised of where we are in the voting period with each post. As of this post (Technically the second Week 1 post), this is the second of four posts to enter the first giveaway period.
Let's see if we can't start making a difference to these boys who were 'passed over' in angel tree voting - BEFORE angel tree even begins! Everyone wins here - the kids win when you donate to their grant funds, you win when you get to choose your very own angel to highlight, I win when people read my blog and do what I want so badly for them to do - notice these kids!
And here's what Reece's Rainbow has to say about Mickey:
Boy, Born June 2005 Special need: Down syndrome (no heart
issues)This very sweet young boy has Down
syndrome. He is well loved by his foster mother and father. He was
a dancer in the orphanage performance. Whenever he hears music he
starts dancing. He was cooperative and happy. He can wash his face
if his foster mom gets the towel ready and can do other self help
skills. He can feed himself and. He can pull his pants up and
down. He has good speech and can say many words. He
pulls his chair to the table when it is time to eat and he will clean his mouth
after he eats. He is kind when he plays with other children and does not
take their toys. He likes to run around and play with balls.
He is very curious and likes to watch large machinery outside. He
loves cars and will play with them and watch them out the window for long
periods of time. He was described as a “happy, curious and lovely
child.” He is healthy and energetic. He is friendly to others and
sensible! He does not have any heart issues.Single moms
permitted, no more than 6 children at home, only one parent has to travel.$110.70 is
available towards the cost of my adoption!
Oh, what a sweetie! If his picture didn't do you in, I'll bet that loving description did. Someone cares very much for this little boy... he is very lucky to be in foster care rather than an orphanage setting... but unfortunately, for an orphaned child, this is something that can change in the blink of an eye, and when it does, it turns their world upside down. Imagine being in a loving home - even if not your home, not your own belongings - getting individual attention and care every day... then suddenly being transferred to an orphanage or institution, where you're only one of many, many mouths to feed, a means to an end, just someone's paycheck. You'd be lonely, scared, sad, and you wouldn't understand what this was or why it happened to you. This is the sort of thing that creates attachment disorders. But it doesn't have to be that way! Mickey is in a foster home! Many times, if a child in foster care has an adoptive family commit to them, they will be kept in foster care even when they might have been transferred to await their family. YOU could be the difference between Mickey and this scary, uncertain future... please, don't let what would be the biggest tragedy of his little life come to fruition. And if you can't go get him, a situation I'm in myself, won't you donate just a little bit to his grant fund, to make things that much easier for the family who does commit to him? Trust me when I tell you that every single penny DOES count to these families! Donate to Mickey HERE.
Boy, born March 2006
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
Eyes and hair black
*The agency has a video of him at 6
years, 2 months old. He is putting together a puzzle, playing on a
playground, and adorable! Video available for serious inquiries*
Oh my goodness, the grin on this boy!
Even with the poor quality of the picture, Jaeger’s personality shines!
The information we have is from 2009,
when he was 3 years old. He has received special ed services, starting
in 2008. He can understand and follow sample instructions, he begins
games and has started potty training. He eats well, and feeds himself.
He walks and moves well through
obstacles. He has good eye-hand coordination while playing, but not good
eye-feet coordination yet. He loves the pool. He likes his
caregivers and smiles and is very affectionate.
He is really a happy boy and healthy,
with good skills for his age.
The paperwork also stated that at the
time, he needed treatment for his teeth.
Update from 2010:
He starts his own games, he likes
making strokes with pencil or crayons, he can now use scissors . He helps keep
the toys in right places.
Jaeger is a social child, he
participates with his peers, he integrates into a group, he walks, runs, jumps,
climbs and turns without difficulty; but he is not aware of the danger.
He receives physical therapy and occupational therapy to increase his
abilities.
·Large
families okay (with adequate space in the home)
·One
trip – total travel time 21-30 days in country (one parent can leave earlier)
·Average
length of time from Dossier submission to travel is 7-10 months
·Total
costs estimated around $27,000
$1215.00 is
available towards the cost of my adoption!
Like Mickey, Jaeger has been lucky. (Anyone else find that funny? Mickey and Jaeger? No, just me, and I'm a dork? Fine.) He has been able to receive services in the orphanage and has come a long way because of it. But like Mickey, what's next for Jaeger is anything but a guarantee. Will this sweet boy, who has been taught to care for himself and to enjoy play, love, and care, continue to receive those things? The last update for Jaeger is from 2010. Is he still receiving those services, or has he, as I feared for Mickey, been passed on to a place where there is no therapy, no care, no love? There is only one way to absolutely secure a bright future for Jaeger, and it begins with you. Donate to Jaeger HERE.
What a handsome young man! Here's what Reece's Rainbow has to say about Felix:
Boy, Born October 20, 2003
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
What a cutie! Betcha he is a
handful! Felix is blessed to be at more of an internat than the
institution. He doesn’t have many words of his own, but his receptive
understanding is very good. He is potty trained and does ask to go to the
bathroom. He is described by his caregivers as very friendly and quite
the comedian!
More photos available, married couples
only.
$1049.50 is
available towards the cost of my adoption!
...Did you catch it too? Read that description again. Did you catch it this time?
..."more of an internat than the institution"...
Imagine if the greatest blessing on your life was NOT to be in a mental institution. Imagine if the greatest thing that had ever happened to you was to be placed in a home for older orphans? And not even just 'an internat' but 'more of an internat than an institution'. What does that mean? Does it mean it's 'sort of' an institution? It's only 'sort of' an internat? So is Felix only 'sort of' blessed? He sure would be more blessed to be *adopted*. To be somebody's son, somebody's brother, somebody's friend? Let me tell you, Felix is blessed to be in 'more of an internat' for now, but that blessing does not last forever. All that awaits Felix in his country is the institution, and even if he didn't have down syndrome, older children who age out of internats are turned out on the streets between the ages of 16-18 years old with nothing more than a rucksack and $100 to their names... 80% will fall into crime or prostitution. But for Felix? He has an extra copy of the 21st chromesome, and because of that, he will live out his days in mind-numbing dullness and bare minimal care at an institution. I've known people who have been to the institutions in Felix's country. These boys' days are made by the rarely visiting adoptive family bringing tidings of chalk and bubbles. Chalk and bubbles! Party favors, in America! For them, maybe the best thing that happened to them all year. I can't even put into words how much this breaks my heart. Regardless of what his present is, don't let that be his future. Donate to Felix HERE.
This little girl is in what has become known as 'the bad place'. And that is putting it mildly. The orphanage she calls 'home' (or would, if she could speak at all), is a dark, dark place, devoid of love, care, and stimulation. It was called, by the government of its own country, their 'Auschwitz' - after the Nazi death camp of WWII. This place averages one death every month - mostly from preventable causes like malnutrition. It is this that makes her situation so URGENT... this and the fact that in her country, an agency only has a child's file for two months - after that the files are returned. They can still be assigned to another agency or requested, but it's fair to say that a child's chances of being adopted are somewhat diminished at that point.
Here's what Reece's Rainbow has to say about Presley (who, perhaps also fell victim to someone listening to their iTunes while naming kids?)
DOB: 2009 Diagnosis: delays in all aspects of development, behaviors consistent with severe Autism
Presley is almost 3 years old. We have recent reports from a doctor and a child psychologist not affiliated with the orphanage that includes their opinions based on observations and a review of her medical history. Presley does not walk, talk or have any self-help skills. She does not play with toys and avoids interactions with adults and children. The reports indicate that Presley’s physical growth is significantly delayed, both her height, weight and head circumference. Her weight is comparable to an 8 month old baby. The doctor’s report indicates the following: “The child presents anti-social behavior, lack of adequate human contact, willingness to remain isolated and elements of aggressiveness- Autism”. The psychological report indicates that Presley avoids contact with other people and will withdraw if contact is initiated, avoids eye contact and does not play with toys nor attempt to manipulate them at all (bang them together, etc) when they are given to her. Her responses appear to be only sensory related. She does have self-stimulating behaviors. Her cognitive development is listed at a 5 month old level and her social and communication development at below 3 months old.
Presley was born premature and has spent her entire life in an orphanage that is known to have sub-par care. It is possible that some of her delays are a result of her environment. Interested families should be prepared for the fact that the behaviors noted do indicate more than basic “orphan delays” per the reports. Both the medical and psychologist reports are available for families interested in adopting Presley.
Additional photos of Presley are available.
All that sounds awfully scary... severe autism... aggressiveness... but even though it is stated that Presley's delays are greater than average orphanage delays, many of the things said about her could be said about many of the children in this orphanage... before they were given a chance. And you should see them now! In fact... you probably have...
Presley deserves a chance too. She's just a little girl, only three years old. She could receive so much intervention and therapy and care in the U.S... but someone has to step out in faith first. Because her file will go back to the government in less than two months and she will no longer be able to be listed with Reece's Rainbow, Presley does not have a 'donate' button - but once a family commits to her, she will. Are you that family?
PLEASE don't forget to donate (in ANY amount) to these kids or to Brett #19, and to share this post, (and don't forget to let me know in a comment!) to be entered to choose a child to receive a post of his/her own at the end of this giveaway period (#1 - will end at the end of this week). There is only ONE entry so far so this could be a cheap and easy chance to get the child of your heart noticed! Since I'm behind, there will be a few posts this week so STAY TUNED!
A couple weeks ago, when the little boy who has my heart (Brett #19) was up for Angel Tree voting, I began advocating fiercely for people to vote for him. But even as I did so, I knew that of 11 boys listed that week, 2 would be chosen by a popular vote and 1 by a drawing winner. Eight boys would remain. Eight boys that someone loved, someone voted for, someone prayed for... eight boys that needed families. And that in fact, for each of the 13 weeks of Angel Tree, 8 children would be left each week, totaling about 104 children who didn't "win". But in the Reece's Rainbow community, we have never been about "winning" and "losing" - sure, we all have children who are special to us for one reason or another, but we know they ALL deserve families. So as much as my heart soared to see that Brett made it that week, it broke for the eight children in that category who came so close to a place on the angel tree. So I decided to do something about it.
For the next 13 weeks, I will be posting twice a week, each post highlighting four of the children who were not chosen for Angel Tree. I will go in the order of the voting, starting this week with boys with down syndrome, ages 6-9. There are actually only seven boys left in this category because one has found a family! Whenever this happens, I will advocate for another child that week who is on my heart... and who desperately needs to come home. There are a good number of those children too, so unless you people get to committing to kids, this may run 14 weeks or more in all reality!
A friend who is helping me created this video for the boys in this category as well as the boys with DS over 10 years old. It's a wonderful introduction to these little guys and their friends who will be featured in the coming days, and certainly worth watching - check it out right here!
Credits to Beth for the video!
...To sweeten the deal even further, I'm offering a giveaway. I don't have anything fancy to give away, no iPads or even gift cards, only my humble services. It is my hope that this campaign will drum up a few more followers for this blog - because more followers means more people looking at these kids - which equals a greater pool of potential families. So, every two weeks I will draw names from a pool of people who donated or shared these posts. The winner will get to choose any RR child, and the following week I will do a post all about that specific child. If you have photos or personal stories you want me to include, I'll be happy to do so. Just reply to the post with who you donated to (any of the children featured in that post, or of course my Brett - can't leave him out...) in ANY amount, or where you shared the post (no need to post a link, just facebook/twitter/blog) and you'll be entered into the drawing. If you donate AND share, you can receive two entries. Since any donation amount earns you an entry, the maximum possible number of entries will be 2 per person per post. Since there will be 2 posts per week and 2 weeks per voting period, this means a maximum of 8 entries for any one person in any one drawing. Also apparently an incentive to recall your high school knowledge of exponents... I'll keep everyone apprised of where we are in the voting period with each post. Let's see if we can't start making a difference to these boys who were 'passed over' in the angel tree voting - BEFORE angel tree even begins! Everyone wins here - the kids win when you donate to their grant funds, you win when you get to choose your very own angel to highlight, I win when people read my blog and do what I want so badly for them to do - notice these kids!
Just look at this sweet boy! This is an older photo, he has an updated one, but it was too darling not to include. Here's what Reece's Rainbow has to say about Alexei:
Boy,
Born July 24, 2003
Diagnosis:
Down syndrome
Look at this monkey! You can just tell from the excitement in his
eyes that he is eager to learn and get into your kitchen cabinets! Blonde
hair with giant brown, expressive eyes. He is so blessed to still be
in the baby house with his friends Sasha and Nikolai and baby Nicky Z. At 6 years old, he was just nearing his
independence in walking. He eats with
help, loves to play with toys and be outside, and is very affectionate and
lively! He is mischievous, and ready to
steal your heart.
Alexei is another one of those kids
who is going to make miraculous and rapid progress once home with his family!
$50.00 is available towards the
cost of my adoption!
In case you didn't fall in love the first time, here's another photo of Alexei
The above description of Alexei was written three years ago. He is no longer six years old, and he is likely no longer lucky enough to remain in his baby house. He is just a couple months younger than my A, who turned 9 this year. 9. Such a long time to wait. And now Alexei has most likely faced transfer and is living in a mental institution, a fate no child deserves. Just because he has an extra chromosome. Alexei has been waiting 9 long years... please don't make him wait any longer. Remember, he has DS and has likely never been allowed to develop beyond the baby stage... he is a 9 year old baby... and he needs a Mommy. If this little boy has captured your heart, please don't hesitate to inquire about him. Donations to his grant are also welcome - the higher that number (the one that currently reads $50.00), the more likely it is that a family will see his adoption as something they can achieve and step forward for him. Alexei isn't even over the $100 mark yet. Had he made it onto Angel Tree (he was in fourth place), his grant would've jumped by around $1,000 by the beginning of 2013. The lease we can do is get this little guy to $100... make things just that much easier for the family who steps forward for him. Donate to Alexei HERE.
Here's what Reece's Rainbow has to say about Mark:
Boy, Born August 2006
This gentle boy has smooth, baby soft
skin. He has dark skin and dark hair,
potentially from an African/black parent. He is just darling, with a round chubby face. He was born on 8/2006. He enjoys playing with toys and with other
children. His legs are rather weak so he
scoots around quickly to reach his destination. He smiles brightly when he is spoken to. He waits for his loving family because he has
Down syndrome. His family will be so
lucky to be able to help this angel reach his fullest potential!
$4190.00 is
available towards the cost of my adoption!
Oh, how I imagine Mark has grown since this photo was taken! I remember his face from my first days browsing around Reece's Rainbow last winter. Those brown eyes glistening, I remember wondering if he was crying... imagining a tear spilling over onto his baby-soft skin... no Mama there to wipe it away... I read that Mark is one of a small group of RR babes who lives in Latin America. I imagine him from a Spanish-speaking country, possibly because I can't resist the lure of knowing we share a common language, of knowing that there's a good chance his adoptive family will ultimately also share that language. Mark has a good amount in his grant account - but only $810 more and he'll make it onto the $5,000 Moving Mountains page... and even more possible families will see his face... won't you chip in just a bit to see Mark move up? Donate to Mark HERE.
Maksim's description on Reece's Rainbow doesn't say much.
Date of Birth: June 2004
Gender: Male
Eyes: Gray
Hair: light brown
Nature: Quiet …look at those beautiful eyes!
Diagnosis:
Down syndrome
SINGLE MOMS WELCOME!
$67.50 is
available towards the cost of my adoption!
I'm guessing not much is known about him. A couple of the little ones in his region just got donate buttons in the past couple months - Reece's Rainbow does not collect donations until they have certain information about a child (what this is, I'm not sure) but I know a few kids have recently been given their own listing. Perhaps Maksim is one of them, and that's why his grant is so small despite the captivating little boy in the photo! Look at his shirt - a rainbow! He's a boy after our own hearts! And those blue eyes... they're just irresistable. Can't you see that face looking up at you and saying "Mama"? Can't you see it splitting into the widest of grins? But once again, it all starts with you. Maksim's grant is just a little larger than Alexei's. He is only a year younger - eight. $33 would put him over the $100 mark. Care to be a part of making that happen? Donate to Maksim HERE.
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
Sheridan is a handsome, blonde haired blue eyed little boy. He is
HEALTHY, with no heart conditions or other medical complications. He is
very active, walking/climbing/running. Sheridan has already been
transferred to the older child institution, and he and Grant both need families
ASAP! Please do not mind this photo that looks like he is in a wheelchar,
he was just sitting in it for the picture.
Other photos of him walking available.
$439.50 is
available towards the cost of my adoption!
LOOK at this sweet boy! Kiddo, I don't blame you, a wheelchair is a comfy place to pop a squat, as long as you don't have to be in one all the time! Look at him, with the little train on his overalls. How precious is that? Heartbreakingly, those clothes were probably only put on him for the photo. He is seven years old - has been transferred to an institution for older children. His clothes are most likely stained and dirty on an average day... probably seldom changed. What he really needs is a Mama to pick out cute outfits for him every day, to love him for the rest of his life. Sheridan has made it over the $100 wall, four times over - but the next obstacle is to get him to a nice, round $500. Humor the obsessive compulsive disorder in me, just a little over $60 to put him there. Not too hard! And this sweet boy will be *so* thankful WHEN he comes home. Donate to Sheridan HERE.
Remember - share this post or donate any amount to one of these four boys or to Brett, comment with where you shared or who you donated to or both, and be entered into a drawing to choose the featured child which will occur every two weeks. Later this week, four more waiting children will be posted, and the same will apply to that post. Remember, EVERYONE WINS! Stay tuned for more precious faces and for more ideas that are still in the works this holiday season!
