The Orphan Doll Project:

So here we are, September 19, 2009. The pic/banner above was taken on 09.17.09 of me and the orphan dolls in my mother's front yard where I grew up. This project has been long in coming, and offically begun a bit ago. The dolls in the picture, I have named Hope and Chance for the time they are with me, their mission is to go out into the world and teach about adoption, and the millions of orphans world wide. I am the second link in a chain of people who will be adopting them into their homes. You take them where ever you would go as you would real children, and let me tell you this, you should see the eyes of people light up when you tell them what these dolls are about. You should hear the conversations its starts. Quite honestly, everyone gets into it - co workers ask where 'my kids; [meaning Hope and Chance] are. The other day my sister made sure she put them under a seatbelt. My brother even got into it when I tried to take their picture on the back of a car, a recent new daddy himself, he told me "you can't put your kids there."

We both started laughing. It is amazing, I use that word allot to describe this ministry I am blessed to be a part of, but it truly is. You should visit orphandoll.com to read their journal tracking their adventures for yourselves.

When it is time for them to move on from Arizona, I will pack them up and send them to the next family in line who is waiting -just like in the adoption process- to adopt these kids. Their adventure and lesson will continue in other arms in another place. Then on to the next family and the next. In the short time I have found them I have seen people's eyes open. I've talked to people about adoption whom I never thought I would talk to. I am glad to be a link in the chain.

Stop Making Excuses...

...why, if there is someone wanting this child, especially Elton John, is it better for him to remain in a orphanage than where someone can love him and obviously take care of him? How is that better for the child - tell me how, how HOW is it possibly better for the child to stay socially and mentally under developed with a stigma of HIV on him the rest of his life in an orphanage and then in an instatution - when he can have love and help and a LIFE? When someone wants him? You all, I am a bit upset, I can't even get it out in appropriate words at this point - to say I don't understand doesn't stress it enough, doesn't say it enough.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/ap_on_en_mu/eu_ukraine_elton_john

I always knew he was 'the man':

"Too many children in foster care are falling through cracks. Be a hero, take the time learn about adoption today."

--Bruce Willis

Happy Birthday Mikey the III:

...and here we are, me and my new and incredibly adorable little nephew, Michael Gene Ballard the III. He was named after his daddy, who was named after our daddy - there is never quite so amazing a moment as holding a little newborn baby in your arms. This little baby just left the presence of God to be with us. Amazing... doesn't begin to describe it. I love you so much already, little one. Happy Birthday from your Aunt Deb. [That does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it??]

So, after he was born my dad was there and my brother took him to my dad for him to hold him. My brother goes, "you have to hold his head, dad."

My dad just gave him the look and was quiet for a second and said, "you know I've done this before..." I should mention that this is my mom and dad's first grandchild...

Here is another picture. Isn't he cute!!

My Nephew...

...Mikey the III is on the way. His mommy started having contractions at about 5 am this morning and was admitted to the hospital. This is my mom's first grandchild, my first nephew - about to be born! I am so excited, so nervous - and I'm not even the one in labor. Oh, its hard to explain. I will keep you all posted when he arrives.

Dmitriy...

...look at this little boy, he seems so much to just want someone to pick him up and hug him, for him, love and security would mean so much.

Little Dmitriy is said to be blind, that he was born with only one eye that he cannot see out of. It is said he will be four this December. This is a little boy I 'check on' from time to time to see if he has a home yet and with my nephew being born in just a matter of days - I was thinking of him again.

If you are looking to adopt a blind child, please think about Dmitriy, you don't need to see to be able to love. And this little boy needs it so much. For more information and contact info, please go to this page and scroll down about halfway until you find him. What a shy little sweetheart he seems to be! If you pray, please pray his family finds him soon.

Found This Today:

On another blog that I follow. Yeah, I am a copycat - but some things just need to be posted again and again, thank you Amy for posting this. :)

A Special Child
by Sharon Harris

You weren't like other children,
And God was well aware,
You'd need a caring family,
With love enough to share.
And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven't been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.
Your winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.
We're proud that we've been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The job that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.
A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who's taught us many things,
But most of all-
"Real Love”

I Think I have Found Her...

I sometimes check in on kids waiting to be adopted - just to look and to pray that they get their homes.

But a few days back I saw a little picture and I've struggled with when, how and if to mention it here. Knowing it may all come to nothing - I think I have found her but I am not sure. She fits the 'feel' of what I have been feeling, if that makes any sense? The age is right, or will be by the time. She is domestic and the area she lives in right now is right, her favorite things feel like what I felt. I can't stop staring at this picture.

But I am not ready.

Only God knows for sure if this is her and all I can do is pray, prepare, keep moving forward and have faith that I will know in time.

Sign of the Times

So, the 'twist' that will soften the impact - doesn't. It still sheds light to the idea that preys on reasons people are afraid to adopt.

I've been putting together some thoughts on this.

Two movies - one in 1982 and one in 2009. Both are movies about Orphans.

The 1982 movie is 'Annie'.

The 2009 movie, of course, is 'Orphan'.

In one, a little girl is hopeful and sure 'the sun will come out tomorrow'. In the other, the little girl is making sure no sun comes out again.

One gave a good outlook on these children in which the world was corrupt around them, one gave the story about the 'child' being corrupt.

If you follow my tags under this post about 'Orphan' you know how I feel about this movie. Its scary sometimes how the perspectives have changed. Its frightening what 27 years, in this case, can do.

The Older Child:

I think this little video says it all. Thank you, to the lovely family that made it. May your story be an inspiration to those adopting older children. Congratulations on your sweet little girl and as always, I will remove this video from this blog if you so wish.

Again I am asking for someone to consider sweet little Mara or Diana. Their mommies and daddies have to be "Somewhere Out There" Click on their names in the labels under this post for more information. Thank you.

Something Good...

This will be one of those multiple entry days. But I felt the need to add something good to all of this. And here it is, and this is just good everywhere. It made me smile. There is a group called "Heart to Heart" helping kids without families in Romania.

There's something wrong with Warner Bros:

About the movie Orphan -- I understand people's fears, but I don't understand the need to play on them to create a movie like this one. Sadly though, I can. Fear is a big motivation behind box office money. Apparently, big motion picture companies understand people's fears too.

Like I said in my entry below this one:

"And yet - they make movies like Orphan that scare people more than they help. People will say, Orphan is only a movie - you are reading too much into it. But the things we read and watch do influence people I think."

But this also says it best I think:

"However far-fetched some stories are, they can still subtly shape our values and perceptions. So when a major motion picture leaves a lingering impression that orphans are damaged goods and that adoption can tear apart your life, those who know the deeper truth must speak up."
-- OrphansDeserveBetter.Org

In my opinion I find it horrific that places like Warner Bros, whom brought us Bugs Bunny, would create movies like this. What you watch does influence you, and this one preys on the fears that prevent some people from adopting in the first place. So, lets scare people this summer. Lets take away more chances for families these poor kids like the ones in Bulgaria have.

What sort of light does it shed on these poor helpless kids? I take offense to it - and I have not even adopted - yet. Once again however, stereotypes are promoted by the big screen. And now they are releasing statements to soften the blow to that effect?? How in the world can you soften the blow to something as damaging to influence the outcome of thousands of lives? After seeing this movie, how many people might never adopt?

The trailer to the movie just looks scary to me. Its supposed to.

Please use your influence and power for the better. Softening the blow when insulting the innocents of this world doesn't cut it for me.

Get the facts.

Everyone, please visit the Orphans Deserve Better Campaign and sign the petition. Thank you.

Warning - disturbing content.

There is a lump in my throat as I think of the video I just watched. That said, if you read this entry or follow the link it is your choice and not something you were made to do. Some people disagree with adoption, and that is the lightest term I can use for it. Some people ridicule those whom leap through hoops and back again to bring these children home. For some people it is easier to look the other way. Be warned it has very disturbing if not shocking content of - in my opinion- adult people flat out lying to justify the inhumanities they are taking part in over children. A link to this video I am referring to is here.

This is the reason why we adopt. This is the reason why we spread open our lives for the world to see, spend money and travel to far far away countries. This is it. I cannot write the words to the extent I feel them. I cannot put the passion into it - and I am a novelist by trade.

So many also ask - why not kids from your own country? And I do understand that question and adoption is a beautiful thing no matter whom and where it takes place at. But here, in my own country, I thank God that children are not warehoused into institutions and that its not ok to be treated like this.

Can you believe these people actually say there is nothing wrong with these children as long as they are not running a fever? Even though the child is laying there with nothing but a paper thin layer of skin on his or her bones - even when some of those bones are broken?

They blame it on a condition - maybe so, but then they admit they don't even try to do anything to help that condition and just let it get worse and worse and worse. Worse, the Director of this particular orphanage thinks its more important to have a computer and boasts that their biggest trouble would be if the buildings were broken into - she might loose the new umbrella's she just purchased... In my opinion she is so entirely fake and self-absorbed and the more and more she tries to tell us all the good she is doing ...well... I have never wanted to shout through the screen at someone more in my life. It made me sick to my stomach. It made me want to go in there and pull all of those kids out. It made me want to take any one of them home. It made me want to adopt from Bulgaria. To bring a child home from anywhere and love them - unlike this.

The sick part is there is one thing that comes out of her mouth that may be the truth - there are worse places out there than this.

And yet - they make movies like Orphan that scare people more than they help. People will say, Orphan is only a movie - you are reading too much into it. But the things we read and watch do influence people I think.

Those of you adopting or whom adopted, I applaud you with all my heart.

Look Who it is....

That's right, little Miss Mara, whom I mentioned I didn't know where she went to in the entry below this one. However, right after I wrote that her picture popped up on Reece's Rainbow again! I am so glad she is alright! I would so adopt this child if I could! More information on her can be found by clicking this link: http://www.reecesrainbow.com/angelolderchild.htm

Also, in the Other Angels: Girls section there are two more little princesses with Apert's syndrome, one is still Esperanza and the other is little Miss Monica.

There is also a little boy, Sawyer, with Aperts in the Other Angels Boys, section. He is nearly at the bottom of the page so you will have to scroll down a bit. But he is darling. Kisses and hugs for all these little angels! If you are adopting please consider these kids.

One Year Ago Today:

I started this blog, inspired by a sweet little girl whom has since been found by her family and come home! Other children featured on this blog over the course of the year have also been found by their families are are going or have gone home, Aurell, Becky, Alexsey, Alan and Ruslana all have families along with Hope. Some others still wait, Diana - please consider adopting her if you are looking for a little girl and are able to or willing to learn how to provide the care and love she needs to blossom, smile and grow. Also Little Esperanza is still waiting as well.

Two of the kids featured here I am not sure where they went or what happened to them, please think of Mara and little Valessa today and pray for them if you pray.

Along with this I encourage you to visit Over the Moon with Joy and Bring the Rain if you wish to.

So here it is, the one year mark for this blog. This has been a wonderful year, looking back. Thank you all for sharing it with me. Who knows what the next year may bring. Thanks everyone for visiting.

RainbowKids.Com

Just look at all these sweet and many little faces! Membership is required but its quick and free and entirely worth it, either if you are adopting, have adopted, are wanting to adopt [they have a photolisting!] or want to share adoption stories and support - rainbowkids.com - click here.


This photo belongs to the Rainbow Kids website, no copyright intended, I will remove it at their asking.