Monday, August 26, 2013

South Africa Program Announcement

th Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is pleased announce a pilot network South Africa program in partnership with Spence-Chapin! Spence-Chapin is one of three agencies worldwide that has been accredited by the South Africa government to place South African children into permanent and loving families. Hopscotch will be working exclusively with North Carolina families ready to develop a dossier, to be registered in South Africa’s re-structured and Hague compliant adoption program. 

Want to get started today?  You’ll want to click here to get your home study underway immediately.  Want to learn more about Spence-Chapin's South Africa placing program click here.

Colombia Program Announcement

th Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is pleased announce a pilot network Colombia program in partnership with Spence-Chapin! Spence-Chapin is one of very few agencies worldwide that has been accredited by the Colombian government to place Colombian children into permanent and loving families.  Hopscotch will be working exclusively with North Carolina families ready to develop a dossier, to be registered in Colombia’s re-structured and Hague compliant adoption program. 

Want to get started today?  You’ll want to click here to get your home study underway immediately.  Want to learn more about Spence-Chapin's Colombia placing program click here.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Coping with Infertility Grief After Adopting

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All For You!! If you are a Hopscotch Family, we have something great to share with you - for FREE! As a proud sponsor of Creating A Family website, our client families are provided FREE access to their vast library of radio podcasts. The library covers a vast range of adoption related topics that you will not find anywhere else. As a bonus, you can opt to receive educational credit hours and a certificate with a password issued to each of our clients - again, free to Hopscotch client families.

To access the adoption learning center on the Creating a Family website:

Hopscotch clients can access the adoption education courses by going to the learning center at http://www.creatingafamily.org/learning-center.html

Each individual will need to create an account with a username and password (see the blue link in the upper right hand corner of the webpage for creating a new account)

Once you have logged in with you individual username and password you'll have access to listen to all the courses - for FREE!

As a sponsoring agency, our clients have access to the quiz/certificate option for each course.   You'll just need to click on the quiz icon next to a particular course listing.  You'll then be prompted for a course password that is unique to Hopscotch clients. You'll need to contact Megan for your password to receive your certificate after completion of each podcast and quiz. Be sure to print your certificate after each podcast quiz.

Here's a podcast sample:

Coping with Infertility Grief After Adopting

We tell people to work through their grief at not having a biological child or being pregnant or breastfeeding BEFORE they adopt. The reality is that sometimes after adopting a baby adoptive parents still crave the experience of pregnancy and still feel sad at not having a genetic connection to their child. Host Dawn Davenport will interview Carole Lieber Wilkins, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in the field of reproductive medicine, adoption and family building options since 1986. She is known for helping patients transition to non-genetic forms of family building, such as donor conception or adoption. Having created her family through adoption and ovum donation, Carole brings a wealth of personal as well as professional experience to her work. Highlights from this show.

by: Robin Sizemore, Executive Director of Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc

Monday, August 19, 2013

South Africa Program Announcement

th Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is pleased announce a pilot network South Africa program in partnership with Spence-Chapin! Spence-Chapin is one of three agencies worldwide that has been accredited by the South Africa government to place South African children into permanent and loving families. Hopscotch will be working exclusively with North Carolina families ready to develop a dossier, to be registered in South Africa’s re-structured and Hague compliant adoption program. 

Want to get started today?  You’ll want to click here to get your home study underway immediately.  Want to learn more about Spence-Chapin's South Africa placing program click here.

Colombia Program Announcement

th Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is pleased announce a pilot network Colombia program in partnership with Spence-Chapin! Spence-Chapin is one of very few agencies worldwide that has been accredited by the Colombian government to place Colombian children into permanent and loving families.  Hopscotch will be working exclusively with North Carolina families ready to develop a dossier, to be registered in Colombia’s re-structured and Hague compliant adoption program. 

Want to get started today?  You’ll want to click here to get your home study underway immediately.  Want to learn more about Spence-Chapin's Colombia placing program click here.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Bumps in the Road: Why Adoption Takes So Long

Worthy and Reposted from Babble.com

By Diana Stone | July 6th, 2012 at 11:09 am

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Photo credit Babble.com

I’ve been told many times by parents who have adopted domestically or internationally, “Expect a lot of emotional ups and downs, waiting, and changes.”

Since starting our adoption from Korea almost 2 months ago, I’m just now starting to see what they mean.

Tuesday we got an email from our agency saying they’d received all our paperwork and were sending out background checks for us to sign and send on to Colorado, and attaching ones for California. That was the problem; they requires us to type all the info, then have the agency sign and send it back to California to run the check.

Our agency is 14 hours away. (Texas is so freaking huge.) It takes 2-3 days for the mail to get there unless we pay a crazy amount to speed it up. I decided to get it done and sent that same day.

The real holdup will be on California’s end though. Apparently they take a very long time to run background checks – so we’ll probably end up extending our homestudy time. This would be the same no matter domestic or international – everyone has to do a homestudy.

I was sad to hear this. Already a new law put into effect next month in Korea has slowed things down, and then on top of that Korea would like to end international adoption at some point, so each year less and less children are available. The same number are given up, but because of their desire to end it, the children are older once they come home. I don’t know what will happen to these kids once the program shuts down, but from reading other bloggers who have adopted from Korea recently, the children are left in (well cared for) orphanages until (and if) they are assigned a foster parent.

We are choosing to be open to siblings (twins), special needs, and “regular” special needs. All children from Korea have some kind of special need, just some are more moderate to severe than others that are considered normal neonatal conditions. Because of this, we may indeed get a child quicker, or we may be waiting for a while. It all depends on what child they think is a suitable match for us.

I know there is a plan in all this, but it certainly can be frustrating in an already long process to be told you’re going to be waiting longer. Many adoptive families deal with this, so we can probably expect a lot more of this to come. I can’t imagine how tough these kinds of things will be once you have a child waiting for you. And after reading some of the stories online, this is a small delay in comparison to what happens to some.

So we do our best, the quickest we can, and stay on the path set for us.

Hoping it’s more like the moving floor at the airport where you can walk and pass everyone twice as fast.

Visit with Diana! Diana blogs on raising a toddler daughter, the loss of her twin boys, and their families’ Korean adoption in progress on the aptly named Hormonal Imbalances.

School's In Session!

4 Keys to Help Your Adopted Child Thrive at School

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Live Webinar

Tuesday
September 17, 2013
7:00PM Central
Q&A: 8:00PM

Can't make it on the 17th?
Don't worry, we're recording the webinar! Register for the live event and the recording will appear in your account as soon as it's available.

Each school year can bring a new set of challenges to adopted kids, no matter how old they are. Facing new school projects and explaining adoption to new classmates can bring on different feelings as children grow.

Join us for a webinar featuring adoptive mom and adoption therapist Judy Stigger, LCSW and Carmen Knight, an internationally adopted person and teacher who works with many adopted kids.

Judy and Carmen will share both professional advice and personal experiences to help parents:

  • Understand what questions, concerns and capabilities children have at different ages/stages
  • Respond when projects or classroom discussions trigger adoption related questions
  • Gain insight into what to do when going to school and getting homework done is a battle
  • Educate teachers and school staff about all types of diversity: racial, blended families, adoption and more.

Submit your questions for us here or by tweeting them to @adoptiontweet using #ALPschool13

Live Webinar Details

Tuesday, September 17, 2013
7:00PM Central
Q&A: 8:00PM

PLEASE NOTE: If you purchase the certificate option, your certificate will be available upon successful completion of a post test. The post test will be in your Adoption Learning Partners account after the live event.

The audio for the live webinar can be heard over the phone or through your computer speakers. If you choose to listen through your computer, we recommend external speakers or headphones. If you call in by phone, it is a toll call. There are no refunds or exchanges for the webinar once you have purchased it. If you purchase, but are unable to attend the live webinar, a recorded version will be available in your account after the event. The recorded version broadcasts over your computer speakers

Friday, August 16, 2013

Parenting Easily Frustrated Inflexible Kids with Challenging Behavior

83d358cc36f996511ccb541171f58944 All For You!!

If you are a Hopscotch Family, we have something great to share with you - for FREE! As a proud sponsor of Creating A Family website, our client families are provided FREE access to their vast library of radio podcasts. The library covers a vast range of adoption related topics that you will not find anywhere else. As a bonus, you can opt to receive educational credit hours and a certificate with a password issued to each of our clients - again, free to Hopscotch client families.

To access the adoption learning center on the Creating a Family website:

Hopscotch clients can access the adoption education courses by going to the learning center at http://www.creatingafamily.org/learning-center.html

Each individual will need to create an account with a username and password (see the blue link in the upper right hand corner of the webpage for creating a new account)

Once you have logged in with you individual username and password you'll have access to listen to all the courses - for FREE!

As a sponsoring agency, our clients have access to the quiz/certificate option for each course.   You'll just need to click on the quiz icon next to a particular course listing.  You'll then be prompted for a course password that is unique to Hopscotch clients. You'll need to contact Megan for your password to receive your certificate after completion of each podcast and quiz. Be sure to print your certificate after each podcast quiz.

Here's a podcast sample:

Parenting Easily Frustrated Inflexible Kids with Challenging Behavior

Interview with Dr. Ross Greene, Associate Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children. How to help children, all kids, including adopted children, learn to control their frustration and anger. Highlights from this

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Food Issues with Adopted Children

Photo credit: blasorchester-stuecken.de

e91352e75f0365a14bc7c5b992f53233 All For You!!

If you are a Hopscotch Family, we have something great to share with you - for FREE! As a proud sponsor of Creating A Family website, our client families are provided FREE access to their vast library of radio podcasts. The library covers a vast range of adoption related topics that you will not find anywhere else. As a bonus, you can opt to receive educational credit hours and a certificate with a password issued to each of our clients - again, free to Hopscotch client families.

To access the adoption learning center on the Creating a Family website:

Hopscotch clients can access the adoption education courses by going to the learning center at http://www.creatingafamily.org/learning-center.html

Each individual will need to create an account with a username and password (see the blue link in the upper right hand corner of the webpage for creating a new account)

Once you have logged in with you individual username and password you'll have access to listen to all the courses - for FREE!

As a sponsoring agency, our clients have access to the quiz/certificate option for each course.   You'll just need to click on the quiz icon next to a particular course listing.  You'll then be prompted for a course password that is unique to Hopscotch clients. You'll need to contact Megan for your password to receive your certificate after completion of each podcast and quiz. Be sure to print your certificate after each podcast quiz.

Here's a podcast sample:

Food Issues with Adopted Children

Join our guest Dr. Katja Rowell, The Feeding Doctor, and author of the new book "Love Me, Feed Me" to talk about some of the common food issues adoptive parents face: hoarding, gorging, pickiness, not eating, etc. Highlights from this show.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Documentary on International Adoption-"Stuck"

e5306daeb83f5ec014c2e0365f8a55c7 All For You!!

If you are a Hopscotch Family, we have something great to share with you - for FREE! As a proud sponsor of Creating A Family website, our client families are provided FREE access to their vast library of radio podcasts. The library covers a vast range of adoption related topics that you will not find anywhere else. As a bonus, you can opt to receive educational credit hours and a certificate with a password issued to each of our clients - again, free to Hopscotch client families.

To access the adoption learning center on the Creating a Family website:

Hopscotch clients can access the adoption education courses by going to the learning center at http://www.creatingafamily.org/learning-center.html

Each individual will need to create an account with a username and password (see the blue link in the upper right hand corner of the webpage for creating a new account)

Once you have logged in with you individual username and password you'll have access to listen to all the courses - for FREE!

As a sponsoring agency, our clients have access to the quiz/certificate option for each course.   You'll just need to click on the quiz icon next to a particular course listing.  You'll then be prompted for a course password that is unique to Hopscotch clients. You'll need to contact Megan for your password to receive your certificate after completion of each podcast and quiz. Be sure to print your certificate after each podcast quiz.

Here's a podcast sample:

Documentary on International Adoption-"Stuck"

An interview with Craig Juntunen, Founder of Both Ends Burning and Producer of a new documentary on International Adoption, Stuck, to talk about the ethics of international adoption and the delays. Highlights from this show.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Latest Research on the Mental Health of Adopted Children

Photo credit: thinkprogess

8f59e4d92881798d2f4dd19acbd2fb08 All For You!!

If you are a Hopscotch Family, we have something great to share with you - for FREE! As a proud sponsor of Creating A Family website, our client families are provided FREE access to their vast library of radio podcasts. The library covers a vast range of adoption related topics that you will not find anywhere else. As a bonus, you can opt to receive educational credit hours and a certificate with a password issued to each of our clients - again, free to Hopscotch client families.

To access the adoption learning center on the Creating a Family website:

Hopscotch clients can access the adoption education courses by going to the learning center at http://www.creatingafamily.org/learning-center.html

Each individual will need to create an account with a username and password (see the blue link in the upper right hand corner of the webpage for creating a new account)

Once you have logged in with you individual username and password you'll have access to listen to all the courses - for FREE!

As a sponsoring agency, our clients have access to the quiz/certificate option for each course.   You'll just need to click on the quiz icon next to a particular course listing.  You'll then be prompted for a course password that is unique to Hopscotch clients. You'll need to contact Megan for your password to receive your certificate after completion of each podcast and quiz. Be sure to print your certificate after each podcast quiz.

Here's a podcast sample:

Latest Research on the Mental Health of Adopted Children

What does the latest research show on the emotional and mental health of adopted children? How do adoptees fare later in life? Our guest is Dr. Kathleen Whitten, a developmental psychologist and adoptive mother who researches the mental health of adopted children. She has been a lecturer in psychology at Georgia State University and at the University of Virginia, where she was also a research faculty member at the Child-Parent Attachment Clinic, Department of Psychiatric Medicine. She was named a Distinguished Fellow in Developmental Psychology by the National Council for Adoption in Washington, D.C. She is also the author of Labor of the Heart: A Parent’s Guide to the Decisions and Emotions in Adoption. Highlights from this show.

'Little Couple' Stars Ready for Big Addition to Family

Little going Bigger!  Congrats!!

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Watch the video.

AUGUST ACTION ALERT: Let Congress Hear Your Voice!

ATC final logo - GIF Dear Friends of Adoption:

As you may know, Congress is on August recess, but this is a perfect time to connect with your Members of Congress.  Here are several simple ways you can reach out and make sure they know how important the Adoption Tax Credit is to you (their constituents). We want to build Senate and Representative support for the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act (S.1056/H.R.2144).
Here is what you can do in August:

  • Send a letter to Congress. Use the template letter linked here but personalize it.   Even if you have already adopted, tell your legislators how important your family is to you. If you have not yet benefited from the Adoption Tax Credit, explain how you hope it is available for all future families.
  • Call your Members of Congress. Surveys show that only 20 calls from constituents are needed for a bill to the get the attention of our elected officials.   Even if you sent a letter, please call. If you only do one thing, please call.   We have created a script for you and made it very easy.
  • Visit your Members of Congress. August is a great time to make an appointment to visit your Members of Congress while they are back in their district and state for the August recess.  Find their website and contact their in state office to make an appointment. Use the Adoption Tax Credit website content for your meeting “script” and print this PDF document to leave with the staffer/Member that you meet with.
  • Connect with your Members of Congress online. Social media allows you to directly connect with your elected officials.   Most Senators and Representatives have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.  Connect with them today.

Do not underestimate the power of your voice and your story.  Members of Congress support bills that matter to their constituents. Please send this email to your networks.
Thank you for your continued support,

The Adoption Tax Credit Working Group Executive Committee

American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Adopt America Network, Christian Alliance for Orphans,

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (Secretariat), Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption,

Donaldson Adoption Institute, Joint Council on International Children’s Services,

National Council For Adoption, North American Council on Adoptable Children,

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, ShowHope, and Voice for Adoption

Email: info@adoptiontaxcredit.org

Visit us online: http://adoptiontaxcredit.org

Voice for Adoption
1220 L St NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20005
US

Monday, August 12, 2013

South Africa Program Announcement

th Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is pleased announce a pilot network South Africa program in partnership with Spence-Chapin! Spence-Chapin is one of three agencies worldwide that has been accredited by the South Africa government to place South African children into permanent and loving families. Hopscotch will be working exclusively with North Carolina families ready to develop a dossier, to be registered in South Africa’s re-structured and Hague compliant adoption program. 

Want to get started today?  You’ll want to click here to get your home study underway immediately.  Want to learn more about Spence-Chapin's South Africa placing program click here.

Podcast Sexual Development in Adopted Children

Photo credit: favim.com

b0feeff29f59e239ff21637e2809e309All For You!! If you are a Hopscotch Family, we have something great to share with you - for FREE! As a proud sponsor of Creating A Family website, our client families are provided FREE access to their vast library of radio podcasts. The library covers a vast range of adoption related topics that you will not find anywhere else. As a bonus, you can opt to receive educational credit hours and a certificate with a password issued to each of our clients - again, free to Hopscotch client families.

To access the adoption learning center on the Creating a Family website:

Hopscotch clients can access the adoption education courses by going to the learning center at http://www.creatingafamily.org/learning-center.html

Each individual will need to create an account with a username and password (see the blue link in the upper right hand corner of the webpage for creating a new account)

Once you have logged in with you individual username and password you'll have access to listen to all the courses - for FREE!

As a sponsoring agency, our clients have access to the quiz/certificate option for each course.   You'll just need to click on the quiz icon next to a particular course listing.  You'll then be prompted for a course password that is unique to Hopscotch clients. You'll need to contact Megan for your password to receive your certificate after completion of each podcast and quiz. Be sure to print your certificate after each podcast quiz.

Here's a podcast sample:

Sexual Development in Adopted Children

While sexual development follows much the same pattern for all children, there are some special issues that adopted children might face. These include precocious puberty, the effects of childhood abuse or neglect on later sexual development, and questions about how the birds and bees applies to them. Our guests are Dr. Bradley Miller, a Pediatric Endocrinologist at the University of Minnesota and Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, a therapist specializing in adoption and an adjunct faculty member in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Highlights from this show.

Colombia Program Announcement

th Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is pleased announce a pilot network Colombia program in partnership with Spence-Chapin! Spence-Chapin is one of very few agencies worldwide that has been accredited by the Colombian government to place Colombian children into permanent and loving families.  Hopscotch will be working exclusively with North Carolina families ready to develop a dossier, to be registered in Colombia’s re-structured and Hague compliant adoption program. 

Want to get started today?  You’ll want to click here to get your home study underway immediately.  Want to learn more about Spence-Chapin's Colombia placing program click here.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Hopscotch Adoptions' Armenian Children's Reunion 2013

53629c0e724f7dc7096b8e14d61fa9a6 On Saturday, August 3, 2013, a reunion was held in Lancaster County (PA) for families who had adopted children from Armenia through Hopscotch Adoptions.  As the Executive Board President of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR), a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian relief to orphaned Armenian children throughout the world, and the father of a child adopted from Armenia, I was invited to attend.  

On Saturday, SOAR participated in the festivities by creating Armenian name tags for the attendees, providing Armenian coloring books donated by the Armenian Sisters Academy, and teaching the children several Armenian songs and dances.  I was able to answer questions about SOAR and, most humbly, was able to meet many SOAR supporters in person for the first time.

The reunion was a wonderful opportunity to interact with other parents of adopted Armenian children and to share a multitude of experiences. What bonds us all is the country itself that provided us a special part of our family and the desire to perpetuate the Armenian culture through food, literature, language, and the arts.  My girls had a wonderful time, and my middle daughter, Sophie, took with her Armenian currency to give to a new friend.  Josie D. was the lucky lady.  The perfect example of how in any environment Armenian children can bond and become friends.

George S. Yacoubian, Jr.,
SOAR Executive Board President

Create A Family Podcast

5245f8be9725662023377055f4661960 All For You!!

If you are a Hopscotch Family, we have something great to share with you - for FREE! As a proud sponsor of Creating A Family website, our client families are provided FREE access to their vast library of radio podcasts. The library covers a vast range of adoption related topics that you will not find anywhere else. As a bonus, you can opt to receive educational credit hours and a certificate with a password issued to each of our clients - again, free to Hopscotch client families.

To access the adoption learning center on the Creating a Family website:

Hopscotch clients can access the adoption education courses by going to the learning center at http://www.creatingafamily.org/learning-center.html

Each individual will need to create an account with a username and password (see the blue link in the upper right hand corner of the webpage for creating a new account)

Once you have logged in with you individual username and password you'll have access to listen to all the courses - for FREE!

As a sponsoring agency, our clients have access to the quiz/certificate option for each course.   You'll just need to click on the quiz icon next to a particular course listing.  You'll then be prompted for a course password that is unique to Hopscotch clients. You'll need to contact Megan for your password to receive your certificate after completion of each podcast and quiz. Be sure to print your certificate after each podcast quiz.

Here's a podcast sample:

Helping Kids Who Struggle in School

For years parents have followed the Beyond Consequences: A Love Based Approach to Helping Children with Severe Behaviors to help their children at home. But how can this approach be used in the school setting. Our guest is Heather Forbes, co-founder of the Beyond Consequences Institute, author of Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control: A Love-based Approach for Helping Children With Severe Behaviors, and mom to two children adopted as toddlers from Russia. Highlights from this show.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Eid Mubarak!

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Are Crying Kids Reason To Be Booted From An Airplane? US Airways Thinks So

Source: http://consumerist.com/2013/08/02/are-crying-kids-reason-to-be-booted-from-an-airplane-us-airways-thinks-so/

By Chris Morran August 2, 2013 from The Consumerist

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We see a lot of stories about passengers being removed from airplanes, some of which seem legitimate (intoxicated, verbally abusive travelers) and others that don’t (people who ask a flight attendant one too many questions). Here’s the story of a Consumerist reader who, along with her two young sons, was ejected from a flight because her crying kids were delaying takeoff — but is that really reason enough?

Consumerist reader A.M. was recently boarding a US Airways flight at JFK with her two boys, a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old. With such young kids, they needed to travel in car seats that would be buckled into the plane seats.

A.M. and her boys pre-boarded without incident and began to take their bulkhead seats in the first row of coach.

“At this point in time, my children were calm and we were simply awaiting departure,” she writes. “After 30 minutes of general boarding, the flight attendant stated she checked regulations for that particular aircraft and children were not allowed to sit in the bulkhead area. When I asked, the flight attendant did not explain the nature of the regulation that prevented us from keeping the original seats we purchased.”

The attendant instructed A.M. to switch seats with other passengers. And so she had to unbuckle her children, gather all their stuff and relocate — all while general boarding was still going on, and all without any assistance from the cabin crew.

“My youngest began crying when a fellow passenger picked him up (without my permission) while I was attempting to configure his car seat in a new location,” recalls A.M.

She then tried to get a bottle for her son out of the overhead compartment back over her original bulkhead seats. That’s when A.M. claims that a flight attendant instructed her and her boys to exit the plane because of the crying.

“I was truly shocked and explained how important the trip was and the child would be fine shortly,” says A.M. “I also explained how the frantic move and a stranger holding him had simply caused him stress.”

The cabin crew were hearing none of it, she says, and other attendants soon began removing her family’s belongings from the plane and then led them back to the gate.

“At this time, my child was no longer crying,” she tells Consumerist, “which made no difference to the flight attendant.”

“I was mortified at the display of being removed from the flight,” A.M. continues. “I made no comments to the crew and I simply cried. I did not meet the captain or any officer of the flight crew while being escorted off the flight, but would have pleaded our situation if given the opportunity. Several passengers came to our defense but to no avail.”

Having been booted from this 10:30 a.m. flight, the airline gave her the option of trying again on a flight later that afternoon at 5:00 p.m. Sitting at the airport for another 6-7 hours with children who had been traveling since sunrise was not feasible, especially since A.M. says the air-conditioning in that terminal was not working on that late July day.

So she took the refund on the tickets and called her husband to come get her and the boys, which meant a two-hour wait in the hot airport.

Not willing to fly on US Airways again after the incident, A.M. tried to book tickets on another airline so that she and her sons could celebrate her hospitalized grandmother’s 95th birthday. But by this point, fares had gone up several times what she’d originally paid for her tickets, so it was a wash.

We reached out to US Airways for its side of the story. The following is a statement from an airline rep to Consumerist:

“Our responsibility and commitment to all of our passengers, including our youngest travelers, is to ensure a safe and comfortable environment while onboard our aircraft. [A.M.] was asked to change seats from the bulkhead to seats in the row immediately behind her for the safety of her children. The seatbelts on the bulkhead seats onboard our A321 aircraft are equipped with airbags, therefore they are unsafe for car seats. During her seat change, the aircraft door was closed and the jet bridge was moved off the aircraft. Once in their new seats, [she] was unable to calm her children, one of whom was screaming and the other that began crying in response to the first. After receiving complaints from several passengers, the flight attendants consulted with the pilot and the decision was made to have the jet bridge reconnected to the aircraft and airport customer service supervisors board in an attempt to assist [her]. After repeated failed attempts by [A.M.] to calm her children, it was decided to ask her to deplane the aircraft as the children were, at this point, loud enough that the safety demo could not be heard by those around her on the aircraft. The flight departed 35 minutes late as a result of this issue. Once off the aircraft, [she] was offered a later flight to her destination, which she declined and decided to forgo her travels. We have since refunded her money for the ticket.”

The rep tells Consumerist that, as a father of an infant himself, he sympathizes with A.M.’s predicament. “That said, our inflight crew and airport customer service employees delayed the flight and gave [A.M.] time to resolve the situation but, at the end of the day, they had the responsibility to ensure a safe, on time and comfortable travel experience for the other 170+ passengers onboard the aircraft.”

A.M. maintains that no one from the airline attempted to assist her at any point in the process.

“Very shortly after the seat move disruption, a flight attendant approached me and said that she was looking into having me removed from the flight,” A.M. tells Consumerist in response to the airline statement. “She never asked my son to quiet down, she just scolded me. When the decision was made to have us removed, both children stopped crying immediately. When the toddler realized how serious the flight attendants were about him being quiet, he stopped crying. When I said, ‘He is fine. He has stopped crying,’ I was told it was ‘too late.’”

She also says it was not made clear to her by US Airways that she had the option of traveling the next morning.

The bigger question is this: US Airways states that the plane was being held up because these kids wouldn’t stop crying. What threat or concern do a couple of crying kids pose to the plane?

Sure, we all hate being disturbed by upset, screaming kids, but anyone who has flown more than a few times has had to deal with listening to kids throw tantrums, and we’ve all survived. We’ll complain about it to whomever picks us up at the airport, but it will quickly just become a minor memory of a short-term annoyance.

A couple of screaming youngsters are not going to storm the cockpit or get into drunken hijinks in the lavatory. They aren’t going to grope sleeping passengers or make threats to hijack the aircraft. They’re going to holler for a little bit — then they’re probably going to be quiet.

 

Comment from Robin Sizemore: Well, this does not bode well for our client families bringing home children that are clearly overwhelmed by every possible emotion and new sensory experience. I should hope passengers would empathize with a child and parent. We do the best we can folks!

School's In Session!

4 Keys to Help Your Adopted Child Thrive at School

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Live Webinar

Tuesday
September 17, 2013
7:00PM Central
Q&A: 8:00PM

Can't make it on the 17th?
Don't worry, we're recording the webinar! Register for the live event and the recording will appear in your account as soon as it's available.

Each school year can bring a new set of challenges to adopted kids, no matter how old they are. Facing new school projects and explaining adoption to new classmates can bring on different feelings as children grow.

Join us for a webinar featuring adoptive mom and adoption therapist Judy Stigger, LCSW and Carmen Knight, an internationally adopted person and teacher who works with many adopted kids.

Judy and Carmen will share both professional advice and personal experiences to help parents:

  • Understand what questions, concerns and capabilities children have at different ages/stages
  • Respond when projects or classroom discussions trigger adoption related questions
  • Gain insight into what to do when going to school and getting homework done is a battle
  • Educate teachers and school staff about all types of diversity: racial, blended families, adoption and more.

Submit your questions for us here or by tweeting them to @adoptiontweet using #ALPschool13

Live Webinar Details

Tuesday, September 17, 2013
7:00PM Central
Q&A: 8:00PM

PLEASE NOTE: If you purchase the certificate option, your certificate will be available upon successful completion of a post test. The post test will be in your Adoption Learning Partners account after the live event.

The audio for the live webinar can be heard over the phone or through your computer speakers. If you choose to listen through your computer, we recommend external speakers or headphones. If you call in by phone, it is a toll call. There are no refunds or exchanges for the webinar once you have purchased it. If you purchase, but are unable to attend the live webinar, a recorded version will be available in your account after the event. The recorded version broadcasts over your computer speakers

Attention North Carolina and New York Host Families!

If you are thinking about hosting a child this summer, you'll need a host family assessment.  Click here to get your assessment started today!

Host Programs: What are they all about?

Worthy and Reposted from: Rainbow Kids/Martha Osborne

th Host programs allow specific children to travel during holidays to the USA and stay with families for a summer or winter 'fun experience'. The hosting families are screened carefully, and many of them are hosting a child with the hope that they will eventually adopt that child. 
Families are asked not to talk about adoption in front of the child, and let the experience be a positive, holiday time for the hosted child. Hosted children MUST return to their original countries after the holiday period.  Some children stay with 'host only' families, who do not intend to eventually adopt.  Quietly, the host family and group leaders reach out to other screened-families who are interested in adopting an older child.  Over the years, I have seen hundreds of older children, once thought to be 'unadoptable' due to their age, enter into loving families."Curtis", pictured above, is a 'host only' child who is in Virginia until August 6th. He and 2 other young boys need families. If you are considering the adoption of an older child, and are willing to travel to meet Curtis and the other hosted boys, please contact  pgancie@cradlehope.org to learn more.  This will still be an international adoption, and the children will return to their orphanages after August 6th. Hopefully families will be found before they leave!

--Martha Osborne of Rainbow Kids

Friday, August 9, 2013

Family Gets Kicked Off US Airways Plane for Crying Kids — Seriously?!

By Alison Kramer and Scott Stratten from Babble.com

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This week, US Airways removed a woman and her children from a flight for crying. You can read the story here on Consumerist.

Aside from the fact that the company should have been prepared for the young children before the flight, rather than put the caregiver in the unfortunate situation of changing seats, with little to no help.

And aside from the fact, that as Consumerist asked so well, "US Airways states that the plane was being held up because these kids wouldn't stop crying. What threat or concern do a couple of crying kids pose to the plane?

We're talking about children crying.

I've cried on a few planes in my time. Once between the arms of two very hairy men on an 11 hour flight from Istanbul to Toronto. Once sitting beside two brothers from Texas, who took turns spitting chew into a shared can of Dr Pepper.

And I probably cried on planes as a baby, too.

And so did you.

You cried at the grocery store too. Trust me, it happened. My oldest son cried every time he even saw a car seat. He stopped crying when we was old enough to complain during the entire car ride instead.

Because my son, you, and I are all humans. And when we are small, without the talent for words that create everything from PhD dissertations to Adele lyrics to YouTube comments, we all cry. Because that's the best we've got at the time.

Scott shared the story on the UnMarketing Facebook page, and we had some interesting comments come our way. As happens.

The story and the comments had me in a state. At first, I suggested we award comments with prizes of free transatlantic flights with babies. To thank commenter's and perhaps give them a glimpse of what this mother would have been going through. For research…

But instead, I wrote this.

A healthy human response in 2013 to a baby crying on a plane, in three easy steps.

1. Empathy for a small human. When I see or hear a baby or child upset, my first response is to feel empathy for him or her. Being a baby is hard work. Without words, and a varied way to express herself, a young baby has only on and off. The same volume for "hey, you just cut my toenail off with that clipper!" to "ya know, I could really go for a lighter sleeper. I'm a wee bit warm."

This child didn't book the flight. They were not part of the decision making process that now has them being lugged around by a grumpy parent, who's flying around the world to hear about how thin their sister has gotten, or how amazing their cousin's new job on Wall Street is. Their mom is usually a nice person (who is this over-caffeinated woman in heels anyway?). 

If you cannot empathize with a crying child, with sore ears on landing, cramped into a car seat, surrounded by grumpy, dehydrated adults on a plane, then I'm pretty sure the environment, animal welfare and the plight of starving children around the world are things you take personally, too.

2. Empathy for caregiver. No one ever wanted or wants my children to be quiet more than I do. Ever. No adult dreams of carrying two children, their over-laden purse filled with tiny snacks, drinks, money and probably tampons. No one in their right mind doesn't want the baby to sleep through the flight, and I promise, no one wants it more than that parent. The very least anyone else can do is just ignore her. The next than least thing to do would be to show a little humanity and smile, say a kind word, ask to help. I once had a man sitting across from me and my young children get my carry on down for us at the end of the flight - and I kid you not, I would have given him a kidney to thank him.

3. Be happy it's not you. When I see young children crying or complaining, or just being children, as I watch their caregivers find diapers out of overstuffed diaper bags and cut grapes gently in half, you know what I feel? Happy. Happy it's not my responsibility. I don't have to lactate and deal with the judgment and eyes of people who've decided it's their business where one feeds their child. I don't have to find, prepare, and give a bottle, and then deal with the other people who've decided that choice is their business either. I don't have to pull bribery candy out of my purse, and private stash of Swedish berries, to manage the judgment of others who never spoiled their kids (never mind the ensuing sugar rush). I don't have to yell, growl, snap, or hit either. Which happens. And inevitably get caught in my worst parenting face ever (no doubt the result of expensive therapy to come).

In a world where we think our own comfort is so important that being unkind to a young child and struggling parent is ok, we all lose. I don't care how much your ticket cost (and by they way, if you can afford first class, I'm pretty sure you can manage the coin for noise canceling head phones). I don't care how the child inconvenienced your day in line for a 6 dollar half-caf mocha. This is a human child. And you are meant to be a human adult. Act like one.

And that's how I fly off the handle.

What do you think? We'd love to hear from you. We'll even take our headphones off and listen.

By Alison Kramer and Scott Stratten

Nominate an Angel in Adoption™ TODAY!

Quick Links

Deadline to Submit Nominations is August 15th!

Online Nomination Form

What is Angels in Adoption™ ?

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's (CCAI) Angels in Adoption program provides a way for Members of Congress and CCAI to honor an individual, couple or organization from their state or district that has made a difference in the lives of children in need of a family to call their own. Past honorees include foster parents, adoptive parents, social workers, adoption advocates, or foster care organizations.

Since 1999, almost 2000 individuals, families and organizations through CCAI’s Angels in Adoption™.

Every fall, these Angels come from all over the country to visit the nation’s capital and their Member of Congress, learn about their advocacy capabilities, and share their experiences with adoption. The program culminates with a gala on October 9th at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC where CCAI honors those who have raised awareness about foster care and adoption on a national or global level. 

Angels in Adoption™ Online Nomination Form

Who should I nominate?

Do you know someone who has improved the life of a child through foster care and/or adoption? Are they dedicated to improving the lives of children? Nominate them as an Angel in Adoption™!

Through CCAI's Angels in Adoption™ program, Members of Congress and CCAI select an individual, couple, or organization who has made an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes. In order to maintain the quality of this program, we need your knowledge of outstanding people or organizations. Without your nominations, this program would not be possible!  In the past these entities have included, but are not limited to:

          -juvenile court judges                       -nonprofit organizations

          -family court judges                         -members of the media

          -social workers                                -business people

          -adoption advocates                         -former foster youth

          -foster or adoptive parents               -adoptees

          -advocacy groups                             -attorneys

How do I nominate an individual, couple or organization?

To suggest someone be honored as an "Angel", you can complete the online nomination form.

All nominations must be received by August 15th!

The more nominations that we receive, the more Angels celebrated this year!

 

 

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)

311 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington, DC | 20002 | (p) 202-544-8500 | (f) 202-544-8501 | www.ccainstitute.org

Questions? Contact Allison Cappa at 202-544-8500 / allison@ccainstitute.org

Please visit our website at www.angelsinadoption.org

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Megi in Kazbegi

I'd like to invite you to the Georgian world of my friend Meghan Johnson

Worth and Reposted from: http://thesoulshines.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/megi-in-kazbegi/

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Megi in Kazbegi

“MEGI!” So begins every conversation with Khvicha, the taxi driver with whom I’d trust my life. ”Meghan” seems to be tough for many Georgians to grasp, so I usually introduce myself as “Meg,” which turns into the Georgian name “Megi.”  Thus, I am now Megi... (read more)

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All photo credits for this blog entry: Amy Yu Mao, or Khvicha.

Would A 'Cure' Change The Love?

By Beverly Beckham |  Globe Correspondent     August 04, 2013

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Lucy loves to share online songs and videos with her grandmother.

It was the middle of the heat wave and we were inside sitting on the floor, Lucy using my iPad, looking at Disney characters on YouTube. “Not that. Not that. Not that. This one, Mimi!”

Then she clicked and Mulan sang.

“Who is that girl I see

Staring straight back at me?

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?”

Then she clicked on “Pocahontas.”

“You think the only people who are people

Are the people who look and think like you.

But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger

You’ll learn things you never knew you never knew.”

Then she chose a clip from the Disney movie “Tarzan.” A mother ape walks out of the woods holding a human baby and the other apes gasp and the dialogue went like this:

“Freaky looking.”

“What the heck is it anyway?”

“He’s a baby,” the mother explained.

And the other apes looked again and said, “You know he’s not so bad, once you get used to him.”

And I looked at Lucy and thought, as I have since the day my granddaughter was born, there is so much going on inside this child.

She turned 10 in June. Double digits. “You’re a big girl now,” we told her. And she is.

But she is not like most girls her age.

Lucy has Down syndrome and that makes her different. She was born with an extra chromosome that’s in each cell of her body. We human beings have 100 trillions cells. With that one extra chromosome present in all those cells, there’s a lot more substance to Lucy than to most people.

But substance is not what people see.

Lucy was born with a heart problem that required surgery. People saw this. She walked and talked later than typical kids. They saw this, too. She has trouble forming sentences. She has to work hard to speak clearly. She has low muscle tone. And she is intellectually delayed.

These are the things that most people see.

Her essence?

Lucy wanting me to hear words that have meaning to her. Lucy, knowing when someone needs a hug. Lucy, walking up to an elderly woman in a wheelchair, leaning close and asking, “Are you OK, Grandma?”

People don’t see these things.

When Mason, my goddaughter’s son, was born in the spring, Lucy, her mom, and I raced to the hospital to meet him. Lucy took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed and plunked herself between Sarah and her husband, Kyle. And draping one arm over Sarah’s shoulder and the other over Kyle’s she declared with a huge smile, “My family.”

Lucy knows things.

Her extra chromosome gets a rap for all of her disabilities. But could it be responsible for this, too, for her ability to love and empathize, for her insight, her honesty, and her genuine goodness?

Last month, Jeanne Lawrence, a researcher at University of Massachusetts Medical School, wrote in the science journal Nature that she and her team had figured out a way to switch off the extra chromosome linked to Down syndrome in human cells in a laboratory.

This is a huge discovery, a potential cure for Down syndrome.

But what does cure mean? What more, besides medical and intellectual issues, is that one extra chromosome responsible for?

Lucy tries so hard. When she was a baby, we would watch her practicing her words, holding her toy mirror and studying the shape of her mouth. She still practices words and phrases. “How are you?” “May I please have?” Is this Down syndrome? Or did she get this doggedness from my father? He couldn’t spell. But he never stopped trying.

Lucy likes musicals and show tunes. Is this Down syndrome? Or does she like them because her mother and Aunt Julie and I do?

The other day she sang a duet with me. She was brushing her teeth and I was beside her and she put down her toothbrush, brought her head close to mine, and grinning in the mirror, began.

“Together at last. Together forever.

We’re tying a knot, they never can sever!

I don’t need sunshine now, to turn my skies to blue.

I don’t need anything but you!”

Is this Down syndrome? Maybe. Maybe not. But if it is, why would we ever want to change it?


Beverly Beckham can be reached at beverlybeckham@me.com.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

HOW CAN YOU AFFORD A GLOBAL LIFESTYLE? 10 BLOGGERS SHARE THEIR STORY

Worthy and Reposted from: Amanda Mouttaki

http://marocmama.com/2013/07/how-can-you-afford-a-global-lifestyle-10-bloggers-share-their-story.html

There is an assumption that in order to travel the world you must be independently wealthy or have really good connections. The truth is neither of these things is true.  Having a global lifestyle is a choice (in most cases) that families and individuals make. Some people choose to have a large home in the suburbs with all the “nice things” in life, while others opt for the loft apartment in the city.  Still others choose a modest home, with other life luxuries like new cars or “toys”.  Then there’s those who instead choose to travel.  This is us. One of the major reasons we are able to move to Morocco in a few weeks is because we don’t have a mortgage or credit card debt.  If we had either (or both) of these things it would be difficult, if not impossible.

So many people have asked me how we financially are able to make this move and I’ve shared some of our plans but essentially we have very limited debt and we have location independent jobs (we can do them from anywhere). There are a lot of ways to make an international move and/or a global-mobile lifestyle possible. Before taking the jump I highly consider reading this post I wrote on 4 Tips to Start Planning an International Relocation.  These tips really helped us get started. But, our way certainly isn’t the only way.  Here are many many more.

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1) Limited Savings

What if you only had $900 in savings?  Would you take the jump and begin a traveling life? Talon Windwalker and his son set out and have been on the road for the last 800+ days! He shares some unique ideas for earning money while traveling and keeping a global lifestyle in motion.

2) Using Saved Money

Several years ago I remember watching a segment on TV about a family who was biking from Alaska to Argentina and immediately thought “wow how awesome is that?!” M was 5 years old and my mind immediately wandered to thinking how it might be possible. Nancy and John began their journey with a chunk of change saved up but also got creative along the way. If you’ve got a mortgage and other life expenses but still want to take on a global adventure I highly recommend reading how they did it!

3) Digital Nomads

Want to be a digital nomad? I just recently heard this term used to describe someone who fills the role of a freelance digital commuter.  Yay this is us!  I’ve been working from home for the last two years, and once we’re in Morocco (and traveling about) this will certainly be us. If becoming a digital nomad and/or blogging as a means to create a global lifestyle is something you want to explore, the Bohemian Travelers have an excellent post about how they do this.  I also love that they provide a glimpse at their travel expenses.

4)  Saving Money To and During Travel

Long before we considered moving internationally we began getting questions about how we could afford to travel so often.  As I wrote above, travel is a choice that we’ve made – it’s important to us and therefore we assign it as a priority when budgeting. The Traveling Praters have run up against this question too and share some of their answers – most of which are the same answer as I would give! There are so many ways to save money before and during travel, if you maximize these savings you can afford to travel more often.

5) Use a Mortgage to Your Advantage

But, what if you do have a house and mortgage…I have to be honest this isn’t something I’ve even thought about or considered having never owned a home.  With 2 Kids in Tow has spent the last year traveling and have leveraged the value in and of their home to make this possible.  I’m not sure if all or some of the options they have used are available to US homeowners but they are clever and certainly worth asking a lender about!

6) A Global Lifestyle Does Not Usually Mean No Work!

Will we be working when we move to Morocco and travel on that side of the globe?  Absolutely! There are very few people who make long-term travel a choice who do not work. Many people wonder how they can possibly work overseas when they have never done so before. Jennifer of Edventure Project sums this up really well when she says, “we converted existing skill sets and developed a few new ones to things that could be done remotely.” This really is the key to overcoming this hurdle. This is also a really great article to check out if you’re a writer or dream of being a traveling writer!

7) Real Budget Travel is Possible when Flexible

If anyone hates the word budget it’s me.  I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of person.  This however, is not realistic when planning to travel internationally.  The safety nets just disappear and having and maintaining income is incredibly important. Keryn of Walking on Travels did a round-up post of several traveling families with their recommendations for a budget vacation.  The takeaway?  Budget travel is a relative term. I have to admit I laughed to myself when she talked about a news article with a “budget” vacation starting at $4500.  One of the biggest expenses is going to always be “getting there” which is where flexibility has to come into play.  For example we really are hoping to visit Eastern Europe while we’re in Morocco.  Tickets from Marrakech to Prague are running over $600 per person.  But we can get a flight into Milan, Italy for about 100 euro round-trip…guess which destination wins??

8) Saving for Travel

So you’ve decided you’re really going to do this travel thing.  Now it’s time to start trimming the budget and setting aside some money.  I shared that we have a “safety fund” that we’ve put money into.  This is important to us. It’s not a requirement.  If having some money set aside just in case or to get you off the ground running is a priority, this post from Walking on Travels will give you some real (and easy!) ideas to get started today. 

9) Creating a Budget

It’s one thing to think about a budget, or even to write it down, or even just assume it will be similar to a household budget you have at home.  But, I really think when living internationally and/or traveling full-time it’s a different ball game.  Heidi of Wagoner’s Abroad provides a really good down and dirty breakdown of their budget categories and expenses when they first moved to Spain. I think this post is an excellent place to start planning your budget.

10) Occassional International Travel

I say occasional but what I really mean is internationally travel every year or every other year. If you’re not looking to move abroad or travel nonstop but simply want to take a trip every year or two this post from Kids on a Plane provides some great advice for how to save for this type of travel. You’ll have a bit more wiggle room and flexibility (you could always decide you don’t have it in your budget to take the trip).   This is the type of travel we have done for years and these tips are a great way to get started.


See more at: http://marocmama.com/2013/07/how-can-you-afford-a-global-lifestyle-10-bloggers-share-their-story.html#sthash.HnQpNZpo.dpuf

Vegetarian Moroccan Harira

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Photo credit: Marocmama

Vegetarian Moroccan Harira

Worthy and Reposted From: http://marocmama.com

Ingredients

1 medium to large onion
3-4 cloves garlic
3-4 tomatoes as fresh as possible
1 handful chopped Italian parsley
1/2 handful chopped cilantro
1 small can tomato paste
2 Tbsp Olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1½ tsp Black Pepper
1Tbsp Paprika
1 Tbsp Turmeric
1 small pinch Saffron crushed (if desired)
½ c canned organic garbanzo beans
¼ c lentils (rinsed)
1/4 c rice (I use long grain or basmati)
3 cups water
1 carton Saffron Road Vegetable Broth
Food Processor

Instructions

Heat olive oil in large stockpot on the stovetop.

Finely chop onion and garlic, and saute in the stockpot.

Wash and core tomatoes and then puree in a food processor along with parsley and cilantro.

Add tomato and herb puree along with salt, pepper, paprika, turmeric (and saffron if desired) to the pot.

Next, add water, tomato paste and 1 carton of Vegetable Broth to the mix.

Bring the soup to a boil and add lentils, rice, and garbanzo beans and reduce heat to medium. Cover.

Once the lentils and rice are tender (will vary but about 20 minutes) turn down the heat.

You can thicken the soup by adding a flour roux or leave as is.

The harira should be thick but still have a soup consistency.

http://marocmama.com/2013/08/vegetarian-moroccan-harira.html

This soup took about 1 hour start to finish to make.  Traditional harira takes several more. You might not be making this every night, but by making one big pot you’ll be guaranteed leftovers.

To preserve, transfer soup to smaller sized, freezer safe containers and allow to cool completely. Cover the containers, and pop into the freezer.  When you want to use it again, transfer to your refrigerator until the soup can be removed from the container.  You could also submerge it part way in warm water.  Heat through in a pan on the stove top.


Disclaimer: The author of this blog post is a brand ambassador for Saffron Road Food. However, she did not receive compensation for recipe creation , nor product to use. Her opinions and creations are her own.

See more at: http://marocmama.com/#sthash.CaWGH76s.dpuf

Monday, August 5, 2013

South Africa Program Announcement

th Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is pleased announce a pilot network South Africa program in partnership with Spence-Chapin! Spence-Chapin is one of three agencies worldwide that has been accredited by the South Africa government to place South African children into permanent and loving families. Hopscotch will be working exclusively with North Carolina families ready to develop a dossier, to be registered in South Africa’s re-structured and Hague compliant adoption program. 
Want to get started today?  You’ll want to click here to get your home study underway immediately.  Want to learn more about Spence-Chapin's South Africa placing program click here.

Attention North Carolina and New York Host Families!

If you are thinking about hosting a child this summer, you'll need a host family assessment.  Click here to get your assessment started today!

Host Programs: What are they all about?

Worthy and Reposted from: Rainbow Kids/Martha Osborne

th Host programs allow specific children to travel during holidays to the USA and stay with families for a summer or winter 'fun experience'. The hosting families are screened carefully, and many of them are hosting a child with the hope that they will eventually adopt that child. 
Families are asked not to talk about adoption in front of the child, and let the experience be a positive, holiday time for the hosted child. Hosted children MUST return to their original countries after the holiday period.  Some children stay with 'host only' families, who do not intend to eventually adopt.  Quietly, the host family and group leaders reach out to other screened-families who are interested in adopting an older child.  Over the years, I have seen hundreds of older children, once thought to be 'unadoptable' due to their age, enter into loving families."Curtis", pictured above, is a 'host only' child who is in Virginia until August 6th. He and 2 other young boys need families. If you are considering the adoption of an older child, and are willing to travel to meet Curtis and the other hosted boys, please contact  pgancie@cradlehope.org to learn more.  This will still be an international adoption, and the children will return to their orphanages after August 6th. Hopefully families will be found before they leave!

--Martha Osborne of Rainbow Kids

Colombia Program Announcement

th Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is pleased announce a pilot network Colombia program in partnership with Spence-Chapin! Spence-Chapin is one of very few agencies worldwide that has been accredited by the Colombian government to place Colombian children into permanent and loving families.  Hopscotch will be working exclusively with North Carolina families ready to develop a dossier, to be registered in Colombia’s re-structured and Hague compliant adoption program. 

Want to get started today?  You’ll want to click here to get your home study underway immediately.  Want to learn more about Spence-Chapin's Colombia placing program click here.