Saturday, December 14, 2013

Near and Dear

I don't often write posts about waiting children but, just in case you've been reading the blog and feel a tug at your heart, let me introduce you to some of the kids that are near and dear to my heart.  (All of them happen to be available to single mothers.)  


Boy, born January 2007
Down syndrome, otherwise reported to be healthy
What a handsome young fella!  I adore how he’s standing with his hands in his pockets.  Vaughn is already 6, and at a great age to join his forever family.  This is a great program with a wonderful agency partner.  Hope you will consider Vaughn as your son!
Seriously.  How cute is this little kid with his hands in his pockets?  He's making eye contact with the camera and standing still.  I think those are both really good signs of his development.  There isn't much info on his RR profile but I'm sure the agency has more.  I'd love to see this little guy find a family before he gets any older!  
And, the kicker?  He has $16,360 in his grant!!!  That's more than half of his adoption covered!  (Sara had $0 in her grant when I committed.)  That kind of grant is a huge blessing to his future family!  


Girl, born Feb 2007
Down syndrome, congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism. Mental delays.
Report dated 2010
Kimberley is predominantly cheerful.  In the orphanage the girl is described as a sociable, smiling, loving, quiet girls, who enjoys being with other persons. Her sleep is normal. She enjoys eating pretty food, so the orphanage gives her vegetables, eggs, iron, etc.. However, they still give her vitamins and avoid foods with lactose.
Her communication is usually through gestures, cries and guttural sounds.  General gross motor and fine motor delays, common for a child with Down syndrome.
She participates in group activities and plays in partnership with other children.  She is cautious with strangers but she adjusts quickly to their presence.
This is the little girl that I've been advocating and fund raising for this Christmas season.   I've worked hard to build up her grant.  I plan to continue to do so until her grant has at least $5,000 in it.  Right now, she has $4636.93!  That would be a great start for her future family.  
During the last two months, I've really come to care about this little girl.  My students raised over $1,300 and ask me regularly if she has a family yet.   (I have to find her a family or they are going to drive me crazy!)  


Lene (pronounced like Renee)
Girl, born August 2010
Down syndrome, congenital heart disease, language delay
What a doll baby!  Love her little pigtails!
Lene responds to expressions of affection from other persons. She can adapt to any social environment.
As of February 2012, her report said that the she attends therapy 3 times a week.
This is the little girl that I would go for in a heartbeat if I was in a position to adopt again.  I love this little girl so much!  She's only 3.  She be 4 or 4 1/2 when she came home if a family started right now---the same age as Sara.  I really think she'd grow and thrive in a family the way Sara has done.   I will cry lots of tears of joy when this little girl finds a family.  I just hope it isn't years from now!  
Her grant currently has $5968.75!  


Boy, Born August 2006
Down syndrome
UPDATE Nov 2013:  Mark is doing well, andd his overall health is good!!   
We did not receive any information on the treatment he received for leukemia — but GOOD HEALTH is GREAT news!!
UPDATE December 2012:   It has been determined that sweet Mark is also battling leukemia.  We are waiting for additional medical testing and details, but PLEASE pray for him and help us find his forever family!  THANK GOD for a new photo, he has grown so much!   Trying to get his new photo in a larger size, but SO glad to finally have one!   Mark is up and walking and doing SO well!   Updated info coming soon!
 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!

This poor little guy has Leukemia.  It will take a very special family to commit to him but he needs a momma so badly!  Can you imagine a poor child battling Leukemia without a mother to hold him?  It's unthinkable.  

Mark currently has a grant of 10,773.40!  A third of his adoption is already paid for.  




Boy, Born May 2011
Sweet baby James!   Healthy besides his Down syndrome, and waiting for his forever family.  Full medical and social history available.
This little guy was in an orphanage that I visited briefly last year.  I didn't get to meet him but just knowing he was there as drawn me to him.  He's so young!  He needs to be getting Early Intervention services to help him reach his potential!  There isn't much information on his profile but I know that his former orphanage would have provided a lot of information about him. 

James currently has $5,398.13 in his grant!  That's a lot of money to get a family started.  


All of these kids deserve and need a family!  All of these kids would make great additions to the right family.  All of these kids have lots of money committed to their adoptions already.  All of these kids have a piece of my heart.  

As we quickly fly into the Christmas season, take some time to sit and think about your family and what it looks like.  Do you have room for one more?  

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Extra Special Doll Giveaway

I'm soooooo excited that my friends Angie and Jason are adopting again.  I had the privilege of getting to know them during my process and spending time with them in Colombia.  They have chosen one of the cutest kids ever to be their new son:  

They are hosting a pretty cool give away to raise some funds to bring this little guy home:

Flash Giveaway for Chance! I have one Extra Special Doll (Formerly Dolls for Downs) (website:http://extraspecialdolls.com/) up to give away. She is American Girl Size and Quality. Modeled after Aziza the Sweet Warrior Princess who tragically lost her life a year ago (Her Mama's blog http://mylittlewarriorprincess.blogspot.com/)

The rules, You get ONE entry for every dollar donated to our FSP:http://reecesrainbow.org/69430/sponsorvanhalle-2 (must send PayPal receipt to angelinevh@gmail.com to count) and ONE entry for sharing. The Giveaway will go until we reach a total of $250 in donations.

This sweet doll retails for $95 plus shipping.

Let's see those donations. If we can get to $250 total from this giveaway quickly, she can be home in time for Christmas, but that is up to you!




Wednesday, December 11, 2013

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

The snow is falling.  I think the shopping is done.  The presents are waiting to be wrapped.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  

I should write a full-blown update but this is what you're getting tonight.  Fun Christmas/Winter pictures.  





Christmas tree is up!



Thanksgiving dinner with Uncle John and Grace.

She loves her Uncle Bryon.

Hanging out with Grandpa.

Reunited with Claudia.  

She lost her first tooth.  
It was very traumatic for both of us.  

Getting dressed for the ball.  

Princess Ball with Grandpa!  
(They both loved it.  Don't let Grandpa tell you any different.)

Helping teach the Ballroom dancing lessons.

A bit blurry but the girl loves to dance--from the moment she arrives.


The real Santa Sequence


Singing after the ball. 

Carriage ride.

Story time at Gigi's Playhouse.  

Learning to shovel.