Friday, September 30, 2011

Playing with Baby

Being the big 'ol family that we are, every child has about a dozen brothers and sisters. When Rebecca joined the other sweet ones in the upstairs nursery, Joy was giddy with pleasure. Her own little sister!


Amy was holding the warmly bundled up Rebecca outside on a recent, nearly-fall day, and Serena was intrigued about the wiggling bundle. Of course she asked if she could have a chance holding the rather new little sister...


...and it looks like Serena has the makings of being a profesional big sister! It's no wonder, with all of the experience she's had being the oldest girl in our Forever Home. Serena has a very sweet and gentle heart and is always eager to love others.


And our babies are ever so easy to love. They are innocent, peaceful, dependent and completly adorable; everyone should have a chance to play with baby.

Noah and the Preschool Dance Party

Noah has really become a star student in the afternoon preschool classroom. I have really enjoyed watching him shine in the classroom. Just the other day, we were singing songs in preschool. Noah was sitting down,but you could tell his body was aching to move to the beat. The preschool teacher eventually said, “Noah, get up and dance!” to which he promptly got up and started to show off his moves to the rest of our enjoyment. Not only did the teachers and volunteers enjoy watching, but Noah’s classmates enjoyed it somuch that they too decided to try out their dancing feet. It was a regular dance party—preschool style! Thanks to our little trend setter, Noah, who started it all.


--This post was written by our intern, Faith
Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Samuel and his buddy


P.S. Ya'll still have penty of time to get your comments in to enter our givaway!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Transformation Tuesday: Jayce

This photo was taken not too long after Jayce arrived...


And then this photo was taken yesterday...


My, how they grow!
Monday, September 26, 2011

More Car!


Samuel's infatuation with cars may have gone a little bit too far... he's now seeing vehicles in the most inanimate objects. Not too long ago, this box became his racecar and he nearly burst with excitment to be "driven" around by his ever-so-gracious chauffer. Whenever they stopped, Samuel would call out, "Hai you qi che!" (More car!).

This kid is going to be very ready for a car when he turns sixteen.
Saturday, September 24, 2011

Beyond Brilliant (and a Givaway!)

Hannah, Serena and Alex are all very smart. They've been through a lot during their relatvily short lives, but have come through it so well.


Hannah, despite the fact that she's alread had two major heart surgeries, is at the top of her class. Ok, well, she's the only one in her Kindergarten level class... but that's beside the point. Hannah has increased her education in leaps and bounds recently.


When we realized that Serena and Alex were quite similar in their academic level, we were excited for the healthy competition and deep friendship that would form between them as they learned together. These two make up our First Grade class and are both excelling.


Serena, Alex and Hannah have their own little classroom and teachers and love, love, love to learn. They also love to play, so the ample recess time the small class number allows is a huge plus.


In honor of these three fine kiddos, we're going to do a givaway of their personally autographed photos!


Here's how to enter:

1. Comment! It's as simple as that. Tell us how you found out about New Day Foster Home, or if you're a sponsor/adoptive parent. (one entry)
2. Share the NDFH blog link (http://www.newdayfosterhome.blogspot.com/) on twitter or facebook. Leave a comment letting us know that you did this. (one entry)
3. Post about NDFH on YOUR blog. Again, leave us a comment letting us know that you did this and share the link. (one entry)

We'll put all of the entries (up to 3 per person!) in a hat and have someone (maybe one of the kids?) draw a name. You have until October 3rd to get your comment in!
Friday, September 23, 2011

Pretending to be Driver Mark

Driver Mark is one of NDFH's best drivers, and he's one of the children's best friends. They love driving in the car with him to check-ups and fieldtrips and have even taught him most of the words to, "Old MacDonald." During a summer afternoon outside, Joel decided that he was Driver Mark and his passenger was Joshua.


The two boys "drove" around the backyard for quite some time, Joel at the wheel.


A few days later Joel gave Timothy a few rides around the backyard.


Drive safely, Joel!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Loving Carissa

A week ago Carissa was released from the hospital without any hope.


...and while hope for her to be physically healthy is still slim, watching her respond to love brings hope for a heart that is much more than phycially whole.


We just want her to have a heart that is loved.

An Afternoon Drive

With the weather turning cooler, the opportunity arises for glorious rides in the motor-powered carts. Thanks to the nannies’ smart idea, an afternoon drive through the backyard took place! The kids eagerly climbed inthe back of the cart till there were no more seats left.


Despite the fact that all the seats were filled, William really wanted to join in the fun. With no spots left, he thought of a brilliant idea, 'If I can’t ride in the cart, I'd better drive the cart. That’s more fun anyways!"



Everyone had fun singing "Wheels on the Bus" and waving "bye-bye" to everyone. In case you can't tell, Claire and Brooke especially loved this! What a perfect afternoon drive!



---This post was written by Faith
Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wordless Wendesday: Joshua

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Transformation Tuesday: Lena

Last summer I had the privilege of working in the foster home preschool for 5 weeks. It was there that I met Lena. Oh sweet child, Lena. How much I love this girl! I noticed right away that she was charming, cute, and really funny. 


But there was something else I noticed....

Lena did not talk. She struggled to communicate in other forms. She would often become so frustrated that she would stomp, cry, and refuse help. She seemed very much like she was locked in her own world, too scared, timid, and unhappy to come out. 


Fast forward a year and I am back at New Day! I could not wait to see Lena again this summer! I knew there would still be that energetic, spunky girl--but I was so amazed at all the changes that have taken place in her. 


She is compassionate: I recently had a "boo-boo" on my arm that I kept covered with a bandage. Jenna came up to me every single day, tapped me on the shoulder, and pointed to my arm. She wanted to make sure that I was alright and not in any pain. 


She is smart! Lena understands BOTH Chinese and English, which is not an easy task. Ask her to do anything in either language and she will!


She is excelling in school. Lena has wanted to be in "big girl school" for a while. She finally got that chance this summer when we formed the Pre-K Transition Class. I am so proud of the progress I have seen her make in just a few short weeks. She can pay attention for longer, she wants to interact with peers, she is HAPPY, she loves to read books, she is tracing and drawing shapes and many letters, and she is a JOY to have in the classroom. Her face lights up when it is time to start and she is often the first one to raise her hand to answer a question!


She is learning to communicate. Lena is using her voice to make the beginning sounds of words and every time she does, she makes a giggling sound as if to say, "I can do it!" But the most amazing thing is that she is now using sign language! She can introduce herself, say how she is feeling, knows many colors, and the list goes on. 


Lena has certainly blossomed the past year. I always knew that Lena had these qualities deep inside her, waiting to come out. She has been so loved by her foster family and they have worked with her to start her healing. It is amazing what love can do--but Lena also freely gives love away with endless hugs, kisses, and snuggling up in your lap. The change I have witnessed in her is amazing. We are so blessed by this special treasure!


--This post was written by Catherine, one of our interns/teachers
Sunday, September 18, 2011

And When I Wake...

"You're sure? If I got to sleep right now will you teach me class when I wake up? Really? I'll get to come to class... will you wake me up if I'm still asleep? You sure?"

Every day at 1pm, naptime/restime for the big kids, Vincent asks his pre-K teachers those very questions.


Vincent joined the pre-K/transition class only a few months after it started, but it is still a novelty in his eyes. He is so, so proud of the fact that he gets to go.


So, every afternoon, he makes sure that class is still on.

"Are you sure that when I wake up we'll have class?"
Friday, September 16, 2011

Much, Much Too Busy For Me

Joshua's lived at NDFH for quite a while. In fact, during the time that he has been here, over 50 children have been adopted. That means, for our Joshua, that 50 Mamas and Babas have "found" their children.
We get a lot of serious questions from the children. They ask things like, "Where's my Mama?" "Why can't I fly on an airplane to America?" "Do I have parents too?"

"Where are my parents?"

To answer these heartbreaking inquiries, nannies and staff alike assure the children that they do have families. Each one of them has a mama and a baba who love them desperately. They just haven't found them yet. There are parents out there for each of the kids, we remind them often, and right now, at this very moment, those parents are frantically searching and looking for their child. They're very own Noah... or Lucy... or Joshua.

Joshua knows the routine by heart. He's experienced the excitement that comes when a child discovers that their parents found them. And over the years, his excitement has often led to grief, because his family still hasn't found him.

Being the rational, logical, and brilliant kid that Joshua is, he's determined the cause for the fact that he's still parent-less. These are his very own words, his excuse, for why his parents haven't found him:

"My parents are busy, that's why they haven't found me yet. They're just very busy. Too busy."

The New Family In Town

Walking into the backyard the other day you would have come upon a funny sight. Alex was leading about a small group of his friends, and giving them names. To Vincent he said, "You're Ella!" and to Jace, "You can be Paige." He and Serena were the parents of these two children, both recently adopted.


"I'm the handsome Dad." Alex told me.


"My name is Julie!" Serena said.


 "And I'm the teacher!" said Hannah. "Come on kids, time for class!" she called.


Later on we heard that Serena and Alex were going to grow their family through adoption yet again! They were on their way to pick up Wang Shu, our Foster Family director, and add him into their family.


We're so happy that our children have such a beautiful picture of families.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011

She Was Worth It

She was so loved.

With a physical heart that most had given up on, when Paige arrived all we wanted to do was give her a chance. And even though she never experienced a whole and healthy heart, Paige knew what it was to be loved.


She was a favorite of so many. Her little tuft of hair… those dimples that grew sweeter and sweeter… that grin…


Paige was spunky; she wiggled all of the time. She never contented herself with being a fragile, delicate heart baby. Paige was strong.


Watching her roll over amazed us. Her smile delighted us, and the way she babbled when first beginning to express herself out loud melted our hearts. Paige was not afraid of growing up, even though it must have been tough on her damaged and broken heart.


And we were not afraid of falling head over heels in love with her, even though, right now, it hurts like crazy. When we said “Yes” to Paige, we knew that we were putting our hearts at risk. But if we had not put our hearts at risk, Paige would have missed out on three months of unconditional, nurturing love. And it was worth it. Those three months of getting to love on Paige and watch her blossom was more than worth it.


It’s easy to ask “why her?” because we miss her so much. It’s hard to say goodbye to little Paige, precious Ping Ping, but we know that she now knows no limits to her strength and ability, no bounds to her love. The love that she is experiencing right now, at this very moment, is far greater than we can ever imagine. And we take comfort that her heart is now whole, and overflowing.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

It's Manicure Time!

Can you guess what the Forever Home girls did this evening?!!


That's right, they all got their nails painted! Aren't they a beautiful bunch of nails!!
Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Playroom Police

Samuel went through a rabbit obsession phase, for about a month.  He gets fixated on items and greatly enjoys their presence in his life.  For a time this fixation was the stuffed bunnies that littered the downstairs playroom.  Samuel also has one other non-temporary fixation called CARS. 


He is all boy.  One of the first words he learned to say was qi che, Mandarin for car.  So, one day, Samuel happily toddles into the downstairs playroom.  There is no one in there but myself and this content little two year old boy.  He rushes over to the toys and grabs a stuffed rabbit off the shelf, hugs it tightly to his chest and proceeds to toddle around the empty playroom, happily calling out qi che, qi che, as he goes. 



Vincent, the next youngster to enter the playroom, takes one look at the r
abbit in Samuel’s arms and listens for one second to the words coming out of Samuel’s mouth and freezes.  Horror mixed with disbelief cross his face for an instant before he tears over to Samuel, finger outstretched in the universal symbol for “no” and hollers at Samuel, “NO QI CHE!!”. 

Samuel contentedly oblivious to all things but his rabbit and his endless stream of “qi che” never pauses or even acknowledges Vincent.  Completely flabbergasted by the sheer audacity of calling a clearly stuffed rabbit a car, Vincent proceeded to follow Samuel around the playroom constantly informing him of his VERY incorrect assessment of the toy’s nature.


---This post was written by one of our interns.