Sunday, December 30, 2012

Favorites from 2012

 2012... one of the fullest and busiest years in New Day Foster Home's history. With over 35 new arrivals, 32 adoption (a new record!) and over 25 surgeries, we've been kept busy and on our toes!

Some days the hope has seemed dim and we've wondered it we could keep doing it, if we could keep on loving and fighting for the helpless. But throughout the hard times, there has been an ever-present glimmer of joy that reminded us to hope.

And through the hard times... joy has abounded.

Love grows here at New Day Foster Home; love grows quickly and invasively and we're so thankful and happy that you have joined us on this journey. It's been amazing.

Join us in looking back at some of the miracles, stories and memories that have made this year so special.

 Maya's Miracle


A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine
Maya's cancer was killing her... could her joy keep her alive?

Maya's Miracle  
"Miracle" says it all.

Conquering Chemo
Maya continues to fight hard and strong. She one of the most inspiring and adorable little girls you will ever meet. 



Alea's Miracle


A Miracle for Alea
Alea didn't have much time left... the only thing that could save her life was a miracle. 

Lives are Changing
So many things happened, so many lives were changed... Alea's was one of them!

Alea's Amazing Story
The picture tells part of the story...


Postcards from Alea
Alea's recovery in the hospital was long, but she kept her spirits up!

95 Days
...that's how many days Alea stayed in the hospital.

Alea Tries to Escape
Is she recovering? Oh yes, indeed!

Amazing Stories


Annabel's Amazing Story
Her story began with life June 2, 2012, the day she was born, but in less than a week it already looked like a tragedy.

Tabitha's Amazing Story
We sent oxygen with the nanny who went to pick Tabitha up at the train station. We were afraid that her heart wouldn't make the train ride down from her home province.

Wayne's Amazing Story
The hospital in Wayne’s home province that had been treating him for pneumonia and meningitis sent him home to die. They said that his case was hopeless.

Wendy's Amazing Story
It only took one look at Wendy for us to realize that this little girl was a much more serious case than we had anticipated. On top of having a very sick heart, Wendy also had a very broken heart. Abandoned on her fourth birthday, just two months before she arrived at NDFH, we knew that there were deep, fresh scars on Wendy’s heart.

Lydia's Amazing Story
November 11, 2011 a little girl was born in East China. But all was not as her family might have pictured those precious early days with a new baby... she was born with anal atresia and an intestinal fistula. Sadly she was abandoned three days later, a gravely sick newborn baby girl.

Lily's Amazing Story
Lily’s orphanage was desperate. She had a serious heart disease, so complex that no hospitals in her city could treat it.

Adoptions

Who's next?

The Final Chapter
Claire's story at New Day ended when she join her forever family, but her journey has just begun!

And Off they Go...
...two orphans are no longer orphans.

Philip has a Family!
Though he hasn't yet been adopted, Philip has been matched and the promise of being home makes him grin. 

Arrivals


An Angel in our Midst
Rachel arrived and you all swooned at sight of her beauty.

18 Hours
When Asher first arrived at NDFH, he wasn't sure that he liked what he saw. It didn't take long for that to change!

Checking out the New Ones
Stella and Lewis enter the playroom... what will the other children's reactions be?


Saying Hello
Seth and Hudson arrived on the same day. Somehow the children at NDFH get cuter and cuter and cuter!

Ava and Nora, Twins
Two of the most popular "new arrivals" of all times. 


Wordless Wednesday - some of the cutest pictures you'll ever see. Click the links!

 





New Day South


NDSouth: Welcome Charlotte!
New Day South welcomes a sick little baby named Charlotte into their care.

NDSouth: Southern Boys
Of all the little boys in Southern China, NDSouth has some of the cutest!


NDSouth: Charlotte goes to the hospital
Remember that little baby who arrived? Well, she's not so little anymore, and she's not as sick either!

NDSouth: Good Hair Day
Hair cut time!

NDSouth: Happy Birthday Marshall 
Marshall was fighting for his life when he arrived at New Day South. Today he's a strong and thriving little boy.


Sweetness


So That She Can Walk
Philip has a big heart and has been through a lot during his short life.  

Little Mother
Wendy's loving care of little children, babies especially, is sure to put a smile on your face.

When Dreams Come True
Joel and Philip are walking together

Girls and Dolls
Every little girl needs a doll.

Spontaneous Kisses
Cora's such an affectionate little girl. She's been adopted, and is probably smothering her new mama in kisses right now.

Silliness


The Orange Slice
Elliot and Noah have a stare-down about an orange slice

I Am!
Wendy and Philip are a silly set of foster siblings.

Candid Camera
The crowds went wild with this camera evidence of a supposed proposal between two of our children.

How big is Roy?
So big!

Thumbs Up!
Not only are our children encouraged, but they're also taught to encourage others!

In Memory 


 James
 A better place has been prepared for you, sweet James. And this place is the best.

Dale
It's hard to come up with the words... the loss of Dale has hit everyone here quite hard. We rejoice that he is finally at rest, but grieve that he will never come home. He is Home.

Alan
Losing a baby is never easy, and when Alan suddenly slipped away we were devastated and stunned. We still are.

Video

Philip Stands!
Just one of those everyday miracles.  

Will's first Day of School
Back when he was called "Josiah." Will began preschool like a pro.

Move a Little
Why not?

A Boy and his Dog
Asher loves Tom, and Tom must love Asher too. Just look at what the poor dog puts up with!

Wherever I Go
Will loves his little brother Jeffery and would like to take Jeffery wherever he goes. 

So Pretty!
Eliana is a precious little girl. She so needs a family of her own.

Her Favorite thing to Do.
Do you remember hearing what Lena's favorite thing to do was? Well... it's still true.

Skinamarinky Dink Dink
I Love You!



Happy New Year!

... I wonder what 2013 has in store for NDFH? 
Saturday, December 29, 2012

Lydia's Busy Day

Thursday morning Lydia woke up, and the cough that she had been fighting for the last week was still hanging on. "We need to admit her" our doctor said, and thankfully there was a bed open at one of the hospitals in the city, so we arranged for Lydia to admit later that morning.

Because Lydia would miss our Christmas party, it was decided that Lydia would celebrate Christmas a little bit early.

She didn't mind at all...





When it came time to admit into the hospital, Lydia was ready to go with a bag of new toys and clothes. Because of her many hospital stays in the past, she is quite the favorite at this hospital. The nurses and doctors were all so happy to see her and amazed at how much she had grown. "Her face has gotten so fat!" they exclaimed.


While we miss Lydia here at the Foster Home, we know that she is happy and safe with her nanny at the hospital.


She has a cute outfit...


 ... her newest baby doll and some really entertaining feet. What more could a little girl need?


Get well soon, Lydia!
Friday, December 28, 2012

Christmas Videos

We made video's of our Christmas decorating...



...and our cookie decorating!



Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 27, 2012

Rachel's Christmas






Wednesday, December 26, 2012

NDSouth: Christmas in the South






Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Presents for Me!


Merry Christmas From The Forever Home!!





Monday, December 24, 2012

Repeat the Sounding Joy








Saturday, December 22, 2012

We Need Your Help!

Last year we complied a list of the Top Posts of 2011. We had a blast, but it was a lot of work. How were we supposed to know which ones were your favorites? This year I'm asking for your help. What were your favorites posts from 2012?

If you can remember certain captivating posts right off of the top of your head, fabulous! If you can't, look on the right sidebar to see a list of posts for each month of this year, skim through them in your spare time, and let us know which ones you love the most.

Thank you so much.

...and because we can't post without a picture. Here's a "before/today" image of Michael, who was our first arrival of 2012. What a wonderful, life-giving year it's been for him!

Friday, December 21, 2012

A Beautiful Start

Late Monday night, a little girl arrived at the foster home. We chose the name, 'Julia Grace' for her. Isn't she a doll?


It's hard to fathom that this little baby girl is here because she was abandoned. It's hard to think about the fact that she's an orphan, without a mommy or a daddy or a family. When we look into 3-month old Julia's deep, soulful eyes, we see nothing but hope, because that's why she's here. 


Julia's Chinese name means 'beautiful start' and that is certainly our hope for her life.


We are excited to be apart of little Julia Grace's life, and are ready to change her story from a tragedy, to one of beauty.

Your beautiful story starts today, little one.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012

NDSouth: Santa's Little Helpers

We have some awfully cute Santa's helpers down here at New Day South. As we prepare for our Christmas festivities our little ones were getting into the spirit! We thought you might want a glimpse at our "littlest elves" this Christmas. 

Leila is all smiles in her Santa hat.


Charlotte didn't really want her hat on but we did manage to get a few pictures of her in it! 


Matthew didn't seem to care either way. What a good boy!

We are gearing up for our Christmas party this Friday. This year it will be double the fun. Not only will we be celebrating Christmas but also Leila's 1st birthday!

Thanks again to all of you who sponsored our children this Christmas. We can't wait to see their faces when they open your gifts!

Wordless Wednesday: Home from the Hospital!