Will 2013 Be the Year These Sisters are Adopted?

We hope so!

Norah, Brielle, and Darielle are sisters currently living in an orphanage in Bulgaria. Norah, age 12, and her twin sisters, age 9, have proven to be able to adapt to big changes in their lives. They lived with their parents until 2010 when they were placed under the government’s care at a home for children in the city of Vratsa. The sisters are very close, so whatever the future holds, it will be together.

Norah and Darielle both love music and dancing, and are more introverted than Brielle. They all are described by their caseworkers as having good coping and self-help skills. They are healthy, do not have special needs, and attend mainstream classes at school. They have mild intellectual delays and all would thrive with individual attention and academic help.

Norah has told workers at the orphanage that she dreams of being adopted into a new family, whether in Bulgaria or abroad.

These little survivors have had a rough time of it (Darielle has burn scars on her skin; Brielle was admitted to the hospital at age 7 with drug-induced toxification) and deserve to spend the rest of their childhoods in a safe and loving home. We want that to be by next Christmas!

There is a whole lot more to learn about these girls. We would be happy to share additional information with you about them, or other children in Bulgaria awaiting adoption.  Please contact Konnie Gregg by email at Konnie.Gregg@lsss.org or call either 512-454-4611 or 800-396-4611.

Watch ‘A Home for the Holidays’ on CBS Dec. 19th

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® is a wonderful organization and partner of ours in the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids™ (WWK) program, which has the single mission of placing foster children in permanent adoptive homes.

On Wednesday, at 7:00 pm (CST) CBS will air the 14th annual “A Home for the Holidays.”

This powerful TV special shares stories of foster care adoption and features performances from some of America’s top musical talent: Rascal Flatts, Phillip Phillips, Rachel Crow, Matchbox Twenty, and Melissa Ethridge.

This year, the stories of four exceptional families who have been touched by adoption will be featured along with a segment that gives a voice to children in foster care still waiting to find permanent and loving homes to call their own.

We encourage everyone to tune in!

Interested in International Adoption? Consider Bulgaria…

Lutheran Adoption Services of Texas (LAST, also known as Lutheran Social Services of the South) has facilitated the adoptive placements of well over 3,000 children from other countries since 1967. LAST is the primary provider of adoption for the country of Bulgaria, and we are committed to finding loving homes for Bulgaria’s orphaned children.

Children of all ages and physical conditions currently reside in Bulgarian orphanages and are available for adoption. They include non-special needs children, pre-school to teens, and many with developmental delays due to lack of stimulation and personal attention. The quality of care in Bulgarian orphanages ranges from adequate to outstanding. The Bulgarian government’s first priority is to place older children and children having special needs with families.

We’d like to introduce you to four of these children [Note: their names have been changed but these are their actual photos]:

Steve & Bella

This brother and sister were raised by their parents until 2010, when the parents were deemed incapable of caring for them due to poor health. According to their reports, both children are “clinically healthy with normal physical and mental development.” Steve, born in September 2003, was first diagnosed with epilepsy, then the diagnosis was later dismissed. He’s been determined to have “memory and intelligence relevant for the age with a slightly decreased capacity.” Bella, born in July 2002, has proven to have good memory and intelligence and “good indicators for mental development.”

Steve and Bella must be adopted into the same family.

Bobby & Brandon

These brothers were placed in the orphanage shortly after their births. Bobby, now 12, was born in November 2000, and Brandon, age 11, in September 2001. There is no known data on family history. The brothers are both healthy with normal physical development, yet show decreased intellectual capacity for their ages, not uncommon considering the effects of institutionalization.

Bobby takes a while to warm up to people but can be very affectionate once he does. He is in the fifth grade and receives support and tutoring from a resource team.

Brandon, now in the fourth grade, is called “compassionate and kind,” and like his brother can be initially withdrawn. While both boys have had academic difficulties, Brandon has recently shown an increased interest in learning.

There is a whole lot more to learn about these precious children. We would be happy to share additional information with you about them, or a number of others in Bulgaria awaiting adoption.  Please contact Konnie Gregg by email at Konnie.Gregg@lsss.org or call either 512-454-4611 or 800-396-4611.

Three-Year-Old is Waiting for His New Family

Erin was born was born in August 2009 in the Bulgarian town of Gorna Oryahovitsa. After his (premature) birth, he was placed in an orphanage in the town of Pleven. We have no data on his family history.

This is what we do know about Erin:

· He weighed only around 2 lbs. when he was born.

· He has a good appetite and has consistently gained weight (26 lbs. and 33 inches tall at June 2012 weigh-in).

· He likes to play games, and enjoys walks and playing with other children.

· His speech development is slow but coming along and he communicates with other children.

· Potty trained!

· He walks independently but needs a little help on the steps.

· He has formed an emotional bond with staff and his “Grandma” in the orphanage’s Grandma Program.

· He’s cute as can be!

Erin is still a toddler so it is hoped that he can overcome the institutional delays that occur after spending too many early years in an orphanage. The sooner he can be adopted into a loving family (hopefully through LSS) the better for him and his lucky new family!

If you are interested in learning more about Erin, please contact Konnie Gregg by email at Konnie.Gregg@lsss.org or call either 512-454-4611 or 800-396-4611.

This Little Guy From Bulgaria Needs a Family

Joshua was born prematurely in the Bulgarian town of Gabrovo and was placed in an orphanage for children with medical needs in May 2011. He must be a pretty tough little kid, because he’s doing amazingly well for an infant born at just 26 weeks gestation.

In February and September of 2011, Joshua was checked out by a pediatric cardiologist, had ultrasound tests, and it was all good news! His heart was determined to be “of normal structure and function.” Due to respiratory difficulties and frequent bronchitis he was consulted by a pediatric pulmonologist who diagnosed bronchial asthma.

The last weight and height measurements we have were from April 2012, when he was about 15 ½ lbs. and 26 ½ inches tall. His toughest health challenges seem to be behind him, as it’s reported that he “has a healthy appetite, sleeps soundly, and has no deviations in hearing or vision.”

Joshua is still a baby on the brink of toddlerhood so the institutional delays that occur after spending many early years in an orphanage won’t be as big a factor if he is adopted sooner rather than later. A little more about Joshua: He “laughs out loud” when teased, plays with his toys, is active and energetic, and is especially fond of a “grandmother” who visits in the orphanage’s Grandmother Program.

Joshua has come a long way and will make even greater progress if he can be adopted by a loving family. If you are interested in learning more about him, please contact Konnie Gregg by email at Konnie.Gregg@lsss.org or call either 512-454-4611 or 800-396-4611.

Bubbles of Fun at BUBBLEPALOOZA!

On Saturday, August 11^th, the Austin Foster In Texas (FIT) families attended a wildly fun event at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. The hardworking, creative staff at the Long Center brings the arts and culture closer to everyone who lives in the Austin area. It’s a very neat thing they do over there.

BUBBLEPALOOZA! (such a very catchy name) had some people asking, “What exactly is a bubblepalooza?” Well let me tell you.

BUBBLEPALOOZA! is a family-friendly party where children and adults can come and remember how awesome it is to play with bubbles! The Long Center had tables and tables set up with materials to make your own bubble wands, and other bubble-making devices like this one. There were bubbles everywhere! There was even a booth where you could buy bubble solution that smelled like ice cream. Yum! Sniff, don’t eat. (I may have learned that the hard way…)

Even the Bubble Princess was there taking pictures in her Bubble Grotto. Whoa, bubble royalty!

Stephanie and Summer came with their sweet, little foster baby! Say CHEESE!

Stephanie insisted that she take a picture with me in the frame too. Even though Summer and I are smiling, on the inside we’re both thinking, “I wonder if it’s actually possible to melt from the heat?” But these are foster parents! – They are made of un-meltable stuff. Like Superman.

Do you see the band behind us? These guys were really good. In fact, all the bands were good. I learned this kind of music is called “kindie rock.” I thought that was pretty clever.

And speaking of clever, check out these kids drawing an amazing depiction of a dinosaur on the sidewalk! I’m just kidding … a local artist actually created this masterpiece, and she didn’t mind one bit that the kids wanted to help.

A lot of our staff came too. This is Allie. She takes very good care of our families. At first, she didn’t want me to take her picture. But don’t you agree she looks great with the Austin skyline behind her? A perfect backdrop.

Angelamarie and Ron Lagneaux came with their three beautiful children. That’s Jonathan, who was recently officially adopted by his foster parents Angelamarie and Ron.

With bubbles still drifting skyward from the Long Center City Terrace, our FIT families were among the more than 3,000 Austinites heading home after a morning packed with music, chalk art, kiddie yoga, water fun, and BUBBLES!

It’s Official! Jonathan Becomes a Lagneaux

Jonathan is a happy little six-year-old who found his forever family with Angelamarie and Ron Lagneaux, Foster In Texas (FIT) parents in the Austin area who have been caring for children with “Primary Medical Needs” (PMN) since 2008. In the past four years, the couple has fostered six children for LSS-FIT, (five of those PMN) and they have a 2 ½-year-old biological daughter Francesca and a 3-month-old baby Josephine.

Because of an unstable and unchanging home environment, DFPS became Managing Conservator of Jonathan and his two siblings, and parental rights were terminated October 2011. On June 26, 2012, Jonathan’s adoption by the Lagneaux was consummated in a Travis County court.

The Lagneaux took Jonathan into their foster home in July 2008, and to say it’s been a rough road is understating things a bit! Jonathan developed end stage renal disease at just four months, leading to removal of his kidneys and daily dialysis treatments until his first kidney transplant in August 2008. The first transplant failed, and he underwent a second transplant in November 2010, and so far so good … though he will require lifelong support for his medical needs.

When the Lagneaux decided to become foster parents, they recognized that the children in the most need were those with serious medical issues – the PMN children who were hardest to place because of the demands required of those who care for them. “With their huge medical problems they not only need someone to love them but they need someone to advocate for them and navigate through the medical world,” Angelamarie said.

Now that Jonathan is a permanent member of the family, life is good for the little boy who began life with so many strikes against him. Ron and Angelamarie consider themselves the lucky ones: “Jonathan is such a great little guy, it’s just joy to have him in our family,” Ron said, then went on to explain: “Jonathan has truly been a gift from God. I will never forget the first time I met him. I walked into his room at Dell Children’s Hospital and he wasn’t there, so I asked a nurse where he could be found. Her reply was, ‘Oh Jonathan sits at the nurse’s station with the staff.’ He was two years old at the time. I walked up and saw a small group of people working with Jonathan. I quickly realized that this little boy had lived at the hospital for six months and thought he worked alongside with the staff. He even went on rounds with the doctors. I was amazed at how much everyone truly fell in love with my little Jonathan. I was told about his case, and my family―from that first moment―felt he should be with us forever. Thank you LSS-Foster In Texas, from all of the Lagneauxs!”

The ongoing need and search for foster parents—particularly those willing to care for PMN children―is unrelenting, which is why foster parents like the Lagneauxs are treasured by our agency! If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a foster parent, please visit the Foster In Texas website or call 512-459-1000.

Sister Acts: Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Adoptions

Get ready for a cuteness overdose! Two sets of sisters found their forever homes with their foster families recently. LaMeaka Tapley, our Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®(WWK)recruiter in the DFW area, had the privilege of arranging the adoptive placement of the four little girls.

Kevin and Bridget O’Neal adopted eight-year-old twins Savannah and Nevaeh (heaven spelled backwards!) in May.

Also in May, LSS-Foster In Texasparent Vickie Ross adopted sisters Destiny (5) and Kierra (7). They are all thrilled that the close bond they formed has become a permanent one.

WWK is a signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®that partners with LSS to place foster children in permanent adoptive homes. The Foundation awards grants to local agencies like LSS to hire adoption professionals who dedicate 100 percent of their time to finding families for waiting children.

Congratulations to these wonderful families and job well done LaMeaka!

Spotlight on International Adoption

This “Waiting Child” video, produced by Rainbowkids, brings awareness to the children waiting for new families and homes through inter-country placements. The past two years, our Lutheran Adoption Services of Texas (LAST) program has concentrated on facilitating adoptions from Bulgaria. As with the children on this video, many have special needs. However, there are many other non-special needs children, pre-school to teens, currently residing in Bulgarian orphanages – ready and waiting for new lives in the United States. The entire adoption process could take less than 12 months for the Bulgarian children with special needs; for the healthy children, ages two and over, the process and the wait is longer.

We’d like to introduce you to these wonderful children! If interested, please contact Konnie Gregg by email at Konnie.Gregg@lsss.org or call either 512-454-4611 or 800-396-4611.

Catching Up With the Bontilaos

Almost two years ago, we introduced the Bontilao family, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, and told the story of their road to adoption of four children from the Philippines. The children, now ages 7 through 18, are the nieces and nephew of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alberto Bontilao. Their mother (Alberto’s sister) died in an auto accident in 2007, and Alberto and his wife Mylynne worked for two years (through piles of red tape and paperwork) with LSS, Holt International Children’s Services, and the US government (USCIS) to finalize the adoption of Delyn, Varaquelli, Faith, and Domenique. The adoption was finally consummated in October 2010, and along with the Bontilao’s three biological children, the family of nine was complete.

We were happy to receive this recent update from Alberto Bontilao:

We are very delighted to share our current status. It’s been two years only and look! How they’ve grown and very well adapted with us. It’s like we’ve known them forever. Medically speaking Delyn had her appendix removed, Faith and Varaquelli completed reconstruction of their dental work. Domenique had severe migraines. All are taken care of. Delyn is a straight-A student, the rest all get A’s and B’s. Domenique plays flute, Raquel is in Advanced  Choir, both Delyn and Raquel are Navy Cadets. Faith is very curious – sadly she doesn’t even speak Tagalog anymore. She is a fast learner with a high level of confidence.

In June they will again be adapting to a new culture, as we are all moving to Korea on my last military assignment.

We wish this family all the best in the next chapter of their lives together!