We love this beautiful photo of her peeking out of her crib. Her nanny says she loves to be held most of all… and we think very few people could resist picking up such a beautiful little girl. We hope that a family will choose baby Yi in 2012 so that she can continue receiving the medical care she will need long-term.

We named our little guy Hyrum. We came across him through an advocacy group that Suzanne Damstedt, one of the LWB directors, participates in. She had alerted the group that a new child was posted on LWBcommunity.org. Out of curiosity, I hopped over to the blog to check him out. As soon as I read the title of the post, “Sweet Prince Brenden,” I was hooked. Suzanne had chosen the name Brenden for him, which as it turns out means “prince.” In our family we talk quite a bit about how the children are all princes and princesses. Between the picture of a sweet little guy with a beautiful smile and his name meaning prince, it didn’t take much for us to know that he was to be ours.

The photo of “Brenden” that stole our hearts!

Seven years ago we decided to adopt two children internationally and began a long, expensive and difficult search for our children. After having dossiers in four countries and not getting our children, which included even being turned down by China, as well as some failed domestic situations, we found out that China had now opened up to large families (we had fourteen children at the time). We didn’t even want to hope that this could be our time. We talked to several agencies that reassured us we could adopt…so we jumped in. Knowing we wanted two children, we decided to go with an agency that would allow dual adoptions just in case we found both of our children. Our desire, however, was to do one at a time. About a week before getting PA (pre-approval) for our daughter, we saw Hyrum. We didn’t even have to talk about it as husband and wife because we knew we wanted him in our family. Since being home every member of the family has said “I’m so glad we adopted him!”

Hyrum has done very well from the beginning. His adjustment has been smooth and easy. Hyrum has fallen head over heels in love with his family! When my husband and I take him out for bonding time without the other children, he never wants to leave. One day we arrived at our destination and tried to get him out of the car seat. He cried and kept trying to put his seatbelt back on. When we got home that night, Hyrum jumped out of the car, took my hand and ran to the door. He led me around to every bed in the house so he could be sure everyone was there.

Hyrum gets so excited about the smallest things. When we first got home, he had no idea how to control his emotions so when he got excited he would pinch or bite. After being home just five weeks, he has replaced the bites with kisses and clapping his hands. He has the biggest smile that starts at his toes and fills his whole body. When others would write about their great adoption experiences, I would tell myself that they just weren’t telling the whole story. Well, of course Hyrum has some things that he needs help to understand, but his adjustment has been nothing but miraculous. He is one of the sweetest little boys I know.

We have had such a wonderful experience with our adoptions that we would be more than happy to talk with anyone who might be interested but is on the fence or has concerns!

~Deanne Walker, Hyrum’s mother

Hyrum sounds like an absolute joy to be around! We are honored to have played a small part in bringing him and his family together forever.

Nate is a happy little boy from Shunde in Guangdong Province. Often described as curious and helpful, Nate’s nannies have revealed that there is a playful side to this well-mannered child. He and a friend recently devised a sneaky plot to get into a high cabinet containing snacks. Together the two children cooperated to get into the cabinet, which included Nate climbing onto the other boy’s back to make him tall enough to reach into the cabinet and get the snacks out! We know Nate is good at sharing; so we can imagine the two shared their pinched treats. Nate’s ability to get along well with other children is apparent, and he certainly seems to understand the concept of teamwork!

Nate is now five years old and has been on the shared list since 2009. We hope that he is not waiting too much longer to be matched so he can share his helpful (and mischievous) side with a family. If you or someone you know may be interested in adopting Nate, please contact us at adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com.

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.

Annabelle is said to be very bright and much happier now that she is going to school and learning. Our China staff tell us that she is also well-respected and loved by the other children. It’s difficult to imagine what she is thinking as she continues to wait for news that she has been chosen for adoption. Nearly a year has passed, and her true family has yet to find her. So many people are pulling for Annabelle to find her family that there are not one but two adoption grants from WACAP available for her totalling $4200!

Please take a moment to share Annabelle’s personal message and her story with others to give her the best chance for a bright future!

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.

Handsome Bryson is making his debut on LWB Community today! When he was nearly two and a half, this dapper boy came to live in the Foshan Shunde orphanage in Guangdong where LWB has participated in Orphanage Assistance projects. Bryson came to our attention when he appeared on the shared list, and his orphanage has asked us to help get the word out that he is waiting for his family.

Bryson had a birthday just this month and is full of four-year-old curiosity. Although Bryson has suffered a few seizures and has a diagnosis of secondary epilepsy, he continues to grow and develop independence and a sociable personality. The nannies tell us that he is a bit quiet and introverted but does like to play with other kids. He speaks in single words and is willing to share when he is asked. Under the tender care of his nannies, he has developed a close relationship with them. Any interested families can email adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com to learn more details about him!

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.

Last fall we blogged on three irresistible boys from Foshun Shunde orphanage in Guangdong: Perry, Jared and Nate: Boys Will Be Boys! We’re pleased to report that Perry was recently chosen by a family, which just warms our hearts. The very cool Jared was featured in our blog just last week. We didn’t want Nate to feel left out, so we thought we’d share some new photos of him that we just received since he’s still waiting on the shared list. Is he not adorable?

Four-year-old Nate is said to be a typical curious, active boy. The difference between our last description and the one we just received is that he is now described as an extrovert!  He is quite friendly and polite to everyone. He gets along very well with the other kids, particularly enjoys playing games, and is very curious about new things. Nate’s nannies feel he is an easy child to have around.

Please do what you can to help spread the word that Nate’s still waiting for his family!

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of “Annabelle” Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.

We have taken a few liberties with this section of Poe’s poem “Annabel Lee,” but it resonated with us as we watched a new video of Annabelle from our education program in Wuchuan, Guangdong province. Nine-year-old Annabelle is much loved by all of us, and we hope for her to experience the love of a family soon too!

We hope that our readers will take a minute or two to watch this beautiful and composed girl shine. Annabelle seems extremely eager to show an adoptive family all that she can do, and she reveals her bright personality and independence. We hope it brings Annabelle to life for those of you following our blog or who have read about Annabelle in our 2009 Annual Report.

Annabelle has been waiting since June 2010 for a family to find her file and know she is the right fit for their family. Please feel free to share her video and other blog posts as well: “Our Bright and Brave Annabelle” and “Grants for Annabelle and Rochelle.” The grant for $4,200 from WACAP is still in effect for Annabelle and could be a tremendous help to a family interested in pursuing her adoption!

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.

Winnie is a very sweet girl who lives at the Shunde orphanage in Guangdong, where LWB has done orphanage assistance projects.   This girl is always smiling and is very outgoing.  The nannies love her because she is an excellent helper!   Cleaning the table, mopping the floor, making beds, folding clothes and feeding babies are all fun and games for Winnie.   She has a little humpback (a frontward curving of the spine that causes a bowing of the back), but it is said to not be too serious.  Winnie walks very well, although occasionally she is a little unsteady.  She expresses herself well but has difficulty articulating some of her words.

Winnie is very happy to have a new coat (even it is a little bit too large for her) and can’t wait to celebrate Chinese New Year.  Perhaps next year she will be able to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with her forever family!

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.

In 2007, Brandon had his cleft lip surgery through LWB.   LWB also recently provided surgery on his drooping eyelids, which were interfering with his vision.  Brandon quickly became a favorite of the doctors and nurses because he was so cooperative and sweet.  They will be fitting Brandon for glasses before he leaves the hospital.  Here you can catch a glimpse of his eye exam.  It’s easy to see why the medical staff loved him so!

Brandon is currently on the shared list for adoption.  We just love little Brandon and hope that he will find his forever family very soon…he has been waiting too long!

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.

Brenden has the personality of a prince. In choosing his English name, our nutrition and orphanage assistance program director was right on with the name Brenden, which means “prince.” A prince can be defined as an “outstanding man,” and we know that Brenden certainly is outstanding!

With a personality of gold, Brenden lets things roll off of his back. Of course, that is not to say he does not shed a few tears to make his point known sometimes, but generally he has a mild temperament and loves to smile.

He may be shy at first, but one piece of cookie will make you his fast friend! Brenden just loves a cookie, and he gobbles them up as quickly as they can be handed to him. The nannies say, “When he finishes the cookie in his right hand, he starts to eat the cookie in the left hand and pulls out the right hand for more at the same time.” They also observe him making other children happy by giving them toys when they cry and say that “he tends to forget the unhappy things and become smiley again.”

This sweet prince is three years old and from Gaoming, Guangdong Province. He has a diagnosis of mild cerebral palsy and is available for adoption through the Waiting Child Program.

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.