Life Books: Memories Forever
January 7, 2018
attachment activities, embracing their story, life books, protecting their story, Sharon, telling their life story
For me, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is when I want to throw myself into lots of projects. Many projects I have put off all year and I feel this huge push to get them done. This year two of those involved printing my blog into a book and creating Calla’s lifebook. I …Read More
On Mooncakes, Brokenness and Belonging
October 3, 2017
Attachment, Carrie, Chinese Culture, Chinese Holidays, protecting their story, telling their life story
It’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in the land where you were born, Alea, and one thought keeps running through my head: My favorite moons are the perfect crescents your eyes make when you are happy and your face crinkles with joy. You are beautiful, child, inside and out — pure light, like the fullest of moons …Read More
The Story of You Before Us: Writing an Adoption Lifebook
September 23, 2017
attachment activities, birth family, Chinese Culture, embracing their story, life books, protecting their story, telling their life story
I often see posts in the various adoption groups I am in where parents are looking for suggestions for favorite adoption themed books for their waiting or newly home children. While in process for our first daughter to come home from China, we received a list of children’s books that addressed adoption during one of …Read More
Survivor’s Guilt
December 16, 2016
adoptee perspective, adult adoptee, Perspectives, protecting their story, telling their life story
One question that plagued me into adulthood was this; “Why was I one of the lucky ones?” After visiting China and seeing many children in poverty or abandoned and in orphanages, thinking about the ones who wouldn’t make it because of sickness or because of a broken system that can’t care for it’s own children, …Read More
From an Adoptee With Love
December 9, 2016
adoptee perspective, adoptee Q and A, adult adoptee, Perspectives, protecting their story, telling their life story
I just recently entered the world of adoptive family forums and Facebook groups and am amazed at the number and the commitment of adoptive parents who would do anything to protect, and give the best life possible to their children. As an adult adoptee from China, I’ve “met” parents who have shared their stories with …Read More
Thoughts from an Adult Adoptee: Two Sides of One Coin
July 23, 2016
adoptee perspective, adult adoptee, Perspectives, protecting their story, telling their life story
Hello Readers, I am new here at guest posting on No Hands But Ours. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Parrie Liu and I am a Chinese adoptee. Since the age of almost four, I have lived in Texas with a loving family. Currently, I am attending university and pursing a degree in …Read More
Her History Matters
February 11, 2016
Amy, protecting their story, telling their life story
We have been highlighting ideas for ways to honor Chinese heritage while celebrating Chinese New Year (and Chinese holidays). I have some goals as the mother of a four year old Chinese daughter. I hope to have a dumpling making day with our family and extended family and feast on homemade dumplings, and oranges, and …Read More
A Prayer for National Adoption Month
November 30, 2015
National Adoption Month, Orphan Sunday, protecting their story, Rebecca
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts…? – Psalm 13 Adoption awareness and orphan care have become a life’s work for us, a calling bigger than adding children to our family. It’s seeped into our faith, hearts, conversations, serving, friendships, and Instagram feeds. Though our first steps in were tentative, three adoptions later, we …Read More
Bootiful
December 9, 2013
birth family, Nancy, protecting their story, telling their life story
Tess: I remember my first mama. My mama in beitnam. Me: Oh you do? Tess: She looked like an angel, but she didn’t have any wings. She wore a white dress, and she was bootiful. Me: I imagine that your Vietnam mama was very beautiful, just like you. Tess: And I love her. And at …Read More
Dear Random Shopper in the Check-out Line
September 25, 2012
adoption realities, Nancy, protecting their story, questions from strangers
I see you. And my children see you watching them. And even though you have a smile on your face, you are still drawing attention to us. I totally get it. You see, I used to be just like you! I’d see a family that looked a bit… hmmmmm… what’s the right way to put …Read More