Next Stop -- China!

This suitcase holds the hopes and dreams of over eighty kids in China. So ready or not, here we come!

Shanghai Kiddos --- Watch the Miracle!

Here is the reason we all do what we do - the kids! Erin Martin and I were so inspired by a video we saw of pre and post adoption pictures put together by an adoptive mom that Erin created a wonderful video of children adopted from Shanghai. You can see how these kiddos change with the love of a forever family - look at their eyes. They are loved and happy.

Thank you to Erin and all the families who shared their children's pictures. Heartwarming images for everyone from Shanghai to you... 

Here is the link: Watch the miracle.

We are almost there.

Today is the day to stress out over  what I will forget.  Will it be my tooth brush, the camera or something else?  As long as I arrive at the airport with my passport and the profile sheets for the developmental screenings, it will be a successful trip.  So here we go.  we are all excited.  The entire team just wants to hug some babbies, hold some hands and play with some older kiddos.  We have been preparing for this trip for a very long time.   We are Just ready to work with the kids.   So  a quote to close. 

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step-  Lao-tzu.

Boy can you say that again.  Can't wait.

Peace,

Pat

Only three more night’s sleep at home

Who could believe our trip would be here so fast?  Three more nights and we will leave for China.  Wow!  I can close my eyes and picture myself there.  This weekend, we all focused on final preparations including packing our suitcases.  Mine contains 80 profile sheets that will be filled with information about waiting children.

These children will be beautiful, unique and all waiting for their forever families.  Some will be girls, but many will be boys.  A large percentage of the shared list is boys.  This year, Superkids is going to highlight many beautiful children.  We are also going to highlight the problem that being a boy is a special need, in China it makes you less likely to be adopted.  The sad fact is, the girls on the list are picked first and the boys remain on the list for a long time.  So, I would like to share this goal with you all: we want every child to find a Mom, Dad and family to love them forever!  Boys, girls, older, younger, large special needs or small ones.  They all need families.

You can participate in this trip by advocating for these beautiful children.  Share information about these kiddos; put the link to our Superkids blog on your blog, or Facebook page.  Talk about waiting children.  Join us in our journey and our goal of forever families for all the children!

Itineraries Received!

Everyone on the Superkids team received the trip itinerary last night.  Final preparations are taking place.  Erin has collected a special slide show of before and after pictures from parents who have adopted from Shanghai Children's Home.  Developmental toys are arriving daily to my house.  There is just excitement in the air.

All for the children.  We may screen as many as 80 children.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if all 80 found their forever families?  We plan to reach out and help many more.  We are reminded that the greatest gift for a child is a loving home.  A Mom, Dad and loving family.  Our greatest hope is that all the children we meet find their forever families.  For those who don't, we love them, hold them and play with them.  They are in our hearts. 

So get ready kiddos, here we come!  Everyone, please step forward, make a difference, spread the word.  There are beautiful amazing children just waiting for their forever family to find them.

14 more days ‘til I leave for China

Wow!  Gongzhan said, pack 80 profile sheets.  Each sheet is 4 pages.  Wonder how much that will weigh?  I will also be transporting the Waiting Child quilt to the CCCWA.  The quilt is roughly 60x90.  Then, we need developmental toys, the wishes for orphans tied to lollipops, crayons and a few blocks.  I think with taking all these things, I can pack one change of clothes and that's it!

 I have been reading old blogs getting ready to see what I had documented about the number of trips I have made to Asia.  I was going to stop counting, but that seems almost wrong.  This is my ninth trip to China, and the tenth trip for Superkids.  I missed one trip.  As I look back at what we have accomplished, I can't count how many kiddos I have held and how many older kids I have spent time with, how many caregivers I have worked with or how many wonderful people we have met on these trips.

In 2007, on the first Superkids trip to Shanghai Children's Home, the babies did not crawl.  Now, by using very simple developmental activities, we see children able to crawl and reach milestones in development more easily.  Often times, we do simple things that make such a difference!  Ultimately, it means the kids are doing better with motor activities.  Sometimes, it is the littlest thing you do that makes the greatest impact.  It may be just a moment of connection that makes a difference for a child.

Lastly, a quote that describes what has changed since Superkids began, "Things do not happen, things are made to happen." -  John F. Kennedy

- Pat Marcus

Importance of Connection

The Superkids team has been discussing the projects for our upcoming China trip.  We have also been talking about what more we can do for waiting children, what more can we bring, what will make a difference.  In addition to developmental screenings, we have the opportunity to spend some quality time with the children.  We bring touch and comfort, and try to hold as many children as we can.  This holding and hugging is so important.

Children connect through touch.  At the New York premiere of the documentary "Stuck", Craig Juntunen, the producer, spoke about this.  He said “the universal language of orphanages is children running up to you with arms raised, wanting to be picked up and held”.  Each little child we hold is a wonder, a little person wanting a connection.

These are the quiet moments, when the rooms are busy, but we don't hear anything else that is going on.  Our little bit of time with that one child, a moment to hold them and play with them.  Sometimes we blow bubbles, sometimes it is a game of peek a boo or just a cuddle.  We all can't wait to be in China, holding the kiddos.

18 days and counting!