Every year people across the UnitedStates celebrate November as NationalAdoption Awareness Month. Beginningin 1990, National Adoption AwarenessMonth was founded primarily to callattention to the need forfamilies for hundreds ofthousands of children waitingfor homes in the U.S. fostercare system.

Statistics show that 6 in every10 Americans are touched byadoption in some way. Thesestatistics easily explain whyNational Adoption Awareness Monthhas branched out to include not onlyfoster care families but all families thathave been built through adoption.November has become a month whenfamilies take time to celebrate theblessings adoption has brought intotheir lives.

Each of these families has a uniqueday in which celebrating adoption ismost important for them. For some it isthe child’s birthday, for others it mightbe the day they call Gotcha Day andyet for others it might be the day offinalization or the day they first saw apicture of their child-to-be. No matterhow or when adoption is celebratedwithin each individual family, it is acommon thread that joins us alltogether. No matter what uniquemeaning adoption holds for each oneof us, let us remember to reflectoutwardly as well this November.

In the same spirit as Thanksgiving,when you reflect on how adoption hastouched your own life this November,also remember those that share thecommon thread with you. Remember

the children in the fostercare system who have beenor are waiting to be adopted.Remember the children inorphanages overseas whoare awaiting their foreverfamily and also thosewhose special needs mightbe an obstacle for theiradoption. Remember the

adoptive families who are in processand waiting for the moments of theiradoption journey to be created.Remember the social workers thatgave up time with their family tospend time at the hospital with excitedadoptive parents or overwhelmedbirthparents. Remember the pregnantwoman whose loving choice helped tobuild a family through adoption.

Each adoption journey is unique but acommon thread connects each story tomany others. It is this common threadthat we are celebrating this November.Share your adoption stories withothers and help to shed a light on themillions of children in need of homesacross the world and here in theUnited States.

Together we can make a difference!

Fall 2007A Quarter ly News le t ter f rom

© 2007 Adoptions From The Heart. All rights reserved.

National Adoption Awareness Month:A Time of Celebration and Reflection

“...let us rememberto reflect outwardly

as well thisNovember...”

In This Issue

2 Angelin Adoption Award 2-3 Creative Ways to

Celebrate Adoption 4 Legislature5 Kazakhstan Program6 Book Reviews 7 New AFTH Families8-9 Program Updates 9 Skype & Listserv Info.10 Musings of an Adoptive

Mama Column11 2008 AFTH Calendar

Insert:AFTH Holiday Events

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Adoptions From The Heart Quarterly Newsletter

Your child has a unique story, a very special story that is different andexceptional. How do you capture that story? How can you celebrateyour child's adoption story?

SCRAPBOOKING MADE EASY

Scrapbooking is a great way to put all of the memories, pictures, specialletters, awards and other memorabilia into one place- a place that youcan reference at any time when you want to reminisce. Many of us likethe idea of scrapbooking but have trouble finding the time to completethis creative task. You may even have unused scrapbooking materialssitting around your house. So what can you do?

Congressional Angel inAdoption Award

Adoptions From The Heart is pleased toannounce that one of our own, MichaelinaBendig was honored for her dedication toimproving the lives of children throughadoption by being named a 2007Congressional Angel in Adoption TM.

A former elementary school teacher,Bendig is the mother of three adoptedteenage daughters (one internationally, twodomestically through an open adoption).Having seen the strengths and weaknesses

of the adoption process based on her own personal experiences,Bendig became an adoption professional in order to help prospectiveadoptive parents understand all the options available to them andavoid her mistakes.

Michaelina has been working with Adoptions From The Heart forover 9 years.

"Michaelina's genuine passion for children and families, and herabsolute commitment to improving the field of adoption make hertruly deserving of the Congressional 2007 Angel in Adoption ™honor," said Maxine Chalker, Founder and Executive Director ofAdoptions From The Heart.

Creative Ways to Celebrate aChild’s Adoption Journey

Kathy Fajerman, a Creative MemoriesSenior Consultant, offer several timesaving tips to help make your scrapbookvision a reality.

"It's all about keeping it simple," Kathysays. She recommends putting between 5-7 pictures on each page. Her website willhelp keep you motivated as it offers manytips and suggestions and even has an ideabook to get you started.

If you have digital pictures, making ascrapbook is as simple as using a mousewith the Creative Memories DigitalStoryBook. The Digital StoryBook is anelectronic scrapbook that allows you tosimply drag and drop your photos into thepages of the scrapbook design. This newway of creating scrapbooks is rapidlygrowing in popularity. The software isfree, and it comes with templates tochoose from and tons of decorations toincorporate. You design the album youwant and when you are completelysatisfied with your scrapbook you canhave it professionally printed and bound.

Creative Memories offers supplies such asstickers, decorative paper, cropping tools,writing utensils, and other creativematerials for all your memory-preservingprojects.

For more tips and suggestions aboutscrapbooking or to begin celebrating yourchild’s adoption journey with the CreativeMemories Digital StoryBook. visitwww.creativememories.com for moredetails. And to contact Kathy, visit:www.mycmsite.com/kathyfajerman

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Fall 2007

Creative Ways to Celebrate...ContinuedPORTRAITS AND MURALS CELEBRATINGYOUR CHILD’S ADOPTION JOURNEY

Imagine a colorful mural covering the wall of yourchild's bedroom, igniting their imagination as they lay inbed at night to dream. Imagine a beautiful portrait of yourson or daughter. Even better, imagine it's a piece of arttelling the story of your child's heritage!

Full-time artist, WendyWolf, who has 17 murals inher Allentown, PA house,was able to creativelydocument two AFTHfamilies' adoption journeysthrough artwork.

A 20" x 24" portrait ofHope, who was adoptedthrough AFTH from Chinaby the Gress family, was tobe a Father's Day gift toDeb Gress's husband. Wendy metwith Deb, as she does with all herclients, to talk about how Debenvisioned the portrait.

"I love listening to people's stories,"said Wolf. "You can't read about thisstuff anywhere. It's so personal andspecial."

Everything on the portrait, Gressdescribes, represents somethingfrom China, including a panda bear,a dragon, and the Great Wall ofChina, but the way Wolf portrayed Hope was the mostimportant.

"I make sure they are delighted with the artwork," Wolfsaid, "I want them to have input, only they know the waytheir child smiles. I do the artwork, I paint it, but I needtheir personal touch."

For her heritage-honoring art work, Wolf works offpictures provided by her clients and also incorporates alot of research.

For the Schell family however, they could not provideWolf with a picture of their daughter because they arewaiting for her adoption to be finalized from Vietnam.Wolf still successfully managed to create a 4.5’ by 6’mural on the wall of their soon-to-be daughter'sbedroom, representing both her Vietnamese culture and

elements of the family she will bebrought into.

By doing research from travelbooks and having conversationswith Schells, Wolf was able tocreate a movable mural which

depicts a girl dressed as a ballerinafacing the other way - since they havenot yet met their daughter and do notknow what she looks like. The muralalso includes subtle details about theSchells, such as the grandmother'sname, and the father's pretzel business.A lotus flowers sits in a crib toward the

bottom of the mural,representing thedaughter they areanxiously awaiting.

The Schells describetheir experiencewith Wolf as acreative way to passtime and learn aboutVietnam and it'sculture.

For Wolf’s contactinformation and to

see her portrait of Hope and the Schell Family's mural incolor, in addition to other artwork, please visitwww.wendylwolf.com.

“...only theyknow howtheir childsmiles...”

4

LegislationNORTH CAROLINA - OnJuly 31, the state legislature passedthe 2007 Appropriations Act, whichallocates nearly $4.5 million in thenext two years to pay the costs ofpost-secondary education for fosteryouths aging out of care and specialneeds children adopted from fostercare after age 12 who attend publicinstitutions of higher education in thestate. The State Department ofHuman Services will work with thestate Education Assistance Authorityto distribute the funds from the childwelfare post-secondary supportprogram directly to colleges, ratherthan using tuition waivers as inother states.

ILLINOIS - Gov.Rod Blagojevichsigned legislation (HB4) into law(Public Act 095-0279) on Aug. 17guaranteeing that adopted childrenreceive the same benefits asbiological children when a parentdies, including survivor benefits frompublic pension plans. The legislationamends 15 pension codes for severalcategories of public sector positions(judges, General Assemblymembers, firefighters and police)that had previously denied benefitsfor adopted children if the parent wasolder than 50 when the adoption tookplace or if the parent died within acertain time after the adoption. Thelaw goes into effect Jan. 1, 2008

MASSACHUSETTS - OnSeptember 17, 2007, GovernorDeval Patrick signed a bill allowingwider access to adoption records, ameasure that lawmakers had soughtfor a decade. Under the new law,adopted adults 18 years of age orolder, born in the state on or before

July 17, 1974, or on or after Jan. 1,2008, are granted access to theiroriginal birth certificates without acourt order. The new law (Chapter109 of the Acts of 2007) also permitsadoptive parents of an adopted minoror the child of a deceased adoptedperson to access the same records. Italso establishes a voluntary adoptioncontact information registry forbirth-parents and adopted peoplein which participants can updatecontact and other information.The law will come into effect onDec. 3, 2007.

OKLAHOMA - On Aug. 3, the10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appealsrejected the Oklahoma Departmentof Health's challenge to a lowercourt's decision, thereby, overturninga 2004 law prohibiting therecognition of adoptions by same-sex couples finalized in other statesor foreign countries, by refusingOklahoma birth certificates tochildren adopted by out-of-statesame-sex couples.

PAID LEAVE FOR BIRTHOR ADOPTION - SenatorsChristopher Dodd and Ted Stevenshave introduced measures to providepaid family leave for birth oradoption. Sen. Dodd's bill (S1681),introduced in June, would apply toboth public and private sectoremployees and would permit eightweeks of paid leave to women andmen after the birth or adoption of achild; for care of a critically ill child,spouse or parent; or for personalrecovery from a serious illness. Sen.Stevens provision (S80), introducedin January and being considered incommittee, would provide federal

employees with eight weeks of paidleave for the birth of a child andwould require a minimum of oneweek of paid leave for fathers andadoptive parents.

EDUCATION LAW AIDSFOSTER TEENS & CHILDWELFARE WORKERS - OnSeptember 27, 2007, President Bushsigned the College Cost Reductionand Access Act into law (Public Law110-84). The new law will helpadopted foster care youth receivecollege financial aid and will provideloan forgiveness to child welfareworkers. The law includes the"Fostering Adoption to FurtherStudent Achievement Act"amendment, which changes thefederal definition of "independentstudent" to include foster care youthadopted after age 13; students'financial aid eligibility will be basedsolely on their ability to pay,regardless of adoptive parent’sincome. Currently, teens who "ageout" of the system can qualify forvirtually all loans and grants, butsince family income is includedin determining eligibility for thosewho have been adopted, adoptedteens have not qualified to receivethe same loans and grants in thepast. In addition, the new law willforgive loans for public or privatechild welfare workers who receive adegree in social work or a relatedfield.

Adoptions From The Heart Quarterly Newsletter

5

Fall 2007

Where In The World Is Kazakhstan?

RECEPTION BEING HELD FOR THEKAZAKHSTAN ORPHANAGE DIRECTORWe have just learned that Dr. Irina, the orphanagedirector from Kostanai, is planning to visit the U.S. inNovember. She is looking forward to seeing as many ofthe children as possible who have been adopted from herorphanage and a reception is being planned to welcomeher here.

Join us Sunday, November 11 from noon to 2 pm at theGarden State Children’s Discovery Museum in CherryHill, NJ. This venue was chosen since it is centrallylocated and will provide plenty of space and funactivities for the children.

The cost of admission to the Museum is normally $9.95per person, however with the group rates, our cost is only$10 per family. This fee will help offset the expense ofusing the facility and reserving a private room for thereception. Light refreshments will be served.

You can check out the museum at their websitewww.discoverymuseum.com.

The last time Dr. Irina visited, she received many lovelygifts which she greatly appreciated, however, because ofthe difficulty in transporting gifts back to Kazakhstanand customs issues, it is requested that if you want togive her a gift it would be best that it be in the form ofcash. Any gift to Dr. Irina is strictly voluntary. It wouldbe nice to give a nice, unframed photograph of your childto be added to the wall of pictures in the orphanage.

If you would like to attend the reception, please contact Terry Petrone, our Kazakhstan Program Coordinator, atTerryP@afth.org.

MUSIC: AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGEOver the summer, Adoptions From The Heart donated$2,000 to the orphanage in Astana, Kazakhstan. Thedonation was used to purchase musical instruments forthe children living in the orphanage to enjoy.

Can you locate Kazakhstan on a map of the world? Fewpeople can. Last November, the movie Borat broughtKazakhstan into the media but many people still knowvery little about the country.

Kazakhstan is among the seven international programsthat Adoptions From The Heart offers in addition to thedomestic program.

Kazakhstan is located in Eastern Europe borderingChina, due south of Russia, and east of the Caspian Sea.

Kazakhstan is a bilingual country with Kazakh as the“state” language and Russian as the “official” language.

The people of Kazakhstan are made up of manydifferent ethnicities: Kazakh (56%), Russian (29%),Ukrainian (4%) and the remaining 11% is Uzbeck,German, and other ethnicities.

The Many Faces of Kazakhstan

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Adoptions From The Heart Quarterly Newsletter

TWENTY LIFE TRANSFORMING CHOICES ADOPTEESNEED TO MAKE, Sherrie Eldridge - Based on her ownexperiences, Ms. Eldridge explores the adoptees experience as it relates todevelopment and experiences with the outside world. This book is filled withenlightening and helpful information. Ms. Eldridge uses her Christian faithto lead her through her experiences. Families of different faiths may need tosubstitute their own beliefs in place of hers. There is a wealth of informationto be found in this book regarding the adoptee experience that is laid out ina non-clinical way that makes it easy to relate to. $15.00

I HAVE ROOTS AND BRANCHES: PERSONALREFLECTIONS ON ADOPTION (DVD) -“WINNER: 2004 Film Advisory Board AWARD OFEXCELLENCE!" This is a beautiful, touching and inspiringfilm about adoption. Through interviews you hear the voice ofthe children and birth parents. This film conveys positiveadoption messages and is wonderful if you have adopteddomestically or internationally. $24.00

THREE NAMES OF ME, Mary Cummings - A sensitive storyof international adoption told through the eyes of a Chinese-Americangirl. Ada Lorane Bennett explains how she came to have several names –the first was from her birth mother and is buried deep in her heart, anothershe received at the orphanage, and the third came from her adoptiveparents. In telling her story, readers learn about Ada's life in America, herlikes and dislikes, and a few facts about her homeland. However, it is thechild's present life in the States and her love for her adoptive parents thatis emphasized. This book is great to start a conversation about how a childmay have had a different name at birth. $12.00

All reviewed books are available in our branch offices, online, or you can order by calling Toni in the Wynnewood office (610) 642-7200.

Book Reviews

7

Fall 2007

Daughters from theUSAMarquis & MonicaMichael & NicholMark & DanielKevin & DanielleMichael & JulieAndrew & ShellyJonathan & WendiMichael & SusanVincent & ViolaKenneth & CliftonMichael & ChristineAnthony & DonnaSteven & Tammy

Sons from the USABryan & ChristyRobert & BarbaraCharles & DanielleMark & NicoleGeorge & SheilaRaymond & SheriEthan & MicheleKevin & CarolynTimothy & ChristineCurtis & AmyMichael & MichaelAllen & KellyVincent & SusanIan & MaxineSarah & SarahJeffrey & JamieJason & MelissaSteve & Lisa

Daughters fromChinaAlfred & SaraWarren & ArrickaJeffrey & KarenThomas & KellyScott & MichellePaul & VickyJoel & OuidaSamuel & DeborahEdward & SharonMichael & LindaDouglas & JudithRobert & KatherineJoseph & CharmaineWilliam & BernadetteGilbert & CarmenCarl & Leslie

Daughters fromGuatemalaSteven & DianeBradley & StephanieSteven & CrystalJulieAnthony & NancyRichard & Deborah

Sons fromGuatemalaJames & Kathleen

Daughters fromKazakhstanDavid & AngelaJeffrey & KarenPeter & MarcieGalen & Amy (2 Children, 1 boy,1 girl)

Sons fromKazakhstanDarrylDaniel & MarieGalen & Amy

Daughters fromLithuaniaCharles & Johnette

Daughters fromRussiaCharlotteCharles & Denise

Sons from UkraineMichael & KarenSamy & Mouna(2 children)

Daughters fromVietnamJeffrey & KarenMichael & MoniqueAlgis & Kristina (twins 1 boy, 1 girl)

Sons from VietnamScottMark & MarybethAlgis & Krisitina Scott & ConnieEdward

Congratulations to Families Who Have Recently Adopted!

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Adoptions From The Heart Quarterly Newsletter

International Adoption Program UpdatesCHINA - China continues to move slowly and ournews is very limited. We want to assure our clients thatwe share all that we know with them about this situation.It seems, because there is so little to report about the slowmovement of the program, that some think we are holdingback details about the real cause. This certainly is not trueand we wish we could tell our clients more. We continueto hope, along with the rest of you, that referrals willspeed up. We will keep our families updated through theAFTH China Updates via e-mail. If you are not amember of this list serve please sign up according to thedirections on the next page.

GUATEMALA - The agency is no longer takingapplications from new families for the program andin light of the December 30, 2007, deadline forimplementing Hague, we will be giving out referralsthrough the middle of October to ensure that these casesare registered and in process before this deadline. TheUS embassy is now requiring a second DNA test, just onthe child, when the case comes out of PGN and beforethe visa appointment is issued. This process is now inplace, and moving smoothly, and not really creating anydelays. The American embassy is taking at least 60 daysto issue pre-approvals for cases to go into PGN.

KAZAKH STAN - Congratulations to our familieswho traveled over the summer. We are expectingseveral more families to travel in the next two monthsand most of them will travel within two months ofsubmitting their dossier.

Families who are working on dossiers are encouraged toget them in quickly. Dr. Irina, the orphanage directorfrom Kostanai is hoping to visit the U.S. in Novemberand a reception will be held for our Kazakhstan familiesduring this visit. Details have already gone out on theKazakhstan listserv and more information can be foundon page 5. Dr. Irina is looking forward to seeing as manyfamilies as she can while she is here.

We continue to ask families who have completedadoptions to complete their post-placement at leastone month before the due date to avoid negativelyimpacting families in process. Annual reports withphotographs should be sent to Terry Petrone at theCherry Hill office one month prior to the anniversary ofthe adoption court date. Any questions regarding post-placement reports or the Kazakhstan program can be

directed to Terry Petrone via e-mail at TerryP@afth.orgor by phone at the Cherry Hill office.

UKRAINE - Ukraine is still struggling to get theadoption process back to normal. AFTH had twofamilies travel in August, but travel for the remainingfamilies on the waiting list has been delayed due to thelack of appropriate children cleared for internationaladoption. This situation is expected to be resolved overthe next several weeks as children who were placed onthe registry a year ago begin to clear. There are currentlymore than 20 families waiting to travel and many ofthem have been waiting well over a year. This has beena very frustrating process for everyone concerned andour in-country teams are doing their best to ensure thatwhen these families do get appointments there will beappropriate referrals for them.

The proposed law establishing an age criteria of no morethan 45 years between parent and child and eliminatingadoption by singles was declared to be unconstitutionalby the President of Ukraine and it is unknown at this timeif another version of the law will be proposed. Familieswho have adopted are reminded to file their annualreports with the Ukrainian Consulate. These are due onthe 1st of the month of the anniversary of the adoption.If you have questions regarding post-placementrequirements or the adoption process is Ukraine, contactTerry Petrone, the Ukraine Coordinator via e-mail atTerryP@afth.org or by phone at the Cherry Hill office.

RUSSIA - Since the time of the last edition ofAdoption News, 2 more Russian children were placed inthe homes of AFTH families, and another AFTH familyis currently in Russia completing the adoption of a child.Russia has begun re-accrediting U.S. AdoptionAgencies. AFTH’s Russia Partner, Children of the WorldAdoption Agency, Inc. (CWAA), has submitted therequired paperwork toward its re-accreditation, and ishopeful that it will receive re-accreditation in the fall.Once its re-accreditation is received, CWAA will be ableto resume referring children, as young as 12-36 monthsof age, to AFTH families. Until that time, CWAA is ableto refer children who are over the age of 36 months,and/or who have “special needs.”

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Fall 2007

INDIA -We are still working with two orphanagesMahila Mandal, which is the city of Latur in Maharashtraand Matruchhaya which is in Gujarat. We have receivedtwo referrals and are expecting more in the near future.Applications are coming in steadily. Families can specifywhich orphanage they would like to work with.

VIETNAM - We received our physical license andred stamp from the DIA on October 16, 2007. At this timewe can officially start submitting dossiers to the DIA. Weare waiting for police clearances on 6 preliminaryreferrals and hope that families will be able to starttraveling to Vietnam again in January or February.

We have added photo journals to our website of theSomerset hotel, the orphanages we work with and someof the sites you will see when you travel to Vietnam.There is also a photo of our in-countrystaff, Mr. Binh (Representative), Mr.Bau (Assistant), Miss Phuc An(Secretary) who will be helping youthroughout your stay. Mr. Binh whilenew to adoption has many connectionsin Vietnam and has been instrumental ingetting our license processed quicklyand has established good relationshipswith the orphanages we work with. Wewill be sending a representative fromthe US with the first families to assistMr. Binh with the US side of theprocess and introduce him to the USofficials. You will be walked throughthe process every step of the way, justas families have been in the past.

While traveling abroad wouldn’t it be great to be able tokeep in touch with your family and friends withoutracking up outrageousphone bills? In today’stechnologically advancedworld it’s easy to believethat such a program existsbut it’s incredible to learnthat this amazing programis free!

Skype is a free program that you download on to yourcomputer which allows you to make free calls using yourcomputer’s microphone and speakers to other peopleusing Skype. If your computer is equip with a webcam,Skype technology can also be used for video calls.Skype-to-Skype calls are completely free of charge.

Skype programming also offers what is called Skype-Out which allows Skype users to make calls to landlinesand cell phone around the world for as little as 2.1 centsper minute and nation-wide calls for less than $3 permonth.

Get this program today and keep in touch with familyand friend for less. Visit www.skype.com for details.

Got E-mail?To have monthly adoption program updates sent to you, send an e-mail withthe word "subscribe" in the subject line to the appropriate email address:

Guatemala - AFTHGuatUpdates-subscribe@yahoogroups.comVietnam - AFTHVietnamUpdates-subscribe@yahoogroups.comChina - AFTHChinaUpdates-subscribe@yahoogroups.comUkraine - AFTHUkraineUpdates-subscribe@yahoogroups.comKazakhstan - AFTHKazakUpdates-subscribe@yahoogroups.comIndia - AFTHIndiaUpdates-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

To become a member of our Domestic online discussion group where youcan connect with other AFTH families, send an email with the word“subscribe” in the subject line to the email address below:

Domestic - AFTHopenadoption-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

From Left: Mr. Bau, Mr. Binh, Miss Phuc An

Keeping in Touch WithFamily While Abroad

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Adoptions From The Heart Quarterly Newsletter

Changing Leaves,Changing Minds

By Gretchen Boger-O'Bryan

Some use the start of the new year as reason forreflection, as motivation for listing lofty resolutionsdependent on powerful will. Me? I do this long beforeDick Clark begins his countdown.

Maybe it's the childhood ritual of beginning school,fresh-faced and ready for a new start, or maybe it'sbecause November brings with it both efforts to givethanks and raise adoption awareness. Either way, as thecrisp autumn air nips at my toes, I'm contemplating whatI - both an adoptive mother and wife to an adoptee - cando better.

This year not only will I continue to respect these roles ofadoption in my life personally - which includes acommitment to my daughter's first mother that she'sneeded in our lives - but I will transform everydaysituations into teachable moments that matter.

When discussing our open adoption, if folks mentionMaeve's first mother "taking her back," insisting onco-parenting and existing only to confuse Maeve, I will,without waffling, dispel the untruths and undo thedamage of Lifetime movies.

When asked about Maeve's "real" mother "giving up" herchild and whether she has "moved on," I will explain weare both real mothers, that there's nothing in her adoptionchoice resembling giving up on her daughter, and I willremind them that filling someone else's arms with yourchild isn't the same as losing a favorite stuffed toy.

I will applaud television networks and programsportraying adoption and its triad in an accurate andpositive light. I will just as fervently contact thosemaking adoption jokes or depicting birth parents as any-thing less than they are. When represented accurately,adoption's mystery diminishes and our children benefit.

I'll write municipalities I've long lectured in my mind,explaining that adopting a road is nothing like adopting achild. I will demonstrate not only how "sponsor" suitstheir needs just fine, but how their use of "adopt" makesmy job of raising a healthy, well-adapted adult that muchharder as I need to explain the difference betweencleaning dirty roads and forever loving a child.

This Nov. 17, not only will I ensure adoption-relatedbooks are read in my daughter's daycare and our library,I will volunteer to read them myself. And then I'llencourage their use year-round, not just because acalendar dictates it.

I will make all these everyday moments really matter.

Gretchen Boger-O'Bryan was placed with her infantdaughter in July 2005 through Adoptions From TheHeart. An editor in legal publishing, she also is afreelance writer and currently writes about adoption andfirst-time parenthood on her blog, musings:mamahood&more, at www.mamagigi.wordpress.com.You can reach her at mamagigi@comcast.net.

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Fall 2007

Building Beautiful Families 2008 CalendarComplete and return with payment

Name: _______________________________Phone: (____)_________

Address: __________________________________________________

City: _____________________________ State: ______ Zip: _______

_____ # of Calendars x $12 (includes shipping) = $ _____________Total Enclosed

Make Checks Payable to: Adoptions From The Heart

Return form & payment to: Adoptions From The Heart30-31 Hampstead Circle, Wynnewood, PA 19096

As another year quickly approaches,Adoptions From The Heart is excited tooffer families our 2008 calendar,Building Beautiful Families!Proceeds go to help fund ourHumanitarian Aid projects. The calendarfeatures pictures of AFTH children.

AFTH always gets an enthusiasticresponse to this offer. Calendars makegreat holiday gifts for family andfriends. A limited number of calendarsare available through us, so place yourorders soon.

Calendars are $10 if purchased at anAFTH branch. $12 (includes shipping)if you want it mailed to you.

Calendars will be going on sale in mid-November.

Building Beautiful Families 2008 Calendar

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US POSTAGEPAID

PERMIT # 36ARDMORE, PA

Adoption News is a publication of Adoptions From The Heart, a private, non-profit, licensed agency.

30-31 Hampstead CircleWynnewood, PA 19096

WYNNEWOOD OFFICE30-31 Hampstead CircleWynnewood, PA 19096610.642.7200

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PITTSBURGH OFFICE206 Main St. Ste 3Greensburg, PA 15601724.853.6533

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SOUTH NEW JERSEY OFFICE451 Woodland AvenueCherry Hill, NJ 08002856.665.5655

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CONNECTICUT OFFICELocal Staff: 800.355.5500or contact our Lancaster Office

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:www.afth.org

Is Our Mailing List Current? Do you wish tobe removed from future mailings? Are you receiving more than onecopy? Are your name and address incorrect? Please let us know bye-mailing adoption@adoptionsfromtheheart.org.

AFTH CONFERENCE“Strengthening Bonds:Adoptive Families and

the Community”

AFTH is planning its first adoption conference.The conference, will be held on March 15, 2008.AFTH is hosting a silent auction as a part of theconference and we are reaching out to AFTHfamilies in addition to local businesses andorganizations and asking for donations. Theproceeds from our auction will further the goals ofAFTH in terms of educating the community aboutadoption, meeting the needs of those involved withadoption and providing humanitarian aid toorphans in foreign countries.

If you are interested in making a donation, pleasecontact KellyM@afth.org.

FALL 2007