Throwing Starfish: February 2010

Friday, February 26, 2010

Norma Xi'an One Year Update

Dear Amanda,

I have so many great pictures of Norma that I don't know where to begin to edit what I am sending you... But I tried to capture our amazing year in the photos that are attached.

It takes my breath away when I think that it has already been one year since we adopted Norma Xi'an. From the very first time we laid eyes on her, we knew that she was our daughter. It has been an incredible year in so many ways. So many "firsts." But the biggest thing that I realize is how much Norma Xi'an has taught Pat and me. Here is this Guru of ours and she is only 30 months old!

Norma is a major trooper. She is determined and focused and that has shown through in all the work she has done to walk and to talk. Norma uses a walker until she is able to gain better balance which will come with time... And she is so verbal, especially when it comes time for ice cream and cookies! She is learning her A, B, C's, and counts all by herself to 10. She loves to swim with Pat and also is a great companion on the bike.

Norma is a complete joy to be around -- Anyone who ever meets Norma is totally taken with her. Her personality is just so engaging and she is very funny. She is very affectionate and will offer a kiss to just about anyone! She has a great sense of self and really knows how to work a crowd. We often laugh that we are going to put her on the Borscht Belt entertainment circuit. Everyday we feel so lucky and blessed to have her in our lives as our daughter. She completes us.

Most of our friends have children that are older and when they invite us over they insist that we bring Norma! I think that they would rather spend time with her -- we are just the chaperons. On any given visit, she will point to our hosts and command them to "Sing." And the darnedest thing is having these middle-aged adults belt off key "The wheels on the bus go round and round." or "Old MacDonald had a farm."

She touches so many people's lives around us and has made a difference to so many. One of our friends who lost his spouse not too long ago told us that she gives him a reason to live again. Her spirit, her smile, and the laughter she evokes are truly special.

Love,
Cindy and Pat

Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda

Norma's Year in Pictures

Monday, February 22, 2010

Megan (Jasmine) at Christmas Time

Hi Amanda,

Here's a couple of pictures taken during the holidays. Megan was a reindeer in the holiday play at her daycare. She is also helping blow out Grandma's birthday's cake.

We saw Santa Claus during Megan's play but she wouldn't go near him. We saw Santa out again and after we got to the car, she decided she wanted to go back and sit on his lap. She finally decided Santa is alright and is no longer afraid. We had both sides of the family over on Christmas day and had a great holiday. Megan's two big brothers came over early so they would be here when the girls woke up. It is such a joy watching the kids on Christmas morning. Of course, the girls received a ton of gifts from the whole family. Santa brought me the beautiful Starfish bracelet. I saw the Christmas video of all of the babies at Starfish and read that you are expanding again. What wonderful news for babies.

Megan is getting tall - - 37 inches, wears 3T pants and 4 shirts. She is doing very well and always on the go. She really enjoys tumbling, coloring, singing, taking care of her baby dolls and putting puzzles together. She has such a great laugh and smile. We are truly blessed to have her in our family.

Ken & Leslie

Megan at Christmas!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Year of the Golden Tiger

Gong Xi Fa Cai

The year of the tiger will start on February 14, 2010 and will end on February 2, 2011. The Tiger (associated with good fortune, power, and royalty), is viewed with both fear and respect; hence, their protection and wisdom is sought after. Many people believe the tiger, and not the lion, is the true king of beasts. According to Chinese thinking people born in this year have the following abilities: agile natural leaders, alert, energetic, independent, far-sighted, charming, friendly, well-liked, loyal, intelligent, confident, courageous, powerful, strong, self-reliant, sacrificing, optimistic, relentlessly competitive, good strategists and tacticians and because of this they will have great careers in Music, Acting, Writing, Advertising, Management, Aviation, Travel, Entrepreneur, Politics.

I hope you will help celebrate Chinese New Year with 1/5 of the world's population. Thank your lucky stars that you are not in China listening to two weeks of fire crackers which will slow down after lantern festival.

We wanted to give a special thanks to the ISOM family for all of their help taking the babies pictures!
Here is also a link to a video of the babies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbhLkei6Ohc
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/yrABIdRx2w4/ (for Chinese Starfish Fans)

From all of us at Starfish, which you the best year of the Tiger, with forever families for everyone at the foster home.

Life, Love and Laughter,

Amanda

Starfish Children's Services
US Tax Number: 20-4682916
Xian China

At Starfish, we have taken care of 106 children to date, arranged more than 74 surgeries and had 26 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway, France, Spain and in China. Our latest two adoptions were to the Netherlands and Virginia, USA. We currently have 53 babies under the age of 3 and a half at two foster homes. Recently we learned that 6 babies have been matched and we are waiting for their families to come and get them.

http://www.thestarfishfosterhome.org/
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/
http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com
chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com
Cell: 86.1348.812.4847