EXCITING NEWS concerning Vietnam...

http://www.sbpost.ie/news/vietnam-law-change-may-allow-adoptions-to-resume-50161.html
 I received this exciting/promising link from Mer on Sunday. I contacted my friends at the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) and now they have it posted on the National Website!https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/intercountry-adoption/country-updates.html#vietnam
This news gives me chills! HOW EXCITING! Fingers crossed!

ONE person can make a difference in the life of a child waiting to be adopted

300 children are still in need of sponsorship to attend the KIDS AT HEART at Nationals Park on July 10th!
Your sponsorship of just $50.00 gives one child in foster care: Fun-filled pre-game picnic, premier seating during the baseball game, Kids at Heart t-shirt, Washington Nationals memorabilia, game snacks.
Click here to sponsor a child for this great event.
https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/events/kids-at-heart.html

The Journey to Halle-Grace (please turn speakers up)

Thank you!

FROSTY for Father's Day

Wendy's is celebrating the fourth annual Father's Day Frosty Weekend by satisfying Dad's sweet tooth and giving the whole family the satisfaction of helping thousands of children in the U.S. who are waiting for the love of forever families. During Father's Day Weekend, Wendy's will donate 50¢ for every Frosty sold to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA).

What does Adoption look like?

To me...Adoption is family! Adoption is Love! Adoption made me a mom!
Thank God for the Miracle of Adoption!

Best Ever You...Adoption Expert

I am FAR from an expert, however, I am thrilled about this new opportunity that will enable me to continue my mission of "Building Families Through The Miracle Of Adoption". I have been invited to join Best Ever You as their "adoption expert".I am honored and incredibly excited to write monthly about "adoption related topics". If you have any specific topics you would like to see covered, please leave a comment or email me.

Dance Fever!

Two beautiful girls who love the stage...

Saturday was Halle-Grace's 1st dance recital (Hannah's first with Step-n-Out)! They both had a great time and performed beautifully! Jada is a great dance teacher who truly loves her students. Thank you Ms. Jada for a great year...

What a little show off....she was SO adorable!

Hannah above performing with her gymnastics class...below HIP HOP!

Too cute for words.

Happy Birthday Jason!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my best friend, the man I married almost a decade ago...and Little Miss Magic's daddy! We love you!
Shannon & Halle-Grace

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daddy's Girl for sure!

Happy Birthday Aunt Suzie

"Have your people call my people...and let's do lunch". Halle-Grace says this to Aunt Suzie. And for those of you who know my sister, Suzanne, she has the best laugh and it is non-stop when HG is around her! Miss Magic is crazy over Aunt Suzie...it doesn't surprise me, she's the most incredible sister a girl could ever ask for...We love you Suzie we're so blessed you're in our lives!
*Sorry Miss HG ate most of your salad at your birthday dinner :)

Top 10 Articles... AdoptiveFamiies

http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe6516737d6707787516&m=feef16767c6c03&ls=fde81d7474600d787c1c7073&l=fec11375776c027f&s=fe3016707d63027c761771&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2c167776650779701579

Miss Magic & Me

My daughter, my tiny miracle!

Moments like this...

CONGRATULATIONS to Riley and Matt on the adoption of the most beautiful baby boy...baby Will! I remember the very beginning of their journey and to witness the miracle of adoption complete their family is such a blessing!

And here's a sneak peek of our little blessing in her 1st dance recital costume...and some of her moves!! The recital is 2 weeks away...she is so adorable!

"I'm 2 1/2 and I ran my first mile"

I cannot believe my baby girl is 2 1/2!!!
So, what is Miss Magic up to these days.....If you ask her how old she is, she replies, "2 and a half"...she no longer says two! Miss Magic continues to sprinkle her magic dust everywhere she goes. She is SO friendly and talks to everyone! Her preschool has ended for the summer and her very 1st dance recital is coming up in 2 weeks! I'm so excited to watch her "show out".

Halle-Grace is such a smart little girl! She knows her ABCs, she can count, knows all of her colors, shapes (to include hearts, stars) and she can draw a smiley face and a heart and writes some numbers! She still loves art! We play dress up a lot and she LOVES to have a fashion show followed by a tea party. Yes, my long legs sit at the tiny princess table (one day the chair is going to break).
She & her dad love to go outside. She's his assistant "pool keeper" and helps him check the levels in the pool...she loves to swim AND YES, she ran a mile! We decided to take a little walk around our neighborhood and she insisted on running the ENTIRE mile! She's quite impressive...quite Magical!

Stay tuned for details on "An Evening Of Magic"

Thank you Uncle Ned for making my rocking horse.

Please vote for "DADDY AND ME"... Father's Day is coming up soon

Determination...What it takes to be an Elephant Mom

Thanks to "Best Ever You" Magazine, I had the opportunity to team up with another "elephant mom" aka Katie Eastman who lives in Maine and write about our journeys to our beautiful daughters. Katie and I had so much fun getting to know one another and sharing our stories. I found out very quickly that it is STILL very therapeutic to share about the the "journey" with others who have traveled a similar one.

To experience "the wait" alone would be devastating! I am so blessed that I found my adoption support group! If you're a frequent reader of this blog, you probably remember "The Hot Hens". I thank God for my Hens! I miss them all (hey hens, are we going to Sesame Place anytime soon? Disney will work too.....)

So, here's a link to our story, I hope you enjoy! http://www.besteveryou.com/bey/cali-halle-grace/

Be the VOICE for a child

May is National Foster Care Month and there are so many children in foster care (DSS custody) who need you, they need your voice!  Please consider becoming a Guardian Ad Litem...I'm glad I did:)

NCFA Takes Legal Action for Adopted Child Returned to Russia

From the NCFA website.
UPDATED: May 11, 2010, 3:30 pm EST: The National Council For Adoption (NCFA) has confirmed that the petition requesting an investigation into the actions of adoptive mother Torry Hansen and her mother, Nancy Hansen has been filed in the Shelbyville, Tennessee Circuit Court, along with a request that a guardian ad litem be appointed to represent the interests of the child.
Click below to read the entire press release
https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories/documents/051110%20legal%20action%20in%20tennesseeupdated.pdf

Reflection...Mother's Day

I have tried unsuccessfully (at least to this point) to upload my Mother's Day card! It is the sweetest thing I have ever heard! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can get this task accomplished! I have listened to the card at least 100 times! I had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day! I was able to spend the day with my amazing mom and entire family. Halle-Grace told me what my gifts were before she was suppose to...HAHA! How cute is she??!!! Jason had to laugh about her "telling" as well. She's so much fun!
On Mother's Day again this year, I couldn't help but think about a very special lady...somewhere in the world...the woman who gave birth to Halle-Grace. As Halle-Grace gets older and begins to fully understand, I want her to know how much her birth mother loved her. There are times when people will say, "why, how could she, that's terrible" and I always reply, "thank God she did, otherwise I wouldn't be Halle-Grace's mother". Jason & I made the trip to Tuyen Quang, Vietnam on September 1, 2008 and spent hours that day in Halle-Grace's orphanage (her home for the first 9 months of her life). To be completely honest, before making the trip to Vietnam there were times that I also wondered......I can tell you that during the 4 hour drive from Hanoi to TQ (where there are no roads, seriously, the people have NOTHING)...it all made complete sense! I know that her birth mother/family wanted Halle-Grace to have the BEST life possible! If you ask me, placing HG up for adoption has to be the greatest act of love... unconditional love, unselfish love!

Blessed and thankful for the MIRACLE of adoption!

Shannon

Nanny with the grandchildren on Mother's Day 2010...Hunter, Hannah & Halle-Grace.

Two years of blogging...

It's hard to believe I started blogging here two years ago on Mother's Day! I wanted to be a mom for such a long time! You see my journey to motherhood was NOT easy but 99.9% of the time the things you want, love and cherish the most...don't come easy! God was preparing me for Halle-Grace and the moment she was placed in my arms in TQ, Vietnam...ALL of the pain, questions, doubt, fear, guilt was suddenly GONE!

God used "life" to fully prepare me for the journey to becoming Miss Magic's mother. Sometimes I sit and wonder, why did HE choose me? Halle-Grace is such an amazing little girl! She's simply the BEST! She is smart, beautiful, friendly, funny...and has a way of "lighting" up a room the moment she enters it! God knew the struggle for Halle-Grace and the other 44 TQ children...He knew he would place me on the other side of the world, in a 3rd world country, waiting on her visa and rallying for the other children who needed a voice! I look back now and I am thankful I had the time to spend in her birth country learning about her beautiful culture. WOW, thank you Lord! I am her mom and that just blows me away! What a blessing! She's my perfect miracle!

The photo I had of Halle-Grace on Mother's Day 2008.

One Blessed Mother, Shannon Devine

President proclaims May 2010 National Foster Care Month.

President Obama proclaims May 2010 National Foster Care Month

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-foster-care-month

NCFA celebrates National Foster Care Month.
https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/events/national-foster-care-month.html

Adopt Shoppe

I found the neatest little on-line shopping place. http://www.adoptshoppe.com/ If you know someone who's adopting and want to find a special gift for their special new one...you may want to shop around. One thing in particular that I especially love are the "adoption baby books". Speaking from experience, these are not easy to find and most stores where you purchase baby books do not have "adoption" baby books. There's tons of other "neat" finds on the site as well.

Enjoy!
Shannon

Our little miracle...sweet images captured by Terra

She IS the sweetest...

Sweeeeettttt!

Miss Magic

Our Devine Miracle!

Devine Story makes the National Website

Read our success story on the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) website!

https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/intercountry-adoption/success-stories.html

Below is a poem I received from an adopted child who is now married and is truly making a difference in life. A huge advocate herself, she is fighting for a cure for cancer. If anyone can find a cure, Cydney has the determination and is constantly at work!
She wrote to me, "I love visiting your page and reading about your journey and your daughter. I am adopted and it is so special to me to view the experience through a mother's eyes. So, although we haven't met in person, I feel like I already know you...I'm grateful for you and the voice you give to the little girls who treasure mom's like you."

God Bless,
Cydney                                        

The Journey Home
Stop my fellow wanderer

Stand still on your path

Look up…Do you see Him?

Look beside you…Do you see them?

You and I were chosen

Yes, I too felt lost sometimes.

Crossing a bridge of uncertainty

With the battle of doubt ahead

But we were not unarmed…

You and I were chosen

Stop my fellow warrior

Look at the bridge you are standing on…

And see that it is yourself

Held strong by their choice.

We were never lost

We were just on the journey home.

Thank you Cydney! I will keep this poem for Halle-Grace always...and I hope we get to meet you soon.

The 2 1/2 year old scene

What's Miss Magic up to at 2 1/2? Halle-Grace's favorite word is "mine"! Everything belongs to her...in her sweet mind anyway! She is a complete HAM these days...more so than ever before. She has something new to amaze us with daily! SHE LOVES FLIP FLOPS! Poor thing will wear them til her toes have blisters! She has not a care in the world as long as she has her flip flops on and is "on the move". She is a complete "social butterfly"! She loves her friends, loves to learn, and loves to sing (Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Itzy Bitzy Spider, Jesus Loves Me, Happy Birthday..and more). A chorus teacher recently told us (after Miss Magic sang Happy Birthday to her son about a dozen times in a restaurant) "she can sing, she holds the pitch, etc". Well, of course, I think she can sing...but you all know her dad...haha....he has told everyone! He is so wrapped, it's really precious to see the two of them together! She is for sure A DADDY'S GIRL!
She is going to the potty very well. She loves taking dance/gymnastics and is quite the performer! I'm getting really excited about her dance recital in June. I'm sure she'll add some of her own special choreography :) She LOVES to play outside! She is incredibly friendly and outgoing...and SMART! Her vocabulary really surprises me (especially when you consider she didn't hear English until she was 9 1/2 months old)! She talks all the time (where does she get that?!) She knows all of her colors, her ABCs, can identify letter and numbers...and more! Above all, she is truly magical and the most precious gift we have ever received.We are incredibly blessed! I thank God for bringing us together as a forever family!!!

Miss Magic has a winning personality!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE MICKEY!!!!
Shannon Devine

Almost there...can we reach 20,000 signatures? You can Support the Miracle of Adoption

Can we reach 20,000 signatures on the petition letters that will be sent to President Medvedev and President Obama.

To sign the petition, click on the link below.
http://www.gopetition.com/online/35485.html

Be a VOICE for the children...children just like Halle-Grace.

THANK YOU for supporting the miracle of adoption!

Shannon Devine

We Are the Truth Petition

Read the full story...and what you can do to help.

http://betheanswerforchildren.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/we-are-the-truth-a-call-to-action/#more-779

The petition will be sent to President Medvedev and President Obama. To sign the petition, click on the link below.
http://www.gopetition.com/online/35485.html

Be a VOICE for the children...children just like Halle-Grace.

Have a blessed day!

Shannon Devine

Generous Hearts Gala

We are so excited to be attending this year as a COMPLETE, FOREVER FAMILY!!!!

From the CAS website: Calling All Generous Hearts:
Orphans around the world are dreaming of a brighter future, wishing for a family to call their own and hoping that someone will reach out to them. In partnership with Carolina Adoption Services, You can answer that call, on April 17, 2010, by attending the Generous Hearts Gala. Through our ongoing efforts over 2,700 children have found their forever families and over a million dollars in donations have gone into overseas humanitarian aid to help the vulnerable children still in orphanages.
Click to visit the 2010 Gala page for more information about “Generous Hearts" and the auction items... http://www.carolinaadoption.org/2010/03/24/calling-all-generous-hearts/
These children depend on your donations of time, services and funding. The Generous Hearts Gala offers you a unique way to help. Through your attendance, sponsorship or donation orphaned children will have a chance of a better life and brighter future. Help change the world one child at a time by participating. 100% of the proceeds from the event will go toward happiness, health, and love.

If you would like to attend, donate to, or sponsor the event, please contact Siri Scott by visiting http://www.carolinaadoption.org/2010/03/24/calling-all-generous-hearts/

Remember every day there is an opportunity to make a difference. Please spread the word and help the children.

National Council for Adoption has a NEW website

As an Adoption Ally for the National Council for Adoption, I love the new website! It is fantastic!!! Check it out... http://www.adoptioncouncil.org/ the link is also posted in the top right hand column on my blog.

Mamaw Parker leaves behind a beautiful lagacy...

Mamaw Parker passed away on Thursday.  I know she is having one more homecoming in heaven. We miss her so much but we know she is finally at peace and has started her eternity in heaven! I thank God for blessing us with mamaw...what a beautiful legacy.

Steven Curtis Chapman "Cinderella"...taking Miss Magic to see this Magical performance

To help advance Show Hope's mission of caring for orphans in distress, a star-studded cast is teaming up with the Nashville Symphony to present the classic musical, Cinderella. It will be a "one night only" concert performance without scenery but with colorful costumes, a flourish of makeup, a bit of dancing, and a good measure of magic.  Friday, May 14th 7:00 pm at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN

Show Hope's Presentation of Cinderella will feature:

Steven Curtis Chapman...Grammy and Dove award winning artist

The Nashville Symphony

Heather Headley - Fairy Godmother...Tony Award Winner from The Lion King

Jodi Benson - Queen....The Voice of The Little Mermaid

BeBe Winans - King...Grammy and Dove Award winning vocalist

Alli Mauzey - Cinderella....Glenda from Wicked on Broadway

Anthony Federov - Prince Christopher... Former American Idol finalist

Jake Speck - Lionel... Cast member of Jersey Boys on Broadway

Pass along this special $5 off offer to friends and family who may be interested in this amazing opportunity to show hope to orphans through this exciting event!

Purchase presale tickets and save $5 off of each ticket today using the promo code HOPE! Visit http://www.showhope.org/Cinderella  to purchase tickets.
This exclusive presale promotion ends Friday, April 9. Tickets are available to the public on April 10.

Happy Birthday Aunt Amen and Papaw Ronnie

Today is Aunt Amen's birthday (that's what she calls Amy...too cute)!!! Tomorrow is Papaw Ronnie's birthday! Wishing you both Magical birthdays! We love you!

More of Miss Magic by Terra Bailey Photography

http://www.terrabaileyphotography.com/

Is there anything more beautiful...Miss Magic & helping others in need

"Is there anything more beautiful" words from the photographers mouth...Miss Magic was once again in front of the camera Saturday morning. She jumped on the "gator" with Goolie (that's how she says Julie) Julie Abernathy with Ella Kate and Terra Bailey (Terra Bailey Photography) and off they went into the field. Here's a sneak peek of our tiny miracle! GOSH, she takes my breath away!!!

Terra Bailey, a photographer in Hickory, NC arranged "FAMILY FIELD DAY" and all proceeds, donations, etc went to the Safe Harbor Rescue Mission. They service women who have been is abusive relationships, homeless, single moms, etc. giving them HOPE!

Let Terra capture your magical moments! http://www.terrabaileyphotography.com/

Such an inspiration...

Halle-Grace with her great-grandmother Parker

My grandmother is very sick and her sweet body is so tired! I pray for peace and understanding and above all comfort for her. I don't want her to suffer. It's been a difficult week for my family but God continues to show His presence and for that I am so very thankful! Last night as Halle-Grace was going to bed (our routine is to say our prayers, sing songs, read a book...well maybe the reverse order) the sweetest thing came out of her mouth. "I want to see Mamaw Parker"! Sometimes she just calls her "Parker". She loves her and she knew something was different about last night....she didn't get to visit with her because HG has the pink eye (which is clearing up thanks to powerful eye drops).

My grandma Parker is an amazing, strong woman who truly inspires me! She's endured so much in her life...losing her mother before she was a teenager, losing her husband when she was only 47 years old, losing a child, a grandchild, most of her brothers and sisters that she practically raised...BELIEVE me, she is a remarkable woman who's legacy is BEAUTIFUL!!! I admire her! and I love her dearly! God gives me comfort in knowing that all of those she has lost....she will see again! His promise is beautiful! God Bless Mamaw Parker.

Only God knows when we will meet again...

Angela, you were taken so soon...but you fought the fight and tonight in heaven you have WON the prize!!! Thank you Lord for blessing this world with Angela for 37 years. We know she is with you and is finally at peace! Please continue to comfort us...until we meet again.....

I Have a Place in Heaven

Please don't sing sad songs for me,

Forget your grief and fears,

For I am in a perfect place

Away from pain and tears.

It's far away from hunger

And hurt and want and pride,

I have a place in Heaven

With the Master at my side.

My life on earth was very good,

As earthly life can go,

But Paradise is so much more

Than anyone can know.

My heart is filled with happiness

And sweet rejoicing, too.

To walk with God is perfect peace,

A joy forever new.

~ Author Unknown ~

When will Vietnam reopen for Adoption?

Read from Voices for Vietnam Adoption Integrity
http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2010/01/02/vietnam-adoptions-one-agencys-perspective-and-future-outlook/.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

Today marks a very special anniversary!!! March 5, 2008 is a day Jason & I will never forget for as long as we're alive! March 5, 2008 started out like any other day for me....until I received a phone call from Carolina Adoption Services. Nancy, our 2nd adoption coordinator, was calling to introduce Allie (our 3rd adoption coordinator)...why??? Why are we receiving a 3rd coordinator? for what reason??
What I didn't know was the NEWS Allie and Nancy had to share with me...news that would change our lives FOREVER!!! I remember saying to Allie, "I hope you will be the last coordinator". That's when she spoke up and said, "I have some really exciting news...are you near your computer?" My heart fell to my feet as I said YES...WHY, WHAT...Do you have our baby???? I was already screaming before she could confirm. YES, SHE HAD HALLE-GRACE!!! Well, Hallegrace was in VN but she had our referral for HG! I couldn't believe my ears....and I could have never prepared my heart and eyes for the most beautiful sight!!!! I will never forget shaking as I hit the check mail button and opened the file with her photos! I thought I would just BUST WIDE OPEN! My heart went into some crazy fluttering freenzy....It was LOVE at first SIGHT!!!!!!!!!! I didn't believe in love at first sight until March 5, 2008. The love we felt for HG carried us through the months to come as we fought to bring our baby home! Jason told me along the way..."not bringing Halle-Grace home is NOT an option. We will fight for our daughter, we will bring her home". He was right...the fight to DC, all the emails, phone calls to elected officials, my HENS who I love dearly, family, friends and often strangers who heard about our journey.....all of you helped bring HG home! Thank you!!

Thank you God for the miracle of adoption, thank you for the miracle of Halle-Grace.

"Mamaw Parker I am praying for you everyday and I love you."

Thinking about adopting? Worried about where you'll find the funds? http://www.showhope.org/adoptionaid/adoptiongrants.aspx

Show Hope is a beautiful organization that helps make dreams come true for so many families! Please visit their website and take a look around. Their personal story will leave you crying, laughing...full of joy and hope. http://www.showhope.org/

 From the mouth of her daddy, "Just when you think she can't get anymore beautiful..."

Miss Magic has a dimple. How did we not know this before last night? God continues to bless our little girl with so many cute qualities. Her personality is something else these days! She steals the show everywhere she goes...we love our tiny miracle.

              SO everyone has said since day 1 that Halle-Grace looks JUST LIKE HER DADDY! She has grown so much in the past two years....and Jason's hair has grown along with HGs....LOL