Links That Are Worth Your Time


Once again, links to random adoption-related blog posts and websites that have caught my attention lately. I don't know any of these folks, but they're definitely all engaging in some interesting conversations!

  • Worthwhile Discussion

--Anita at Banku, Pho, and Fried Spiders posted a thoughtful discussion about handling gender identity issues in young children. (Apparently, Dr. Phil weighed in on this same subject during his television show sometime this week.) 

--Spontaneous Delight wrote a lovely tribute to her son, "Raising a Super Hero."

  • Worthy Cause
--Earlier this week, I'm "Ghana" Adopt posted a very moving account of a 15-year-old Russian boy named Misha and the family that is trying to raise funds to adopt him. Here is part of that story:


"I received an email from a friend a few days ago, letting me know about a young orphan boy who needs our help. I know ... there are hundreds of thousands of orphans who need our help ... but, this story touched me deeply.

Misha is a 15 year old from Russia. Several weeks ago he was flown to the U.S. for life-changing surgery ... the amputation of both legs. Misha was born with a severe deformity of his legs and arms. In Russia, it is known as the 'throw-away' disease. Despite the deformities, Misha is a very well-adjusted and intelligent young man, with much hope for the future. 

A wonderful, large, homeschooling family on the East Coast welcomed Misha into their home for the surgery, and immediately fell so in love with him that it was determined that he should become part of their forever family. However ... next May Misha will turn 16 ... an age where he is no longer able to be adopted into the U.S. ... also an age where he will be turned out of his orphanage in Russia, and moved to an insane asylum. Seriously ... this boy is not insane, but he will be 'thrown away'.

This wonderful family believes with all their heart that Misha is to become their son. However, they have no idea how the Lord will raise up the $27,000 needed in the next few months. The funds must be raised before February, so that the adoption can be completed before Misha's birthday in May.

I hope you will visit their family blog http://helpmisha.blogspot.com to find out how you can best support this precious family, and Misha. As Melissa, the mom, says ... 'If 2,700 people donated just $10, the money would be raised.'"

For more information about Misha or to contribute to this family, please visit their blog. 

Also, to learn more about International Guardian Angels Outreach (IGAO) and their Project HOPE program (the program that brought Misha to the U.S. for surgery), please visit their website. There are many opportunities to volunteer, including sponsoring a child or serving as a foster family for a child who's receiving medical treatment. 

  • Tips Worth Their Weight in Gold

--Rachel at Instantly Mama offers great ideas for entertaining a toddler on the cheap.

--Brandi at LivingFreely describes a free, fun outing for kids that I've never thought of--picnic at the airport! Read about her original idea here.

--My own personal tip for sourcing inexpensive, kid-friendly ideas: subscribe to Family Fun magazine. 

Right now you may be wondering, So where does the inexpensive part come in?! I can't afford a magazine subscription! True, but while Family Fun is normally $10 for a 10-issue subscription (not too bad), I found an even better deal. There's a person on ioffer.com who sells discount Family Fun subscriptions for only $1.49.  

Yep--that's a whole year's subscription--all costs included, no strings attached--for $1.49. 

And even though this deal seems too good to be true, I think it's really true! Or at least it's worked for me so far. I subscribed a few months ago and have been receiving Family Fun (and Wonder Time, which I bought for $2.89/year) with no problems thus far. Plus, I used PayPal, so there's no way to add extra charges to my credit card. All in all, a great deal.

  • And Finally, A Picture Worth A Thousand Words...

Have a beary happy Halloween! 

(Hehe...terrible pun but it was irresistible!) And for more mind-blowing pumpkin carvings to get you in the spooky spirit, visit PumpkinGutter.com. 

Thursday, October 30, 2008 | Labels: , , |

 

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