All who know me, and any who read me even occasionally, can't help but be aware of how big a fan I am of adoption that ignores arbitrary dividers like borders, boundaries and nationalities. Not only do I have two kids who started off in a country I'd never set foot in before concluding the journey of our first adoption, I am passionate about the benefits … to children first, and parents later, but importantly, as well … of adopting internationally, and I do whatever I can do to keep... more

There's a paper making its way around the www these days, the link showing up on groups where slamming international adoption is a primary focus, and it is being held up as a detailed example of all that is wrong with people bringing children from other parts of the world into their families.

Not-at-all-subtly titled, "Child Laundering: How the Intercountry Adoption System Legitimizes and Incentivizes the Practices of Buying, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Stealing Children", there's no hiding the agenda of its author. With his byline adding "Cumberland Law School, Samford University",... more

This year's Cambodian New Year rings in the Year of the Pig, and it's a time for great joy, laughter, prayer and gratitude. Smiling faces and happy people everywhere should, by all rights, come as a puzzling surprise to anyone recalling this same occasion just 32 years ago. April 17, 1997. The first day of the Cambodian New Year three-day festival that year. Ask any Cambodian over... more

Some may have noticed I've been writing about Cambodia more than usual lately. Most of the time, I limit coverage of my children's country of birth to Friday updates of news, but this is April. What does April have that other months don't? Quite a few things, actually: Easter, Cj's birthday, ... more

As Lisa pointed out in a recent post on the Guatemala Adoption Blog, adopting from a country often results in parents feeling that we've adopted the country as well as the child. This manifests in different ways in different families. Some, like like Kari Grady Grossman, mom to a Cambodian-born son, raise money to build and fund whole schools. (I've ... more

Sour Sdey Chhan Thmey !!! (That's Happy New Year in Khmer, the language of Cambodia.) Normally, I post Cambodian-related items on Friday, but with many communities in the US preparing Cambodian New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) festivities beginning on Saturday, I thought I'd get the information out early... more

Unlike last year when I wrote about World AIDS Orphans Day just the day before the occasion, this year I'm reminding everyone a full month ahead of the date in hopes that some will choose to get involved in one or more of the activities that lend support. Please look at last year's post for suggestions on... more

The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) released a report a few days ago on unsatisfactory conditions in orphanages in Liberia. Again. Sheesh! April must be their "trash Liberian adoption month". I wrote about the same darned thing this time last year!

Apparently,... more

The International Adoptee Congress has put out a call for participants in a film project presently called "Voices of Adoption".

To all domestic and internationally adopted individuals, fellow members of the adoption community are creating a feature length documentary, “Voices of Adoption” (working title) that will serve... more

It has just come to my attention that public comment on proposed fee increases by USCIS closes in four days, so if anyone has something to say about a jump of 86% in the costs of getting internationally adopted kids the necessary visas and such, write to the government and post your thoughts NOW.

Here's the press release about the proposed increase, under the headline, "BUILDING AN IMMIGRATION SERVICE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY".

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to adjust fees for immigration and naturalization benefit applications... more