Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tessa...Happy News!
Just a quick follow up on my earlier post about Tessa...our special girl met her forever family on Monday!
Yeah, Tessa! Yeah, family! From all accounts she did great. I so hope that her family will keep in touch with us. Tessa has been part of our Eagles Wings family for 2 1/2 years. We all miss her so!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Happy Birthday, Lucy!
Today our Lucy is 12...or 13, depending on where you live. Traditionally in China, your age counts the year you are beginning, not the year you have finished, as in the west. So today our Lucy started on her 13th year and thus is shi-san, 13. Which also means that for the next 3 weeks I have 2 15-year olds and THREE 13 year olds in my house (and a 9 year old -- she and I are the only non-teenagers).
For orphaned children, birthdays are seldom even acknowledged much less celebrated. With 60+ children in Eagles Wings you can imagine that it is difficult to have a big party and many gifts on every birthday. One of the issues that I hope to work out as China Director is how we make every child feel special on their birthday without having it be focused on cake and ice cream and presents. In some ways this is a small issue, but in the context of raising children with a sense of value and of individuality, I think it isn't really that small. In fact, I think of all the things we do here, this may be one that our children will remember well into adulthood.
So today was all about Lucy. A cake, many homemade cards from her sisters and brother and a couple of small gifts...all in all it cost me about $12. I think these photos tell you what it meant to her.
For orphaned children, birthdays are seldom even acknowledged much less celebrated. With 60+ children in Eagles Wings you can imagine that it is difficult to have a big party and many gifts on every birthday. One of the issues that I hope to work out as China Director is how we make every child feel special on their birthday without having it be focused on cake and ice cream and presents. In some ways this is a small issue, but in the context of raising children with a sense of value and of individuality, I think it isn't really that small. In fact, I think of all the things we do here, this may be one that our children will remember well into adulthood.
So today was all about Lucy. A cake, many homemade cards from her sisters and brother and a couple of small gifts...all in all it cost me about $12. I think these photos tell you what it meant to her.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Eagles Wings Holiday Fundraiser
We are once again making handmade donation cards to raise money for our holiday celebrations at Eagles Wings. We want to provide a small gift and a holiday meal for each child as well as a holiday bonus for our hardworking staff. These costs are above our normal budget, so we are once again offering a great gift option for that hard-to-buy for relative/teacher/neighbor or anyone who would appreciate a clutter-free, calorie-free gift that benefits children without a family. You may make a donation of any amount; each multiple of $25 entitles you to one donation card. Click the link below to complete the form...we'll have your donation cards in the mail in time for Christmas!
FYI - The donation form link will redirect you to our family blog. 100% of these proceeds go to Eagles Wings, these funds are not intended to support our family.
With an thankful heart,
Donna
Director, Eagles Wings
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