In January of 2004, Bill and I began to think of adopting again. Years earlier we had adopted Jessi, who came to us through the US foster care system. This time, we decided we wanted a child that most of the world would see as unadoptable; a child with special needs. We looked into kiddos missing limbs, with hearing loss, and with various other special needs. In the end, we decided to stick with what we know best, and what we’re good at: Down syndrome.

We searched the US foster system again, but found most workers to be too busy, too bogged down, to even make time to chat with us. Our local worker told us, simply, that she was “too busy and had much more pressing matters.” (Apparently there are a multitude of people in Oregon trying to adopt children with special needs……….yeah, right.) Anyway, her lack of care or concern turned out to be a blessing, as it was then that we decided to look at the international piece. We looked at Russia, Guatemala, Ukraine, China….and settled on Hong Kong the minute we found out about Mother’s Choice, an incredible Christian orphanage housing special needs children.

And that’s where we found him.

Cute, cuddly, and sweet. A face to die for. With Down syndrome, and a repaired heart.
A little boy who’s birth parents left him in the hospital when he was born, because he wasn’t the child they had dreamed of. But he was the child we had dreamed of. And prayed for.

About 6 months after we started the paperwork parade, after we had been checked out by every national agency (state criminal checks, FBI, and even Homeland Security!) Jaden was escorted home to us on Dec. 14, 2004. He joined our family without a glitch; it’s as if he’s always been here. His siblings adore him, and we, his parents, are as proud and happy as can be. God is so good!