Gladney Blog

Seven-year-old Willow from Taiwan is a lively and cheerful girl who tends to make herself right at home wherever she goes. She adapts well to new environments, enjoys exploring new experiences, and isn’t even the teensiest bit shy about showing what she can do. Willow has a bit of a competitive streak (future Olympian?) and enjoys the opportunity to demonstrate her abilities.

If you ever want to make 7-year-old Carrie smile, there’s a simple place to start: purple high-heeled shoes. Not just purple shoes. Not just high heels. PURPLE HIGH HEELS. Carrie has made this fashion preference very clear and is obviously a fashion icon.

Sometimes the story of a family begins with siblings who are meant to stay together.

Maddie is a quiet, charismatic almost 4-year-old girl from Colombia who has been doing wonderfully in her new foster home. She attends an early childhood learning program a couple of mornings each week and also works hard in speech therapy. Her caregivers describe her as respectful, kind, and someone who does a great job following the rules (which, let’s be honest, is a pretty impressive skill for any kid).

Meryah McGill, MSW, LCSW, is a Lead Caseworker – International. She is also a birth mother and now raising three amazing boys. We asked Meryah if she would share a bit about her adoption story and her experience as a birth mother.

Beth Edwards, our International Child Advocacy Communications Specialist, is mom to 8 kids (3 adopted from Taiwan in 2013, 2018, and 2021, and 5 biological). We asked Beth how she was feeling as she started her adoption processes. She shared the following:

Preparing to adopt internationally is exciting, but it’s also complex. Thoughtful, intentional training isn’t just a box to check; it’s one of the most important investments you can make in your future child and your family. International adoption involves layers of culture, trauma, attachment, medical considerations, and transition. The training process is designed to help you enter this journey informed, prepared, and confident — not just for travel day, but for the lifelong parenting ahead.

 

If sunshine could giggle, it might sound a lot like Millie.

Supporting Families, Strengthening Connections

Lunar New Year is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, observed by millions of people across Asia and in global communities. More than a single day, it is a season of renewal, reflection, and connection, centered on welcoming a new year with hope, gratitude, and intention.