Gladney International

06/19/2026

Happy Dragon Boat Festival! 🐉

One of the sweetest things about family is that there is always room for another tradition at the table.

Maybe you're making zongzi together and discovering that wrapping sticky rice in bamboo leaves requires considerably more skill than the internet would have you believe or you're ordering takeout because your homemade version didn't quite survive the experiment. You might be watching dragon boat races, sharing stories, or finding yourself in a surprisingly passionate family debate about whether sticky rice belongs in the category of side dish, dessert, or its own entirely separate food group.

The best family traditions often start small anyway. A special meal. A favorite recipe. A story told year after year. A child rolling their eyes because you insist on taking "just one more picture." These little moments have a funny way of becoming the things everyone remembers.

Wishing all who celebrate a joyful Dragon Boat Festival filled with good food, meaningful moments, and maybe at least one successfully wrapped dumpling. 🐉💚

https://gladney.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoption/

06/19/2026

Juneteenth is not just a day in history—it’s a call to honor culture, teach truth, and affirm identity.

Juneteenth also reminds us that in adoption, honoring a child’s culture is essential.

One of our counselors, an in*******al adoptee herself, shared, "Families should take time to learn about their child’s culture, use age-appropriate language when talking about race and identity, keep conversations open, and build community connections that reflect their heritage."

Honoring Juneteenth means making space for African American history, culture, and voices, not just today, but every day.

06/18/2026

At 6½ years old, Finn who is from Taiwan is a bright, energetic boy who brings enthusiasm wherever he goes. He loves being around people, enjoys trying new things, and has never met a hand he wasn't willing to raise in class. Finn is doing well in school, learns quickly, and is already recognizing Chinese characters and reading much of a picture book on his own. He gets along wonderfully with both adults and children and especially enjoys being seen as a "big brother." In fact, when a younger child recently joined his foster family, Finn happily stepped into the role, helping and setting a positive example.

Like many children his age, Finn has a playful streak and a healthy dose of mischief. When boredom strikes, he may look for creative ways to entertain himself—sometimes at the expense of an unsuspecting grown-up! Thankfully, he responds well to guidance and has made great progress in learning routines, following expectations, and considering others' feelings. Finn is a warm-hearted boy who has shown resilience through life's changes and is ready for the love, security, and belonging of a permanent family.

We're especially excited to get to know Finn even better when he travels to Texas for a week this summer for a fun cultural experience staying with a host family. We can't wait to discover more of the personality, interests, and surprises that make him uniquely Finn.

The family who welcomes him home can look forward to a child who will keep them on their toes, make them laugh, and proudly embrace his role as an important part of the family. If this sounds like it’s describing you and you’d like to learn more about Finn, email us at [email protected].

06/17/2026

If only international adoption came with a universal instruction manual (and maybe a clear diagram or three)… it would make our lives so much easier and all that paperwork dramatically less confusing. Okay. Maybe there is no way to make the paperwork less confusing.

But there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to bringing a child home across borders.

Every country has its own laws, requirements, timelines, and child welfare systems—shaped by culture, history, and what children in that country need most. That means no two programs look exactly alike, and that’s actually a pretty cool thing.

Different countries. Different systems. One shared goal: children thriving in safe, loving, permanent (yet perfectly imperfect) families.

https://gladney.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoption/

06/16/2026

One thing we've learned along the adoption journey is that none of us are meant to do this alone.

Whether you're gathering paperwork, waiting for a match, navigating medical needs, or simply trying to answer a question you never expected to have, having knowledgeable people in your corner matters.

That's one reason adoption medicine specialists can be such a valuable part of a family's support team. These physicians understand the unique medical, developmental, and behavioral considerations that can be part of a child's adoption story and can help families make informed decisions along the way.

The National Council For Adoption recently shared a helpful resource highlighting adoption medicine clinics and practitioners across the United States. Whether you're just beginning the process or have been parenting for years, it's a great reminder that support is available—and that we're all learning as we go. ❤️

No parent has all the answers. The good news is that we don't have to.

This directory serves as a resource for identifying adoption medicine clinics and specialists throughout the United States. Learn more.

06/15/2026

Lost shoes.

Homework battles.

Soccer practice.

Grocery store runs.

Bedtime stories that somehow turn into three bedtime stories.

Most families would call that an average Tuesday.

But for a child waiting for a family, those moments represent something much bigger: belonging.

Children aren't waiting for extraordinary lives.

They're waiting for someone to save them a seat at the dinner table, help them find their backpack, show up for the school program, and tuck them in at night.

The things that feel ordinary to families are often the very things children are hoping for.

Because ordinary family life isn't ordinary at all.

It's everything.

https://gladney.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoption/

06/12/2026

Bon voyage to the C family as they embark on the journey of a lifetime to Thailand to welcome their 5-year-old daughter home! ✈️❤️

We are especially excited to celebrate this milestone, as they are the first family to receive a placement through our newer partnership in Pattaya. Please join us in wishing them safe travels, precious first moments together, and a smooth transition as their family grows through adoption.

As we celebrate this exciting chapter for the C family, we're also reminded of the children still waiting for families through our Thailand program. We're actively looking for families interested in learning more about this opportunity and helping more children find the permanency and connection they deserve.

https://gladney.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoption/thailand/

06/12/2026

Happy Independence Day, Philippines!

Today seems like the perfect excuse to enjoy some Filipino food, listen to a favorite Filipino artist, break out a map, share a story, or finally settle the family debate about who makes the best lumpia.

For many adoptive families, the Philippines is more than a place on a globe—it's part of the fabric of family life. It's in the foods we crave, the traditions we celebrate, the stories we tell, and the connections that continue to grow over time.

Here's to the beauty, culture, history, and heart of the Philippines today and every day. ❤️💙💛

https://gladney.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoption/philippines/

06/11/2026

Ruby has something new to show off—her hearing aids! And if you know Ruby, you know she's already going to have fun choosing her favorite color once she's home.

Bright, social, and full of curiosity, Ruby learns by watching the people around her and eagerly joining in. She loves imaginative play, thrives on connection, and lights up with praise and encouragement. Her warm smile, affectionate nature, and joyful spirit make it easy to fall in love with her.

Since receiving support for her hearing, Ruby has been making wonderful progress in communication and has even begun learning sign language. Independent, determined, and always ready for her next adventure, Ruby brings sunshine wherever she goes.

The family who welcomes Ruby home will gain a daughter who is loving, resilient, and full of joy. ❤️

If you think you might be Ruby's family, contact us at [email protected].

06/10/2026

"You don't need to worry about your child's birth culture."

We're going to gently disagree with that one.

One of the unexpected joys of adoption has been learning alongside our kids about the places, traditions, foods, holidays, and histories that are part of their stories.

Have we gotten things wrong sometimes? Absolutely. We've mispronounced words, attempted recipes that should probably never be attempted again, and learned plenty through trial and error.

But our kids don't need us to be cultural experts. They need us to be curious, willing, and engaged.

Maintaining connections to a child's culture of origin isn't about getting everything perfect—it's about showing our children that every part of who they are matters. It's about celebrating, learning, asking questions, and occasionally laughing at ourselves along the way.

The goal isn't perfection. It's connection. And honestly, it's been a lot of fun.

https://gladney.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoption/