It's five o'clock in the morning, and our house is quiet and still. As I sit folding laundry, I lovingly glace up at the portrait of our three beautiful daughters hanging on the wall. As I look at it, I have a difficult time remembering what our lives were like before them.The journey to become the fortunate parents of these three children began in 1998 when we contacted Children's Hope International. We quickly began the process to become the parents of Grace Meiying Callesen (now 7). We brought Grace home in 1999. We soon realized our family was not yet complete, and we once again began the adoption process.
In 2001 we traveled to China to bring our second daughter Sophia Mei Di home (now 5 years old).
Our lives were full and happy but somehow we always had the feeling someone was missing from our family. CHI once again assisted us in bringing our youngest daughter Ava Lian Margaret home in 2004 (Ava is now 3.).
International adoption is a very complex process. CHI has the ability to take this very complex process and make it virtually seamless. From the very beginning, working with Marianne Adams, our adoption coordinator, we felt a sense of confidence and ease. We had frequent contact and updates regarding the process of our adoption. Once in China we were met by employees of the CHI branch in China. They accompanied us the entire trip. We felt secure and informed. The staff was extremely knowledgeable regarding the adoption process. We were supported in every way imaginable. When we left China we felt we were leaving friends!
We are always perplexed when people approach us and tell us how lucky our children are. Our response is always the same, "We are the lucky ones!"
Our children are thriving. They are all incredible little beings. They are inquisitive, intelligent and beautiful...but most of all they are loved.
--Mark and Heidi Callesen, Arizona
