News Article: "Where West Meets East". . .

As you can see from reading this article, things don't always translate directly. . . 

Where West meets East:  American families with children adopted from China English.news.cn   2011-02-13 12:38:09 FeedbackPrintRSS by Betty L. Martin HOUSTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Some 150 smiling children in traditional festival  costumes of China, their native country, and their proud, adoptive Texas parents  have celebrated Chinese New Year in the Chinese Consulate General in Houston. At a recent multicultural family reception, Chinese Consul General Gao Yanping  offered traditional Chinese food and dance, and also provided lessons in Chinese  language, dumpling-wrapping and calligraphy, and presents for children Gao  called "the hope of the world of the future." "You are the most precious gifts to your families and deserve attention and care,"  Gao told the boys and girls, expressing her sincere appreciation to the American  parents who give love and care to the adopted Chinese children. Latest statistics show that since 1993, about 70,000 Chinese children have been  adopted in the United States, and nearly 10,000 in the State of Texas. Gao  expressed her "profound gratitude" to the parents who devote their love and care  to the children, saying the adoptions are part of the committed partnership of  mutual benefit and respect between the two countries. "The Chinese people and American people have every reason to be true friends from generation to generation," she said. "And you, our dear boys and girls,  are part of this great mission." Christie Billings, assistant general counsel at an energy company, and her husband  Edward Billings, an internet marketer, adopted their four Chinese children when each of them were two-year old. The oldest child, Liliana, 10, years old; Conrad, six;  and Oliver, three. "Chinese culture is a spirit of love bestowed on children," Christie said. The Billings said they believe it is important for their children to be grounded in their  native culture, so the children are tutored in Chinese language for two hours each week. Their daughters are also learning traditional Chinese dance. "China is a significant part of their lives, so it's important for them to have multicultural  activities," Christie said. Latest findings by National Council for Adoption say that most of the adopted children fared  well on measures of physical health, social and emotional well-being, cognitive  development, and educational achievement. Most adopted children reside in enriching  home environments, and more than eight out of ten adoptive parents report having a  "very warm and close" relationship with their child. Chase Patton, a truck loader, and his probation-officer wife Sherill had parented  a six-year-old son when they  chose to adopt Bria at the age of ten months. As the  paperwork was being completed in China, Sherill discovered she was pregnant. "We wanted a daughter, too, so there was no reason to stop the adoption," Chase said. "We're a multicultural family. The nanny was Muslim and we're Jewish. In our family,  we learn to be respectful of other religions and other cultures."  Chase said that with Bria, they celebrate all Chinese holidays as well as American festivities. "This year, in honor of the Year of the Rabbit, we got her a rabbit as a pet," Chase said.  "She named it Kailan, like the Asian TV character." For the vast majority of the adopted children living with two parents, their parent's  relationship quality is high, according to a survey released in March 2010 by  National Council for Adoption. Sheri and Rick Hain, a physician assistant and airline industry worker, respectively adopted Faith, now age four, when she was six months old. They also adopted their son, Skylar, four years old, on August 30. "Every year, we celebrate the Chinese Autumn Festival and then Thanksgiving. We come to  the Chinese New Year and celebrate (Western) New Year's Day. We do the Chinese festivals,  plus the American holidays," Rick said. "They benefit from celebrating both cultures.  They really make out." Unhappiness with the American open adoption system, which can end with the return of the  child to his or her natural parent, brought writer and attorney Sherry Messner and her  automotive-industry husband Joe to China to adopt Katrina, seven years old, and grace, four years old. "We felt China offered the best adoption system. They let adopting parents know what to expect and  no one is trying to revoke the adoption," Sherry said. Houston police officers Elizabeth Follis and Michael Skillern say they are ready to let their adopted  daughter Olivia, six years old, attend Chinese language or traditional dance school anytime. "She can go if she wants to," Elizabeth said. "But so far, she has no interest.  She's pretty much an all-American girl." Asked about her favorite part of living in the United States, Olivia smiled and said, "Disney World." Editor: Bi Mingxin