Mtn Kaiyin Story0309

March 16 - 31, 2009

Benefit Concert Will Help Bring Kaiyin Home by Nancy W. Brown

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Real Estate Today

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Calendar of Events

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Sudoku

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Classifieds

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Recipe

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Interior Design

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Help! I’m Shrinkin’ Dr. Steve Olivas

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Hickman Happenings

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Run on Jane

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BOOST Your Life

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Kar Kare Tips

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Bright Spots with Sawrie Becker

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Green 101

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Councilman’s Corner Charlie Tygard

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Take Your Best Shot Kaye Ivanoff, RN

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Mommy Talk

By Randy Weiler

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Mortgage Matters

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COUPONS !!!

This becomes one wacky time of year for sports fans. There’s March Madness for high school and college

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“Kaiyin” is the African word for “long-awaited child.” It’s the name already given to the infant daughter that will soon be coming home with Elmira and Steve Burke of Franklin. They haven’t met their little girl yet, but they’ve been waiting on her for eight long years. That was five years into their 13-year marriage, when they planned to start their family. After years of infertility treatments, the couple decided to start looking into adoption as an alternative. They couple researched domestic adoption and decided it was too risky, emotionally and financially, since it’s not unusual for these to fall through once the baby is born. Then they looked at international adoption, focusing on China, Russia and Africa, specifically Liberia and Ethiopia. Steve was drawn first to China, while Elmira felt led to Ethiopia. Although both are Caucasian, the couple eventually decided on an Ethiopian adoption. The process takes a

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Georgia Gym Dogs look to dominate March 21 SEC gymnastics meet at Sommet Center

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Benefit Concert Will Help Bring Kaiyin Home Continued from page 1

couple of years for China, but only nine to 11 months for the African country. “And there’s just such a huge need in Ethiopia,” Elmira explains. “The majority of adopting couples want a baby that looks like them, but that really wasn’t an issue for us.” They are now seven months into the wait for a child of their own, and will spend close to $30,000 to get her home. The couple decided it would be better to hold some fundraisers than go into debt with a new baby to care for, and found their friends and co-workers more than willing to help. A benefit concert and silent auction is scheduled for April 19 at Mercy Lounge in Nashville, featuring a long list of musical talent. Performers include Doug Johnson, Sarah Darling, Chad Harris, JD Smith and many more. All money raised will be used to cover the Burke’s adoption expenses, as well as other area families who are also in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. All the couples are using the Franklin branch of an adoption agency called America World Adoption Agency. Having the local connection was important to the Burkes, and has given them the opportunity to meet and talk with others who have already completed international adoptions. “We applied in the fall of 2008 and immediately got involved in the adoption community,” Elmira says. “Through the agency we met other families who’ve already adopted from Ethiopia and who are waiting, like us. The families get together on a regular basis and grill out, the parents talk and the kids all play together. “We’re now part of a community who understands the adoption process — but more importantly, our daughter will have the support of other children like her. They’ll already know the challenges of having parents who look different, of being from a different country, and everything else adoption brings.” The Burkes know they will have a

daughter because couples are allowed to request the sex and age of their child. “We wanted an infant girl less than 12 months old,” Elmira says. “At first I wanted a little boy, but Steve wanted a girl. It really

Run On Jane

Advice: Texting Dear Jane, I was in line at the grocery store and as the woman in front of me was checking out with the cashier, she apparently received an email or text and started to reply…while still maintaining a conversation with the cashier. I thought this was rude! Am I wrong? Dave, Technologically challenged in Franklin Dear Dave, This is getting worse each day! Text messaging has taken over the world! Instant messaging on the phone, who knew 10 years ago this would ever happen? I am guilty of doing it so I am a bit of a hypocrite with this but I do know boundaries that should be adhered to! There needs to be a time and a place to do it. The check out line is not the place. You’re correct in feeling that it was rude of the woman. Texting is a conversation that should happen at certain times and it isn’t appropriate while conversing with someone else. It shouldn’t be done while driving (at least there may be changes on this front soon) or while

didn’t make that much difference to me, and now I’m glad we decided on a girl. I look forward to shopping with her, having lunch together and doing the same things I enjoy with my mother and sister.” Just like all expectant parents, the Burkes researched names for their baby girl and decided they wanted to give her an African name to honor her heritage. When they found “Kaiyin” means “long-awaited child,” they knew instantly that was the name they had to choose. There are mountains of paperwork to be completed in an international adoption, and approval must be obtained from both the United States government and the government of the country of adoption. For the Burkes, it will end with a trip to Ethiopia. They will meet their new daughter, and baby Kaiyin will stay with them in a hotel for a week before they fly home as a family. To help bring Kaiyin and others home to Middle Tennessee, while enjoying an evening of musical entertainment, attend the benefit concert and silent auction at Mercy Lounge on April 19. Called “Show some love to the children of Africa,” the tickets are just $10, or $20 for a ticket and a t-shirt. You may purchase tickets online at www.mercylounge.com, and you can find more information about the Burkes on their blog at www.ourlongawaitedchild. blogspot.com.

talking to someone the old fashioned way, face to face. Here are a few places that you shouldn’t text as a common courtesy to others and common sense, as well! While driving a vehicle Church The movies A restaurant Class During a meeting A bookstore (unless your phone is on vibrate) While speaking to someone The restroom (ewww) Texting is best done to handle quick replies that do not require more than a brief direction, explanation, a quick note or update. Kids of course will text rather than actually making a call and speaking therefore the rules are a bit more lenient with them. As adults, we must act responsibly and set an example! Before you hit the send button on your phone, just try to think if it would be best to wait until you are alone to continue the conversation! If you have any questions for Jane, please send your question to [email protected]!