Editor's Note: Window on the Clearwater has joined the Wednesday's Child network to help spread the word about children that are waiting for families to give them the loving care that they need. Each Wednesday we will profile a different child. For more information about Wednesday's Child and how you can be involved check the web site at: http://www.idahowednesdayschild.org/.

Tyrel & Mariah

Ages: 8-9

Ty and Mariah are a very bonded sibling set who have been through some serious trauma in their young lives. This has forced them to rely on each other for support and care giving. Their foster mom remarked that they are more like twins than just siblings. They follow each other's leads, and even complete each other's sentences. They will need a family who will allow them to remain bonded and who can guide them in developing appropriate boundaries with each other. They also need a family who will encourage them to explore their own interests and experience life independent of each other at times.

Tyrel

"Hi, Im Tyrel, but I go by Ty. I am in the third grade, and my favorite subject is Math. I also like PE, Health, Music and Library. At recess, I play basketball, football or kickball. I'm excited for Christmas because I want a new snowboard. I've been snowboarding one time but I didn't do very good, so I want to go again. I also like to skateboard and paintball. I've played on a soccer team before and I kind of liked it, but I really want to try football and basketball. I think my best friend would say that I'm a really active guy who likes to go out and play sports."

"Being adopted means you won't be able to go back with your mom and dad anymore. Once you're adopted you get to do all the fun stuff you used to do with your mom and dad. You get a permanent family until you're 18. I don't know how it will be to get a new mom and dad, but I would like an active family that will take me hunting, fishing, camping, and take me out on the 4-wheeler and dirt bikes. I want them to have kids and dogs and to see if I can get a snake."

"I want a brother and another sister. I want me and Mariah to be the youngest because me and Mariah get along with older people. Mariah is fun to play with because she is kind of a tommy boy. I like to take her out on the 4-wheeler. I like to take care of her. She would say I'm a fun brother."

Ty is an active young man with many interests and ambitions. He is reactionary, protective of his sister, and dealing with some deep hurt and loss. Ty has a difficult time staying on task and looses interest quickly. He is learning to react to negative situations in more positive ways. He will need continued support from parents and professionals in learning to manage his emotional reactions and deal with early trauma. He will also need parents who can encourage and support him academically. Both Ty and Mariah struggle in school and receive help through IEPs (Individualized Education Plans).

Mariah

"Hi, my name is Mariah. I am in the second grade. My birthday is really close to Christmas, and it's fun because I get double presents. For my birthday, I want an iPod. For Christmas, I also want an iPod, then I will give one to my brother! I like music and want to play the guitar."

"I don't really like school, but if I had to pick a favorite subject, it would be Reading. I also like Spelling. At recess, I play football or kickball, and I also like to do the monkey bars and play on the jungle gym. I am a tomboy. I like to do mostly boy things and not girl things. I like to ride dirt bikes and want a family that has five thousand of them!"

"I am going to live with a mom and dad. I hope they are funny and have dirt bikes. I also hope they have other kids my age. If I had a sister, she could show me more girl things. My mom would cook with me and show me how. I hope she teaches me how to cook hotdogs, but I could eat those cold! A dad would go dirt bike riding and camping with me. They would also take me to Disneyworld. I want to live in a family with my brother Ty."

Mariah is precocious, witty, friendly, happy-go-lucky and very connected to her brother. She relies on Ty for guidance and security. She is definitely a tomboy. Mariah struggles in school and needs assistance, tutoring, or parents who will provide her with additional help.

Mariah needs help with knowing her boundaries. She likes football, sports, chewing gum (really!), her scooter, and playing with her friends. She is not into Barbies, or girlie things, but has expressed some interest in learning more about girl things. Mariah will also need ongoing therapeutic and academic support.

Both Ty and Mariah are quite outgoing, very active, and can go from silly, excited, and full of energy, to subdued and introspective in a short amount of time. A two-parent home with active, energetic, patient, and calm parents will be best for these children. Both Ty and Mariah want brothers and sisters, but they need to be the youngest in the family, with few other children.

If you think you could parent these connected, active, fun children and provide the love, security, structure and boundaries that they need and desire, please call the Idaho Careline to be connected to their caseworker.

Portraits by Matt Green from Barb Bergeson Studio Gallery

To find out more about Tyrel & Mariah, adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine or call 1-800-926-2588. In Idaho you can dial 2-1-1. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30386.

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