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/.

Tanten & Tobias

Ages: 10-12

Tanten (on right)

""My name is Tanten. I like to bowl, play games on the computer and ride my bike.

I would like nice, caring and supportive parents. I'd like them to go to my games and be interested in me. One of the things I would like to do with a family would be if they have horses, we could go riding together. If they don't have horses, that would be OK. We could go riding at a stable maybe. I'd like to go fishing, hiking, bike riding and do lots of things in the woods with my family.

Someday when I have kids I'll have rules, like no lying and no stealing. Some of the things they can do when their homework is done is play games like Xbox or go see their friends as long as they ask. When they are outside I would tell them to stay in range of an adult so they'll be safe. I'll tell them not to fight. I know one girl who says when she argues with her sister they have to sit really close together on a bench and stare at each other. They usually end up laughing.

What I like about Tobias is he is usually playful and funny. We don't play together because we have our own friends, but we usually get along. Sometimes we argue."

Tobias (on left)

"My name is Tobias. The one thing you should know about me is that I love bubble gum. I like to chew it all day, like for 12 hours! I never get tired, either.

I like to do art things at home and at school. I like to draw, especially. At home I play the computer—games like Robot Attack. I got into the high scores on four levels. I like to play outside with my friends, like riding bikes and playing Xbox.

When I have a family I would like to play games with them and go camping and fishing and stuff. And someday I would like to have a cat. When I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, our cat checks up on me and wants me to stay up with him. He doesn't like anyone, but he likes me.

The rules that make me feel safe are only going out with someone, sort of like a buddy system, helping if someone gets hurt, talking things out when we disagree."

According to Tanten and Tobias' caseworker, these bonded brothers are sure they don't want to compete for attention with younger children. They would like to be the only children in a family or to have much older brothers and sisters who could help them and be good role models. The boys would especially benefit from either an emotionally engaged father or a calm male mentor who will take an interest in them and spend quality time with them. They need folks who will honor their African-American heritage and help them learn more about it, too. As their adoptive family boosts their confidence through the outdoor activities they love, Tanten and Tobias will find the support that's been missing during much of their lives.

Portraits by Pomerelle Portrait Design Studios

Tanten and Tobias are available for adoption through the State of Oregon. For contact information, please contact the Idaho CareLine at 1-800-926-2588.

Wednesday's Child Archives...