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/.

Labria & Derek

Age: 10-14

Meet Labria and Derek who share many things: a love of sports and being outdoors, a love of singing, a love of laughter, shared religious faith, and a love for each other. Together they have faced disappointments and hard times with courage. They've protected each other emotionally with their humor. They want a family that shares that sense of fun and is also able to work through challenges with patience.

Labria

Hi, I'm Labria, but I like to be called Bria. The thing that I love most about my brother is he acts weird with me. Like when we watch Mama Mia, he actually dances and sings with me.

I'm a very big sports fan. I play on a traveling softball team. I love to sing. I like doing Soul or whatever's on the radio and I also like singing in the choir at church.

I love Geography and English and Ceramics and Home Economics. Math isn't my favorite-I struggle with that, but I do OK.

I love to cook. I make brownies and Chinese food and rice, Orange Julius drink, and other things. Someday I might like to go to culinary school. Definitely, I want to go to college. I want to be a pro ball player and maybe play in college. I also love children and might like to work in child care.

I would like a family that has fun together. Mostly I want a family that is able to talk to each other; also to understand where we're coming from. Patience and love and comforting are things we really need. Our foster family has been so patient and has helped us in that way. We get stressed and worry a lot and having someone to be there and comfort us is really, really great. It's important that a family is able to work together and to go through hard things together. I would love a family that enjoys laughter. Laughing is probably the second thing I enjoy most, other than eating!

Derek and I would like to live in a family that is LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). We love to participate at church. Our foster parents respect that we like to go to church and they go with us, but they don't force us to go. We want a family that respects our faith, but doesn't force religion on us. It has to be our choice.

Derek

My favorite thing about my sister is that when I was little, she would always take care of me and that's probably one of the reasons I'm here.

I like to go to church. I love Primary; singing and playing games. I like a little bit of Sacrament Meeting, but not much because all they do is talk!

I love to play soccer and I would like to play football. Maybe I will be a receiver. I just started soccer on Saturday. I might like to play goalie or in the middle. I want parents that come to my games and will practice with me. I want a family that loves the outdoors like me. I'm always there-even in the winter. I love PE at school…which is outside!

I might like to be a cowboy or a construction site worker someday. After high school, I would like to go to college at Utah State.

There are a few places I would like to see again-Washington and New York. I've been to both of those places. And I would like to go to Africa to see all the animals and people, because that's where our ancestors are from.

Bria and Derek have been in a stable, supportive foster family since they entered care in August of 2010. They would like a traditional family with a mom and a dad and are open to sharing attention with other children or to being the only children in the family. Their adventurous side shows when asked if they want to be the oldest or youngest in the family. Bria: "I might like to be the youngest because I've always been the oldest." Derek: "I might like to be the oldest because I've always been the youngest."

According to their caseworker, these resilient children are well-liked at church and at school. They may argue like normal siblings, but they have a close bond that is immediately evident, especially in a new situation. They are sensitive to the needs of others as well as watching out for each other.

No matter what size family welcomes Derek and Bria into their hearts, these outgoing children are sure to bless them with their laughter, loyalty, love…and possibly an enthusiastic rendition of Mama Mia!

Portrait by Expressions by Aimee Photography

To find out more about Labria & Derek, adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine (Please include your zip code and city.) or call 1-800-926-2588. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30494.

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