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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 23, 2007 - 7 Hope has arrived at the Oakville YMCA A sweet bundle of a baby named Hope joined the family of Astrid and Steve Turner in September and immediately stole the hearts of Steve's colleagues at the YMCA of Oakville. Steve is the Y's youth coordinator. Hope, who was born in China on Oct. 22, 2006, was adopted by the Tu r n e r s after an arduous process that began back in 2004. "When we decided to adopt a baby, we learned that there's only one child under three years of age available for adoption each year in Halton," Astrid explains. A year later, they embarked on the foreign-adoption journey, which culminated in the addition of their beautiful daughter to their family, making the mountains of paperwork, interviews, background checks, travel to Asia, and yet more paperwork, all worthwhile. "The day we met Hope, we were at the adoption office waiting with all the other parents for our babies," Astrid recalls. "I was just shaking when they finally brought her to us." When the proud new parents ventured outside their hotel with Hope nestled in a sling on Steve's chest, curious passersby stopped them every few meters. "We loved being in China, And Patty Mills, Membership Services Co-ordinator, says, "We all feel that Hope has been blessed and so have Steve and Astrid. Here at the Y, we take a special interest in children and in the families of staff, and we're having fun watching Hope grow and develop." "It's been an amazing journey," says Steve. "We feel very fortunate to have Hope in our lives." Welcome to Oakville and to the YMCA of Oakville family, Hope. -- Submitted by the Oakville YMCA LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HOPE'S HERE: Oakville YMCA Youth Co-ordinator Steve Turner with his wife, Astrid, their newly-adopted baby, Hope, from China, and their dog Nero. but we were very happy to get back home," Astrid says. "Hope bonded very quickly with us." Steve was able to stay home for two weeks and Astrid is on maternity leave for nine months from her job as a business analyst. Hope is a bright and active child who will soon be learning English and German, Astrid's native tongue. She enjoys the Wiggles and Giggles program at the Y and feels right at home with the staff, who dote on her when she visits. Andrea Bibby, Manager of Membership Services at the Y, says, "We're so happy for Steve and Astrid and we all feel that Hope is a part of the Oakville Y family, too. Diane Hemington, Supervisor of Marketing & Communications at the Y, adds, "It's great to see someone like Steve, who does so much for kids every day in his job, now have this baby in his life." Come see our new & exciting fireplace designs now available for the upcoming season 905.569.2404 www.oakvillebeaver.com Snuggle Up gg p For The Holidays SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2008 , 11:00am to 3:00pm International Centre Aviation Ballroom, 6900 Airport Road Y ou won't want to miss this annual event! Speak one on one with Exhibitors showcasing dozens of Residential and Day Summer Camps for your child. Explore opportunities in Arts & Crafts, Riding, Swimming, T ennis, Golf, Gymnastics & more. For more information please call 905-815-0017 ext 5591 or toll free 1-800-265-3673 "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905.337.2066