If anyone ever asks me about the type of work that I do blogging here, I usually describe it as having to do with adoption, and educational in nature. Of course I am hoping to educate others, but I am also involved in my own seemingly endless learning process at the same time. With that in mind you would think that things in my own household are fairly well understood concerning adoption issues right? Well apparently, as I found out today, you would be VERY wrong!

This morning I almost choked on my breakfast, when I over heard a conversation my... more

A (Charlie's adoptive Mom) relayed a story to me the other day that has me amazed and very proud at the amount of compassion my little Charlie has for other people at almost six years old.

Some friends of A’s were adopting and were matched with an expectant mother. It’s a very long story as to why, but the friends called A and asked her to come up to the hospital because of some problems they were having with the social worker. A said ok but would have Charlie with her since he only had a half day of school that day. Driving to the hospital she tried to explain a little bit of what... more

After reading another of Jenna’s great posts, I admit this one had me really thinking. Honestly this young woman has such an exceptional way with words! I really feel she won’t be at a loss for those words when her daughter needs to hear from her heart, but I could see what she was trying to express.

I have no doubt that birthparents fear that day, the day when their old enough child is able to verbalize the question that perhaps they fear the most. WHY?... more

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” -Eda J. Le Shan

There is and always will be nothing more wonderful and pure as a new, fresh little person entering the world. Yesterday my son’s little half brother, who lives with his mom in another state, was two weeks old! While we have yet to met the little fellow in person, but my son is so excited to look in on the many pictures we have been getting in emails about him. It is really sweet to see how excited Carson gets! I... more

Today I did something I found I should be doing a lot more of. My smaller children had a question and I followed it through with them to find the real life answer right in the moment it was in the fore front of their little minds.. It was an awesome experience helping them learn a lesson in responsibility, and in the process I learned my own lesson about how I can be doing more things like this as a mom to teach them.

When my three year old son and I arrived to pick his four year old sister up from preschool today we noticed a beautiful chocolate... more

Today is my precious Danika’s big 10th birthday! It is hard to believe that our family has shared a whole decade of watching her grow in grace and beauty. Honestly where does the time go?

Today, although her actual birthday, was also our preparation day for the family party tomorrow. We worked around the house getting ready and she was so excited to get several calls from friends, family, and birthfamily through out the day. When her little brother and sister... more

While talking to our kids about their adoption experience can be a time to connect and discover how their little minds are processing things, there can also be some tough stuff in adoption we will need to explain as well.

Explaining some difficult things that perhaps led up to an adoptive placement is one example. Knowing how to speak to your child about situations that were at play in their birthparent’s life that precipitated an adoption is hard and needs to be addressed with care for how the explanations will effect the child’s self esteem.... more

My almost ten year old just returned from Girl Scout camp today. She had a great time! I went to pick her up, I just love those times because it seems like we have some of the best conversations about what is going on in her life, and often adoption is part of that conversation. Today was just such a time and we talked at length about adoption and her feelings about being an adopted person. Then suddenly she had a light bulb moment, she asked if she could share some information with adoptive parents about being adopted and I thought that was... more

Today was a good day at our house. My four year old Cierra had a very relaxed day and that is something we do not get to see too often. We went to church, out to lunch, and home to just hang out. No big episodes, nothing I would not consider normal or ordinary for the age. I cannot tell you how happy that makes me, because quite honestly the day in day out screaming and defiance would wear even a saint out.

We have not been going to her RAD therapy lately, partly because we are trying to locate someone closer... more

Mommy?

Yes honey. . .

You dopted me so that I was going to be taken care of right? So R could not take care of me cause she was getting into trouble but she did not think that I would get into trouble with you right?

Well I think she knew you would be taken care of. . .

So she was scared I would get into trouble with her?

I think she wanted you to be taken care of, I am not sure she thought she would be able to. . .

But... more