Over the weekend, I was at home alone for a bit. All was quiet and I was in a pretty mellow mood, just kind of working on some things but nothing too intent. I had the TV on for background noise as I so often do. This time it was tuned to CMT or Country Music Television if you are unfamiliar with the acronym. A video was on but I wasn’t really paying attention to the song but the chorus caught my ear and I stopped what I was doing for a moment to pay closer attention. Although the song Rocks... more

I was working last night on the computer and didn’t feel like listening to the Television so I let the computer randomly play songs from our music library. Starts with Goodbye by Carrie Underwood came on. I’m sure I have probably heard this song before as I’ve listened to the CD multiple times, but it never struck me the way it did until today.

The song is actually about moving on and getting over an ex-boyfriend or husband, but as I listened to the lyrics, especially the chorus, I couldn’t... more

I’ve mentioned before how much I love music. I’ve been a music lover for as long as I can remember. I sang in choirs, travelled with choirs, and was pursuing a degree in music when I got pregnant with Noah. Although I no longer sing for anyone other than Noah, I still love music. Music and lyrics can cheer me up, make me feel less alone, or remind me of a particular moment in my life.

Over a year ago, I previously shared a list of songs with you that I enjoy. In this post, I’m updating, adding... more

I’ve told you before about my love of music. It seems that sometimes I can hear a song that has absolutely nothing to do with adoption or the love between a mother and a child but yet, it reminds me of Charlie or my love for him. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever heard a song that had absolutely nothing to do with adoption but it just something in that song touched you and reminded you of your child?

That happened recently when I was listening to the radio while driving home with... more

At the end of yesterday’s post, Forgiving Yourself, I asked readers to share what had helped them in the process of forgiving themselves. One reader, Susan in Maine, shared what has helped her in learning to forgive herself. One thing she mentioned was The Serenity Prayer. I found myself nodding reading Susan’s comment, as The Serenity Prayer, is something I have found myself repeating to myself a lot over the past six years I have become a birthmother, especially during the tough times. In fact, I have... more

Many people view the New Year as a clean slate, an opportunity to put the past behind them and start a new. It sounds good to me! I like the idea that today is day one in the unwritten chapter of 2008 of my life.

Talking about it in that perspective, that it is day one in the unwritten chapter of 2008 reminds me of one of my favorite songs, Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. The lyrics in the song talk about starting over and how the future is unwritten.

Staring... more

In conjunction with his song, "Everything to Me" Mark Shultz is holding a contest and is calling for submissions of adoption stories.

In case you may not be familiar with Mark Shultz, let me explain. He is a Christian singer and song writer who is quite popular nowadays. His songs have a message that resonates with people.

Mark himself is adopted and had never given a whole lot of thought to his adoption story or his birthmother. He himself believed the popular misconception that his birthmother just “gave him away.” Talking with a woman after singing at a pro life benefit... more

Early in the morning I am off to the local library to present a reading of author Sherrie Eldridge’s new adoption book, “Forever Fingerprints” in honor of National Adoption Day. Normally our family would simply spend the day together, but the opportunity to share this great book with others in the community was to good to pass up.

I am very excited about how EMK press, the books publisher, has also donated a copy to the library, as well as many other libraries, churches,... more

I want this back.

Ok, not this exactly (this is Cierra’s last year preschool version of the same thing) but I want the one that Carson made that looks just like this back. I am not going to ask though, so I am not going to get it. I guess I will just have to hope that it is kept, and treasured, and never makes it with in twenty feet of the nearest trash can. I am pretty sure it will be ok, just not here with me anymore.

The picture is of the little apple tree that all the preschoolers at our church school make when they are in the three... more

One morning this past week, I was watching/listening to the Today Show while checking email, reading blogs, etc as I do every weekday early morning. On that particular day Ann Curry, one of the Today Show anchors was interviewing one of the other anchors, Hoda Kotb. Hoda was disusing her battle with breast cancer. As I listened to her describe what she has been through, I found it very inspiring and things she said are things that I could apply to my own life.

First of all, let... more