Yesterday I could not post, I had my own little version of ER going on here..

My son decided to tumble down our basement stairs and booger his head up rather nicely. There was a huge amount of blood all over, and the little guy earned himself five stitches (at least they did not have to shave off any of his beautiful curls.)

Does anyone else out there believe 25 minutes waiting for an ambulance to arrive, to assist a toddler with a profusely bleeding head injury, is just way too long? I certainly did! After... more

Now that most families have settled back down into the daily routine of school, and other related activities, the concept of discussing adoption issues with your child’s teachers and classmates must be surfacing again as well. While many parents fully intend to address adoption with their child’s classmates, sometimes it’s knowing where to begin that is most difficult.

Those parent who are in need, are in luck! The recent issue of Adoptive Families Magazine (September/October) is offering up some great fall tips... more

School has been back in session for a few weeks here now, and the difference can surely be appreciated around my house. There are actually days when I can begin a coherent thought, and follow it through to the end now!

I admit that I had some troubling doubts about how well my five year old, my RAD-ish (a term I borrow from one of Nancy Spoolstra’s wonderful readers), would handle the intensity of a long, anxiety filled day. I am very pleased to say that she is actually doing pretty well. She really enjoys and looks... more

In a recent phone conversation with A (Charlie’s adoptive mom), she told me that Charlie has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD.

About a year ago, she mentioned the possibility but never said anymore about it and frankly, I just forgot to ask because I thought if he did have it that she would certainly let me know as soon as it was confirmed. It wasn’t a surprising possibility to her as Charlie is super hyper, talks a mile a minute, and has a short attention span.

So, last week she confirmed that he does... 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

One of the first things that prompted me to think about open adoption, was an intense feeling of respect and compassion for the birthparents of my future children. I wanted to understand what their situation was, and be open to learning about their love for the children I might be fortunate enough to welcome as my own.

Being a birthfamily member myself, an aunt to several children placed in closed adoptions, I also had an understanding of what it felt like to be set aside and discounted to some extent. I did not want to impose that feeling on another person unfairly.... more

I was talking to Charlie on the phone last week asking him about school and what not when he asked me if I wanted to go with his class on a field trip later in September. His Mom always goes as a chaperone and he said I could come with her.

I was a little unsure of what to say. I didn’t know if this was an idea that just popped out of his mouth as he said it or if it was something he had discussed with A. I just said the catch all grown up phrase that you say when you are not sure of something; “We’ll see, Charlie.”

A few minutes later, Charlie was off to play with his dinosaurs... more

The tooth fairy came to my home the other night leaving a crisp bill for two pearly teeth that my ten year old had proudly extracted herself. Yes my girl is TEN, almost eleven, and she still has an innocent faith in things like the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, and I suppose at this point, even in ME her mom.

No, I understand that I am not an imagined, childhood notion. I am a real mom. Sometimes though, when I see my children joyfully observe the customs of youth, I secretly dread the day the truth will bring an end to all that excitement. I also think about how the... more

Today I was one overwhelmed momma!

My son went to his first day of preschool today, and I found myself walking around in a daze, alone, and wondering what happened to my baby boy. How could it even be possible that this morning I walked out of school, and all three of my children were now officially students? I might have believed that I was well prepared, but frankly it hit me like a freight train.

Of course none of my children ever had a moment of hesitation when that first day of school came. They did not cling... more

Keeping in with my back to school, theme this Love Thursday, I decided to drag out some old photos of the first of day kindergarten!

Do you remember your first day of kindergarten? I don’t! But for most children, it’s the start of a long school career. It’s an exciting (and sometimes scary) day full of new things and new beginnings. Although I don’t remember my own, I bet my mom does. I do remember Noah and Charlie’s though!

If you have been reading this blog very long, then you probably already know who those three kiddos in the... more