I love this picture of Charlie from the Christmas season of last year. As I mentioned in my post yesterday that one of the perks to having our Christmas visit after Christmas was getting more holiday photos. This was one of the holiday photos from last year that I received in a Christmas collage frame.

As you can see he is decorating their very tall tree. He is reaching on his tippie toes to get the ornament in just the right spot. He loves Christmas and loves decorating and showing off... more

This year, I will not be seeing Charlie until after Christmas. Until last year I had always seen him before Christmas so I was a little saddened that plans did not work out to see him before Christmas. But I realized that when I saw him after Christmas I got MORE pictures of him on Christmas Day, opening presents, and what not, so I quickly saw the upside to that.

So once again our visit will be after Christmas. I’m ok with that this year. But I had some things I really wanted to give the kids before Christmas. Other birthmoms in long distance relationships... more

The final countdown for Christmas is on! Less than a week! Can you believe it?? Oh my goodness, I can’t! I’m not ready yet!

I still have items left to bake, presents left to buy, cards to write, packages to mail, not to mention that NOT ONE SINGLE PRESENT IS WRAPPED YET!! Yikes, yikes, triple dog yikes!

Ok, yes Coley is freaking just a tad! But lots of lists, time managed well (something I am not good at) and the encouragement of family and friends WILL help me meet the impending deadline.

I’ll still be bringing you posts but I have also... more

I was reading the current issues of Women’s World Magazine tonight and came across some more gift basket ideas. You all know how I love to be creative with my gifts and make themed gift baskets! There were some great ideas that I’d never thought about before so I thought I’d share them with my dear readers. You could alter these ideas a bit to meet your specific budget and gift giving needs. These would make great gifts for anyone in the adoption triad as well and they will know you thought about them as you picked out each individual item for their special... more

I love to decorate for the holidays and have even enjoyed coming up with some holiday themed posts for my blogs. Christmas has become my favorite holiday. I don’t mind the shopping and I like coming up with creative and home made gifts for people. I like baking yummy cookies and foods to share with family friends. It may appear that all is well with me during the holidays.

But, Christmas isn’t always easy….

Five years ago, I realized that Christmas would never be exactly the same again. Never again would I only have one child to buy for or think... more

Ok, you are probably thinking, “Coley’s lost her mind again! Reindeer dust equals love?!? No way!”

Let me explain....

My son, Noah, is obsessed with reindeer. Noah has special needs and literally only began to truly enjoy Christmas about two years ago. For the past two Christmas seasons, he has been obsessed with reindeer. He likes the reindeer better than Santa. I think he thinks the reindeer really bring the toys, not Santa.

Reindeer Dust is this magical potion that consists of oatmeal and glitter (aka pretty sugars and sprinkles like... more

Here’s a great adoption related gift idea that would be great for just about anyone!

The 2007 Touched by Adoption Calendar by Patrick McMahon is a beautiful calendar featuring gorgeous photos taken by Patrick McMahon. Each month hosts a different photograph and a quote related to adoption. A portion of proceeds from the sale of each calendar is donated to adoption education and reform organizations. So not only are you (or whomever you choose to give it to) receiving a beautiful calendar,... more

Continuing from yesterday’s series on Gift Ideas for your Birthchild.

If you are crafty, there are some great and meaningful gifts you can create for your child. I think home made gifts are extra special since you have to take extra the time to create the gift. Below are some crafty gift ideas. If you have any questions, just email me or comment and I can get you more information on whatever idea you are interested in.

A treasure box or a trinket box: You... more

Recently, a few birthmoms have asked me for gift ideas for Christmas gifts for their birth children since the holidays are very quickly approaching! As I said in the series I just finished on gift ideas for birthmothers from their children or their children’s adoptive parents, don’t feel like you need to run out and by the most expensive, fancy gift you can possibly find for a child your child’s age. Even with children, it’s still the thought behind the gift that counts, although they may not realize it till they are older.

I tend to give Charlie a few small... more

I just finished my series on gifts appropriate for birthmoms from their birthchild or their child’s adoptive parents and am ready to begin talking about gifts that birthmoms can give their child and ways to cope during the stress and emotions of the holidays. To kick of this series, I must share a gift that I give Charlie each year that has now become a tradition.

Each Christmas I give Charlie a few small gifts, one of them being a Christmas ornament. Giving... more