In my last two posts I have written about family and adoption, more specifically how some of our family members may be hesitant in participating in your open adoption.

My parents were a little hesitant about open adoption. When I told them of my pregnancy, my Mom asked if I would receive pictures of Charlie over the years and with tears in her eyes, she asked if I would show them to her. I of course said... more

Two years ago today our baby, Darcy, became an angel. It’s a hard day filled with immense grief.

Sometimes people compare relinquishing a child to adoption to the death of a child. Having experienced both, I see the similarities and the differences. If nothing else, dealing with the grief of becoming a birthmother has helped me deal with the grief in loosing Darcy. It’s odd but becoming a birthmother in some ways prepared me for this unforeseen loss.

I had expected Charlie’s first birthday to be difficult but I was naïve in thinking that his... more

In case you don’t know what Don Pablo’s is or you are not lucky enough to have one in your area, let me enlighten you.

Don Pablo’s is a “Tex-Mex” restaurant well known for its blazing purple neon sign, killer margaritas, and real enchiladas. I worked at the local Don Pablo’s before, during, and after my pregnancy with Charlie.

As cheesy as it may sound, Don Pablo’s will always hold a special place in my heart. Don Pablo’s is where I met Charlie’s adoptive parents, S and A.

S and A were regular customers often coming in to each lunch on their... more

As a member of the adoption triad, we all need support and others who have experienced or are experiencing the same things we are experiencing. Personally speaking, my family and friends try very hard to be supportive but no one truly gets it as a birthmom does.

I realized this just days after coming home from the hospital after giving birth to and relinquishing Charlie. My friends and family tried so hard to support me but they just didn’t truly understand the feelings I was experiencing.

Sleepless, alone, and desperate one night in those... more

Yesterday and today have been crazy busy at my house with preparations for the Birthmother’s Day Event we host that is being held in Charlotte, North Carolina this year. My computer crashed last week so that has made things extra difficult as I had to redo a lot of files.

I have about a million things on my to do list for today before I head down to Charlotte in the morning and unfortunately I know I will not find the time to blog again until next week. I look forward to sharing details of our event with you all next week though!

But, I just wanted to take a moment to wish each of you a peaceful Mother’s Day weekend. I hope each of is able to do something special for yourself... more

I apologize for my recent absence here from the blogs. My twelve year old nephew was killed in a tragic accident late Friday night/Saturday morning and I have been dealing with family stuff and just have not had the energy to write.

I’m ready to write again. I’ve missed blogging but just haven’t had the mental energy to do it this past week. I’m ready to have a little bit of normalcy back in my life!

I have some good ideas to write about so stay tuned!.

This picture was taken on Charlie’s first birthday, September 20, 2002. His party was the following day, September 21. I thought that I would be ok not seeing Charlie on his actual birthday, but I woke up feeling very sad and called A. a few times through out the day.

She had previously suggested that we meet for dinner on that day, but I had previously said no, not sure how I would feel on his actual birthday. To make a long story short, I needed to see him that day. I needed to be with Charlie and his family, so we did end up meeting for dinner.... more

This picture was taken at Noah’s ninth birthday party. We had his birthday party at one of those fun parks that has bumper boats, go carts, miniature golf, arcade games, etc... It was a lot of fun for the kids. (And the adults too!)

It was a beautiful fall day and pretty warm for the end of October so (at Charlie’s insistence) we all decided to take a ride on the bumper boats. Charlie asked my Mom if she would ride with him. My Mom hardly ever rides things like bumper boats or roller coasters so I was prepared for her to say no, but she... more

My son Noah (the one I parent, in case you are a newcomer) loves space. He loves astronauts, space shuttles, rockets, stars, planets. Basically, just about anything that has to do with space. He wants to take a vacation to the moon! He wants to take a doggie with him to the moon! He even asked for a REAL space shuttle with keys for Christmas! I don’t know how long his space obsession will last, if it will continue into his adult hood or not, but we view it as a good thing and certainly encourage it by buying him space books, toy space shuttles, t shirts with... more

I have been looking for this picture for almost a month now! I was so excited to finally find it in the bottom of my Charlie's picture box. Doesn’t my husband look so adorable in his scrubs?

I love this picture because of the story that goes behind it. Charlie was born via emergency c-section four weeks early due to preeclampsia. The doctors had the Neonatal Intensive Care team waiting outside the operating room because they thought Charlie would need to be whisked away to the NICU since he was... more