Today is not only Valentine’s Day, but my dear hubby’s birthday. I have written about J before, but today on his birthday, I feel the need to again!

I think birthdays are a time to celebrate the life of the birthday boy or girl, to celebrate who they are, who they will become, and all they have accomplished. J has been one of my biggest supporters in my adoption journey. He has held me when I cried, cheered me on when I accomplished things, pushed me to go further, and listened when I needed to vent. He may not understand all the aspects and emotions of... more

I haven’t been around too much lately. I had big plans for February here in the blogs and around my house and just in general, but it hasn’t been accomplished yet. I love winter but I think it’s getting to me and I don’t live in one of the really, frigid cold places like others!! I’ve also had some trouble with my eyes; sitting at this computer too long really starts to hurt my eyes. I went to the eye doctor today though and am happy to report I will soon have new glasses and be able to see again!

We also had a baby at our house this week! Oh my!... more

Each year teaches us something different and I have learned many life lessons as a result of the events in my personal life in 2006 and some of the life lessons have been re-affirmed and re-taught.

As a result of the deaths of my mother in law and brother in law in a two month time frame, I have learned to take nothing for granted, to live each moment and make it count, and to spend as much time with family and friends as possible. Coinciding... more

Continued from Part 1 of New Years Resolutions……

Two years ago, I set my resolution of making and completing Charlie’s life book. I was very determined to accomplish that goal, not only because I thought it would be beneficial to my self in dealing with my grief, but because it was so important to me for Charlie to have it and begin using it.

I used the steps mentioned in part one.... more

All the wrapping paper is on the floor and Christmas has come and gone in a matter of hours! I always hate the day/days after Christmas – all the anticipation of Christmas and then it’s done. It’s a tad depressing.

I got some nice tangible gifts from my family. I now own lots of silicone bake ware! And it’s PINK – my favorite color. Recently, I have started to love baking and wanted the new silicone bake ware. I can’t wait to try it out. I also received a video camera, some books (Anne Fessler’s "The Girls Who Went Away" being one of them) and clothes of course.... more

Yes, that’s right! Merry Christmas from all of us – no matter if we are separated by miles between adoption situations or separated by earthly boundaries for reasons unbeknownst to our hearts. Today, on Christmas Day, in this spirit we wish all of you a Merry Christmas!

I love this little card I created just for YOU! That’s me, yours truly, dawning my pink (fave color!) sequined Santa Hat, Noah, being the clown he is, Charlie showing off his Dad’s too big tie, and Jason placing some poinsettias at the grave to honor his mother, whom he lost in July of this... more

Today, I just can’t seem to force myself to specifically write about adoption or even to write about the upcoming Christmas holiday. For today, I am just sad, broken hearted and I need to let myself be that way.

For those of you who are reading this, who may be feeling sad, too; today let’s unite.

December 16th, a year ago today, was the due date of my third pregnancy. Earlier in my pregnancy I had lost our baby girl, whom we named Darcy. This day last year was very hard as I was thinking of the loss of my parenting and mothering to this baby;... 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

I’m bailing out from “Operation Thankful” a few days early. Unfortunately my main computer crashed (I’m not thankful for that!) and I had my posts for the last days of November pre-written and saved on the computer. And to be frank, I don’t have the time or energy to write them all over again and would like to use the time and energy I do have to focus on some of the upcoming issues.

I’m on my laptop at the moment.(I am thankful for that!) Hopefully, my main computer will be fixed in a few days. My Dad is my repair man, usually fixing any problems that come up, so he will look at it as soon as he has time and diagnosis the problem. I’m worried though! I’m thinking it might be kicking... more

Is anyone else crazy enough to get out there and battle other maniacs (like me!) at the Black Friday sales? For some reason, I just love this and I’m lucky enough to have a husband who doesn’t mind fighting these crazy crowds of maniac shoppers either!

So for the past four years, each day after Thanksgiving, which has been coined Black Friday, we bundle up, get lots of coffee, and brave the crowds at a very, very early hour. So early the sun isn’t up yet!

Shortly, I will be out at the stores battling those shoppers trying to save a buck... more