Back in an art therapy class I took in high school we had to draw a picture of our heart. All the hearts everywhere for Valentine’s Day got me thinking of that project and how my heart would look today.

My heart now resembles a patchwork quilt. Today my heart is big and it has many different compartments. But the compartments are not blocked off, they spill into one another. In my heart, there’s enough love to go around for everyone in my life. There is enough motherly love in my big ole’ heart for both Noah and Charlie, there’s plenty of love for... more

Most of my posts have been about how great my kids are (they are), how challenging, but rewarding knowing their birthparents can be, and all those interesting little things about being a family by way of adoption. I realize now that I have forgotten to talk about one of the most important people in this whole story, The Good Guy who is my husband Jim.

When we first married eighteen (oh my gosh! How long?) years ago, the story of our future together was anybody’s guess. Of course we were in love, but many predicted that this “kind”... more

I really love poetry, although I do not get the opportunity to read so much now days. When I was younger I would head to the library after school to pour over volumes of Emerson, Frost, and Poe among others. The things that made my favorites most interesting to me was how the lines often seemed to speak of my own situation in life. There is something to be said for the feeling you get when you read experiences you can relate to. Life put down into words that flow so much clearer than you might ever be able to express yourself. Although I do not get... more

Last night was a long one here with two girls sick with the flu. Cierra, who is four, felt bad right after dinner. Her dad was the one she wanted to help her and since it seemed to stress her out if I was offering to be at her side instead, I didn’t push it, even though I wanted to comfort her too.

My oldest Danika was avoiding her sister at every turn. She was not trying to be mean, she even made her sister a “Get Well Soon” card and hung it on the door to their room. She was stressing because she did NOT want to get sick too. There... more

Ok, If you have not figured it out from the picture, here goes. . .

Have you ever had someone with whom you have such a unique connection that it’s just so hard to put into words?

Well I do.

I can’t tell you who it is, you’ll have to guess, but what I can share is how important that this person is to me.

To begin with whenever I am stressed about something just hearing from them can help me relax and often laugh. Just taking a moment to say hello or comment they help turn my day around. I have questions, they... more

Hey, my FIRST Love Thursday post!

I wanted to share this picture of my son and his birthfather E, taken last year at Carson’s second birthday party. It’s a great picture, I see two handsome guys who are very important to each other.

I know my husband is really important to Carson too. He is there every day, takes care of his boo-boos, tucks him in at night, and changes (yes still . . . ) tons of diapers. Jim loves Carson as much as any Daddy could, he is the best, but Carson and E have a little something all their own.

For a while... more

This picture is a blast from the past, taken before Charlie was born. That’s me on the right and A. (Charlie’s adoptive mom) on the left. I’m about seven and half months pregnant in that picture.

A close friend of mine and was having a bachlorette party and I didn’t want to be the only one not drinking and having to leave the party early to rest, so A came with me. There’s no indication in this picture that A. is about to adopt my baby or that I’m about to be a birthmom. We just look like friends.

I love that we had the time and were able to bond... more

I know, I usually show ya a cute little pic of one of my kids but this week I am showing a cute little pic of my Daddy. And yes, I can relate it to adoption, so keep on reading.

That’s my dear old Daddy with his birthday spaghetti. I have made him “birthday spaghetti and meatballs” each year for the past few years. I use his mother’s old spaghetti and meatball recipe, so that is the yummy homemade, long cooking process spaghetti, not the Ragu out of a jar. My Daddy loves this stuff and doesn’t get it often but on his birthday how can I resist?

Yes,... more

Just home from the hospital! This is the first picture of 'my guys' all together. It captures the 'tired love for a newborn' and 'just home from the hospital bonding love' and other emotions for me.

It's one of my favorites out of our family album.

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