Well, the first month in the new year has come and gone! The start of the New Year reminded me that 2008 lies before us like the unwritten pages of a book. Kind of exciting to think about it that way, that the slate is clean and we can try and mold the year into whatever we want it to be like. One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to try and write letters to Charlie each month (January is done and in the mail!) so I shared some tips on how to make that more do-able.

This first month of 2008 actually did not fly by, as many moths previously had. In fact, I’ve felt as if January has crept by rather slowly full of wet, dreary, and cold weather that has some days left me in gloomy moods. The snowfall and snow days here in the South were fun, but as I watched Noah on the sled I was reminded that we were missing someone.

Adding to the melancholy mood of the month, I discussed a personal experience in which I had to share some bad medical news with Charlie’s adoptive family. I also shared some tips on ways to share bad news.

I answered a reader question regarding tips for those people who are new participants to open adoption. I also shared how a lesson I have recently learned in our open adoption is that I should have always spoken up for myself and what I wanted and that the grief associated with open adoption is often times a misunderstood grief.

I discussed how sometimes there may be an initial change in closeness between adoptive parents and birthparents after the baby is born and everyone is settling into their roles.

Unfortunately, there are times when open adoption visits have to be cancelled and I shared some tips on how to do this.

In my craft post for January, I shared instructions on how to make a fabric covered journal. Also, in step with crafting, I shared the story of an adoptive mother and birthmother who are together creating a lifebook for their daughter.

I guess I wasn’t feeling the love too much this month, because I only got in one Love Thursday post this month and that was For the Love of the Game. However, I did point out another plus to the open adoption versus closed adoption argument.

I ended up the month by discussing forgiving yourself as well as The Serenity Prayer.

While January seemed to drag on for me, it sure wasn’t dull! There was a lot going on here in January and I’m sure that February will be no different so stay tuned!

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Photo Credit: Coley S.