November was a super busy month here on the blogs as well as just in general in my life! The month flew by as they all do lately and now we are in the home stretch to my favorite holiday, Christmas!

As a part of National Blog Posting month, I attempted to post one entry a day, but a bout of pneumonia and a relapse did not allow for me to be completely successful however I did get a good many posts written on my chosen theme which was the negative and positive aspects of open adoption. It's easiest just to list those.

Negatives in my NaBloPoMom Series:
1. Negative: Hearing Him Call Someone Else Mom
2. Negative: Moments Missed
3. Negative: Society's View
4. Negative: Emotions and Grieving
5. Things I don’t Know
6. The What If’s
7. Swimming in Uncharted Waters


Positives in my NaBloPoMo Series:
1. Positive: Visits
2. Positive: My Relationship with Charlie's Adoptive Parents
3. Positive: Moments I haven't Missed
4. Positive: No Searching
5. Finding a Voice
6. Always Around to Answer Questions
7. Always having Extended Family Involved


Now, getting on with the rest of the posts for the month! I shared how much I have been missing Charlie lately which then prompted a post about how I get through the waits in between visits that sometimes seem like ions.

I did a few posts related to Thanksgiving, writing about giving thanks, keeping a gratitude journal, and showing gratitude to someone who supported you in your adoption plan.

I kicked off the Love Thursday posts for November with a post recapping my recent visit with my best friend, Lani. It’s always so nice to be able to spend time with birthmother friends who have “been there, done that.” I wrote about Charlie, being a typical little brother and playing in his big brothers wheelchair and subsequently driving both of his Mom’s nuts with his antics! Playing into the Thanksgiving holiday, I shared a photo of the turkey Charlie made for me last year on which it lists all the many things he is thankful for, including me! And since Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, that Love Thursday post was appropriately what I am thankful for.

Since we are in the homestretch to Christmas, I began to share some ideas of ways you could create ornaments for those loved ones in the adoption triad. I started that off with a simple holly wreath ornament created out of foam that features a photo. I also shared a cute Santa ornament that is made from a child’s handprint. I also wondered how much is too much in regards to buying gifts for your birth child for holidays.

So what’s coming up in December? Well, at the first of the month, hopefully in the next few days, I will share some gift ideas for the members of the adoption triad that you may be buying gifts for so you can get your shopping on! Then, I will share some ways to get through the holidays for birthmothers. And to end off the month (and the year!) we will do some end of the year type review posts as well as talk about goals and resolutions.

Happy December!

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Photo Credit: Coley S.