a mom’s struggle with attaching
July 31, 2014
adoption realities, Attachment, guest post
I was given a deadline for this post of the end of July – mostly because I asked for one. That was a month ago. As I write this I am now only one week out from the deadline, and I’m just now sitting down to put my thoughts on paper. Although I am a …Read More
Eye contact {tips for your toolbox}
July 25, 2014
Kelly
We received a surprise gift the day we received our daughter 4 years ago. Dimples. Not just any dimples, the most adorable little dimples. The kind that show up even before the smile breaks, giving away that she’s about to lose the staring contest. I love them. While we got to see them that first …Read More
A Summer's Day
July 23, 2014
Rebecca
Childhood in summer. Unique for each kid, but much the same. It’s giggles, all day PJs, Crocs and popsicles. Children meeting, then heading out into the sunshine hand in hand as easy friends. The sun offers a special freedom. One of our recent summer days had notable stats: 1 water park, 4 mommas, 18 kids, …Read More
what we’re reading links: 7.22.2014
July 22, 2014
Stefanie, What We're Reading
From the last few weeks, some good stuff we’ve read that relates to adoption and/or parenting a special needs child. As always, if you’ve read or written something you think would be a good addition to a future What We’re Reading post, we’d love to hear about it. To share a blog post or news …Read More
Find my Family: Dexter
July 22, 2014
Family Found
Update: My Family has found me! All it takes is one photo to cut you to your very core, and little Dexter’s photo has done just that for many. This photos, some of his newest, show a little boy whose round face has given way to noticeable weight loss, his kissable lips, dry and cracked …Read More
The OhOh Song
July 21, 2014
Desiree, Down syndrome
Like all toddler/preschoolers my boy can be a bit obsessive about things from time to time. He frequently will not leave the house without a random “object of necessity”…a pillowcase, a can of mushrooms, a toothbrush AND a Bible, the vacuum cleaner (he may have been commenting on the state of the car with that …Read More
Quiet Times: And on the seventh hour, we rested…
July 19, 2014
a father's perspective, Mike
We are on the verge of a major transition in our home. For the last 14 years, we have had at least one child who needed an afternoon nap. In recent weeks, it is becoming clear that our youngest, Sam, may no longer need one. As my three-year-old transitions into a big-boy schedule, we are …Read More
Diagnosed… And then Rediagnosed… And Then…
July 15, 2014
Jean, thalassemia
In 2010 we saw an adorable picture of a little girl with a sucker in her mouth! She immediately caught my attention. Her eyes looked straight into mine and they were calling out for a Mommy and a Daddy. I read her short bio and the word cancer was in there. I immediately said to …Read More
Cora's story
July 13, 2014
adoption realities, Hannah
Twenty-three years ago she made her mother-in-law angry. Cora had just given birth to her first child, a daughter, and the news did not bring any celebration into the household. Her husband’s mother was angry; the older woman fumed and refused to hold her new granddaughter. As the weeks past she finally agreed to hold …Read More
Find My Family: Dennis
July 6, 2014
boys, Family Found, Lifeline
Update: My Family has found me! Dennis is a sweet 1 year old, designated as special focus with Lifeline Children’s Services through an orphanage partnership. His special need is Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Dennis is a curious little guy with a precious personality!! He is a tiny little peanut with the most amazing smile! Dennis is described …Read More
Somewhere to Run
July 5, 2014
heart defect, older child adoption, Tara
In my adoptions circles, there is a little bit of a running joke about all the things that start going wrong once a paper chase and the commitment to adopt a child (or children) begins. Somewhere along the journey to China, an adoptive parent can guarantee that an appliance…or three…will break, the car will need …Read More
Aging Out Child: Pamela
July 4, 2014
Advocacy, Family Found, girls, Lifeline
Pamela is 13 years old, listed as special focus with postoperative cleft lip and cleft palate repair, blood WBC slightly elevated higher; and otherwise healthy. She is designated to Lifeline Children’s Services. Pamela is said to be a clever, active, and outgoing child, who likes outdoor activity, games, and watching TV. She is helpful to …Read More
Find My Family: Yeager
July 2, 2014
Family Found
Yeager is an adorable little boy who was diagnosed with scoliosis, normal development otherwise. He is a fun loving, very cute looking little boy whose diagnosis of scoliosis has not slowed him down one bit. He is outgoing and active and loves attention. We did not realize that he had this diagnosis until the caregivers …Read More
walk, don’t run.
July 1, 2014
Kam
I’ve never been a runner. Heck, the nickname given to me in high school was “Clyde.” As in Clydesdale. Yeah, the horse. The one who trots along through life. But while I may not have been a runner, I walked fast! And with purpose. Even now, I somehow manage to leave my poor husband in …Read More