Red Thread Friends

There's a beautiful proverb that's well-known in the adoption community:

An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet.
Regardless of time, place or circumstance.
The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break.

~ Chinese Proverb

I love that saying because it not only makes me think of our son, but also of a few special friends that I've met along the road of our adoption journey.  Wendy (from Our Story) and Rachel are two such friends.  Last week I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the day with these two amazing women, and their children.

All our kids are within a few months of each other age-wise, so they had a great time playing together, both at Wendy's house where we first got together, and at the splash park where we went to play.

We've had a lot of 100+ degree days in Michigan this summer, so all of us were relieved when our special play day turned out to be sunny and 85.  We really could not have asked for a more beautiful day!  There is something so special about being with people who just "get it," without any explanations needed.  We were able to talk while the kids played, and it was really nice to relax and enjoy our time together. 

As we walked out together, all the kids were giggling as we held hands in a big, long line.  It was music to my ears, and a perfect sentiment to the emotions I think we were all feeling as we left the park.  Great times!  

It's Been a While!

It's been months since my last update so I actually doubt if anyone is even checking this blog much after my lengthy absence.  My last post just happened to coincide with some fairly sudden significant life changes, namely that I was offered a job as a 1st/2nd grade teacher.  This is my first year teaching and I also have another part time mentoring job on the side.  I'm still occasionally doing portraits for friends when I can as well.  All that is to say, I've been extremely busy these past months!  In fact, I still am extremely busy and it's unlikely that I'm going to be jumping back into blogging regularly any time soon.

Still - the holidays are upon us and that always brings out my sentimental side.  I just ordered our family Christmas cards and that made me think of last Christmas when Shutterfly did their big "free photo card" promotion for bloggers.   At that time, I was blogging like mad.  There are no free photo cards this year, but (how wonderful it is to say!) that's OK because greeting cards actually fit into our budget this year.   

Additionally, we are speaking at the adoption agency again tomorrow and that always makes me think of blogging and the many stories I've related to...families I've connected with through this outlet.  Blogging is so powerful and I do miss it.  I think that some part of me will always be a blogger, even if I end up dropping that ball for the time being.  I need to take some time to let things settle in my life and then figure out what parts of my personal life can fit where.  As thrilled as I am to have found a teaching job (they are frighteningly scarce in my state,) it's still been a whirlwind that has left me in survival mode for the past several months.

I am exhausted and overwhelmed but happy and productive too.  I guess that's about the gist of things!  I hope all my fellow bloggers out there are doing well and I wish you all a happy holiday season!  


 
           

   

    

To Blog or Not to Blog...

...that is the question! 

There was a time when I would've said blogging was in me - as in something I had to do, something about which I had no choice.  I'm no longer sure that's the case but I do still enjoy blogging, when I have the time.  I've been thinking about it a lot lately and I'm not sure exactly where to go with my blogging.  I love that I have so many followers, and I love (even more) the valuable connections I've made through this blog but...where should I go from here?

That's where you come in...

A fellow adoptive mom and good friend of mine, (see what I mean about the valuable connections I've made through blogging!) Wendy recently wrote a post and I've decided to follow her lead. 

If you read my blog...

Can you take a moment to leave me a comment and tell me a bit about yourself?  How did you find my blog and what has kept you interested in it?  Did you adopt or do you have plans to do so?  What other connections do you have to adoption?  Is there anything you would like me to write about or write more/less about?    

Thanks for the feedback!

 
           

   

  

And the Winner is...

Hi Friends,

I just entered the numbers at Random.org and the winner of the CSN Stores Giveaway is...Katychick!  Congratulations to you and thanks to everyone who entered.  I'm so grateful for the connections I've made through blogging and for all of you...my loyal readers and new followers alike!

{Katychick, I will be sending you an email shortly with your promo code and a few more details.} 

Happy Blogging,

 
           

   

Another Blogging Buddy

This past Wednesday, I had a chance to meet up with Wendy and her daughter, Zoe.  Wendy's blog is one I've been following for quite a while now, throughout their adoption journey and into the beautiful family life they have now.  There's something so remarkable about getting to physically meet someone who, for all intents and purposes, you already know really well.  There is a transformation that happens throughout the adoption process, and when that 's shared through writing, there is a kinship that is unparalleled in other encounters.  Wendy and I talked about the fact that, even though our IRL friends do mean well and do try to understand, there is just something about the world of adoption that they can't break into without having experienced it first hand.  It's comforting to spend time around other people--other moms--who don't have the same questions and misconceptions that are all too prevalent in so many other situations.  We had a great day, hanging out at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and then enjoying lunch at Zingerman's Delicatessen, followed by lots of great conversation while we waited out the afternoons' torrential downpours to subside.

We had a great day and considering we were accompanied by two little ones, we were able to talk quite a bit while the babies played or sat in our laps.  Great times!  

 

 

A Grand Day Out!

Yesterday was a special day for Charlie and me.  Rebekah and I, along with our baby boys, drove to Grand Rapids, where we met up with BB and her little one for an afternoon of fun at the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Gardens. We spent the majority of our time in the super cool Children's Garden they have there.   

It was so amazing to have all of our sweet little miracle babies together in one spot.  These two girls were some of the first I ever started following here on the blog and their stories and support have been both an inspiration and a safety net for me throughout mine.  Another adoptive mom put it very well when she said, "It's wonderful to actually meet with those people who've supported us through our journeys. It's a beautiful thing."  I couldn't agree more and I'm very thankful for having had the opportunity to move my relationship with these amazing women beyond the blogosphere.  I've said it before but it's worth repeating, I'm really not sure how I would have survived our adoption journey without this blog and the genuine connections it has forged.  So fascinating to me that 15 years (or so) ago this sort of thing never would have or could have happened.  And at the same time it feels completely natural, I feel like they've been my friends forever.  There's something so comforting about being in the company of people who just get it...people who have traveled down very similar roads to ours and consequently don't need any explanations for how beautiful and yet how complicated being an adoptive mom can be at times.  

Since I'm clearly at the risk of rambling on even further, I'll conclude with some of the best photos from the day.  We had a great time!

Mixed Emotions

My thoughts are rambling all over the place tonight, as the clock is about to tick over into my second mother's day.

I just learned that E, a blogging friend I've been following for a long time now (through many ups and downs) is "finally a mom." I am on top of the world for her and want to dance around and jump for joy over her amazing news!

I remember this time last year as though it was yesterday. Baby C. was just about two weeks old and I was over the moon as a brand new mommy. I also remember how I had felt all those years prior, first TTC and then waiting. I will never forget how hard those times were. My heart goes out to any of you who are still out there; waiting and wondering, suffering in silence.

And then there are the birth mothers. Today is National Birthmother's Day, did you know that? These women are so often misjudged, overlooked and forgotten by our society but they are mothers too. They deserve to be honored for their selflessness, the tough choices they have made (and stood by) and the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our children. Without them, so many families I know wouldn't be. My family wouldn't be. That's a pretty intense thought and it matches my intense feelings about this topic right now. Words fail me.

Lastly, there's me as a mom. A little over a year later, the title of "mama" is starting to feel more natural to me...less extraordinary, although that in no way means that I've begun to forget that every moment with our son is precious. I don't exactly know how to put this into words either. My heart still swells every time I see him do something new, or when our sweet boy reaches out to me for a hug...but being referred to as a mom, as his mom, though still amazing and beautiful and wonderful, is no longer earth shattering. It's simply who I am now and it fits. I'm now an old pro at celebrating mother's day as a mother. When did that happen? I don't really know but it feels good. I feel as though I've spent the past year growing into who I was meant to be all along and now the shoe just fits.

I don't know if any if this makes sense...I just needed to get it out and process a little of what I've been thinking about this weekend. Happy Mother's Day, Everyone!

I can hardly believe it...

There are several things I can hardly believe right now:

1. Charlie will be ONE in less than a week.
2. He's about to walk ANY day now. Actually...he took two steps tonight but Michael wasn't home at the time so we're still waiting for the official first steps. :)
3. I haven't updated this blog in almost two weeks now. I've been busy with school, which brings me to the next point.
4. I'm actually getting to the blessed end of this degree. There are some major brick walls trying to get in my way at the moment but I'm nothing if not determined. Student teaching happens in the fall and I can't wait.
   
5. I've heard TWO stories this week about babies who were either extremely ill or possibly not even going to survive. Death is hard enough for me to deal with but when it's a baby in the picture, it cuts to my core. I try to have faith that things happen for a reason but that is hard for me when it comes to babies suffering and/or dying.
6. Did I mention Charlie is going to be ONE next week? The above stories make me count my blessings with him even more than I already do. Seriously, PRECIOUS.
   
7. I've only scrapbooked about the first two weeks of C's first year. I find this extremely ironic because before we had children I was a scrapbooking fanatic...I'm talking like 12+ completed albums, BIG albums, creative memories consultant kind of fanatic. And now...nothing. It's almost entirely due to the issue of time but seriously. All those years I wanted so badly to be able to scrapbook a baby album and now that I have the baby I can't seem to find the time to do the book *sigh*
8. We STILL haven't mowed our yard for the first time this year. Again it's due to how busy we've been but I've never left it this late before and I feel like a bad neighbor. Plus I think it's going to rain ALL weekend. :(

I think that's it for now. I'm sure there are other things that belong on the list but honestly, I'm too tired to think much more tonight.

Heart Cries Giveaway & Beautiful Blogger Award

If you haven't already seen it, my friend Rebekah is currently featuring her first-ever blog giveaway! Hop on over and check it out, she has an adorable picnic bag that will be awarded to one lucky blogger this coming Wednesday, February 24.

Also, Tracey gave me this "Beautiful Blogger" award a week ago and in the frenzy of my week, I forgot to create my own nominations. Better late than never I guess, right? Thank you for the award, Tracey!


As part of receiving this award, there are a few rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.

2. Post this award to 15 other bloggers that you follow and think are great!

3. Leave a message on each blog, letting them know you are giving them this award.

4. Post seven things about yourself.

HERE ARE BLOGS I THINK ARE GREAT:

Picture of My World
Plaid with Polka Dots
Our Story: Our Journey to Adoption
Always & Forever Family
Anderson Happenings
Waiting for Baby: Our Adoption Journey Chronicles
Waiting for Bambino
More Than Dog Children
Urban Green Farm
Still Thinking...again
Clio
From You & Me to Family of Three
All for Lucy Lou & Vivi, too
Barren Woman
Miracles - Believe in Them

HERE ARE THE SEVEN THINGS ABOUT ME:

• I met my husband online and we lived in different countries, more then 4,000 miles apart from each other.
• I will be student teaching in the fall and am one part excited and one part terrified.
• I sang with Kenny Rogers at a Christmas concert once.
• Speaking of singing, I really enjoy it and have been told I'm not bad. My sister and I have sung at two weddings and a funeral, which is kind of our joke.
• I took guitar lessons a while back but never became dedicated enough to get really good. I hope to try again someday soon!
• I hate reality television and I think this makes me really weird.
• I'm starting to feel like our house is bursting at the seems and I really hope we can afford to make some changes (or at least add some storage) soon.

If you're looking for some new reading material, check out the blogs I nominated, they're great!

Every so often....

...people come along in our lives with whom we have an unexpected and immediate connection. Surprisingly, I've learned that this can even happen in blogland where the connections are virtual but still so real. Kel is one such person for me. Ever since she and I found one another's blogs, we have been connected, inexplicably, in this way.

After a long wait, peppered with some pretty intense disappointments, Kel and Jer met their baby boy, J.C. today! This is one of those matches that makes me cry tears of joy, and makes me remember what this is all about. This little family is gorgeous in every way, and they deserve every ounce of happiness that comes their way!

When you have a chance, stop by Kel's Blog and congratulate her on the best blogosphere news I've heard in a while!

Raisinig Small Souls

I found a really cool parenting advice web site that I thought some of you might enjoy. Check out Raising Small Souls. Be sure to watch the video previews when you have a chance, they are worth the time!

The Whole Privacy Thing...

Recently a lot of the bloggers on my blogroll have decided to go private. While I completely understand and respect that decision, it is kind of leaving me with an unsettled feeling.

I don't really feel the urge to go private, don't really want to go private, but maybe I should want to? Maybe I'm weird because I don't really hold back much? The pictures are probably the only thing I really worry about. Mostly since that ridiculous news story a while back about the picture that was stolen from a family blog...

But - especially now that we have Charlie, the whole point of this blog is for me to share. Share our experiences, share our lives, and share the joy we have in our son. I feel like going private would somehow change blogging for me in a bad way.

Then there is the anti-adoption hate garbage that's been happening around here lately. Honestly, this just makes me sick! I do not, and will never understand how there are people out there who feel vindicated by attacking others. Especially others like some of you. Sweet and caring people who are trying to do their best given the circumstances they face. I just don't get it, and this whole thing makes me really, really mad. I want to fight back, but instead I am watching as one by one, many of my favorite blogs are forced to go underground. It's ridiculous, and I wish they--those anonymous idiots--didn't have that much power over us.

Whatever. It is what it is. I can completely understand why those of you who are now private have done what you've done. You have made me think about it myself, and to be honest...I'm still thinking on this one. I guess the bottom line is that I just wish I...we...could feel safe. Safe to be ourselves and share our experiences without all the worry and fear.