Getting new pictures of Keanan . . . it's better than Christmas. He is getting so big. In this picture, he is wearing one of Jafta's old shirts. There is something bittersweet about seeing him in his brother's hand-me-downs, yet so many miles away from us. It makes me long to hold him even more.No update to report. I believe our file is still stuck in IBESR - the very first stage of the process (our file was sent back there a few months ago). Two years and counting, and no end in sight. And so . . .
Racism and Sunburns: Lessons from Skippygate
It seems like every major news outlet has been weighing in on the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Gates. Someone observed Gates trying to break into his home (having lost his keys), the police were called, tensions mounted, and he was arrested on charges of disturbing the peace. Now, the question on everyone’s minds: Was Gates a victim of racial profiling?As usual, the answers to this question seem widely polarized and subjective. For some, this incidence sparks anger and resentment, and . . .
Not Fair People
I took my kids to the fair today, in a rare moment of sponteneity and self-sacrifice (being usually rather controlling and self-serving). I've always hated the fair, and let's just say that going alone with three small children did not make the heart grow fonder. Lots of fun stuff to write about, but I am exhausted. So for now, I will repost my feelings from last year's fair. Which have not changed. In the least.- - - - - - -I am going to say some things in this post that may not be nice. My . . .
two hours from miami . . .
The island of Haiti is such a devastating place. We feel connected to it, especially since we are trying to bring a child home. It is always on our hearts and minds, and there are some days where I am just overwhelmed by the difficulty these people face on a daily basis. Truly, I don't think any of us can fathom what hardships are faced by those living in Haiti.This was one of those weeks where several stories broke my heart. Licia, a nurse who lives in a rural village in Haiti, tells the story . . .
public service announcement
(a recycled post. for earth day) Pssst . . . Hey, have you noticed that most grocery stores now have a place like this: where you can put these? or better yet, start using these: (my personal favorites):so we can avoid this: and this: because whatever excuse of convenience we've been using does not justify this . . . . . . so let's keep clean it up for them. thank you. . . .
an open letter to criminals about our upcoming vacation
We have a summer full of family visits. My mom just left after a week stay. My sister Brooke and her family are visiting in a few weeks. The day they leave, my nephews Austin and Derek arrive for a stay. And then we fly up for a week with Mark's brother and family. It will be a fun and full summer.Oops. I guess you're not supposed to say when you go on vacation on your blog. You know, in case some would-be criminals are reading and decide to rob your house while you are gone.Well, just in case . . .
family fitness
(Karis's dumbells are actually wooden barstools for a dollhouse that I pretend are weights for children, because I don't want the kids to mess with mine. Now they are just something the kids constantly fight over.) . . .
crying in public
I'm not a big "cryer". I usually manage to be pretty stoic, in fact . . . a trait that often belies the junk lying just under the surface. But right now I am insanely sleep deprived, and have a lingering case of The Postpartum Crazy that is, to be blunt, kinda kicking my ass. These two factors have converged today and had me on the brink of tears several times.I managed not to cry when I picked the kids up from preschool, and Jafta tried to help push Karis's snap-and-go stroller, upended it, and . . .
orphan movie, orphan stigma
One of the most discouraging things I have heard people say about adopting a child is that "you never know what you are going to get." I supposed there is some truth to that statement, but I feel that it is usually said with some air of genetic superiority . . . that somehow a person's own familiar chromosomal makeup would be preferable to the "crap shoot" of adopting. It's interesting to me that this notion is held in a society that seems to blame bad parenting on every childhood deviation from . . .
corporate napping
My kids just completed their second week at their new preschool. So far, both Mark and I have been really impressed with the program, and Jafta and India seem to be having fun, too. I think Jafta is slowly realizing he doesn't need to follow India around on the playground to protect her from things like pretend guns (which he is doing in the photo). And India has managed to wait to poop her pants until after she gets home. Um, yeah. The potty training. Not going so well. Every day when I pick . . .
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