"Ohana means family...and family means no one gets left behind ...or forgotten." ~ ~ from Disney's Lilo and Stitch
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Happy Adoption Day!
However, it took a bit of time for the courts to catch up to what we were thinking and feeling. Now today, August 29, 2006 it is one year that we are officially their parents.
People have asked us if we would change our minds if we had to do it all over again and I know I can speak for my oldest children and my husband that we would do this all over again - - these are our children.
Just like in Lilo and Stitch - "Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten" - thats our family motto. A motto we live by. No matter where we are, we are family!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Disney - Part One
Our Family Vacation - Part 1
Now that you have seen the unedited version - here is Part 1 of the edited version....enjoy!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Here it is folks . . .
July 06 - Family Vacation
...the long awaited slideshow of our trip to Disney - - so pop some popcorn, grab a beverage, sit back in your chair and enjoy!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Birthmothers Day - -
Mother's Day is unique in the adoption community. There are an estimated 6 million adoptees in the US alone - plus millions elsewhere around the world - and they've each got two mothers: the one who is parenting and the one who gave birth.
Mother's Day, celebrated since the days of Ancient Greece, is observed on the second Sunday of May. And ever since 1990, when it was first celebrated in Seattle, Birth Mother's Day (or First Mother's Day) has been observed on the Saturday before Mother's Day.
Mary Jean Wolch-Marsh first conceived the ideas of Birthmother's Day as a result of her own adoption experience. She knew she was a mother, but didnt feel recognized as such, either by those around her or by her daughter's parents. Remembering the feelings she'd experienced at her daughter's birth - feelings of triumph and euphoria - she used them to help in her own healing.
May Birth Mother's Day bring acknowledgement and recognition to every birth mother who ever loved a child lost to adoption. May it honor and celebrate every mother who became childless after birthing a child, and was forgotten on Mother's Day.
In our family, we recognize our childrens' birthmother all the time. She, unfortunately, may not think that we care about her at all, but we do. She may think that we are cruel to not feel that it is not appropriate at this time for a visit, but we do feel that this is the best thing. Only time will tell, however.
We have made a promise in our family to do only things that are healthy for our family - even if it may not be the right choices for others. So far they work. In time, if our choices are not healthy anymore for our family, then we will change our choices and do what is best for everyone. Until then, however, we do things that are healthy for us - - now.
We believe in being honest with our children and they know that their birthmother has asked to see them and that we have said no - at this time. They have asked why we said that and we explained to them that they needed more time to heal and that their birthmother also needed time to heal and to become someone that they would be proud of. They understood.
So until then, we honor their birthmother each day- not just on Birthmother's Day - because without her, we wouldnt have our wonderful gifts - our children.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Watch out Bert, Ernie and Elmo....
Friday, August 11, 2006
Kids!! What are they thinking?
But it got me thinking - why do this? What are you going to accomplish by putting something up your nose? So I did some research - here is what I found....
Kids and Health: A Bean Up the Nose is Nothing to Sneeze At
by Dr. Robert Nohle
Kids are kids; they put things where they shouldn't go. Sometimes (luckily!) it is the cell phone in the toilet or the rubber dinosaur up the bathtub spigot.
My own daughter managed to put nearly half a deck of playing cards in the DVD player and the surprising thing is that it still worked for months until we ultimately found the missing cards. Other times it is a little more worrisome, such as when they put stuff in their mouths, ears, noses and other orifices.
We expect babies and toddlers to put just about everything in their mouths -- and we usually are pretty vigilant about making sure small and hazardous items are away from their reach.
However, don't think you are in the clear just because you have a school-age child! An older child will sometimes intentionally put something somewhere in their body just "because" -- because they are bored, because they just want to see what happens, or because a friend or sibling encourages them.
Most times, the bean in the nose, the quarter found in the toilet (use your imagination) or the Battleship game piece in the ear can become part of family lore, brought up and giggled over through the years. However these incidents are not always amusing -- sometimes serious harm or death can occur.
Kids stick more than their fingers up their noses. Very often kids will stick food or paper up their noses -- which can absorb moisture and swell. Be sure that you are confident you can remove the item before attempting to do it yourself. A physician can use suction to remove a stubborn item, and again, can treat or prevent infection.
Dr. Robert Nohle is chief of pediatrics for Seattle-based Group Health Cooperative. His column runs the first Thursday of every month. Have a question or comment for Dr. Nohle? Contact him at health@seattlepi.com.
Monday, August 7, 2006
Who Nu? A Vulcan Salute
Useless information? I dont think so - -
Friday, August 4, 2006
Baby Boy
Seriously though - - my son has been a source of joy in my life - yes, hes a challenge at times (as he is Autistic) - - but for the most part, I wouldnt trade him in for anything.
So happy birthday my son - - I wish you only happiness and joy for your entire life. Know that you are loved unconditionally - even when we are angry with you.
Happy 18th Birthday!