Here's one of my old favorites, as far as posts go ...

From early March, this blog post makes me feel good:

For much of my life I’ve had a concept of the least a person should contribute over the course of a lifetime. Although I can’t conjure a scene to go with the first hearing, I attributed the phrase summing up the idea to my father. I’m second guessing that now, but do know that he certainly would have agreed, even had he not... more

One of my listserve buddies (and a truly awesome mom) has been reading this book, The Emotional Life of the Toddler by Alicia F. Lieberman, Ph.D. and posted some information about it to the list yesterday. She is reading it, not because she has a toddler, but because she has an older child with attachment disorder and other emotional, psychological and neurological complications and her daughter appears to be stuck at the emotional age of a toddler.

Her... more

Two years after my search was completed I founded PARR and believe for me that was a turning point. Looking back to that point in my life I think that is the first point in my accepting I found a grave. I founded PARR in order to help others and if I could help one person it was all worth while. That was 11 years ago and here I am today. I have come a long way.

Two years later, I moved 300 miles away from home. For the first time in my life I was not physically close to everything and everyone I know. I felt like a tourist for at least the... more

In the words of the wise sage, Rosanne Rosannadanna, “It’s always something!” That is so true at our house. And lately that something has been our air conditioner. Or should I say air conditioners – we have two units. Last night as I was late-night working, LuLu appeared in the office door to announce that she couldn’t sleep because she felt so hot. I did the obligatory forehead check…no fever. And I escorted her back upstairs where I noticed it did feel a bit warm, but thought nothing of it, since our air conditioner cycles down at night, and it... more

Well folks, it's only taken about 6 months from our first social worker visit to our most recent pediatric psychiatric trip but Little J has finally been diagnosed...with ADHD. Complete with his very own prescription.

After spending 6 months searching and reading every single ADHD website and about 5 ADHD books (more are in my pile) I wasn't the least bit surprised by the dx, but it still managed to unsettle me a little. I guess it's because now, when I read the books, instead of focusing on Little J's symptoms and thinking 'this has to be it,'... more

It’s important to regularly schedule and keep your prenatal checkup appointments with your health care provider. They will help you schedule and keep track of the appointments – you just have to show up!

I know, I remember, it feels like you are spending half your life in doctors’ offices sitting and waiting for what feels like hours all for them to check you and speak with you maybe ten minutes max. But it’s necessary.

Attending regular doctors’ visits can not guarantee a perfect baby – what can? But attending your doctors visits... more

When I completed my search in November of 1993, I felt that I was the only one in the entire world who found a grave at the end of a search. The thought of my natural mother being deceased never crossed my mind and the reality of it was that I am not alone in the outcome of my search. It could happen to anyone.

Those whose lives are not affected by adoption may not understand how an adoptee or natural mother can grieve for someone they didn’t have in their lives for x number of years. No matter what part of the triad you belong to there... more

I recently received an email from a mom who had found and read my story on the ADN website and she was dying to know the update. She has three bio children and a daughter from China who arrived home at about one year of age. The child is now preschool age and attachment issues identified over a year after this little girl’s arrival are creating some additional stress for this mom… and the other children. I have not had time to update my story on the ADN website but I sent her to these blogs for the latest scoop...

My story is... more

Yesterday we finished our 3 month post placement visit with our social worker, Marilyn. As usual, it was enjoyable and went by so quickly. We are now one visit closer to being able to finalize our adoption in Washington state. As these visits are beginning to come to a close, I am realizing how fast this has all went.

Yesterday, Marilyn showed up right at 11. My kids seem to have difficulty keeping to a schedule while at home. Or should I say that I have a problem keeping them on schedule when they are home. I had just started to give them lunch. He was in his highchair and Ivy was using the potty. She then visited with Bec while I finished up with Ivy. Ivy then proceded to... more

Presidential hopeful George Allen (previously featured on this space) has been busy apologizing for welcoming the non-white fellow at a campaign appearance to America and calling him a racial epithet. "It was a mistake," he says. "It just came out wrong."

Well, it was kind of a weird word he used, so maybe... naaaaaaah.

That link'll take you to a photograph of Allen with members of Council of Conservative Citizens (CCC), the successor organization to the segregationist White Citizens... more