Whatever your custom for celebrating the new year, I bet we have a few things in common. With the start of a fresh year I seem to feel better able to let go of the previous year struggles and look forward to a new lease on life.

Hello to everyone. My name is Deb. This new year’s day is the start of my new adventure as a blogger here. I am quite happy about it, downright excited! To start things off right I’ll share a bit about myself.

My husband Jim and I have been married since 1989 and I am an adoptive mom of three children, Danika(age... more

Here is part 3 of my special memories I shared with Gracie in 2006. It was a great year!

In the beginning of September school was back into full swing. I missed spending my days with Gracie but I do remember taking one of the best pictures we have of Gracie. I just received my digital camera and I was ready to take pictures, especially of my little sister. Doesn’t she have the cutest smile? I also remember my dad traveling to Europe for three weeks and on the day of his return Gracie was so surprised to see him and ran up... more

Good-bye to 2006 and hello to 2007. I hope you enjoy part 2 of some of my special memories I shared with Gracie in 2006.

In May Gracie celebrated her first Mother’s Day with mom. One year prior Gracie was only a dream and now she is a very special reality. What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift for my mom. The other thing I remembered about May was that summer break was just around the corner. One more month away and then I would be spending more time with Gracie. I really looked forward to that.

In June I prepared to... more

Good-bye to 2006 and hello to 2007. It was a great year but now it is time to move on. It is time to work on those New Year’s resolutions and make new goals and new memories. It is also a time to reflect on the memories from years past.

Here is part 1 of some of my special memories from this past year that I hope you will enjoy.

In January we celebrate my mom’s birthday. I remember Gracie loving and hugging Mommy more than usual that day. I guess she knew that was mom’s special day.

In February... more

We have some friends over for the first time tonight. We are all having a wonderful time. There are two little ones running around the house laughing and having a great time playing with all of the new toys that Santa brought for Christmas this year. There is the laughter of adults, which is a little rarer in this house, but just as welcome! And since my adopted stepson had to spend tonight with his dad out of town, the adult boys got together and decided to play a bored game with him so that he would feel like part of the group, and he is loving... more

IF I HAD MY CHILD TO RAISE OVER AGAIN If I had my child to raise all over again, I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later. I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I would care to know less and know to care more. I'd take more hikes and fly more kites. I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I'd do more hugging and less tugging. I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often. I would be firm less often, and affirm much more. I'd... more

Instead of ringing in the new year with a toast of expensive champagne, try an inexpensive alternative - homemade Kahlua. Hard liquor, as well as beer and some liquors do not require a kosher certification. But flavored liquors as well as wine does need a kosher symbol. Kahlua used to be available under kosher certification, but it has become harder and harder to find, as currently only those bearing a label in Spanish coming directly from Mexico seem to be under certification. So, we decided to make our own - it turns out it's not that hard, quite good, and decidedly much less expensive than buying a bottle. And, if I might add, a fun activity to do after the kiddies are asleep.

Taken... more

Why keep kosher?

Keeping kosher is one of those laws that doesn't have an obvious reason given for it in the Torah. The Torah says "Don't kill" "Don't steal" and "Honor your father and your mother" - I think it's pretty obvious what the thinking behind those commandments are. But why would G-d care if I eat shrimp or not? The following from jewfaq.org, which has a good and thorough article on the subject, has this to say on the rationale behined the laws:

The short answer to why Jews observe these laws is: because the Torah says so. The Torah does not specify any reason for these laws, and for a Torah-observant, traditional... more

The sixth day of Kwanzaa is Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah). The principle for today is to do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. We also pledge to use our creative talents and energies to improve young minds and hearts.

The sixth day of Kwanzaa is the day of the Kwanzaa Karamu feast. It is a very special event as it is the one Kwanzaa event that brings us closer to our African roots. The Karamu is a communal and cooperative effort. Ceremonies and cultural expressions... more

My Mother and I met for a leisurely dinner at a half-way point between our homes. Both without husbands (both working) or children (brother at party, son at MIL's), we figured we'd indulge in our last chance to eat massive amounts of fattening food before the new year and new diets begin. As usual, our discussion turned to adoption.

I'm left unsure of what to think or feel.

For the first time, ever, my Mother and I openly talked about the time before and during Munchkin's placement. It wasn't a good time for our family.

While my Mother and I possess similar personality traits, we communicate in vastly different ways. She yells. When I hear yelling, I emotionally shut... more