We've been talking a bit about moving. The kids are pretty excited about it and talk about it, even though we've clearly stressed it's all conjecture at this point. Even though we've looked at a few places, we still have let the kids know we're not sure about taking any steps toward any of the dwellings we've seen.

Even though it appears the kids all view this positively, I am still concerned about uprooting the kids. I take transitions pretty seriously, because I know all three of our kids are pretty sensitive and get attached to things very easily. I also... more

Is one of the main reasons that you are considering making an adoption plan for your unborn baby because you want to finish your education? Nowadays, finishing your education while you are parenting is not impossible or as difficult as it once was. I’m not saying that parenting while finishing school is ideal or even easy. Parenting is never easy even when you are totally prepared for it but parenting doesn’t mean that you still can’t follow your dreams and pursue your career goals. Difficult? Yes! Impossible? No.

In a recent... more

My oldest turns 10 this week – Double Digits. In anticipation, he's been educating the two youngest on the Intricacies of Being a 'Tween. Every morning you'll find him coming up with new “rules” or facts about what 10-year-olds like or dislike, do or don't do.

He started out by telling them he would be spending more time in his room. He said he'd most likely start watching much less of channels like Sprout with them. He explained that he, instead, would be up for more mature fare, such as movies for 'Tweens like Jump In.

He told them he might... more

My two youngest have had an insanely crazy week! They will each alternate between following the rules and being the “Voice of Reason” for the others; or they completely fall apart and lose it, reminiscent of their first few weeks here.

Today my daughter almost threw one of her tantrums – something we've not seen since her second or third week home after the adoption. She deescalated just in time, but the signals were there. She's also been having issues with one of her youngest brother's friends. This little girl follows the kids around. True, she does a few annoying... more

A new resource is available for students who struggle with educational success because of their ADHD. An organization called The Edge Foundation has begun training coaches to help ADHD students succeed in school and college. Coaching seems to be a new trend in the U.S.A to help young people succeed in the world despite their learning challenges. What does an ADHD coach from The Edge Foundation do for students with ADHD? According to their website, once hired, the Edge Foundation coach will contact the student every... more

I'm not a patient person. I suppose that's why I keep getting "blessed" with the patience lesson. Over and over and over. And over again. I wasn't patient as a child. (I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it!) I wasn't patient as a teen. (I wanted to grow up... now!) I wasn't patient in college. (Four years was an awfully long length of time!) And, as a parent, I'm not always patient. (You can't put both legs in the same hole!)

But I work at it. I do. Ask my Husband. I've been working on my patience level with my very headstrong, independent two year old... more

Before my kids arrived, I blogged a bit on making one-on-one kid time. I've posted a little bit here and there, now and again, but I'm really seeing the dividends.

My daughter is just... more

"...There was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2... more

I’m often asked about our open adoption. People are amazed that our kids are happily in contact with their birth family. I think the surprise comes from several sources:

Children are placed for adoption for a variety of reasons: The underlying assumption many (erroneously) make is that children are placed for adoption because something is “wrong” in the family of origin. People routinely believe that one or both of the birth parents are involved in something unsavory. In fact, the first question I usually hear is, “What’s wrong with the mother?” Or... more

It’s blazing hot here in the south. I can recall from my past pregnancies that being pregnant in the summer is not fun, especially if you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy. Being pregnant typically makes you feel hotter regardless of what season it is but during the summer when the heat isn’t just caused by your hormones, getting comfortable and staying cool can be challenging. Dr. Nardone, an OBGYN in Rhode Island advises expectant mothers to pay attention to the heat index.

“If the heat index (meaning how hot the temperature feels because... more