Hey all... I hope I didn't lose anybody in all of that story retelling...it was a lot to read, I know! It was fun to remember it all though, and to reflect on how far we have come in one short year.

Anyway, I have lots to blog about in the world of transracial adoptions, but since it is Wednesday, I thought I would share a Ben "Wednesday funny" and I promise I will be "back to business" tomorrow.

I have shared on here lots of times that Ben had an amazingly easy adjustment to our home, family and life in American in general. There weren't too many things that seemed to really throw him for a loop in the beginning...he is just a very "go with the flow" little guy.

But... more

I have not done a "quote post" in a while, and today I stumbled across one that really goes hand in hand with the posts I wrote earlier this week on how we can make the world's children a priority, and on how the children left behind weigh heavily on my heart.

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."- Edmund Burke (12 January 1729 – 9 July 1797)

Edmund... more

If you read many blogs, you have probably noticed that many of them do "Love Thursday" posts, where they post a photo showing love each Thursday. I think this is a fun idea, and I know how much most of you enjoy photos, so I am going to jump on the "Love Thursday" bandwagon. Today I am sharing two pictures of Marcus and Belane. Marcus is two (he will be three at the end of April) and Belane is 3 (she is almost six months older than he is). Marcus was placed with us at birth in a domestic newborn adoption, and Belane came home three... more

Here is something to lighten the mood from the "heavier" posts. A Wednesday funny...

This is one of those emails that has been around lots of times and you have probably already seen, (I have gotten it quite a few times) but it is one I always read and always laugh at.

HOW TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE READY TO HAVE CHILDREN

MESS TEST Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

TOY TEST Obtain a 55-gallon box of LEGOs (or you may substitute roofing tacks). Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen.... more

I was hoping to get some good responses on this post here…so if you get a chance, please leave a comment. I know it is not an easy question, nor does it have an easy answer (or only one right answer), but I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. I will post my answer tomorrow.

We have had a crazy couple of days, complete with broken washing machines (NOT GOOD IN THIS HOUSE), doctor appointments, parent teacher conferences, birthday party, Super Bowl party and now a broken dining room table. Fun, fun, fun.

Everyone is healthy though and so I can’t really complain though (knocking... more

Continued from previous post...

Another good idea for celebrating Black History Month with your kids is to look into events in your area. Many universities, museums, churches, adoption groups, clubs, etc. have special events to celebrate Black History month, some of which are even tailored for children. You can check with the Student Union or websites of local universities or even go to good old Yahoo or Google and search for “Black History Month” and your state or city.

If you are lucky enough to live near a big city that has an area like “Little Ethiopia” (or other ethnic area), going for a visit and some shopping and eating is a fun way to celebrate for a day. Ethnic restaurants... more

It is February, which means it is Black History Month. Up until a few years ago, much like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it Black History Month wasn’t something that I used to pay much attention to. But now, as the mom of five black kids, it is a significant “holiday” for our family.

For our family nights this month I have lessons prepared about Black History Month…people and events worth learning about. This weekend provides a good opportunity for learning and conversation as well, with the first-ever African-American coaches taking their teams to the Super Bowl (especially if you have kids that are into sports).

I have found that the key for getting kids interested in learning... more

Today my Ryan turns nine years old. It is crazy to think about! I am always amazed at how fast life goes by on my kids’ birthdays, and today it no exception. Ryan was our second biological child (but is now the third oldest) and has been a wonderful kid to be a mom to.

For his ninth birthday, here are nine things about Ryan.

-Ryan is loud and funny and a total ham…he will do anything for a laugh. He starred in the school Christmas play and loved every second of it!

-He is a friend to everyone and hardly ever needs to be told to “be nice”. He is... more

Happy Monday everybody! I hope that you all had a great weekend… we sure did!

On Saturday we started lazy, and then decided to find a good spot on the mountain and go sledding. I have to say that there isn’t much that is more fun that 10 kids, two parents, one dog, seven sleds, a few feet of snow and 5 gallons of hot chocolate!!

We live in a small valley surrounded by mountains, so it isn’t hard to find a great place to sled…free of crowds. We found the perfect spot, set up the “hot chocolate bar” in a snow bank and set everyone loose.

I did a lot of watching (along with brushing snow off of faces, wiping noses, fixing gloves and picking up Belane). I loved seeing... more

Continued...

12:10 p.m. I read a book to Belane and Marcus (10 Terrible Dinosaurs) three or four times, although the last few times they just want to skip to the end where they can growl and wake each other up. :)

12:30- Changed Marcus’s diaper and put him down for a nap.

12:34- Had Belane go potty and put her down for a nap. I left the room to her door open and folded laundry, and by the time I was done, she was asleep.

12:45- Had some lunch…bagel and cream cheese, apple and yogurt. Read some blogs and checked email.

1:15-2p.m.-Worked on blog posts on hair care.

2 p.m.-Belane woke up…we snuggled.

2:30- I went out to sign Maggie and... more