Get your tissues ready and listen to this beautiful song by One Republic.
I have been deeply touched by this story ever since I first saw debut on Dateline several months ago.
I've tried keeping up to date with the case since then and it seems to just keep getting knocked down by the Brazilian Government. I can't even imagine what this Father must be going through. We need to spread the word. Tell everyone you know. Copy this video and share it with your friends and family.
To read more about the story of David Goldman and the fight for his son visit Bring Sean Home
So this weekend a group of girlfriends and I took a trip. We left all of our children and our husbands behind and drove down to Dallas for shopping and relaxation.
We had a grand time! I don't even want to think about how much money I spent shopping, but I did find some great deals and came back with goodies for everyone.
The Hotel was awesome. We stayed at The Embassy Suites Convention Center and Spa, in Frisco, Tx.
On Sunday, a few of us hopped on one of the elevators on our way down to the car. I immediately realized MckMama was completely and totally right. (I'm sure many of you read her blog, but if not you gotta check it out!) Anyway, I'll explain...not long ago she posted this post about the unwritten rule of elevators. Go read it, I'll wait.
....
Funny eh?
Okay, now I'm standing in this elevator with approximately 8 other people. We're surrounded with complete and total silence. No one makes eye contact, all eyes are on the floor, the ceiling or otherwise. It really is a strange feeling when you've been made aware of what's happening. I just couldn't stand it any longer and it just came out... I announced loudly right there in that there elevator that we were all observing the unwritten rules of elevators quite nicely. I pointed out the uncomfortable silence and lack of eye contact and... and you know what? The uncomfortable feeling left instantly and everyone began to chuckle and laugh. Imagine that. Laughter! In an Elevator!!! AND it was followed by eye contact and chit chat. Just try and think back to the last time you remember that happening when you rode in an elevator- I dare you.
Ahhhh, so it was a great beginning to a great day. I encourage all of you to try it next time you find yourself stuck in a silent uncomfortably quiet elevator. If we all did it, elevators around the World would change. Hmmm, okay so maybe that's stretching it a bit. It couldn't hurt though right?
:-D
Happy Monday!
....and he's going to bring it to us.
Congratulations President Obama!!
Did you know that's really a word? A Gossipmonger is a person habitually engaged in idle talk about others. Which brings me to my thoughts for the day: Why do woman gossip?
HEY NOW, don't go hiding from me. You know you're just as guilty as the next. To some, gossiping is like second nature!
According to Wikipedia:
Gossip is idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others.
You know what I am talking about right? We all have friends who nitpick, sensationalize, over-think and scrutinize others.
An ancient African proverb says,
"If a woman speaks two words, take one and leave the other".
I was recently in a position where I found myself analyzing a particular part of my life. (Okay, okay, I was sitting in a car for over 12 hrs with nothing better to do with my time) I understand, it's easy to sit and judge others from afar. To point, snicker and comment on their situation.
...But when the table turns on you what are you left with? You're left with a feeling of mistrust and uncertainty. Where does that get you? How does one think gossip will improve or change the situation? It doesn't, it just puts up walls and pops the bubble called trust between friends.
I stumbled upon a blog recently. I won't share the link. It's an Adoption blog, only their Adoption has no happy ending like ours. They speak of wanting to disrupt. They have not attached to the children and the entire situation sounds like pure hell. For awhile now, I've judged this person. I've wanted to share the link with others and talk about how awful this family must be. I've come to realize, when it all comes down to it... I have no right! I am not in their shoes therefore I don't know how bad it truly must be for them.
I've met many families along the way that are taking a similar Journey as we are with Chiari Malformation and Pseudotumor Cerebri. (The conditions my son NJ suffers from) While I like to think we're all on the same journey, our stories are just as alike as they are different! It's hard sometimes for some of us to remember that and I think we can get carried away in our comparisons. It's hard for me to sit and listen to family after family talking about and comparing their children to one another.
I want to be a better person. I'm going to better myself and quit judging the Adoptive parents who want to disrupt and the parents that we've questioned just how sick their child really was. I'm going to try my hardest to keep the behaviors of other people and my opinions of them to myself.
Just saying.
Hey- maybe that will be my New Year resolution? GAH, sorry for the deep post. No more 12 hr road trips for me! *wink*
is a foundation for sharing our aliveness and building a more humane world.
~Martin Lowenthal
How do you show compassion for others? It's nearly Thanksgiving... think about how you can show compassion to those around you.
I know I whine a lot about our personal circumstances, but when it comes down to it, we really do have it pretty good. A family, a beautiful home, jobs (whether we like them or not is besides the point) food, health... You know, when it comes down to it, things could be a lot worse.
Reach out to someone in your life that's struggling right now. Especially with the Holiday season approaching us. Invite them for dinner, bake them a cake, send them a card, whatever is in your means. Show them some compassion and help to build a more humane world.
Thanks to Random.org, we have a winner for the Cash and kajeet gift pack giveaway!
And the winner is............ #34!
Coriwestphal
To all of you that entered, don't fret. I am doing another kajeet giveaway. This time, not only will you get a kajeet gift pack, but a FREE PHONE!!!!!!!! I'm so excited that kajeet has agreed to do this. Check back for details. (I'm think on or around Black Friday. *hint, hint* )
In the meantime, my newest contest is exciting as well. Stop by for a chance to win a set of Custom Painted Wall Letters from Ladybug Letters.
So I missed National Adoption Day. It was on Saturday! As we approach the 1 year Anniversary of our own Princess's Adoption, it brings me great joy to tell you a little about National Adoption Day.
*Traditionally, National Adoption Day is celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Out of respect for the nation's remembrance of the 45th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, the National Adoption Day Coalition elected to move the celebration of National Adoption Day this year only to the Saturday prior.
I encourage you to revisit a post I made quite some time ago... Myth vs. Reality in Adoption Plus, here are few new ones!
Myth: There are not enough loving families available who want to adopt children from foster care.
Fact: Four in 10 American adults have considered adoption, according to a National Adoption Attitudes Survey funded by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. That translates into more than 80 million Americans.
If only one out of 500 Americans adopted out of the foster care system, the 114,000 available children in foster care would have permanent, loving families.Research indicates that there are many families that are interested in foster care adoption but that more needs to be done to find ways to connect these families with waiting children. Through National Adoption Day, the Coalition puts a national spotlight on the waiting children in foster care in the hope that more people will take steps to adopt.
Myth: There’s too much red tape and bureaucracy involved in adopting a child from foster care.
Fact: Congress has streamlined the foster care adoption process through enactment of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. This law stipulates that children in foster care, who cannot be reunited with their birth parents, are freed for adoption and placed with permanent families as quickly as possible.
Myth: Adopting a child from Foster Care is expensive.
Fact: Actually, adopting children from foster care is virtually free! Most agencies do not charge for the services they provide to families who are adopting a child from foster care. Congress has also made federal tax credits available for Foster Care Adoptions to offset fees, court costs, legal and travel expenses. In 2003, the Adoption Tax Credit was increased to $10,000!
Myth: Adoptive parents must be a modern version of June and Ward Cleaver.
Fact: Prospective adoptive parents do not have to be rich, married, own a home, or be of a certain race or age to become an adoptive parent (One-third of adoptions from foster care are by single parents). Love, patience, a good sense of humor and the commitment to be a good parent are the most important characteristics.
Myth: All children in Foster Care have some kind of physical, mental or emotional handicap; that's why they're classified as "special needs".
Fact: The term “special needs” is somewhat misleading, because it can mean that the child is older, a minority or requires placement with his/her siblings. While some children are dealing with physical or emotional concerns, just like other children, they need the nurturing support only a permanent family can provide. Many children in foster care are in the “system” because their birth parents weren’t protective and nurturing caretakers—not because the children did anything wrong or because there is something wrong with them.
Myth: Children in Foster Care have too much baggage
Fact: This is one of the biggest myths of all. Children have enormous potential and given love, patience and a stable environment often thrive. Ask former US Senator, Ben Nighthorse Campbell or Minnesota Viking Dante Culpepper. They were both foster children who were adopted by loving, caring familes!
So spread the word! There are resources available to help potential parents take the first step towards adopting out of Foster Care. For more information log on to www.nationaladoptionday.org, www.davethomasfoundation.org, www.adoptUSkids.org, or simply call 1-800-TO-ADOPT.
Gah, my husband needs to go through Parenting 101 again.
So I'm at the store last night looking for a few things. Princess is with me (something I try to avoid because she is a terrible shopper). She was yet again- terrible. Downright awful! We'd been in the store all of 10 seconds when the first fit started. She's throwing a fit over the fact that there was no McDonalds in the store.... Okay- not my fault!!!! I have no control over that kid. *rolleyes*
I fight to get her into the shopping cart, then another fight to get her buckled, then another fight when she starts S.C.R.E.A.M.I.N.G at the top of her lungs over- who knows what!!! We've been in the store all of 90 seconds by this point and I've already had it. I swiftly take her to bathroom, swat her rear end (which we rarely do) have a quick converstion about behaving and we're back to shopping.
*SIGH* Are you tired yet? Because I was.
Then she threw her toy cell phone on the ground. I leaned over and picked it up. She had a gleam in her eyes that I instantly recognized. I could tell, she felt in that moment she was in control and every time she threw her phone down, I was going to pick it up. Eh, wrong! I immediately told her the next time she threw that phone on the ground I would NOT be picking it back up, nor any other toy she decided to throw.
Imagine that. By the end of our shopping trip, we had lost both the cell phone and a mini barbie doll because I refused to pick them up walked right over them. It felt good. She still wasn't behaving, but at least "I" was the boss and not her.
We got in the car and I called home and asked the Hubby what they wanted me to pick up for dinner. I then told him to make Princess a PBJ sandwhich because she was not going to be getting anything. Why? Because I threatened her in the store, if she didn't start to behave I would not be getting her a Cheeseburger on the way home.
Hubby just thought I was awful for doing that!!! I don't. As hard as it is, the one thing this little girl needs the most is consistency. He still does not get it! This little girl has Daddy so wrapped around her finger he's a total pushover. He was litteraly melting on the other end of the phone because I refused to give in. In the meantime, she's screaming at the top of her lungs from the backseat.
No wonder why we're having such a hard time parenting her than we did her brothers!!!!!!!! I need to send his rear end back through Parenting 101. One of the very first and important rules for toddlers is: FOLLOW THROUGH!!
Somebody please tell me, where do I sign him up??
I'm having such a hard time understanding all this html STUFF! In the past, I've had complaints from individuals that could not access my blog. I had no clue why. Recently, I made the big switch from IE to Firefox (Wow, big improvement! I must have been under a rock all this time) I thought perhaps that was why some people couldn't access the blog so I tested it in both browsers.
What I saw was completely unexpected. The blog looked totally different!! It was downright UGLY. Colors and Fonts that I had not chosen. Anyway, I *thought* I fixed it. Then someone brought to my attention that some people cannot see my header correctly because the font I use ISN'T installed on everyone's computer.
That's odd. You mean not everyone likes the same fonts that I do?? WELL WHY THE HECK NOT! heeheehee
To make a long story short, this is what I see when I look at my blog....
What do YOU see?
Anyone care to help a girl out?
I think I need professional help. 
(No not THAT kind!)
I've blogged about this before, but I feel I MUST post it again. I admit, I haven't run into many issues regarding Adoption Language...thankfully.
Unfortunately, there are a few people out there that don't seem to understand their words can be EXTREMELY hurtful. It really stings when someone refers to your child as anything less than YOURS. I think the blinkie in my sidebar sums it up quite nicely.
What is...
A Natural Child? Any Child that is not artificial.
A Real Parent? Any Parent that is not imaginary.
Your own Child? Any Child that is not someone else's child.
Adopted Child? A Natural Child, with a Real Parent, who is all my own!
So for those of you that don't already know, here are some tips on how to refer to other people's "Adopted Children"...
Use Positive language (Negative language is noted in parentheses)
Just say...
Birthparent (Don't say "Real parent"! It's crass)
Biological parent (Don't say "Natural parent" because we are NOT artificial!)
Birth child (Don't say "Own child" because he/she IS all my own)
Your child (Don't refer to my child as "Your adopted child" He/She is just my child. Plain and simple. I don't describe your child with a verb. How would you like for me to say, "I am going to pick up their short child from Kindergarten for them" It's the same thing.)
Terminating parental rights (Don't say "Giving up" because not all adopted children were voluntarily placed for Adoption.)
Made an adoption plan (It's much nicer than "Gave away"!)
Chose to parent (Don't say "Chose to keep")
Waiting child (Adoptable child)
Making contact with (Reunion)
Parent (Again, I am her PARENT, not her "Adoptive parent")
Child placed for adoption (NEVER say "An unwanted child")
Child with special needs (Handicapped child)
Child from abroad (Don't use the term, "Foreign child". This is self explainable)
Was adopted ("Is adopted" places a label on a child. WAS Adopted is past tense. We've moved on and she is now a permanent member of our family.)
Little Nathan took his last breaths of life this morning. I am deeply saddened. There are no words. I'll never understand why.... Why does God allow innocent children to fall ill and die?
I almost feel guilty as I sit and watch my own 7 year old run about so healthy carefree. Why Nathan?
Oh, to lose a child... it is something I cannot even comprehend. The thought is the source of all parents nightmares.
Please give your thoughts and prayers to Susan and Luke during this time of grieving.
It has come to my attention that a friend of ours in the autism community was recently treated badly in
Dear Applebee’s,
I write you as a faithful patron of your chain who left the restaurant feeling discriminated and disgraced as single mother tonight. I look for Applebees because the food is reasonable and its nice atmosphere. I am a single parent and I have a child with autism. He is four years old and limited verbally. His name is Andy. Time to time I take him to your restaurant in
Tonight I got him out of the car to choose where to eat and he ran to Applebees with a smile on his face. This is his favorite place. He does not understand when food was passing right by him and he had nothing. When we first sat down I asked the waitress to give us something as soon as possible. 10 minutes later we got our drinks and crackers. . . .I was singing to Andy doing everything I could every time food went by he let out a short yelp. I was pulling out everything in my bag of tricks I could. Then he calm down.
The manager came to me and told me because of my child he lost business (boy I felt guilty). I felt as though my heart was being ripped into two. I try so hard with my son. I told him my son was waiting for food –chips anything. I apologized and told him my son does not speak much and has autism and I’m sorry. He came back a second time and told he was losing more business because of my son. I had to do something. All my son wanted was drinks something. He came back told me we had to leave. I’m sorry I told him. This time every one was looking at us because of the manager kept making a huge deal and coming to our table. We were yet to get our food. My heart was sinking and all my son wanted was food! I felt stepped upon like yesterday’s trash.
I had to pull my fifty pound four year old out of his favorite place in tears. This posed a tremendous safety hazard and was totally unnecessary. I feel like my heart was smashed in a million pieces. When we were out the door the manager said “I had to do I have to do and that I should not take my son out if he is not fit (How is he qualified to make this comment).” As he plopped a bag of food to go in my hand.
I take my son out to eat a lot and we have never been kicked out and disgraced like this. We ate at this restaurant a lot. . . . .He just a little kid—and if they would brought him food—or drinks—I could not get him out the door after he ran in because he was at his favorite place—I understand why he did what he did but he did not have to be cruel he could have done it differently —instead me having to pull him out in tears. I do not have much money and I try to get my son positive experiences and take him to places he enjoys I earned a gift certificate from my work and I took him there for a good time. I usually can not afford Apple Bees and I take him there as a reward he lights up so much in the restaurant.
I feel belittled and disgraced and this hurts this truly hurts. I feel like I have been ran over by a Mac truck. How can I ever take my sweet my little boy to his favorite place again let alone out to eat in public again?
A former AppleBees patron
I was outraged when I read this!! And I told them so, right here: http://www.applebees.com/GuestContact.aspx?t=Complaint
I was flipping through the pages of Parents Magazine a few days ago. I turned the page and saw a Children’s Place Advertisement. I use to really like Children’s Place clothing but for some reason I have not been real happy with their styles or their quality the last few years.
The dress that the child was wearing was absolutely adorable. It didn’t read ‘
I remembered yesterday and got online to order it. I looked all over the site. The dress was simply not there. I checked the Magazine- yep March 2007 issue. Hmmm? It was really bothering me so I looked closer. I finally found the dress on the website, in completely different colors. The dresses offered on their website looked like typical ‘Children’s Place’. (Remember, I’m not fond of their styles) The dress in the Magazine is a Cocoa Brown color. These are BRIGHT pink and blue- not what I wanted at all. I then remembered in the Magazine the Model had on a matching headband and scarf. I proceeded to check the Accessories. No such luck. There is no headband or scarf, in ANY color! By this point I am livid. Yes, livid over a dress. Well, maybe not the dress per se, but the idea that this company is advertising a product that they are not even selling!!
I decided to write customer service and complain. After a lot of red tape, I finally got a complaint though to them. This is the response that I got:
…we are waiting for inventory from overseas. We do not have an exact date as to when we will be receiving the inventory. If you like you can check our website from time to time…please accept our apologies for the inconvenience, but the polka dot scarf is not currently being offered…
I am extremely irritated with all of this. Why advertise a product that you do not offer??? I think I’ll skip shopping at The Children’s Place from now on. I refuse to support this kind of thing. I’ll just have to find a cute new dress somewhere else!
We are surrounded by sickness. Nearly everyone I know has battled it the last few weeks. Colds, Strep, Stomach Virus and now the Flu! It’s been one heck of a year. I don’t remember it ever being this bad!?
So far, our kids have managed to dodge the Stomach Virus. (Thankfully, as that’s the worst one for Mommy’s to deal with!!) Boy #1 wasn’t so lucky though. He has come down with the Flu. The last time the Flu made rounds through the family it was like watching a set of dominoes. One falls, then another and another… I’m a nervous wreck, watching my other kids for any sign or symptom. Boy #3 was extremely grumpy last night, which is typical for him when he’s tired. I immediately reached up and felt his head. Nope, you’re not warm. ((Fingers crossed)) So far so good, but we’re only on day #4. I’m not sure what the incubation time period is for the Flu? We’re not out of the woods just yet.
In the meantime, I have developed quite a relationship with the can of Lysol. If you could be a fly on the wall in my house right now, you’d be laughing your head off. Whatever Boy #1 touches is immediately sprayed down. He changed the channel on the TV last night before I could get to him and I just cringed. I ran over and sprayed the heck out of that remote!! Then I sprayed his chair after dinner….you name it, it’s sprayed.
I can’t say enough about hand disinfectant either. We have a bottle of the stuff on the kitchen counter. Now that we’ve got Flu in the house I get a squirt nearly every time I walk by. (Which is very often since the Kitchen is in the middle of the house!) I also grab the princess as she walks by and rub the disinfectant all over her hands too. She’s a thumb sucker and so any germ that get’s on her hands is immediately into her mouth.
Keep your fingers crossed for us. Mr. Flu, you are not welcome here!!
Is it wrong of me to be curiously fascinated with Celebrity parents? At some point I stumbled upon a blog called Celebrity Babies. (see links section) I’ve been hooked ever since. At times, I felt waves of guilt come over me as I look through the new pictures added each day. After all, I am just another person feeding the Paparazzi drive. I wouldn’t want to be followed around everywhere I go, people in my face taking constant pictures. Then the guilt goes away and I remember they have chosen to live that life!
I have developed a favorite over the last few weeks. Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck seem to be great parents, doting on their little girl Violet. They are at the park almost daily, trying to give the little cutie a normal life I suppose.
I try to stay away from the site. Imagining it doesn’t exist, yet I am constantly drawn back in. Anxious for more.
Do you think it’s wrong?
A group of friends and I took a road trip down to
I think the six of us we were overwhelmed after walking through the front doors. The place is H-U-G-E. We probably looked like a bunch of deer standing in the middle of the highway with our eyes wide as can be. We all found lots of really cool stuff. Their prices were amazing. A pot rack for $19.99!? Unheard of! After spending several hours in Ikea, we ventured out to Pier 1 Kids. Another store none of us has ever been to. Keep in mind, this is a group of woman from
Upon arriving home I announced to my husband the next time we move, we’re moving to
……I guess he thought I was kidding?
I have an issue with control. I’m not sure what to do about it. I knew that I had a problem years ago when I discovered that a friend allowed her 2 small children to get up and eat breakfast by themselves each morning while she showered. How did they pour the milk? (I’m envisioning a gallon of milk all over the kitchen floor and 3 little boys splashing about.) Okay, so I’ve graduated from the milk thing, and yes all 3 of my boys can pour their own milk- but I’m talking about other things now. Let me give you an example. I’m not a breakfast-cooking mom. Never have been, never will. Of all the meals, it’s the messiest to clean up and I hate starting my day with lots of dishes! I grew up eating cold cereal and my kids are doing the same. Now the boys have been expressing the need for something else. They’re tired of cold cereal. They want…oatmeal. Okay, sounds easy enough. I decided to “help” Boy #1 (11) learn to make instant oatmeal. I figure he can make Oatmeal in the morning for his brothers. Well, as you can imagine it goes fine. He easily grasps the concept. Yet- for the next 4 mornings, instead of allowing him to make the oatmeal, I find myself doing it! Why?? I’m the cold-cereal mom, so why am I suddenly making oatmeal?? Is it control?
This morning I crawled out of bed and wandered into the kitchen to find Boy #1 getting a bowl of hot water out of the microwave. I quickly intervene and take the steaming bowl out for him and walk over to the table with it. As I set it down on the table, it splashes out and burns my finger. SEE! This is why I’ve been making the oatmeal!! I don’t want them to get hurt. It was only then that I saw that he’d already successfully brought over the other 2 bowls of oatmeal. He did fine. He did not get burned- I did in my effort to take over! Ahhhh, I need to let go.
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