There is a plaque on my desk that says, "share your story, to set someone else free." My sweet friend, Cindy, gave that to me years ago and encouraged me in my writing. I look at that plaque every day and wonder why I don't write more about our days. In July 2017, I...
Adoption
Paramount Pictures’ new movie INSTANT FAMILY – Review by Adoptive Mama and believer in love
Disclaimer: I was invited to a complimentary media screening of Paramount Pictures’ new movie INSTANT FAMILY. As I sat in the theater watching Instant Family, scenes from our own adoption journey kept replaying in my head. The further you walk into the world of...
Riley’s 7th Birthday – Just Add Sprinkles
Thank you all so much for your sweet comments and texts and emails yesterday. Today was much better. Just knowing that we are able to get over the speed bump more quickly than we have in the past is so hopeful. My dear friend (and adoptive mama) Nancy, reminded me of...
Your birthday wish…
You and I snuck out together to Toys R Us. You wandered the store twice, not knowing exactly what you wanted for your birthday. We almost settled on scented crayons, but you decided to keep looking. You found a really cool yo-yo and we decided to get it. We giggled as...
And Aubrey is her name…
My dearest Riley, your story continues to piece together into this beautiful quilt and I want to write it all down for you, so that someday, you will know in black and white how very, very loved you have been from the beginning. This past Easter, your birth mother's...
I want something just like this…
This song was playing. We were eating pop rocks and drinking slushies that Brian and Riley brought home after going to get haircuts. In the hot Arizona breeze, it hit me, this is it. This is exactly what I've always wanted. I've got it good. I can't say it any better...
Thoughts about open adoption
“Adoption has the dimension of connection — not only to your own tribe, but beyond, widening the scope of what constitutes love, ties and family. It is a larger embrace. By adopting, we stretch past our immediate circles and, by reaching out, find an unexpected sense...
Adoption, Honesty, and the Learning Curve
There is a beautiful openness that happens in the adoption community. People talk about the hard things. People share the words said in the middle of the grief and the hurt. In so many worlds there is supposed to be a lovely scene with confetti and cupcakes and mint...
Mary Alice’s 1st Birthday celebration {or reasons open adoption is amazing}
Mary Alice turned one a few days after my grandmother passed away. In my pantry were the cutest little decorations and plates and napkins you ever did see. Mom had everything ready for me. But after that phone call, I just didn't feel like celebrating. I was okay,...
My Riley Kenton
My dearest Riley, You have now lived with us for over two years. In your life, you have now lived with us longer than anywhere else. I hope you feel like it is home. In the past year, we've walked a rocky path together. Grandma Wendy went to heaven. We met your first...