Definition of Self Portrait

Apparently in "Mommy School" we need to cover the definition of Self-Portrait again. One of us thinks the definition is not "to paint a picture of oneself", but rather "to paint oneself."

Our Thoughts on Open Adoption

According to T-Man, this is known as an "upper-case" chair (his own design, by the way). One chair is a "lower-case chair", a second on top makes it bigger which equals an "upper-case" chair. It's amazing to observe how his almost 3 year old mind thinks!

If you would have asked us in the beginning of our adoption journey if we wanted an open adoption, you most likely would have heard something like, "Ummm, no thank-you". We didn't know much about adoption or openness in adoption and have learned the majority of what we know "along the way".

When we met our son's birth mother and later discussed how open we wanted our adoption relationship to be, our hearts changed and softened. She was giving us a part of her heart -- her child -- her son -- and she deserves so, so much. We agreed to letters, pictures, email, and to the exchanging of gifts. That has since expanded into quarterly visits, phone calls, holiday gifts, quick cell-phone calls just to say "Hi", you name it. Not all open adoptions are like this or can be like this. We understand each others "boundaries" -- We are very blessed.

Last week, T-Man said, "I need to say 'Hi' to V." So we picked up the phone and he did just that. During a prayer the other night I asked to please bless V. At the end T-Man corrected me and added that we needed to bless her parents and sister! (Once again, I stand corrected) Ask us now if we want an open adoption. You will hear something like, "We wouldn't want it any other way!"

Thank you V!

TOO HOT!

Yesterday: 92 degrees and too much humidity

Outside temp. + humidity =
a feels like temperature of 101 degrees.

Lovin' the sprinkler!

"If a mother and father can love more than one child,
then certainly a child
can love more than one mother or father."
~Author Unknown

We are so grateful for our open adoption.
T-Man has so many people that love him, I lose count.
I hope as he grows and learns about adoption
that he will draw strength from this.

Happy Father's Day, Dear!

I love and have loved every minute of being a mother.
Yes, even the dirty diapers and the food spills for the "umpteenth" time.
But hands down, my most favorite part of motherhood is watching Eric move into his role as
a DAD.
I guess I never really saw much of that side of him while we dated.
I have to say, being a father has turned him into the cutest and biggest "mush-melon".
Every night, after T-Man has fallen asleep, we sneak back into his room and watch him sleep for awhile.
EVERY NIGHT
Eric whispers something into T-man's ear, kisses his cheek and then coos, "he's so cute" or "he's getting so big" or "I just love this kid" or "We have a son!" or "Love you, T-Man"
He LOVES being a father!

Water fight in the backyard 05/25/09
Happy Father's Day - "DADDY"!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Thanks for being the best example to T-Man

Thanks for all you do for all of us!

We love you!

Spring Has Sprung!

Hangin' Out at Grandma's

Heading for the sandbox

Last day of "Big Boy School"

My Mother's Day Perspective

I'm reposting from my Mother's Day post at Illinois FSA:

Mother’s Day was the least celebrated holiday in our home for the seven years we were married before our son joined our family in August of 2006. Every Mother’s Day for seven years was spent in tears. The Saturday night before Mother's Day, I told my husband that I didn’t think I could go to church the next day. I didn’t have the strength to listen to the children sing to their mothers as my heart and arms ached, longing for a child. “ALL women are mothers in some form” a member of the Bishopric would say as they asked all the mothers in the congregation to stand. I would drop my head knowing deep down that it was true, there was more than one way to be a mother, but I still longed to be called “Mommy” by a sticky fingered, blessed little spirit running around my home. I would wipe away the tears and question why we are all commanded to “multiply and replenish the earth” with exception of us (visualize an enormous finger pointing down from the heavens at me and my husband!)

My first Mother's Day with our son was one of my most special days. My poor husband thought he was free from tears on Mother's Day now that we had adopted our son, but this time there were tears of joy, love and gratitude. There were even tears of sorrow as I thought about the pain birthmothers were experiencing. It was on this day that I realized the errors of my ways while dealing with our seven years of “waiting” for our adoption miracle. I needed to change my thinking. We were not cursed with infertility; we were blessed to have been chosen by a loving Heavenly Father to be adoptive parents! The two of us were a couple that would have strength enough to survive the challenges of the adoption process - Adoption is not for the faint of heart! We were a couple that would have the capability to raise a child placed in our arms by another woman. Not only would we have the opportunity to raise a child, but we would get to meet and know true heroes and angels in the birthparents that would entrust us with the sacred duty of raising their child. How special it is to be living among angels.

We feel honored to be among those whose families are created through the most emotional and most wonderful experience called adoption. We know our son is meant to be a part of our family – there is no doubt about that. He just took a different, less traditional route to get to our family. He fills a place in our heart that only he, his birthmother, and her family could have filled. It was a painful wait, but each day as we watch him grow, we know that our Father in Heaven specifically tailor-made our family for us!

As our family rides the roller coaster of the adoption process again and as our “wait” seems to move forward at a turtle’s pace, we find peace in knowing that the Lord is again designing our specific family just for us. He knows each of us individually, our needs, and he has not left us alone nor will He. Creating families is a delicate process that takes time, thought, and “waiting”.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” ~Jeremiah 29:11

Too Much Rain!

It rained all day Sunday, all day Monday, morning rain today, and a chance of more rain tomorrow -- Too much rain! Needless to say, we were trapped inside. A lot of rain wasn't going to stop us from having fun. We played with colored rice in our sensory tub, made food out of playdough, took a break to go out and jump in puddles, and built towers to crash down out of blocks. This was our favorite: "Building a 'Tower of Chicago' where Daddy works"

Easter at Our Home of Hope

Before the coloring of the eggs:

The hands after the coloring of the eggs:

The ride home from T-Man's "Big Boy School" the Tuesday before Easter:

The craft for the day was bunny ears.

T-Man camera shy? Not usually, but this photo shows off his creative skills!