Thursday, November 30, 2006

Nov 30: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 30

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #30 Submit a story connected with your adoption experience to local, state, or national publications... and complete your collage.


Well, I have to admit, I'm so behind, I'm still working on my collage ;)

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

5 months


Today we hit the 5 month mark from when we contracted with Lifetime. So much has happened since then. We've learned a lot. Some friends from our Lifetime yahoo group have been matched, and have a son. We learned we need to rework our profile. We've set up a nursery. We've had a home study. So many exciting events....

Nov 29: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 29

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #29 Give your child/children, adopted and not, an extra hug today.


Well, we will give Precious extra special attention today ;)

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Our friends from our facilitaton center have a boy!

Some friends from my Lifetime yahoo group are new parents! Their soon to be son was born today :) They are currently with the birthmother and the baby, and hopefully will be able to take the little one home next week.

I really am excited that someone in our little "group" got matched up and the baby was born. I remember when she joined our group, and then when she got the call, chatting with the birthmom. And now, so exciting!

Nov 28: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 28

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #28 Share your adoption story with members of your faith.



Faith- it has a whole lot of meanings. I am wearing a bracelet my sister gave me, It says faith on it. It reminds me to keep faith that things will happen when they are supposed to happen. I wear it just about every day....

Monday, November 27, 2006

Nov 27: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 27

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #27 During the Thanksgiving Day meal ask each person to share that for which he/she is most thankful.

This one is a little off, as Thanksgiving was last week ;) But anyway, we are very thankful for our friends and family, and each other....

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Nov 26: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 26

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #26 Encourage a family you know to consider adopting.


While we don't specifically target anyone, we are more than happy to share our experiences with those who ask. And, the more you talk about it, the more you find out about people who are considering adoption.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Nov 25: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 25

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #25 Volunteer to be a support to another adoptive or birth family.


I've mentioned this before, we are on an adoption support yahoo group for others who are adopting from our adoption facilitator. It's a great group, with lots of support. One of the families was recently matched up, and their baby is due any minute now :)

Nov 24: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 24

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #24 Subscribe to an adoption magazine.


Actually, that's on our Christmas list - a subscription to Adoptive Families Magazine and Adoption Today magazine.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving

We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for, our friends, our family, and each other.

Have a great holiday everyone.

Nov 23: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 23

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #23 Send a note of thanks to someone who helped make your adoption or search dreams a reality.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Nov 22: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 22

Celebrate Adoption Today Day #22

Attend a support group meeting.


We are looking for adoption groups in our area, but haven't found any yet. We are on an online group for Lifetime families, and it's great.


Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Nov 21: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 21

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #21 Share a birth family tradition or recipe for your Thanksgiving meal coming up.




We are looking forward to Thanksgiving. We are going to the house on the Guadalupe River with my sisters and their families, my parents, and my brother.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Nov 20: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 20

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #20 Ask your child to write a letter to a celebrity about their adoption experience.



Again, not one we can participate in. But someday :)

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Nov 19: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 19

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #19 Cook a meal that reflects your family heritage.



We had chicken strips for lunch and hamburgers for dinner :)

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Nov 18: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 18

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #18 Get together with other adoptive or birth family members for dinner.


Actually, we are going to a birthday dinner in honor of Mrs D. It's her 100th birthday dinner party, and we are excited that we were invited to share in her special celebration.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Time to rework the profile

The owner and founder of our facilitation center called us today. She had some great pointers and tips on things we ought to do to change up our profile a bit. So we are going to do that. Our current ones are ok, she said, but there are a lot of clues and things in there that are most likely getting us passed over. So, she helped us figure out which pictures to use/not use and how to change up the wording a bit. We are looking forward to changing things up, and hope to have them completed pretty soon.

Nov 17: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 17

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #17 Take a family photo.


Well, we can't do that today, as Mike is in New Hampshire for a work road trip. But we do need to do it again, as we need to rework our profile a bit.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Nov 16: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 16

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #16 Ask your local library to display adoption-related books.


You know, one thing we have realized is that it's hard to find age appropriate adoption related books. You can go online and find them, but to actually see them in person is difficult. Barnes and Noble and Borders carry a few in the actual store, and quite a few online. Even Target carries quite a selection online. But you can't find any in a Target store. Nor can you add them to a registry. You can add them to a wish list, but not a baby registry.... Babies R Us has one adoption book in the store, and not all stores have it. They also have one book available online (not the same as the one in the store).

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Nov 15: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 15

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #15 Share with someone close to you how adoption has affected your life.




We do this every day... this blog is an example ;) Because, adoption has affected our life, and we are quite excited about it.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Nov 14: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 14

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #14 Talk about the birth family of your child(ren) in a positive way.


Can't do that yet, but we look forward to doing it some day.....

Monday, November 13, 2006

Another teleconference call

We were asked to participate in a teleconference call tonight. It was very interesting.

It was titled: How to Survive the Holidays While Waiting. Mardie Caldwell, founder and CEO of Lifetime Adoption, addressed the concerns of families who are waiting to adopt and now face the coming holidays, the prospect of seeing extended family, and all the emotions that go along with this season.

This teleconference also included insight and encouragement for some common areas:

How to answer questions from your relatives.
How to stay positive.
How to turn lemons into lemonade.
Remembering to take time to reflect.


We really enjoyed it, and got a lot out of it. It helped us to reflect, and gave us some good pointers. We were really excited about the information we received, and plan on using some of the tips and hints we were given.

Nov 13: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 13

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #13 Learn more about positive adoption language.


This is a great activity day, and the links shown in positive adoption language have some great hints and tips to use. We've posted about this before, and strongly believe that using postive adoption language is important. It's great to share with family and friends, and eventually teachers and others who come into contact with the family and the future child.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Nov 12: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 12

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #12 Play in the leaves with your family and discuss how each family tree is unique.



Well, we are not going to do this, but we are going to take our 4 year old nephew and almost 11 month old niece to The Children's Festival :) Mike and I are looking forward to spending the afternoon by ourselves with the little ones.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Nov 11: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 11

Celebrate Adoption Today
Day #11
Call your local or state elected officials to find out where they stand on adoption issues.


We don't know about the elected officials in our local area, League City, but we do know about some folks in our parent's area. Congressman Kevin Brady, 8th District of Texas, is himself an adoptive father of two, and has done quite a few things to help pass adoption laws. He has worked to help pass laws that benefit both the children, and also to help increase the tax adoption credit for adoptive parents.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Nov 10: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 10

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #10 Take a family walk.


We did this. It wasn't as long as our usual walk, but we did get a short one in. One thing Mike and I enjoy doing is spending time together, taking a walk. We often do it after Mike gets home from work. We are looking forward to pushing a little one in a stroller soon....

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Nov 9: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 9

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #9
Make a Christmas/Kwanzaa/Chanukah ornament or gift which reflects the ethnic heritage of your family members.


Well, again, another that doesn't really match to us yet. Rather than going ethnic heritage, we go with interest. So, we have sailboat and racecar ornaments.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Putting It All Together

We have several different websites, one for our blog, one for our profile, etc. So, we put it all together. It'll be easier to remember one website address, and you can gain access to everything there. The site is www.MikeAndLizAdopt.com . We also typed up an "about us" section, pretty similar to our profile, it tells a little bit about us ;)

Nov 8: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 8

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #8 Suggest forming a group at school to address the positive aspects of adoption.


Well, we really aren't to that level yet, as we have no kids in school. But I am spreading the word on message boards and other groups I am in.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Nov 7: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 7

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #7 Write to elected officials in support of ballot measures that help children and families.



Well, I guess we'll see who gets elected and decide if we ought to write letters or not. We are not typically ones to write letters to elected officials.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Another conference call

We were on another Lifetime conference call tonight. It was interesting. It was for contracted folks, folks in application, and folks who are interesting in adoption. It was geared more toward the whole adoption processes versus just one aspect, but was a great informational tool.

Nov 6: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 6

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #6 Light candles during dinner to remember children who are waiting for permanent families.


Well, that's not unusal for us to light a candle during dinner or anytime for that matter. I lit one after dinner (we were on a chat during dinner) to remember...

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Nov 5: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 5

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #5 Work on a life book for your child or your own journal.


We are doing a few things for this. First, we have the book Our Chosen Child that we are going to use as our baby book. It's perfect for our situation.

Second, I purchased a scrapbook. I actually found it at the Dollar Tree store, and the funny thing is, the brand is called Miss Elizabeth's. It basically is just the cover, but you buy inserts to make the scrapbook. It's expandable, held together with a ribbon, which is fantastic and unique. My plan is to scrap the journey of adoption, to show all that we are going through as we build our family.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Nov 4: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 4

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #4 Write a letter to the editor about a positive adoption story.


I don't really have any editors to write to, so not sure what I'll do with this one...

Friday, November 03, 2006

Nov 3: Celebrate Adoption Today

NOVEMBER 3

Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #3 Read an adoption story as a family.


We have several interesting adoption books for both children and adults. We are always on the lookout for ones to share with our future children, and have found a few so far. One thing we have noticed though is that most have to be bought online. Babies R Us carries one book in store (and not all carry it), Target rarely has any, and both Barnes and Noble and Borders don't have but a few titles at any given time. We had wanted to register for some, but found that even though Target has quite a few online, they can't be added to a baby registry, only a wishlist. Quite disappointing.


These are the books we have so far:

for kids:

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, by Jamie Lee Curtis

How I Was Adopted, by Joanna Cole

Happy Adoption Day, by John McCutcheon


for adults:

The Complete Adoption Book, by Beauvais-Godwin and Godwin, Esq

AdoptingOnline.com, by Mardie Caldwell

Adoption for Dummies, by Barr and Carlisle


as a baby book:

Our Chosen Child, by Levy and Pelikan

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Nov 2: Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #2 Rent a video that shows adoption in a positive way. I plan on watching the free streaming video one (Out of the Fog) and choosing a few of the others to put in my netflix queue.


A few that are recommended:


Classics


Blossoms in the Dust (1941)
Greer Garson stars as Edna Gladney, a pioneer in the world of adoption agencies. While instrumental in having the word "illegitimate" removed from Texas adoption files, she remained a staunch supporter of sealed records. Drama. Not rated.

Curly Top (1935)
Bachelor millionaire, orphaned youngsters, love, romance and lots of song and dance. Happily ever after with Shirley Temple in her prime. Musical. Rated G.

Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)
The story of Gladys Aylward, adoptive parent and missionary in China, starring Ingrid Bergman. Not rated.

Men of Boys Town (1941)
Spencer Tracy as Father Flanigan is back in Boys Town, this time for three stories geared to touch the heartstrings. Drama. Not rated

The Lady is Willing (1942)
You just can't miss Marlene Dietrich as a woman whose maternal instincts get fired up when she finds an abandoned baby. Comedy. Not rated.


Contemporary

Big Daddy (1999)
Adam Sandler stars in this story of a man who adopts to impress his girlfriend. Oh well. Foolishness for the family. Comedy. Rated PG-13.

Flirting With Disaster (1996)
Jealous adoptive parents, hippie birth parents, and an over-sexed adoption consultant are only a few of the hurdles Mel Coplin (Ben Stiller) faces on his way through a farce of search and reunion. Comedy. Rated R.

Immediate Family (1989)
Couple seeking to adopt meets teenage expectant couple. Excellent cast includes Glenn Close, James Woods, Mary Stuart Masterson and Kevin Dillon. Drama. Rated PG-13.

Losing Isaiah (1995)
A strong story of conflict and resolution very much in tune with today's issues of addicted babies, transracial adoption, and birthmother rights. Jessica Lange, Halle Berry, Samuel L. Jackson. Rated R.

Mommie Dearest (1981)
As an adoptive mother, Joan Crawford was very different from the picture she presented to the world, according to this film based on the story by her daughter Christina. Drama.

Second Best (1995)
Single parent adoption is the backdrop for this exploration of a man's and a boy's dreams and disillusionment. Drama. Rated PG-13.

Secrets & Lies (1996)
The phrase "secrets and lies" is commonly used in the adoption community to mean sealed records, shame, guilt, or fear. But the secrets and lies of this remarkable film go far beyond and take us into the very real - and very human - failure to communicate that marks so many family relationships, adoptive and not. Rated R.

The Lost Child (2000)
A Hallmark Hall of Fame original film (2000), this true story of a Jewish adoptee's discovery of her Navajo heritage is a powerful work that explores adoption and interpersonal issues, as well as these two strong cultures.

Stuart Little
The movie isn't like the book. No movie ever is, but the story line has been altered - making Stuart an adoptee rather than biological child - and, of course, there's the usual book-to-movie change from imagination (book) to visual certainty (movie).


Documentary/Educational

Bonding Through Touch: Infant Massage for Adoptive Families
This video, produced by Three Hearts, LLC, teaches parents how to massage their infants and children with a loving touch. Massage promotes attachment and bonding by reinforcing gentle, close, loving contact between parents, siblings, and the new child.

In The Sun: A Complete Guide to Adoption
A "how to adopt" video. It includes information about the various types of adoption, children (ages, domestic, international), legal and financial considerations, presented in a series of conversations with couples and comments by adoption professionals.

Precious Cargo
Originally aired on November 11, 2001 (PBS), this remarkable film is being made available on video. The story follows a group of young Vietnamese adoptees on a homeland visit, and includes information on Operation Babylift. The film is both political and intensely personal.

Out of the Fog: Mothers' Voices
This educational video featuring birthmothers is being made available free on the Web. Addressing issues such as open records, language, choice, and adoption practice, the video is the creation of independent filmmaker Suzie Kidnap.... It can be found here.

Seven Core Issues of Adoption
Sharon Kaplan and Deborah Silverstein discuss the issues of loss, rejection, guilt and shame, grief, identity, intimacy, and mastery/control with an audience of triad members. Excellent choice for support groups and adoption educators.

Unlocking the Heart of Adoption
This documentary, filmed by Sheila Ganz over the course of several years with input from families around the entire spectrum of adoption, is intended to educate, encourage dialog, and raise awareness. An excellent choice for educators and adoption professionals, as well as our families.

Was I In Your Tummy, Mommy?
This 90-minute video was created by Spence-Chapin's Adoption Resources Center and presents teaching sessions with parents addressing the "tummy" question, as well as questions about children who don't ask questions, and dealing with questions and comments from others.

So apparently my sister's name....

....is Molly not Holly. Well, according to the home study that the case worker we contracted out wrote. And my dad earned a Masters in Civil Engineering and Behavior at Rice University. She got Mike's mom's school completely wrong, misspelled my other sister's last name, and lots of other stuff.


These are just a few of the many multiple mistakes the home study lady did. You can tell she did it in a hurry...

I've emailed our coordinator to see what she has to say about it.

Apparently, according to our lawyer, we might have to do it all over again anyway... so I'll see if we pursue it further with her or not. The possible home study we might need isn't done until we are placed with a child. This home study is basically for the facilitator and to show the ICPC (Interstate Child Placement Compact) that we are fit to parent. And, the chances (especially finalizing the adoption in Galveston County) of us needing a new one to go with the adoption records are pretty high.

It's a shame this happened, and so wrong!

Geez, talk about a royal pain. She took over 2 months to do it, cashed our check, and then did it wrong!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

November is Adoption Awareness Month

November is Adoption Awareness Month. I have found an Adoption Month Calendar- an activity every day. They all pertain to the family and to adoption. So, I'm going to do it. I'll post each day what the activity is, and what we did (or are going to do) that day.


NOVEMBER 1 :Celebrate Adoption Today

Day #1 Get thirty sheets of paper in multiple colors. Daily write something about your adoption journey. On Nov. 30th, assemble into a collage.



I am not going to do a collage, but rather a scrapbook. I was at the dollar store today and found the cutest scrapbook and scrapbook paper. So, I am going to do it this month and chronicle our adoption journey thus far.

Halloween was fun

We had a blast last night passing out candy to kids. Mike is going to be such a great dad! He was so excited everytime the bell rang, and loved looking at the kid's halloween costumes. We had 55 trick or treaters.

Mike had bought lots of halloween candy, and I went and bought fruit snacks for the toddlers/babies and picked up some crayons too. Stuff A Friend is having a coloring contest, so I printed off the coloring sheets, and made a booklet of them. The sheets had one of our website addresses on them (www.stuffafriend.biz/members/mikeandlizadopt) that tells about our adoption. I put Stuff A Friend stickers on the crayons with my Stuff A Friend website: www.stuffafriendtx.com .

So when the doorbell rang, Mike passed out the candy and I passed out the crayons and coloring sheets. The kids were really excited about it, we heard one little boy go screaming down the driveway to his mother "MOM! Crayons and Candy! This is the BEST house ever!"