Lack of words

I really dislike sitting down to write--whether it be for this blog or another writing project--and not having words. I sit and stare at the blank page, yelling at my brain to feed my fingers something to type, but it doesn't work. Today is one of those days. So, just a couple fun little videos that I hope bring a smile to your face this snowy day.

First, one of my favorite scenes ever (EVER!!), from Charlie Brown's Christmas:

And the second...well, our adoption video, of course! View! Smile! Share!

Have a great day, y'all! :)

Good-bye November, hello December!

One final song. What do you want for Christmas? I'm sure a few of my adoptive families out there answered, "Gee, I'd love a match or to bring home a baby." I hope we expand on that, and we're able to just wish to have our families around us. You may be a family created through birth or adoption, foster care, or maybe you don't have kids yet; whether you're a family of 2 or 12, pull your loved ones around you and enjoy the love, joy, and simple beauty of the season. Remember God's love for you, that He knows you,  and really does have a hand in your life.

And thus closes Nat'l Adoption Month for our little blog. Thanks for dropping by!

Dream big!

Sometimes, it seems like adoption is all about hopes and reams. Hoping for a match with  a family, dreaming of the child who will eventually (hopefully) join the family. Dreaming of the family you want for your child, hoping that child will have the life you've envisioned for him or her....

Hope, hope, hope...

Dream, dream, dream...

Here's to all our hopes and dreams (and yours) becoming realities in the upcoming year!

Tree hunting day!

A few years ago, we decided we would rather go up into the mountains and cut our own Christmas tree. We've made it a tradition. It is, on the whole, a lot of fun. Lizzie especially had fun this year, running around after Andy. Here's the day in pictures. Enjoy!

First, breakfast at Perkins! 

"Yes, I AM the cutest thing you've ever seen!"

"I'm too handsome to be cute."

Then it was off to the mountains! We took Old Dog with us. She hasn't had much chance to be out and about with the family lately, so I thought this might be fun for her. She disagreed. 

"I'm not talking to you!"

Lovin' every minute of it!

I refrained from singing 'The Sound of Music.'

Snow angels!

Aw!

Yes, yes. You ARE handsome and wonderful!!

Shelly is ready to go home!

A wonderful time was had by all (except Nate, who kept saying it was "boring"...where have I gone wrong with that kid?). I love being in the profound silence of the mountains. Time loses its meaning, and I find myself at peace among God's creations. Until Nate yells, "I have snow in my boot!" 

Hope y'all are having fun with your own holiday traditions! Do feel free to share what they may be. :)

Today's song:

"If you feel discouraged

When there's a lack of color here

Please don't worry lover

It's really bursting at the seams

Absorbing everything

The spectrum's a to z"

Remember...our view of life is so limited. You never know when your black and white view will burst into vivid, beautiful color! Such is life...such is adoption. Never take any of it for granted.

Confidence!

Here's a song for those at the beginning of their journey...or in the middle and just wondering where they heck they're going...

A little confidence...or even just telling yourself you HAVE confidence...makes all the difference. And I love the line that the Rev. Mother gives Maria: When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. Let's not forget to look for those windows in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving

Ah, here we are! The day before Thanksgiving! I hope you are all feeling as lucky and blessed as I am. Life can be so chaotic that we forget the simple, wonderful things that make life...LIFE.

Today's song reminds me of adoption because my good friend (who is planning to place her baby for adoption) says it reminds her of adoption. It's a quiet song, but very emotional. Try turning off the lights and just...listening.

I know! I'm missing more and more days, here! It's a busy time of year around my house, so bear with me y'all. Today's song...one of my all-time faves. Makes me cry a little every time I listen to it. Today's version is by Adele, cuz I just think that lady has SOUL, baby!

I think this song is not only about lovers, but ANYONE you love...I'd go crawling down the avenue for my husband (cuz he's so darn amazing), but also for my kids. I'd go to the ends of the earth for my siblings. I wish I could make all my kids' dreams come true. There ain't nothin' that I wouldn't do...

Um...days...whatever...

Oooookay, so this week has been busy! What, you mean the blog posts didn't magically transfer from my brain to the computer while I slept? DRAT! Well, here's another light-hearted song. I love Finding Nemo, especially Dory, and she has the perfect view on life...it applies great to adoption, too.

Day 15

Today's song is by Greg Laswell. Just listen. You'll feel the adoption parts in there...

Days 13 &14

Guess I'm falling a wee bit behind. *sigh* This is harder than it looks!

Today's song is on the lighter side, even though I sometimes wonder if this is how adoptive parents are seen: as Gogans instead of Nora. I know so many awesome Noras, just wanting to help, love, protect...

Happy birthday, Nate!!

Yep, it's my little guy's birthday again. And he's not that little anymore! Wow, how the years fly! I do have pictures, but I left the camera at home (I'm posting from work tonight....ssssshhhh!). I'll have to add them later or put them in tomorrow's post.

Today's song? Well, it's just Nate, through and through. If you know him, you know he approaches life like it's one big ninja/super hero/spy movie. He is the intrepid hero, and his mission--should he accept it--is to be as awesome as humanly possible. Oh, and he accomplishes that mission, too!

D'oh! (Days 9 and 10)

Well, nobody's perfect. I did say I'd try to post every day.

I'm listening to Christmas music already. Yes, I know. But, I really, really like Christmas music! And, as you can imagine, it has kind of driven adoption-related lyrics from my mind. I'm not ready for a foot of snow or icy roads yet (Montana, remember?), but I do love that special feeling around Christmas time.

Wait...what was I supposed to be talking about? Ooooh, that's right: Adoption! Well, here's a song that  speaks to me of adoption...it actually speaks to me of many things, and I've listened to it many times over. Finding joy in the journey of adoption can be such a hard thing. The ups and downs, twists and turns...when I'm on road trips I get car sick, and I have to say that the journey of adoption has often made me emotionally car sick. But...it's all part of life, right? Adoption or not, we all have our own winding roads, our own mountains to climb. I hope I can pause more often and enjoy the view...

The Space Between

When we went to pick up Nate from the agency, half the valley lost power. Traffic was backed up onto the interstate and all through town. We have driven an hour and a half and were just on the interstate, just off our exit ramp. It took us another hour to get to the agency. While we were sitting there, freaking out because we were late for picking up our first child, this song came on. I turned it up, up, up, so loud it was all I could hear. So loud it drove my anxiety away. So it always reminds me of adoption.

Yawn

What day is that? Oh yes, day 6. I haven't been feeling well, so forgive me if I'm a tad forgetful today. Today's song is about bed time. My parting words to my 8 year old tonight were, "You have 10 seconds to get in bed! 1...2..." Not exactly the ideal. Not what I envisioned in my "Someday When I'm A Mom" dreams. What can I say? I'm not perfect. I'm just a mommy who doesn't feel good, doing the best I can.

So, here's a little lullaby for my little guy. A lullaby for all the babies whose birthmoms aren't there to sing to them tonight. A lullaby for all the adoptive moms who get to sing one to a baby tonight because of adoption.

Day 5

Adoption has a way of straining relationships, strengthening relationships, destroying relationships and forging new relationships.

No matter who you are in adoption, it impacts your entire life and the lives of those around you. I know my father's adoption affected me in very real and tangible ways, just as my efforts to add another child to our family affects Andy (obviously), my siblings (thanks for listening to my heartbreaks), my friends (ditto) and my kids.

Similarly, a pregnant woman's journey in adoption impacts not just her, but her child (or children), significant other/spouse, parents, siblings...Adoption is wide reaching, and it isn't easy on anyone it touches.

Adoption's rewards are sweet, its blows are devastating, and it changes not only how you look at the world, but who you are...or rather, helps you discover who you can be, if you let it.

Today is another 2 song day. The first is for the strong women in adoption, who so often muster ever ounce of strength and courage they have to venture into the unknown; terrified, but unafraid, we tread the path we think is best.

The second song is for the solid, loving men who remind us who we are when we cast our backward glances, second guessing ourselves; who comfort us when we weep and leave us alone when we need to think.

Nat'l Adoption Month Day 2

Today's song speaks of adoption to me on so many levels. As an interracial family, we look past color and love each other, not matter what we look like, because we know each others' souls. And that's what matters in our family. Also, I love the thought of letting your inner self shine through, because that's what you have to do when you're getting to know these wonderful people called birthparents; any falseness, and the whole thing falls apart eventually. But, with open, honest communication a true bond and friendship can form and last a lifetime. Just my thoughts. What do YOU think?